Research in the International Journal of Sensor Networks has demonstrated a visible-light communication system that uses the inherent randomness of quantum noise to make transmitted data harder for eavesdropping hackers to intercept.
The experimental system was able to transmit data at 100 megabits per second (100 mbps) and applies encryption directly at the optical, or “physical”, layer of the communication system. 100 mbps is a modest data transfer speed when compared to modern broadband networks, equivalent to mid-90s Fast Ethernet speeds. Nevertheless, this is a valid initial baseline for a research demonstration, and fast enough for a wide variety of applications.
Moreover, optical wireless of this kind is emerging as a specialised complement to Wi-Fi and fibre connections, for situations with confined coverage and abundant optical spectrum where immunity to radio interference is essential. It could thus be attractive for settings such as hospitals, aircraft, and industrial facilities.
Visible-light communication (VLC) uses rapidly modulated light, typically from LEDs, to carry digital information through an open wireless channel. The researchers can convert data into a signal with many possible light-intensity levels and use a shared secret key to determine how the data is represented. Quantum noise, the random fluctuations arising from the fundamental properties of light, is then superimposed on to the signal. When the noise is at a sufficiently high level, a third party lacking the key cannot reliably distinguish between the signal and the noise. The current approach is based on the Y-00 quantum stream cipher, a technique previously demonstrated in fibre-optic communications and extends the approach to visible-light transmission.
The work could address a particular vulnerability in VLC, that unlike data protected only by higher-level network encryption, the optical signal itself remains exposed while in transit. This kind of physical-layer protection could therefore provide an additional security mechanism for optical wireless links in environments where interception is possible.
Xiao, N., Chen, S., Chen, F. and Shi, S. (2026) ‘Experimental demonstrations of visible light communication using quantum noise for high security’, Int. J. Sensor Networks, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp.1–6.
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