Motorola Corporation

Leslie K Lewis

Douglas Allan Hardy

Barry N Altschuler

Bruce Alan Fette

Thomas J Makovicka

Marc L Briel

An apparatus for secure communications contains a controller for automatically selecting one of several data ciphering devices utilizing one of a plurality of ciphering algorithms common to transmitting and receiving terminals. A transmitter for transmitting encrypted data, and a receiver for receiving encrypted data are coupled to the plurality of ciphering devices. The controller automatically determines which of the ciphering devices to employ for any given secure communication. The method for establishing a secure communications link includes the steps of exchanging a first message for determining a common key generation and ciphering method and comparing a further shared message for validation of communications terminal security. Additionally, the steps of trading a still further message for providing data to form traffic keys to initialize key generators, interchanging an additional message for synchronizing and verifying synchronization of secure communications between secure communications terminals, and initiating secure communication are used.

Algorithm independent cryptographic key management apparatus

Algorithm independent cryptographic key management

An apparatus for secure communications contains a controller for automatically selecting one of several data ciphering means utilizing one of a plurality of ciphering algorithms common to transmitting and receiving terminals. A transmitting means for transmitting encrypted data, and a receiving means for receiving encrypted data are coupled to the plurality of ciphering means. The control means automatically determines which of the ciphering means to employ for any given secure communication. The method for establishing a secure communications link includes the steps of exchanging a first message for determining a common key generation and ciphering method and comparing a further shared message for validation of communications terminal security. Additionally, the steps of trading a still further message for providing data to form traffic keys to initialize key generators, interchanging an additional message for synchronizing and verifying synchronization of secure communications between secure communications terminals, and initiating secure communication are used.

Method for algorithm independent cryptographic key management

A digital signal processing apparatus having a host processor interfaced to a plurality of signal processing coprocessors through dual port memory elements is disclosed. Coprocessors represent microcoded machines wherein low level instructions directed toward the mechanics of performing a specific signal processing algorithm are contained in microcode. Thus, the host processor programs coprocessors using higher level functional instructions. Each of the coprocessors has a multiply-accumulator, a barrel shifter, an address generator, a hardware loop counter, and a microsequencer.

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Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Leslie K Lewis