Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications
Abstract Optical layer attacks on optical fiber communication networks are one of the weakest reinforced areas of the network, allowing attackers to overcome security software or firewalls when proper safeguards are not put into place. Encrypting data using a random phase mask is a simple yet effect...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39621-5 |
| _version_ | 1797452611876552704 |
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| author | Adrian Chan Mostafa Khalil Kh Arif Shahriar David V. Plant Lawrence R. Chen Randy Kuang |
| author_facet | Adrian Chan Mostafa Khalil Kh Arif Shahriar David V. Plant Lawrence R. Chen Randy Kuang |
| author_sort | Adrian Chan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Optical layer attacks on optical fiber communication networks are one of the weakest reinforced areas of the network, allowing attackers to overcome security software or firewalls when proper safeguards are not put into place. Encrypting data using a random phase mask is a simple yet effective way to bolster the data security at the physical layer. Since the interactions of the random phases used for such encryption heavily depend on system properties like data rate, modulation format, distance, degree of phase randomness, laser properties, etc., it is important to determine the optimum operating conditions for different scenarios. In this work, assuming that the transmitter and the receiver have a secret pre-shared key, we present a theoretical study of security in such a system through mutual information analysis. Next, we determine operating conditions which ensure security for 4-PSK, 16-PSK, and 128-QAM formats through numerical simulation. Moreover, we provide an experimental demonstration of the system using 16-QAM modulation. We then use numerical simulation to verify the efficacy of the encryption and study two preventative measures for different modulation formats which will prevent an eavesdropper from obtaining any data. The results demonstrate that the system is secure against a tapping attack if an attacker has no information of the phase modulator and pre-shared key. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:11:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7638ab89b8e428ab11b611b9e47e5aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:11:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7638ab89b8e428ab11b611b9e47e5aa2023-11-26T13:22:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-08-0113111410.1038/s41598-023-39621-5Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communicationsAdrian Chan0Mostafa Khalil1Kh Arif Shahriar2David V. Plant3Lawrence R. Chen4Randy Kuang5Quantropi Inc.Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill UniversityDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill UniversityDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill UniversityDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill UniversityQuantropi Inc.Abstract Optical layer attacks on optical fiber communication networks are one of the weakest reinforced areas of the network, allowing attackers to overcome security software or firewalls when proper safeguards are not put into place. Encrypting data using a random phase mask is a simple yet effective way to bolster the data security at the physical layer. Since the interactions of the random phases used for such encryption heavily depend on system properties like data rate, modulation format, distance, degree of phase randomness, laser properties, etc., it is important to determine the optimum operating conditions for different scenarios. In this work, assuming that the transmitter and the receiver have a secret pre-shared key, we present a theoretical study of security in such a system through mutual information analysis. Next, we determine operating conditions which ensure security for 4-PSK, 16-PSK, and 128-QAM formats through numerical simulation. Moreover, we provide an experimental demonstration of the system using 16-QAM modulation. We then use numerical simulation to verify the efficacy of the encryption and study two preventative measures for different modulation formats which will prevent an eavesdropper from obtaining any data. The results demonstrate that the system is secure against a tapping attack if an attacker has no information of the phase modulator and pre-shared key.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39621-5 |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Chan Mostafa Khalil Kh Arif Shahriar David V. Plant Lawrence R. Chen Randy Kuang Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications Scientific Reports |
| title | Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| title_full | Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| title_fullStr | Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| title_short | Encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| title_sort | encryption in phase space for classical coherent optical communications |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39621-5 |
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