Voice cryptor for HF/VHF radio

Van Gegel, 2018 MaitTo: torfone@ukr.net Web: torfone.org

This is a Windows software of a digital scrambler for speech encryption in analogue

HF
and VHF radio.It is fully compatible with the hardcore device on Cortex M4 Nuvoton
M481LIDAE.

Application converts a speech signal into data using MELPE codec on 1200bps,
encrypts
and then modulates data with BPSK modem to line. 95% of the modem signal energy is
in
the spectrum range 300-1700 Hz. Demodulator provides fast synchronization from
anywhere in the stream, adjust frequency and phase and hold synchronization at
deep
fading on multipath interference.

Both digital and transparent analog communication modes are supported. Simplex,
half
duplex and full duplex is supported. Hardware control (input and output of PTT and
switching to transparent mode) is supported using COM-port. Both encrypted and
unencrypted (for HAM) digital modes and transparent (direct) analogue mode are
supported. On encryption the 128-bit level P2P encryption is provided with perfect
forward
secrecy (key exchange is performed at the beginning of the each new session).
SHAKE128 based on Keccak-800 permutation is used for symmetric encryption and
hashing. The Diffie-Hellman protocol is executed on the elliptic curve X25519 and
authenticated using zero-knowledge SPECE protocol with Elligator2 for hashing to
the
curve.

Audio processing is cross-platform code made on C and run as a one thread. The
graphical interface is made using VCL on Borland C++ Builder 6. Executable is
completely
portable and does not write to the file system except in its working folder. User
configuration is stored in the ini file. PC should have two audio recording
devices and two
audio playback devices (sound cards). For example they can be sound card on
motherboard and a USB audio card or Bluetooth headset. Devices for microphone,
headphones, line input and output setup by user individually on the tabs of the
program
window. Note: USB sound cards for Line side must be of good quality and be sure to
use a
quartz resonator inside.

You can also connect the USB-COM bridge and select the appropriate COM port for
hardware control of PTT: with external button (input) or to radio (output). CTS
input
external PTT buttons, DSR input switch totransparent mode, RTS outputs PTT state
to
radio and DTR outputs switch to duplex mode. All input and output signals have
active
level is ground (0). Also the log of modem statistic is outputted over COM port on
115200
bps allowing estimate the quality of the communication channel. A BER is evaluated
at
the key exchange stage: one of the parties starts a continuous key transfer. The
other side
accepts the key, checks its checksum and then compares next iterations with the
accepted key for BER estimation.

Users interface consists of the main tab (PTT) and tabs for settings: HEADSET for
selecting audio devices for microphone and headphones, LINE for selecting audio
devices
for input and output of signalsto the line (connected to the radio), COM for
selecting
COM-port for hardware control and KEY - for setting the shared secret. If shared
secret is
empty string the encryption is not used and key exchange is not performed before
the new
session. The PTT tab has a PTT button for activate transmitting (this button can be
also
hold/release by right mouse button click) , check boxes for run of audio
processing, apply
the duplex mode (in this mode the receiving will continue during PTT button press)
and
apply the transparent mode (in this mode voice from microphone will be directly
transmitted
to Line provide analogue communication). The case of thread successful open the
COM-
port will be indicated with "HW cntr" label. Four indicators show program status.
The
"Ready" indicator (blue) lights up after the key exchange or immediately after the
start if
encryption is not used. The "Key" indicator (yellow) lights up after the key
exchange (at
the beginning of a new session each of the parties must hold the PTT button on 2-3
seconds so that the other side receives the key). The "Lock" indicator (red) lights
up if a
carrier signal is detected in the line. In this case the speaker automatically
switches to a
digital voice. The "VAD" indicator is monitored by a microphone and lights up when
the
operator speaks (during speech pauses the device transmits the service information
necessary for the synchronization of counters on both sides).

http://torfone.org/jackpair MailTo: torfone@ukr.net Van Gegel, 2018