Nortel Networks Corporation

Roberto Faria

Dominic Goodwill

Michael C Lee

Described are a secure communications system and method for transmitting analog signals. The secure communications system includes an analog multiplexer, an analog demultiplexer, a plurality of analog communications channels each at a different wavelength, and a pair of sequence logic modules. Analog signals applied to the analog multiplexer are scrambled onto the multiple communications channels. The demultiplexer descrambles the transmitted scrambled signals to reproduce the original analog signals. The sequence logic modules provide a channel selection signal to implement synchronous pseudorandom switching of the analog signals amongst the analog communication channels. The sequence of the switching between analog communications channels can be pseudorandom in sequence and in time. The channel selection signal is responsive to a key shared between the sequence logic modules. An attacker having access to the analog communications channels cannot retrieve the original analog signals without access to the shared key.

Secure analog communication system using time and wavelength scrambling

A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving power over optical fiber is disclosed. In particular, a power over fiber system in which an optical network transmits electrical power via an optical signal and is also transmits data within the optical network as well. The optical signals include a high frequency data portion that includes the data to be transmitted, and either a constant or low frequency power signal portion. The optical signal is received and converted into an electrical signal by a photodetector/photodiode that is electrically filtered to separate the data signal from the power signal. The data signal is then processed using known techniques. The power signal can be conditioned and/or regulated, if necessary, and provided either directly to a terminal piece of equipment to provide all the required power thereto, or may be combined with locally provided power to contribute at least a portion of the power required by the equipment. The terminal piece of equipment may be a wireless access point.

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Ottawa, Canada

Roberto Faria