Secure communication system

• US 5,191,614 A
• Filed: 11/14/1988
• Issued: 03/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: LeCong, Phung
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US07/274,368
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 455/600, 455/605, 455/606, 455/607, 455/609-612, 455/615, 455/617-619, 455/601, 359/118, 359/119, 359/154, 359/183
• US Class Current: 380/256
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/85 Protection from unauthorised access, e.g. eavesdrop protection

Abstract

There is provided by this invention a secure fiber optic communication system based on the Sagnac interferometer having features that make the system intrusion resistant. The security of the system is based on placing a random phase modulator at the midpoint of the communications loop that will phase modulate the counterpropagating light beams according to a string of random data to scramble the signal information. The detector for the system is located at the point of origination and recombination of the counterpropagating beams such that the scrambling signal cancels out at the point of detection allowing the intelligence signal to be demodulated without additional electronics. In order for an intruder to intercept the signal, both counterpropagating beams must be accessed at the transmitter which is in a controlled area. Intrusion at any other point in the loop will intercept the light signal which contains part of the scrambled data which is unintelligible.

Claims

1. A fiber optic communication system, comprising:

a) a light source means for inputting a beam of light into a first optical fiber;

b) a beamsplitting means for splitting the light beam into counterpropagating beams connected to the first optical fiber having one output connected to a detector and second and third outputs for generating clockwise and counterclockwise beams respectively;

c) an optical fiber loop having one end connected to the second output of the beamsplitting means for receiving a light beam propagating in a clockwise direction and the other end of the optical fiber loop connected to the third output of the beamsplitting means for receiving a light beam propagating in a counterclockwise direction;

d) a signaling means connected to the optical fiber loop for modulating an intelligence signal on the counterpropagating light beams;

e) a random phase modulating means connected to the optical fiber loop at its midpoint for modulating a random signal on the counterpropagating light beams; and

e) an electrical circuit means connected to the detector for demodulating the light beams detected to receive the intelligence signal.

2. A fiber optic communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signaling means and random modulating means for modulating the counterpropagating light beams are phase modulators.

3. A fiber optic communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signaling means and random modulating means for modulating the counterpropagating light beams are transducing means deposited directly on the optical fiber loop for oscillation by a driver.

4. A fiber optic communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signaling means and random modulating means for modulating the counterpropagating light beams is an optical fiber wrapped around a voltage driven piezoelectric mandril for changing the fiber length as the voltage changes.

5. A fiber optic communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signaling means and random modulating means for modulating the counterpropagating light beams are acousto-optic modulators.