Performance analysis of dense wavelength division multiplexing secure communications with multiple chaotic optical channels

The performance of dense wavelength division multiplexing secure communications with multiple chaotic optical channels is numerically analyzed in this paper. Taking the multiplexing of three chaotic optical channels as an example, we investigate the effects of second-order dispersion coefficient and nonlinear coefficient of fiber, channel spacing, message amplitude and bit rates on chaotic synchronization and multiplexing communications. Chaotic synchronization quality and Q-factor of the recovered message decrease with the increasing fiber length. A 1.25 Gbits/s non-return-to-zero (NRZ) sequence can be securely transmitted up to 60 km under the influence of the other two chaotic optical channels. Compared with the fiber dispersion, the cross-phase modulation is the primary factor which deteriorates the quality of communications. The results also show that the quality of communications is unlimited to the channel spacing as long as chaotic synchronization can be maintained. In addition, the effect of the amplitude of encrypted message on Q-factor and the confidentiality is demonstrated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.