Chaos-based communication systems in non-ideal channels

► Chaos-based communication systems present unsatisfactory bit error rate in non-ideal channels. ► Strategies for circumventing band-limitation, noise and delay usually present in communication channels are described. ► Results are auspicious, although the presented ideas can be taken as works in progress. Recently, many chaos-based communication systems have been proposed. They can present the many interesting properties of spread spectrum modulations. Besides, they can represent a low-cost increase in security. However, their major drawback is to have a Bit Error Rate (BER) general performance worse than their conventional counterparts. In this paper, we review some innovative techniques that can be used to make chaos-based communication systems attain lower levels of BER in non-ideal environments. In particular, we succinctly describe techniques to counter the effects of finite bandwidth, additive noise and delay in the communication channel. Although much research is necessary for chaos-based communication competing with conventional techniques, the presented results are auspicious.