Claims
- 1. An apparatus for secure communications between first and second terminals, said apparatus comprising:
- means for ciphering using a plurality of different ciphering algorithms;
- means for transmitting messages, said transmitting means coupled to said ciphering means;
- for receiving messages, said receiving means coupled to said ciphering means; and
- controller means coupled to said ciphering, transmitting and receiving means, said controller means, transmitting means and receiving means for:
- (i) sending a first message to said second terminal containing information on encryption algorithms and communications modes available within said first terminal;
- (ii) sending a second message to said second terminal containing sending terminal authentication information;
- (iii) sending a third message to said second terminal for providing data to form a traffic key; and
- (iv) initiating secure communication with said second terminal using said traffic key.
- 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller means further comprises means for sending a fourth message to said second terminal for synchronizing said secure communications.
- 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiver means further comprises means for receiving from said second terminal information on encryption algorithms and communication modes available therein and wherein said controller means further comprises means for selecting a ciphering algorithm and data rate common to both of said first and second terminals.
- 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means for generating a first random number for transmission to said second terminal.
- 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for combining said first random number with a second random number received from said second terminal to form said traffic key for encrypting messages sent therebetween.
- 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for storing within said apparatus information concerning which encryption algorithms and communication modes are preferred, so that, if more than one encryption algorithm or communication mode are common to said first and second terminals, said controller automatically chooses an encryption algorithm or communication mode to be used, according to said stored preference information.
Parent Case Info
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/777,870, filed Oct. 16, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,591, issued Jan. 12, 1993.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
777870 |
Oct 1991 |
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