Key Exchange with PUF in NG-PON2 Networks

As next generation passive optical networks (XG-PONs) are currently being deployed, the usability and future deployment of next generation PON stage 2 (NG-PON2) are being called into question. This work provides an overview of basic parameters used in generation (stage 2) passive optical networks. The approved recommendations do not include the complete descriptions of these network parameters, but rather the parameters and methods for the distribution and exchange of keys necessary for NG-PON2 communication. This work also summarizes the current state of affairs and proposes a physical unclonable function (PUF) based improvement in the key exchange procedure that takes place between optical line termination (OLT) and optical network unit (ONU). To implement the new key exchange method, it is necessary to define a new physical layer operations, administration and maintenance (PLOAM) message that is derived from the existing one.