Security solution with signal propagation measurement for Gigabit Passive Optical Networks

The paper deals with the security of Gigabit Passive Optical Networks (GPON) and presents a novel robust security solution. The solution provides secure mutual authentication and key establishment between the Optical Line Termination (OLT) unit and end units (ONUs) in Optical Distribution Network (ODN) defined by the ITU-T G.984 standard series. The authentication and key establishment are based on modern cryptographic methods. The cryptographic parameters are transported by the PLOAM (Physical Layer Operations, Administration and Maintenance) messages to get better integration into the ITU-T G.984 standard. Moreover, the solution uses signal propagation values that characterize the connection between the pairs of OLT and ONU. The signal propagation values provide more secure mutual authentication. Our solution is implemented and tested to get performance results that show its efficiency.