- FASCINATOR
FASCINATOR is a series of
Type 1 encryption modules designed in the late-1980s to be installed inMotorola digital-capable voice radios. These radios were originally built to accept aDES -based encryption module that was not approved byNSA for classified communications. The FACINATOR modules replaced the DES units and can be used for classified conversations at all levels when used with appropriately classified keys. FASCINATOR operates at 12kbs for encryption and decryption. It is not compatible with DES-based voice systems.NSA originally supplied keys for FASCINATOR on
paper tape for loading usingKOI-18 orKYK-13 fill device s and a special adaptor box and cable. The standardcryptoperiod was 7 days, i.e. keys had to be changed weekly.FASCINATOR was adopted by the U.S government as Federal Standard 1023, which establishes interoperability requirements regarding the analog to digital conversion, encryption (with related synchronization), and modulation of encrypted voice associated with frequency modulation (FM) radio systems employing 25 kHz channels and operating above 30 MHz. Voice is digitized using 12 kbit/s
continuously variable slope delta modulation (CVSD) and then encrypted using aNational Security Agency (NSA) Commercial COMSEC Endorsement Program (CCEP)Type I encryption algorithm based on theKY-57 /58.ources
* [http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/2231_2.htm Operational Security Policy for Communications Equipment with FASCINATOR, US Marine Corps order 2231.2, 1989]
* [http://www.everyspec.com/FED-STD/ FED-STD 1023 Telecommunications: Interoperability Requirements For Encrypted, Digitized Voice Utilized With 25 kHz Channel FM Radios Operating Above 30 MHz]
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