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Siemens CTE-020
Secure digital telephone

The CTE-020 was a military digital EUROCOM-standard secure phone, that was developed by Siemens in Munich (Germany) in the early 1990s under contract for the German Airforce. It was intended as a Remote Digital Engineering Order-Wire (EOW) Terminal as part of the Airforce's digital network, in places where the EOW terminal is remote from the transmission equipment [1].

The image on the right shows a typical Siemens CTE-020 terminal with the standard handset attached. User interaction is via the membrane keyboard, the alpha-numeric display and some dedicated indicator lamps.

The unit interfaces to a EUROCOM compatible digital network with a data rate of 16 or 32 kbits/s. Secure communication is possible by using the (optional) ciphering module that can be plugged into a recessed socket at the rear. The ciphering module acts as a Crypto Ignition Key (CIK) and is shown in a separate image.
  
Siemens CTE-020

The CTE-020 was in production for many years and was subsequently delivered by Siemens (1994), Daimler-Benz Aerospace (1999) and finally EADS (2006). During these years, it was supplied to several NATO and other European countries. In Germany it was part of the AUTOKO 90 project, the communications system of the German Army (Bundeswehr) [2]. The terminal was phased out around 2010 and some units appeared on the surplus market in late 2012.

Siemens CTE-020
CTE-020 with the handset off-hook
Operating the PTT-switch
Rear view of the CTE-020
Placing the crypto module
CIK
CIK
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Siemens CTE-020
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CTE-020 with the handset off-hook
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Operating the PTT-switch
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Rear view of the CTE-020
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Placing the crypto module
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CIK
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CIK
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Accessories
A complete CT-020 terminal unit consists of the following items:
  • CTE-020 base unit
  • Handset in canvas bag
  • Crypto Module
  • Cable set
  • Break-out box
  • User Manual
  
Handset in canvas bag

CTE-020 base unit with handset
Handset
Handset in canvas bag
Crypto Module in original packaging
Cable set
One end of the cable set
Break-out box
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CTE-020 base unit with handset
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Handset
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Handset in canvas bag
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Crypto Module in original packaging
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Cable set
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One end of the cable set
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Break-out box

Crypto Ignition Key
The standard CTE-020 terminal is only suitable for non-secure digital voice communication. Secure voice (crypto) is possible by inserting a special cipher module into a slot with an 81-pin high-density socket at the rear of the terminal.

The module contains the cryptographic engine, complete with the digital cipher algorithm, and can hold up to 8 independent keys. In the event of a compromise, the use can purge the crypto keys by pushing down the switch marked EMGY (Emergency) at the rear of the terminal. The red seal is then broken and the module is ZEROIZED.
  
CIK


CIK
CIK
Rear panel with ZEROIZE switch (EMGY)
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CIK
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CIK
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Rear panel with ZEROIZE switch (EMGY)

Specifications
  • Service channel: EUROCOM D/1 line configuration
  • Call type: selective call, line call and far-end call capability
  • Calling procedure: EUROCOM D/1 I A 11 or Siemens proprietary selective call
  • Selective call: Siemens proprietary selective call with up to 254 addresses
  • Operation mode: half-duplex (use PTT-switch)
  • Modulation: EUROCOM D/1 I A 11 Delta Modulation (CVDS) 16/32 kbit/s
  • Crypto: external digital ciphering module with up to 8 keys
  • Digital interface: NRZ Data, V.11, synchronous, 8-wire data/clock in/out
  • Power Supply: 24V DC with reverse protection (220V with optional PSU), 10W
  • Temperature range: -40 to +55°C (operation) and -55 to +70°C (storage)
  • Relative humidity: up to 100%
  • Mechanical/climate stress: DEF-STAN 07-55, VG 95332, MIL-STD-810
  • EMC: MIL-STD-461D
References
  1. Jane's Military Communications, CTE 020 remote digital Engineering Order-Wire Terminal
    Fifteenth Edition 1994-95, p. 398. Link...

  2. Jane's Military Communications, CTE 020 remote digital Engineering Order-Wire Terminal
    2005-2006, pp. 357-358.

  3. Materialamt der Luftwaffe, Technisches Handbuch Dienstkanalgerät CTE 020
    GAF T.O 31R2-2-SIE8-2 (German). 1 March 1993.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 20 December 2012. Last changed: Saturday, 24 February 2018 - 17:43 CET.
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