Experimental methods for studying the thunderstorm influence on the operation of fiber optic communication systems

Modern research shows the influence of atmospheric electricity and lightning on the operation of fiber optic communication lines. In particular, such effects can affect the currently developing communication systems protected by quantum key distribution technology. Modern communication systems using quantum key distribution technology can be tuned out from various "slow" external effects caused by thermal or mechanical effects. However, lightning discharges and the strong electromagnetic fields induced by them are capable of exerting an effect in the microsecond range. Since it is difficult to collect the amount of information necessary for analysis using only natural measurements, this paper describes the results of physical modeling of the effect of both lightning discharges and strong electromagnetic fields caused by thunderstorm activity on signals transmitted via optical communication lines.