9 0 et 8 oe 8 et foe 8 ee 8 eet fie [31] The proposal here is the implementation and construction of a High Frequency (HF) radio, point to point secure analog-dig- ital network first within Europe and its tactical media centers and further around the globe in the range of 1.6-30 MHz. The system would consist of base HF stations, portable units and gateways to connect it to the global data network. We can gather from military analysis and amateur radio experience over the last 50 years, that HF technology has unique characteristics that make it ideal for long haul communications. The broad operational range of HF permits both line of sight surface or groundwave communications and over the horizon skywave connections, using the reflecting properties of the ionosphere. Further, the costs of HF use during one year of operations are in connection to certain calculations, 15 times lower that the costs of satellite based communications. Another issue that is important is the possibility of mobility using HF communications, with its non-directional antenna systems, and with proper selection of equipment, HF can over- come blockage from trees, buildings and mountainous terrain. The system we are proposing is called INSULAR TECHNOLOGIES (IT) and it is a product of PACT SYSTEMS (Projekt Atol Communication Technologies), with the first two station prototype being currently developed. The open architecture of the different parts that make up the base station, will enable the users to implement their own changes and work on parallel networking solutions with their IT partners. The system will come as a finished product or as a development kit, or source code and plans only package. EACH IT STATION CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING: PC based computing module HF transceiver HF modem CRYPTO module Key management hardware and software Amplifier (for specific solutions) Antenna system At the present time, high quality off the shelf commercial equipment is being used for the first two prototypes. The securi- ty of the IT system for voice and data will be ensured through the use of the GOST 28147-89 encryption standard, using 256 bit private keys with key information stored on smart card modules. For each communication session, a new key is generated. As you can see, key management and security is the primary point of weakness of this system, so a policy of strict security standards for the users and key management operators will have to be implemented within the IT users com- munity. The system will have at first a simple selective call solution, for the desired connection of two stations in the net- work and will enable over the internet network status reports. It will basically function as a telephone or radio station for voice, and as a rtty, arg, fec an packet station for data. The most suitable mode for data transmission has not been set yet, but data rates from 60-1200 bps are expected. When the internet is down, the system switches to lower data rate secure channels on HF for network status reporting, which is otherwise done via the internet, using RSA compatible encryption. Automatic link establishment (ALE) will be implemented and developed after the number of users in the system is high enough, to make such development viable. In an Automatic link establishment system, the processor performs link quality analysis in real time, storing a measurement of the signal quality for each frequency in memory. Then it automatically es- tablishes communications with the other radio on the best available channel. ALE automates addressing of individual ra~ dios, or groups of radios, as well as selects frequency. These traditionally have been the most labour intensive operations of radio operation, requiring experienced operators. The system will have two main modes of operations, which will also enlarge the community of users at each IT point. These will be Amateur and IT-CRYPTO operations. The amateur operations will enable radio amateurs in the community to use the system as a complex HF transceiver for non-secure voice and data communications, whereas the IT-CRYPTO operations will be dedicated to tactical media issues and policy discussion, when data protection and security is needed. Technology transfer in the developmental phases of future projects will also be IT-CRPYTO designated. ITU land service allocated frequencies will be used for the IT-CRYPTO services, with up to 60 channels chosen for the operations.