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Advanced Radio Frequency and Optical Connectivity to support Network-Centric Operations

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-06-M-4408
Agency Tracking Number: F061-069-3494
Amount: $99,997.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF06-069
Solicitation Number: 2006.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-04-20
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-04-20
Small Business Information
1801 Maple Avenue, Rm 6322
Evanston, IL 60201
United States
DUNS: 133619234
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Gregory Kanter
 Vice President, Product Development
 (847) 491-5713
 kanterg@nucrypt.net
Business Contact
 Prem Kumar
Title: Manager/CEO
Phone: (847) 275-8996
Email: kumarp@nucrypt.net
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

NuCrypt is developing the technology for physical-layer optical encryption that exploits the intrinsic, irreducible noise of light. Our method, called AlphaEta, has fundamental and practical security benefits and the technology performs similarly as standard optical communications equipment. We have demonstrated AlphaEta in installed fiber-optic networks and have also built encrypted free-space optical links. While AlphaEta is inherently robust with standard optical equipment, such as fiber amplifiers, all-optical add-drop filters, and dispersion compensating fiber, it is currently applicable to ‘all-optical’ networks. Many military networks require interoperability with packet-oriented mesh-type networks which may combine various RF and optical technologies. We propose to extend AlphaEta physical encryption so that it can be integrated into such heterogeneous systems as a high-security feature. In Phase I, we will investigate how to build a protocol-agnostic system with automatic key management that can send data via traditional or AlphaEta style encryption. In particular, this will require a means of digitizing (regenerating) the optical AlphaEta signal and of having the capability to interface that signal with RF transmitters.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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