Computationally Secure Optical Transmission Systems with Optical Encryption at Line Rate

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel optical encryption system that combines optical XOR and oLFSRs with electronic control to achieve line-rate encryption security, addressing cryptographic vulnerabilities.

Contribution

It presents a new optical encryption architecture using parallel oLFSRs and electronic nonlinear random control to enhance security at optical line rates.

Findings

System is secure against wiretapping

Can be implemented with current optical technology

Achieves encryption at optical line rate

Abstract

We propose a novel system for optical encryption based on an optical XOR and optical Linear Feedback Shift Register (oLFSRs). Though we choose LFSR for its ability to process optical signals at line rate, we consider the fact that it offers no cryptographic security. To address the security shortfall, we propose implementation of parallel oLFSRs, whereby the resulting key-stream at line rate is controlled electronically by a nonlinear random number generator at speeds much lower than the optical line rate, which makes the system practically relevant. The analysis of computational security shows that the proposed system is secure against wiretapping and can be engineered with the state of the art optical components.