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TST EMU
Printing Pocket Cipher Calculator
- wanted item
The PPC-19 was the very first cipher machine developed by
Klaus-Peter Timmann
in the late 1970s, shortly after he had established
his own company
Tele Security Timmann (TST) in Pöcking (Germany).
It had a built-in thermal printer and was suitable for the
encryption of numbers only.
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The device was based on one of the earliest portable calculators
with built-in thermal printer from Hewlett Packard (HP): the HP-19C, shown
in the image on the right [2]. It was introduced by HP in 1975
and was modified by Timmann for use as an encryption/decryption device.
It could however still be used as a scientific calcuator.
The PPC-19 used a cipher algorithm of mixed congruential type
in order to provide good stochastic distribution and security [1].
It had a key-length of 108 which was entered as a 10-digit number
before use.
As the device was only suitable for the encryption and decryption
of numbers, the operator had to use a conversion table to convert
the text to numbers first.
When typing, the numbers were instantly encrypted and presented
on the red 7-segment display. In addition, the output could be printed.
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The HP-19C belonged to the first generation of HP calculators with
Continuous Memory, which means that the stored program was not lost
when the device was switched off. This was done by using battery backed
CMOS RAM, also known as Static RAM.
The PPC-19 was available in 1980 at a price of US$ 890 [1],
whilst the price of the bare HP-19C was US$ 345 at the time [2].
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When microprocessors became available in the mid-1970s, TST was not
the only one to develop an electronic pocket-size cipher machine.
Similar (but not identical) devices were made by
Mils Elektronic in
Austria, who developed the PCCM-4000
and Datotek in the US,
who made the slightly bigger DH-26.
However, TST was the only one to base it on an existing pocket calculator.
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Device Portable electronic cipher machine Purpose Secure messaging for business people Model PPC-19 Years 1977-1980 Manufacturer TST Based on HP-19C calculator Key space 108 Display 12 digits, 7 segment LED Printer Thermal Battery 4 × 1.2V AA-size NiCd Menmory CMOS (battery backed) Dimensions 165 × 89 × 28 mm Weight 370 g Price US$890
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This page currently acts as a placeholder for information about the
PPC-19 pocket cipher machine. If you have any additonal information,
such as a manual, a brochure, or -better- an original PPC-19 device,
please contact us. Your help is much appreciated.
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© Crypto Museum. Last changed: Friday, 26 July 2024 - 07:06 CET.
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![Three quarter view of the HP-19C that was used as the base for the PPC-19. Copyright David Hicks [2].](img/hp19c.jpg)
