Our world of technology is changing quickly and not confined to optical lab instrument in research laboratories anymore. They are now being integrated into communications as well and being utilized in the intelligence industry. In this article, the use of optic fibers gives way to a breakthrough in sending messages in a secure way. European researchers are experimenting messages sent in chaotic waveforms that are transmitted up to a theoretic 10 gigabits per second. This vision is not far from reality, because with hard work and dedication, this idea will evolve into something real and useful.
A chaotic transmission can conceal a message and is a way of securing information. Only the receiver is able to distinguish the message in a form that can only be clear to him. The researchers behind this project, members of OCCULT, standing for Optical chaos Communications Using Laser-Diodes Transmitters, explained that the messages sent at gigabit per second rates over distances of 100km via the standard fiber-optic network within the city of Athens , had a chaotic mix of light frequencies applied to them. The messages were received with little error. Anyone attempting to tap into the frequency or try to apprehend the message without the proper equipment or knowledge on how to distinguish the message will not be successful, because of the light noise that surrounds the message itself.
The research of OCCULT was followed-up with PICASSO, standing for Photonic Integrated Components Applied to Secure chaos encoded Optical communications systems. Funded by the European Commission, they are inventing and experimenting two integrated and stable chaotic sources. They hope to provide new models that will allow chaotic transmissions that can be used in security and intelligence organizations like banks and government agencies that deal with highly specialized and confidential information. In addition, they are also researching techniques that will allow chaotic transmissions to be exchanged from messenger to receiver and vice versa at speeds of tens of gigabits per second.
The researchers state that in comparison to the standard optical lab instruments, the key factor to sending messages using chaotic light transmission in synchronization. These chaotic systems are often unreliable and unpredictable because they are interrupted by many events. It is often comparable to the metaphor of the potential effect of the weather on butterfly’s wings. This is how sensitive this system appears to be. But in fact, the random patterns of chaos may create an interdependent and discernable pattern.
It was believed that under the correct conditions, two chaotic systems may affect one another and will eventually synchronize their chaotic motions. These were confirmed by experiments that proved that lasers transmitting light in chaotic time and space patterns will eventually synchronize when they received light from one another through space or with the help of optical fibers.
With the message ‘folded’ into the chaotic waveform, the receiver may decode the message by subtracting the chaotic waveform from the message that is being received. The research is still in its infancy and it may be many years until the researchers find the exact formula for sending messages using optical fibers. There are many factors that can influence and interfere with this delicate and sensitive form of communication, and the fine tuning is still to be established. Original article