Method and apparatus for securing fiber in an optical network
US8000601B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/071
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for securing an optical communication link includes the step of identifying a profile of the link by measuring, at the transmitter, optical back-reflections from optical pulses forwarded to a receiver. The profile is stored at the transmitter. Periodically during operation, such as during key exchange, more optical pulses are forwarded to the receiver, and the back reflections are collected as periodic profiles. The periodic profiles are compared against the stored profiles. Eavesdroppers, such as those who cut the fiber, tap the fiber, or implement a man in the middle attack, may be easily identified because the losses caused by their interference with the fiber will be evident in the periodic profiles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.