Reach-back communications terminal with selectable networking options

• US 8,239,669 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Best, Fiona S., McClintock, Dorothy A., Lee, William Jeremy, Hartwell, Wesley R., Reed, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tabor, Amare F
• Application Number:
  US11/008,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20050210234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,797 Days
• Field of Search: 713/151, 380/270
• US Class Current: 713/151
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0485 Networking architectures for enhanced packet encryption processing, e.g. offloading of IPsec packet processing or efficient security association look-up
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/00 Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A reach back secure communications terminal that offers immediate and secure voice, data and video connectivity to multiple telecommunications networks, high availability and reliable connectivity, total access to vital resources, and secure extension to the home office. Integrated components simplify access to varied networks allowing deployed users to select and connect quickly to a network that best supports their present mission. Commercial or optional NSA Type 1 encryption may be implemented. Networking options include any of PSTN, PBX, GSM (or CDMA or other cell telephone standard), SAT, IP and WiFi. During secure call setup, the reach-back communications terminal exchanges public keys with a remote terminal using FNBDT signaling. Traffic encryption is performed using the NIST approved Advanced Encryption System (AES) standard (Rijndael) and a 128-bit random key (2^128 possible keys).

Claims

1. A portable reach-back communications terminal, comprising:

a personality faceplate comprising an integrated encryption device, said personality faceplate being detachably connectable to a base portion of said portable reach-back communications terminal to allow user removal of said integrated encryption device from said base portion of said portable reach-back communications terminal;

a plurality of different networking modules, each of said different networking modules allowing encrypted network communications via said encryption device; and

a selector to allow selection for use of any one of said plurality of different networking modules with said integrated encryption device;

wherein said detachable personality faceplate toggles a mode of communications with at least one of said plurality of different networking modules between unencrypted communications and encrypted communications encrypted with said integrated encryption device; and

wherein said integrated encryption device is a Future NarrowBand Digital Terminal (FNBDT) encryption device.

2. The portable reach-back communications terminal according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of different networking modules is at least three.

3. The portable reach-back communications terminal according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of different networking modules is at least six.

4. The portable reach-back communications terminal according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of different networking modules comprise:

a wireless fidelity (WiFi) networking module;

an Internet protocol (IP) networking module;

a public switched telephone network (PSTN) networking module;

a private branch exchange (PBX) networking module;

a cellular telephone networking module; and

a satellite telephone networking module.

5. The portable reach-back communications terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

an integrated telephone handset in communication with said integrated encryption device.

6. A method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location, comprising:

detachably connecting a personality faceplate comprising an integrated encryption device to a base portion of a portable reach-back communications terminal to allow user removal of said integrated encryption device from said base portion of said portable reach-back communications terminal;

selecting one from a plurality of possible wide area networks (WANs) for communications via said integrated encryption device, said plurality of possible WANs including an Ethernet network, a satellite phone network, and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) network; and

toggling, with said detachable personality faceplate, a mode of communications with at least one of said plurality of possible WANs between unencrypted communications and encrypted communications encrypted with said integrated encryption device;

wherein said integrated encryption device is a Future NarrowBand Digital Terminal (FNBDT) encryption device.

7. The method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a private branch exchange (PBX) phone network.

8. The method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a cell phone network.

9. The method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 8, wherein:

said cell phone network is a Global Standard for Mobile communications (GSM) cell phone network.

10. The method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 8, wherein:

said cell phone network is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cell phone network.

11. The method of communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network.

12. Apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location, comprising:

means for detachably connecting a personality faceplate comprising an integrated encryption device to a base portion of a portable reach-back communications terminal to allow user removal of said integrated encryption device from said base portion of said portable reach-back communications terminal;

means for selecting one from a plurality of possible wide area networks (WANs) for communications via said integrated encryption device, said plurality of possible WANs including an Ethernet network, a satellite phone network, and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN); and

means for establishing a network connection between a remote digital device and another digital device over said selected WAN;

wherein said detachable personality faceplate toggles a mode of communications with at least one of said plurality of different networking modules between unencrypted communications and encrypted communications encrypted with said integrated encryption device;

and wherein said integrated encryption device is a Future NarrowBand Digital Terminal (FNBDT) encryption device.

13. The apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a private branch exchange (PBX) phone network.

14. The apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a cell phone network.

15. The apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 14, wherein:

said cell phone network is a Global Standard for Mobile communications (GSM) cell phone network.

16. The apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 14, wherein:

said cell phone network is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cell phone network.

17. The apparatus for communicating with a secure encryption device from a remote location according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of possible WANs further comprise:

a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network.