Ikeda-based nonlinear delayed dynamics for application to secure optical transmission systems using chaos

The pionneering work of Ikeda initiated the investigation in Optics of dynamical systems described by nonlinear delayed differential equations (NLDDEs). Our group has developed in optoelectronics similar dynamical systems intended for practical implementation of chaos-based encryption demonstrators. Different set-ups have been implemented making use of various optical variables, such as the wavelength, the intensity, the optical path difference or the optical phase, each of them exhibiting different advantages (chaos complexity, encryption speed, masking efficiency, encryption key size). A general architecture of NLDDE chaos generators and some of their related dynamical properties are reported, as well as the implementation in practical encryption systems using chaotic dynamics. Security issues, performance, and future developments of those systems are also addressed. To cite this article: L. Larger et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).