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KOI-18
Key tape reader

KOI-18, or KOI-18/TSEC, is a portable handheld electronic device for reading cryptographic keys of variable length from 8-level (8-bit) punched paper tape and transfering them to cryptographic equipment and key fill devices, developed around 1976 by the US National Security Agency (NSA) for use by the American armed forces and NATO. Also known as NSN 5810-01-026-9620 [1].

The device is housed in a rugged green die-cast aluminium enclosure that measures 130 x 64 x 38 mm and weights 350 gram, battery included. It has a male U-229 socket for connection to a host device — either directly or via a fill cable.

At the front is a hinged lid, below which an 8-bit reader is located, that accepts 8-bit ASCII format punched paper tape, which is pulled through the reader manually. As the synchronous DS-102 protocol is used, the sprocket holes in the key tape generate the clock pulses. The host device will signal whether the transfer was successful.
  
KOI-18 with open lid

As the device does not contain memory, it can not hold any cryptographic keys and, hence, can not be used as a key fill device. Instead it should be used to transfer a key directly from tape into a cryptographic device or to transfer the key from tape to a regular key fill device like the KYK-13 or the KSP-1. The KOI-18 is equivalent to the KLL-1, made by the German manufacturer ANT.

Starage bag with KOI-18
KOI-18 with storage bag
KOI-18 key tape reader
KOI-18 key tape reader
KOI-18 with open lid
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Starage bag with KOI-18
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KOI-18 with storage bag
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KOI-18 key tape reader
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KOI-18 key tape reader
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KOI-18 with open lid

Interior
Interior
Tape reader
Electronic circuits
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Interior
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Tape reader
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Electronic circuits

Documentation
  1. Operator's and Maintenance Manual for KOI-18, KYK-13 and KYX-15 - wanted
    TM-11-5810-292-13&P. US Army, 31 May 1989.

  2. KOI-18 Deport repair manual - wanted
    TM 11-5810-292-40P. US Army.

  3. Instructiekaart Digitaal Beveiligd Telefoontoestel - COMSEC
    COMSEC instruction card with Spendex 50, KYK-13 and KOI-18 (Dutch).
    IK001433/2. Dutch Army, 4 April 2001.
References
  1. Jerry Proc, KOI-18 Key Tape Reader
    Jerry Proc's crypto pages. Retrieved September 2019.

  2. Army Property, NSN 5810-01-026-9620
    Retrieved September 2019.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 15 September 2019. Last changed: Monday, 02 March 2020 - 14:21 CET.
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