|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philips Tarolex → ← Ecolex IV
Tapeless Rotorless Online cipher machine (TROL)
- wanted item
Ecolex V was Philips' contribution to a NATO evaluation
of 1962 for a Tapeless Rotorless On-Line cipher machine (TROL). 1
It was a combination of a modified Ecolex IV
cipher machine, a unit for entering the key settings (SIMILEX),
and a key generator (TAROLEX).
It was never released, as the evaluation was lost to the British
ALVIS (BID/610) [3], but parts were used
in later designs.
|
Ecolex V consisted of three units:
- ECOLEX-IV (modified)
- TAROLEX key generator
- SIMILEX key entry device
The image on the right shows a complete early setup.
At the top is an Ecolex IV cipher machine of which both tape
readers have been removed. One tape reader is replaced by a key generator,
whilst the other one is replaced by a teleprinter.
The modified Ecolex IV is only used as a mixer.
In a later version of the TROL design,
it was replaced by a simplified unit
which contained a mixer and interfaces for teleprinter and line.
At the bottom right is Tarolex, the key generator. It was initially based
on linear feedback shift registers (LSFR), but could be broken by the
the Dutch cipher authority (NLNCSA)
with just 154 characters of ciphertext, when using a weak chosen key.
When using a stronger chosen key, 3000 characters were enough
to break it [4]. The design was then improved by using
nonlinear feedback shift registers (NFSR) instead of LFSR.
At the bottom left is Similex, which has a hinged door behind which a short piece
of punched paper tape can be installed in a
special reader. It is used as
the seed for the Tarolex key generator.
|
|
|
In 1960, NATO had announced an evaluation for a tapeless rotorless
on-line cipher machine that would be used NATO-wide. All countries were
invited to submit one or more designs for a possible candidate, of which
the best one would be chosen in July 1962. Several countries took part in
the contest, including the US, UK, the Netherlands, France
and Germany.
Ecolex V one of of three candidates developed in the Netherlands,
the other two being Cryptauphyl
and the Delft TROL.
In the end, only Ecolex V was submitted, 1 but lost the bidding
to the British ALVIS (BID/610).
As far as we know, there are no surviving Ecolex V
units, and the photographs above and below are the only evidence
that the machine ever existed. The images below show the various development
stages of the design, with the
final design consisting of just two
units — the key generator and the mixer/interface — that were fitted in a
single 19" rackmount front panel.
As the evaluation was lost, Ecolex V was never built and its development
was discontinued. Most of it was reused in 1966 however, for the design
of Tarolex and again in 1972 for its successor Ecolex X.
➤ More about Tarolex
|
 |
-
In the NATO
-
evaluation for TROL equipment, Ecolex V is also known
as SIMILEX (the name of the key entry device).
|
Device Electronic cryptographic device with NFSR-based key generator Purpose Encryption of military teleprinter traffic (add-on for Ecolex IV) Model Ecolex V, Similex, Tarolex, TROL Manufacturer Philips Usfa Year 1962 Customer NATO Predecessor Ecolex IV Successor Tarolex 19" Key length 110 bits Interface 5-bit teleprinter Dimensions ? Weight ? Quantity None
|
Ecolex IV Modified one-time tape cipher machine (mixer) Tarolex Key generator Similex Key reader
|
- TROL
- Ecolex V
- Ecolex 5
- Tarolex
- Similex
|
|
|
|
Any links shown in red are currently unavailable.
If you like the information on this website, why not make a donation?
© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 15 June 2013. Last changed: Wednesday, 08 October 2025 - 14:08 CET.
|
|
|
|
|
