The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 16, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 08, 2009
Bruce Schofield, Tyngsboro, MA (US);
Franco Travostino, Arlington, MA (US);
Indermohan Monga, Acton, MA (US);
Victor Flrolu, Westford, MA (US);
Bruce Schofield, Tyngsboro, MA (US);
Franco Travostino, Arlington, MA (US);
Indermohan Monga, Acton, MA (US);
Victor Flrolu, Westford, MA (US);
Nortel Networks Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, CA;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for securing an optical communication link includes the step of identifying a profile of the link by measuring, at the transmitter, optical back-reflections from optical pulses forwarded to a receiver. The profile is stored at the transmitter. Periodically during operation, such as during key exchange, more optical pulses are forwarded to the receiver, and the back reflections are collected as periodic profiles. The periodic profiles are compared against the stored profiles. Eavesdroppers, such as those who cut the fiber, tap the fiber, or implement a man in the middle attack, may be easily identified because the losses caused by their interference with the fiber will be evident in the periodic profiles.