Encryption devices now ready for Globalstar phones
GLOBALSTAR NEWS RELEASE
Posted: May 22, 2001

  The constellation
An artist's concept of the Globalstar satellite constellation. Photo: Globalstar
 
Globalstar, the global mobile satellite telecommunications service, and CopyTele, Inc., a developer and provider of multi-functional encryption products, have jointly announced the introduction of the CopyTele DCS-1200, an encryption device that attaches to Globalstar phones to provide end-to-end security for satellite voice and data calls.

The DCS-1200 is the first security device to be made commercially available for use over the Globalstar system, providing strong levels of encryption on top of the high degree of security that is already inherent in Globalstar's CDMA architecture.

Using the DCS-1200, voice signals are digitized at a rate sufficient to produce very high quality voice and then encrypted with one of several algorithms. They are then sent over the Globalstar satellites as circuit switched asynchronous data and decoded by a receiving DCS-1200 unit which converts the data back to an audio signal.

The default encryption algorithm used by the device is the CITADELTM CCX by Harris Corporation. It features a 128 bit encryption key, which provides more than 3.4 x 1038 possible coding combinations.The DCS-1200 also supports data encryption at either 4.8 or 9.6 kbps.The DCS-1200 can alternatively be programmed with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Data Encryption Standard (DES) digital cryptographic algorithms. All of these ensure users the highest degree of commercially available protection against unauthorized signal interception.

The DCS-1200 can also be used with many terrestrial cellular systems which support circuit switched asynchronous data and with analog office telephones. This means that calls from Globalstar phone to Globalstar phone, Globalstar to cellular, Globalstar to wired phones, cellular to cellular and wired to wired can be encrypted. The device also supports encryption of files within computers and software to protect against viruses.

The DCS-1200, which supports both RJ8 and DB9 (RS-232) interfaces, runs either on AC power or using an internal rechargeable battery that is sufficient for more than four hours of operation.

CopyTele, located in Melville, New York, is a provider of inter-operative, multi-functional high-grade, hardware-based voice, fax, and data encryption solutions featuring a diversified product line which is being marketed through a world-wide network of dealers and distributors.

Globalstar is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including co-founders Loral Space & Communications and Qualcomm Incorporated; Alenia; China Telecom (HK); DACOM; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace; Elsacom (a Finmeccanica Company); Hyundai; TE.SA.M (a France Telecom/Alcatel company); Space Systems/Loral; and Vodafone Group Plc.