WDM Visible Light Communication Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current visible light communication (VLC) systems lack an effective method to enhance security, particularly against eavesdropping, as existing encryption techniques can be compromised by determining the scrambling sequence and algorithm used in time-domain encryption and space-time encryption mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method involving multiple optical transmission and reception units using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) that combines encryption and mapping steps to create a multi-layered encryption system, where each data stream is encrypted and mapped across multiple transmission streams, requiring knowledge of all encryption schemes and the mapping scheme to recover the data, thereby increasing security and computational burden for unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If time-domain encryption (scrambling) is used to enhance VLC security, then security is improved, but the scrambling sequence and algorithm can be determined by eavesdroppers subsequently

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidencryption scheme vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the encryption process into two distinct layers: first encryption applied to data streams before WDM multiplexing, and second encryption applied to the combined WDM signal. This segmentation ensures that even if one layer is compromised, the other remains secure, addressing the vulnerability of single-layer encryption schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nested encryption where one encryption scheme is embedded within another. The first encryption operates on individual data streams, then these encrypted streams are multiplexed via WDM, and finally a second encryption layer is applied to the combined signal. This nested structure creates multiple barriers that eavesdroppers must penetrate, making determination of encryption parameters significantly more difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If space-time encryption via MIMO-VLC is employed, then security is improved, but space-time resources are not fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidspace-time resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates encryption operations from resource allocation operations. Encryption is applied to data streams independently of the WDM channel allocation, allowing full utilization of available space-time resources while maintaining security. The first encryption layer processes data streams before they are mapped to WDM channels, and the second encryption layer processes the combined signal, ensuring security without restricting resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges encryption with WDM multiplexing by applying the second encryption layer to the combined WDM signal after multiplexing. This combination allows the system to achieve both security and full resource utilization, as the encryption operates on the already-multiplexed signal rather than constraining the multiplexing process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple encryption layers with mapping are applied to enhance security, then security against eavesdropping is significantly improved, but computational burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomputational burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the first encryption layer to data streams before WDM multiplexing, performing preliminary encryption on individual streams. This allows efficient processing of each stream independently using standard encryption algorithms, and the results are then multiplexed. The second encryption layer is applied to the combined signal, creating a two-stage process that distributes computational load efficiently and maintains security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3076567B1Coding and encryption for wavelength division multiplexing visible light communications
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP3076567B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3076567B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3076567B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to a method of transmitting multiple data streams via multiple optical transmission units adapted for optical communication using wavelength division multiplexing. The method comprises a first encryption step of encrypting each of a plurality of data streams to obtain a respective encrypted data stream, a mapping step of mapping the plurality of encrypted data streams obtained in the first encryption step to a plurality of transmission streams for transmission via the optical transmission units, wherein the transmission streams and optical transmission units are in a one-to-one relationship, and wherein each transmission stream is mapped to by at least two of the plurality of encrypted data streams, a second encryption step of encrypting each of the plurality of transmission streams to obtain a respective encrypted transmission stream, and a transmission step of transmitting each of the plurality of encrypted transmission streams obtained in the second encryption step via a respective optical transmission unit. The application further relates to a method of receiving multiple encrypted transmission streams via multiple optical reception units adapted for optical communication using wavelength division multiplexing, to a transmission device for transmitting multiple data streams via multiple optical transmission units adapted for optical communication using wavelength division multiplexing, and a to a reception device for receiving multiple encrypted transmission streams via multiple optical reception units adapted for optical communication using wavelength division multiplexing.