TSEC-: Difference between revisions
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{{slashtitle|TSEC/ prefix}} | {{slashtitle|TSEC/ prefix}} | ||
Most U.S. government-approved, in [[ | Most U.S. government-approved, in [[communications security]] (COMSEC) equipment has designations in the form '''TSEC/KG-99''', in which ''TSEC/'' (note slash) is purely an identification for a designation system, not an abbreviation. The designation system is under the control of the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA). It complements the [[AN-]] system used for general military electronics, which does reserve certain of the letters in the AN/ system are reserved for NSA use. | ||
While the [[#designation systems codes|designation system codes]] are quite complex and still contain special cases, the basic structure is: | While the [[#designation systems codes|designation system codes]] are quite complex and still contain special cases, the basic structure is: |
Revision as of 11:15, 27 February 2010
Most U.S. government-approved, in communications security (COMSEC) equipment has designations in the form TSEC/KG-99, in which TSEC/ (note slash) is purely an identification for a designation system, not an abbreviation. The designation system is under the control of the National Security Agency (NSA). It complements the AN- system used for general military electronics, which does reserve certain of the letters in the AN/ system are reserved for NSA use.
While the designation system codes are quite complex and still contain special cases, the basic structure is:
- First letter: What is its function?
- Second letter: What information or physical materials does it process?
- Optional third letter: What kind of component is it?
The next numbers indicate a main model number within the series, followed by a bewildering and inconsistent set of version levels, alternate configurations, etc. Sometimes, what may seem an incremental improvement gets an entirely new model number, while a radical change may get a version change only. In other words, grasp the general principles of the system, but know that you will have to examine a specific system to understand its designation nuances.
- TSEC/KG-13 is a cryptographic key generator (code name PONTUS)
- TSEC/KY-57 was a cryptographic speech encryptor (code name VINSON)
- TSEC/KW-7 was a cryptographic key encryptor for asynchronous character data (i.e., "Teletype") (code name ORESTES)
Designation system codes
Letter | Function | Type | Assembly |
---|---|---|---|
A | - | - | Advancing |
B | - | - | Base of cabinet |
C | COMSEC equipment | - | Combining |
D | - | - | Drawer or Panel |
E | - | - | Strip or Chassis |
F | - | - | Frame or Rack |
G | General purpose | Key generation | - |
H | Cryptographic ancillary | - | Keyboard |
I | - | Data transmission | Translator or Reader |
J | - | - | Speech Processing |
K | Cryptographic | - | - |
L | - | Literal conversion | Repeater |
M | Manufacturing | - | Memory or Storage |
N | Non-cryptographic | Signal conversion | - |
O | - | Multipurpose | Observation |
P | - | Materials Production | Power |
Q | - | - | - |
R | - | - | Receiver |
S | Special purpose | Special purpose | Synchronizing |
T | - | Testing, checking, maintenance | Transmitter |
U | - | Television | Printer |
V | - | - | Removable communications security component |
W | - | Teletypewriter | Logic Programmer or Programming |
X | - | Facsimile | Special purpose |
Y | - | Speech (ciphony) | - |
Z | - | - |