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FILL DS-102 Philips UP-2002 → ← UP-2001
Key transfer device
UP-2101 is an electronic transfer device,
also known as a key fill device, for the
distribution of Transmission Encryption Keys (TEK),
developed in 1992 by Philips Crypto BV (Usfa) in Eindhoven (Netherlands),
as the successor to the nearly identical UP-2001.
Both devices were developed as an alternative to the highly popular
American KYK-13, which was in short supply at the time.
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The device is housed in a grey metal enclosure that measures
130 x 76 x 46 mm and weights little over 400 grams. At one end it has a
U-229 connector that fits the fill port of any
US/NATO crypto device, either directly or via a fill cable.
At the other end is a DE9/S connector with a
standard RS232 serial port, which was unique for this device at the time.
It can be used to load keys into the device directly from a computer,
or by means of the UP-2007 (HP) barcode reader.
The image on the right shows the prototype of the UP-2101/01 with serial
number 001 [1].
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All controls are at the top. At the lower end is a rotary switch to select
the desired MODE of operation. Above that is a recessed ACTIVATE button
and a check light. At the upper end is a 2-digit key compartment selector.
It allows up to 40 keys to be transported (00-39), which is
significantly more than the rather limited 6 key compartments of the
contemporary similar-sized KYK-13.
The UP-2101 is an updated version of the UP-2001, which was
introduced in 1990. Although it was specifically intended for use in
combination with Philips encryption devices like the
Spendex 40, Spendex 50 (DBT), BVO-M
and BVO-T, it was also suitable for other NATO and US
military equipment. Development started when the KYK-13
was in short supply, but it took nearly three years before it was ready for
release. Despite its potential, it was produced in limited quantities.
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The image below gives an overview of the features of the UP-2101. The device
is basically a redesign of the UP-2001, which is electrically identical.
The major difference is the enclosure with is slightly narrower, in an
attemt to match the size of the American KYK-13.
The case is made of industry standard extruded aluminium profile, wereas
the case of the UP-2001 was partly die-cast. For this reason, the PCB
had to be redesigned, but the firmware remained unchanged.
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- New enclosure type
- Slightly narrower (to match KYK-13)
- Longer and higher
- DE9 connected positioned vertically
- U229 connector off-center
- Flex-righ PCB completely redesigned
- Same firmware
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Keys can be loaded into the UP-2101 by means of a (DOS) PC running the
UP-2002 Net Key Program (NKP) software.
For this, the DE9 connector of the UP-2101 was connected to the COM1 port
of the PC via a simple 2-wire cable. Keys were generated by the NKP
and were then transferred to the UP-2101 via the serial port, one at a time,
each with the appropriate checksum.
Keys could also be transferred to the UP-2101 from another fill device,
such as a KYK-13. In that case, the KKY-13 was connected to the U-229
port of the UP-2101. Once the keys were loaded into the UP-2101 (1),
they could be transferred to a crypto device in the usual manner (2).
It was also possible to load keys into the UP-2101 via barcodes, by using
a UP-2007 barcode reader (HP HBCR-8300).
In that case, the UP-2002 Net Key Program was used to print suitable
barcodes on a regular EPSON-compatible printer. The printed barcodes
were then transported by means of a (trusted) courier, or by encrypted fax,
after which they were read into the UP-2101.
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The UP-2001 has a 5-pin U-229 socket (GC-629) for connection to the
crypto device, rather than the more common 6-pin U-283. Is it nevertheless
compatible as the extra pin (F) is not used. The table below shows the
pin-out of the connector. More information on the special
U-229 page
[3].
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- -
- TX (input)
- RX (output)
- -
- -
- -
- GND
- -
- 5V (+)
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Connector DE9/S Standard RS232C, no handshake Protocol HP barcode reader, proprietary PC program Type Asynchronous Speed 9600 baud
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- Mathieu Goudsmits, UP-2101 fill device - THANKS !
Former Spendex-50 developer at Philips Usfa.
Interview, Crypto Museum. July 2011, April 2025.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 17 July 2011. Last changed: Friday, 11 April 2025 - 11:08 CET.
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