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KSP-1
Key transfer device

KSP-1 is a key transfer device — or fill gun — developed in the late 1980s by ANT in Backnang 1 (Germany) as an alternative to the American KYK-13 fill device. It was used by the German Army and by the armies of other NATO countries for transferring keys into cryptographic appliances and other key transfer devices. The device supports the DS-102 protocol – developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA) – and can hold keys for the secret SAVILLE encryption algorithm. 2

The KSP-1 is very similar to the American KYK-13 – both in size and in functionality – but can store up to 32 SAVILLE keys, whereas the KYK-13 can only hold 6 of them. Furthermore, the KSP-1 has a different user interface, consisting of a 3-digit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and three push buttons, marked SW, SL and START.

The device has a male U-229 socket (U-283/U) at the front and a female U-229 socket (GC-729) at the rear, allowing it to be connected to any NATO standard equipment and transfer keys to it, as well as accepting keys from other fill guns.
  

The device is SAVILLE-compatible, which means that it can be used with all crypto equipment and key transfer devices that can handle the 128-bit 1 keys used by speech encryption devices that feature the SAVILLE algorithm, such as the KY-57, KY-99, Spendex 40 and the Elcrovox 1-4. Such devices generally uses the DS-102 protocol in combination with a standard 6-pin U-229 socket and a 1:1 transfer cable, for transferring the keys. When unloaded, the KSP-1 is unclassified [4].

Apart from ANT, the KSP-1 was available under the Siemens, Bosch, Rohde & Schwarz and other brand names. The device is also known by its National Stock Number NSN 5810-12-314-6952. In Germany, the KSP-1 is currently being replaced by the Thales Data Transfer Device DTD-II [5].

  1. According to a Siemens brochure of 1991 [2], the KSP-1 was developed in cooperation with Siemens.
  2. SAVILLE is a secret cryptographic algorithm, that was jointly developed by GCHQ and the NSA. It uses an 120 bit secret KEY, with an 8-bit checksum.  More

KSP-1 key fill device
U-229 sockeet
Bottom with battery compartment
Battery installed in battery compartment
Key loaded in compartment 15
KYK-13 (front) and KSP-1 (rear)
Using a KLL-1 to transfer keys to a KSP-1
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KSP-1 key fill device
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U-229 sockeet
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Bottom with battery compartment
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Battery installed in battery compartment
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Key loaded in compartment 15
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KYK-13 (front) and KSP-1 (rear)
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Using a KLL-1 to transfer keys to a KSP-1

Features
The diagram below gives a quick overview of the controls and connections on the body of the KSP-1, and demonstrates how the device itself can be loaded with cryptographic keys by means of a KLL-1 tape reader. Connect the KLL-1 (or the equivalent KOI-18) to the female socket of the KSP-1 and enter a key tape in the reader of the KLL-1. Turn the KSP-1 +ON by pressing START.


Press the SW-button (Schlüsselwahl, select key) repeatedly until the number of the desired key compartment is visible in the display (e.g. 15). Press START again to initiate a transfer (a dot appers in the display). Next, pull the key tape through the reader at a constant speed. If all goes well, the letter 'P' should appear on the display in front of the compartment number (e.g. P15).


Once all keys have been loaded into the KSP-1, the tape reader can be disconnected and the KSP-1 is ready for use. To transfer a key from the KSP-1 to a (compatible) encryption device, connect the KSP-1 to the fill port of the device, turn it ON (press START-button) and select the desired key compartment (SW-button). Next, initiate a key loading sequence from the encryption device.

In case of an emergency, all keys that are stored inside the device can be purged by pressing the three buttons simultaneously. This process is known as ZEROIZING and can not be undone. Once the keys are deleted, the device can not be used until new keys have been loaded.

Functions
  • SW
    Select key compartment (Schlüsselwahl)
  • SL
    Clear key compartment (Schlüssel löschen) press together with START
  • START
    Power ON, Start key transfer
  • NL
    Zeroize (press all three buttons simultaneously)
Interior
KSP-1 is housed in a strong die-cast aluminium enclosure that consists of a case shell and a watertight lid that is held in place by four screws at the corners. The interior can be accessed by removing the four screws and taking off the lid.

Note that the battery compartment is part of the lid and is connected to the printed circuit board (PCB) by two wires. The circuit is built around two chips: a custom-programmed Philips PCF-1106 microcontroller, and a Harris CMOS RAM chip that holds the cryptographic keys. The LCD display is fitted to the rear side of the board.
  

Interior
Wiring detail
Keypad wiring
Philips PCF1106 microcontroller
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Interior
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Wiring detail
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Keypad wiring
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Philips PCF1106 microcontroller

Specifications
  • Device
    Electronic transfer device
  • Purpose
    Transfer of cryptographic keys
  • Mode
    KSP-1
  • Year
    1989
  • Manufacturer
    ANT
  • NSN
    5910-12-314-6952
  • Protocol
    DS-102
  • Key length
    128 bits
  • Checksum
    8-bit CRC
Branding
The KSP-1 was marketed by the following companies:

Connection
Below is the pinout of the U-229 socket. For a more detailed description, check  this page.

  1. GND
  2. not connected
  3. ACK
  4. DATA
  5. CLK
  6. not connected
References
  1. Fill Devices KLL1, KEV1, KSP1
    ZfCh 7049 E. ANT, April 1987. NATO RESTRICTED.

  2. Siemens, Encryption Equipments from Siemens
    Brochure, 1991. p. 8.

  3. Rohde & Schwarz, KLL1 Key Tape Reader and KSP1 Key Transfer Device
    Product leaflet, version 01.00, November 2006.

  4. Defensie Materieel Organisatie, Controlled Cryptographic / Comset Items (CCI's)
    NC 023005. Dutch Department of Defence. RESTRICTED.

  5. NATO NCI Agency, DataTransfer Device DTD-II
    Retrieved September 2019.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 14 September 2019. Last changed: Sunday, 14 April 2024 - 11:49 CET.
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