Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication provides very large bandwidth, relatively low cost, low power, low mass of implementation, and improved security when compared to conventional Free-Space Radio-Frequency (FSRF) systems. In this paper, we demonstrate a communication protocol that demonstrates improved security and longer-range FSO communication, compared to existing FSO security techniques, such as N-slit interferometers. The protocol integrates chaotic communications with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) techniques. A Lorenz chaotic system, which is inherently secure and auto-synchronized, is utilized for secure data communications over a classical channel, while QKD is used to exchange crucial chaotic system parameters over a secure quantum channel. We also provide a concept of operations for a NASA mission combining chaotic communications and QKD operating synergistically in an end-to-end space communications link. The experimental simulation results and analysis are favorable towards our approach.

Date Published: 18 September 2018
PDF: 13 pages
Proc. SPIE 10771, Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging XVI, 107710U (18 September 2018); doi: 10.1117/12.2318849

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10771:
Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging XVI
Ronald E. Meyers; Yanhua Shih; Keith S. Deacon, Editor(s)