Homepage Crypto Index Enigma Hagelin Fialka Siemens Philips Nema Transvertex Gretag Tadiran Racal USA USSR Voice Hand Mixers Phones Spy sets Burst encoders Intercept Covert Radio PC Donate Kits Shop News Events Wanted Contact Links Electronic transfer devices Key fillers A key transfer device is an electronic device that is used (most commonly by the military) for the distribution of cryptographic variables, such as crypto keys and frequency hopping tables. Key fillers often use a standard data protocol, such as DS-102 or DS-101 (both developed by the US National Security Agency, NSA), but devices with proprietary protocols are used as well.   Key fillers are known by various names: Electronc Tranfer Device Key Transfer Device Key Fill Device (KFD) Data Transfer Device (DTD) Fill Device Key Fill Gun Fill Gun Key Filler Filler FILL    Key fillers that follow the DS-101/102 protocol, are generally equipped with a U-283 connector (6-pin version of the U-229) that allows them to be connected to crypto devices and standard US radio sets, such as HAVE QUICK and SINCGARS. The same standard is sometimes even used on non-US equipment, such as the NATO-approved Philips military-grade Spendex-40 and Spendex 50 secure crypto phones. The following key transfer devices are featured on this website:   MX-18290 UP-2001 UP-2101 SCIMITAR PFX-SKP KSD-64A PK-64KC Key fillers are commonly used for the distribution of the Transmission Encryption Keys (TEK) and Transmission Security Keys (TSK), such as Frequency Hopping (FH) tables. The latter is also known as Electronic Counter Counter-Measures (ECCM). Fill devices are also used for the distribution of Key Encryption Keys (KEK), used remote updating of the keys. This is also known as Over-the-Air Rekeying (OTAR). Fill devices are used for:   Crypto keys FH (Frequency Hopping) GPS (Global Positioning System) IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Software updates Known fill devices Below is a non-exhaustive list of known transfer devices:   Designator Description Procol NSN KYK-13 Electronic Transfer Device DS-102 5810-01-026-9618 KYX-15 Net Control Device DS-102 5895-01-026-9619 KOI-18 Paper Tape Reader DS-102 5810-01-026-9650 CYZ-10 Data Transfer Device DS-101 5810-01-343-1194 PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader DS-101 5810-01-517-3587 KIK-20 Secure DTD2000 System DS-101 5810-01-543-5943 UP-2001 Philips Key Filler DS-102 - UP-2101 Philips Key Filler DS-102 - MX-10579 ECCM Fill Device DS-102 5895-01-188-8816 MX-18290 ECCM Fill Device DS-102 5895-01-270-3935 KSD-64A Key Storage Device (Token) STU-III - PK-64KC Key Storage Device (Token) STU-III - CFD-900 Fill Gun (for MASS SDT-500) DS-102 - SCIMITAR Fill Gun for Marconi SCIMITAR V Radios Proprietary - PFX-SKP Slave Key Programmer for Philips PFX-PM Proprietary -   U-229 connector Most devices that support the NSA's DS-101 or DS-102 protocol, use the same 5-pin or 6-pin AUDIO connector, commonly referred to as U-229/U. The pinout is standardized, but is different for each protocol. Click the image below for more information.   Key Storage Device As an alternative to key fill devices in the shape of an external box, modern electronic cipher machines sometimes use a so-called Key Storage Device (KSD) in the shape of a plastic toy key. One example is the NSA developed KSD-64, that is used with the Motorola SECTEL STU-III phones. The KSD-64 can be configured for use as Fill Key (FK).  More information      Protocols DS-101 This is the latest protocol, developed by the NSA, that is used with the current generation of Data Transfer Devices, such as the AN/CYZ-10. It is the successor to DS-102 (see below) and is defined in the EKMS 603 standard. The hardware is most commonly implemented as RS-485, but RS-232 versions exist as well. DS-101 is not only used for transferring key material, but for uploading cryptographic algorithms and software updates as well. DS-102 This is the protocol that was used with the first generation of Key Fill Devices, such as the KYK-13. It is the predecessor of the DS-101 protocol (see above). It can be used for the distribution of key material and frequency hopping tables. Key length for some devices is limited to 90-bits, whereas the US Department of Defence (DoD) prefers 128-bit keys as supported by the DS-101 protocol [1] . The DS-102 protocol was developed by the NSA and is defined in the EKMS 608 standard. References Kathleen Hickey, DoD modernizes cryptographic device Defense Systems website, 12 November 2009. Further information US National Security Agency, NSA Main crypto page Index of crypto devices Any links shown in red are currently unavailable. If you like this website, why not make a donation? © Copyright 2009-2011, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Tue,27 Dec 2011.17:43:13