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International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks

Propagation of Optical Signals Encrypted with Spectral Phase Encoding and Signal/Polarisation Shuffling

João Pedro de Lima Cassiano Pereira, Marcelo Pereira Nogueira, Eric A. M. Fagotto, Ivan Aldaya, Marcelo L. F. Abbade

Published Jul 14, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Non-intrusive tapping and other threats have underscored the necessity for enhanced security mechanisms in transparent optical networks (TONs). In this work, we explore the application of both intra- and inter-signal cryptography techniques to secure TON signals. The intra-signal approach utilizes spectral phase encoding, while the inter-signal technique relies on shuffling the samples among different signals, including the X - and Y polarisation components of each signal. Computer simulation results suggest that encrypted $448 \mathrm{~Gb} / \mathrm{s}$ dual polarisation (DP) 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals may be properly recovered after $\sim 700 \mathrm{~km}$ of standard single-mode fiber propagation.

DOI
10.1109/icton62926.2024.10647852

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IEEE Photonics Technology Letters•Feb 29, 2024•19 citations
Non-intrusive tapping and other threats have underscored the necessity for enhanced security mechanisms in transparent optical networks (TONs). In this work, we explore the application of both intra- and inter-signal cryptography techniques to secure TON signals. The intra-signal approach utilizes spectral phase encoding, while the inter-signal technique relies on shuffling the samples among different signals, including the X - and Y polarisation components of each signal. Computer simulation results suggest that encrypted 448 Gb/s448 \mathrm{~Gb} / \mathrm{s}448 Gb/s dual polarisation (DP) 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals may be properly recovered after ∼700 km\sim 700 \mathrm{~km}∼700 km of standard single-mode fiber propagation.
In this work, we propose a strategy for encrypting dual polarisation optical signals. The scheme is based on shuffling the spectral samples of baseband signals that further modulate the orthogonal polarisations of an optical carrier. Additionally, the samples phases are also encoded. We investigate the performance of the encryption scheme in a scenario where data centres are connected by a cascade of standard fibre optical links. Simulation results indicate that the encrypted versions of 448 Gb/s 16 – quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals may be properly propagated by distances of up to 420 km.
In this work, we propose a comprehensive technique to enhance the security of superchannels (SCs). The spectral samples of the signals within a superchannel are shuffled and further encrypted in amplitude and phase, according to cryptographic keys. The strategy may be applied to SC signals with different modulation formats and bit rates. Moreover, the concept of SC is generalized, allowing for channels to be propagated through different optical routes. As a result, eavesdroppers need to tap multiple optical fibers to recover the content of a single signal. This simultaneously increases security and enhances the cost of spying. We investigate scenarios where dual polarization (DP) quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) signals are encrypted and propagated through transparent optical networks. Results reveal that no meaningful propagation penalty is introduced by signal encryption. From a security perspective, the technique is considerably more robust against brute force attacks than the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is widely deployed in data encryption. A strategy to provide the properties of diffusion and confusion to the proposed encryption technique is discussed.
All-optical spectral shuffling (AOSS) is a recently proposed physical layer encryption technique. In AOSS, multiple input signals are split in several spectral slices. These slices are then shuffled to form multiple encrypted signals. In fact, it is possible to transmit each shuffled signal by a different optical route. This strategy increases security because if an eavesdropper wants to detect information from a unique signal, he needs to tap at least one fiber per route. In this work, computer simulations are used to encrypt two 112 Gbps 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals and to propagate the shuffled signals by distinct optical routes. Our results reveal that the shuffled signals may be propagated by optical routes as long as 600 km. Besides that, we also investigate the situations i) where the signals travel by routes with different lengths and ii) where each route imposes different physical impairments to the encrypted signals.
A recent proposed physical layer encryption technique uses an all-optical setup based on spatial light modulators to split two or more wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals in several spectral slices and to shuffle these slices. As a result, eavesdroppers aimed to recover information from a single target signal need to handle all the signals involved in the shuffling process. In this work, computer simulations are used to analyse the case where the shuffled signals propagate through different optical routes. From a security point of view, this is an interesting possibility because it obliges eavesdroppers to tap different optical fibres/ cables. On the other hand, each shuffled signal experiences different physical impairments and the deleterious consequences of these effects must be carefully investigated. Our results indicate that, in a metropolitan area network environment, penalties caused by attenuation and dispersion differences may be easily compensated with digital signal processing algorithms that are presently deployed.
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.
In the current context of information explosion, securing the physical layer in the backbone networks of coherent optical communication is vitally important. In this letter, we experimentally validate a secure communication scheme for coherent optical communication systems based on electro-optic phase feedback encryption, thereby successfully transmitting a 40 Gb/s dual-polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) signal over a distance of 180 km. By strategically incorporating a delay line interferometer and a dispersion component within the electro-optic feedback loop, it is possible to generate random phase scrambling at a moderate modulation depth. With the utilization of commercial hardware, the encryption of DP-QPSK signals can be seamlessly accomplished in a plug-and-play manner, removing the necessity for additional synchronization or key distribution systems. The proposed scheme paves a new way to protect the polarization-multiplexing signals and offers a promising approach for secure coherent optical communication system.