The Secure Communication Interoperability Protocol (SCIP) is the basic solution introduced by NATO for secure voice and data communication of different network devices through heterogenous networks. It was designed to provide interoperable end-to-end connectivity in a variety of communication systems, from military radio communication, traditional telephone communication system through satellite communication channels to VoIP and various types of mobile telephony standards. SCIP enables simplex operation in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint modes. It supports 2.4 kbps transmission to ensure communication via narrowband and broadband radio channels. The main challenge associated with this issue is therefore the provision of high security, high availability and high Quality of Service (QoS). The implementation of any encryption algorithm in nowadays heterogenous networks with restricted bandwidth can lead to degradation of the voice quality due to increased loss packets and packet latency resulting from the deterioration of radio channel conditions. This paper presents the results of measurements including the impact of end-to-end SCIP encryption on the quality of VoIP communication in a wideband radio channel. The measurements were carried out using the MultiDSLA tester and PESQ and POLQA methods. The results of laboratory tests indicate what effect does SCIP encryption-based security has on the voice communication quality over radio channel.
The strategy of secure communication originating from the NNEC (NATO network Enabled Capability) concept assumes the use of effective and safe transport mechanisms at various levels of the heterogonous C2 (Command and Control) NATO systems. SCIP (Secure Communication Interoperability Protocol) is the basic solution introduced by NATO for secure communication of different network devices through networks with restricted bandwidth. SCIP technology is designed to provide interoperable end-to-end connectivity in a variety of communication systems, from military radio communication, traditional telephone communication system through satellite communication channels to VoIP and various types of mobile telephony standards. It is designed to operate at the application layer with minimal dependency on the characteristics of the lower layers. The implementation of the SCIP protocol in various devices requires the unification of transmission and signaling procedures as well as the methods of coding the speech signal. Therefore, the main challenge associated with this issue is the provision of high security, high availability and high quality of service (QoS). The implementation of any encryption algorithm in nowadays heterogenous networks with restricted bandwidth can lead to degradation of the voice quality due to increased loss packets and packet latency. This paper will investigate how the end-to-end SCIP encryption impacts on QoS of voice communication. The quality of voice call is assessed in terms of lost packet ratio, latency and jitter with and without SCIP algorithm. Research is performed using the MultiDSLA tester and PESQ and POLQA methods. The results of laboratory tests indicate what effect SCIP encryption-based security has on the voice call quality.
One of the most important aspects in contemporary alliance and coalition communication is to ensure an adequate level of security for data and voice transmission. Continuous technological development is a factor that significantly hinders the development of the coalition standard aimed at protecting real-time data transmission (audio and video) in a reliable and safe way. For a long period of time, the coalition nations encountered problems connected with establishing a correct transmission between national systems. In order to achieve interoperability of communication systems, the United States government has made available and presented the standard FNBDT (Future Narrowband Digital Terminal) which in the course of time took the name SCIP (Secure Communication Interoperability Protocol). This protocol is being developed to this day by working groups consisting of representatives of scientific institutions and companies from the armed industry of NATO countries. Thanks to international cooperation the Protocol was adopted as standard STANAG 5068. It allows the use of cryptographic mechanisms to block the transmission of voice and data in a standardized way, ensuring interoperability of existing and newly formed allied and coalition communication systems for voice transmission. The SCIP protocol is based on two speech codecs: MELPe and G.729D. The article will discuss the current work carried out in NATO working groups on the definition of the COMSEC function and the way it is implemented in broadband radio stations to develop a broadband waveform for coalition activities. Also, the national waveform to secure communication in the broadband radio station will be presented. In the next chapter there will be the presentation of selected experimental results of broadband radio R-450C with the above-mentioned implemented mechanisms to protect voice communication. The obtained results will allow to evaluate the implemented mechanisms in terms of security. The developed analysis and obtained measurement results may be helpful both for people organizing radio communication using broadband radios as well as for those responsible for the proper operation of electronic warfare systems.
The rapid development of sophisticated military command and control systems causes the dynamic demand for broadband services including the transmission of video in real time by using telecommunications links. One way to resolve the problem of limited bandwidth in used military wireless systems is to use modern broadband radio stations. Broadband radio stations in addition to undoubted advantages such as increased system bandwidth, have also some limitations – in comparison to narrowband radios, broadband radios offer a smaller range and work in a wide band and high transmitter activity associated with the generation of maintenance traffic, which makes it easier to detect radio emission by the opponent. Modern electronic warfare systems can track down such systems and overpower them. That is why one of the main tasks, which currently are facing designers of advanced broadband radio communication systems, is to develop mechanisms to immunize broadband radio stations on the targeted interference. In this article the method of implementation of the national waveform allowing for securing the transmission in broadband radio stations will be presented. Transmission modes of the radio station (TDMA, CSMA/SC, CSMA/MC) will be discussed considering advantages and disadvantages of each of the above-mentioned modes of operation. In the next chapter selected results of experimental studies of broadband radio station R-450C with the above-mentioned implemented operating modes and universal defeat device for generation of diverse broadband interference will be presented. The obtained results will allow to assess the implemented modes of radio stations for resistances of broadband radio communication system on selected targeted interference. The developed analysis and obtained measurement results may be helpful both for people organizing radio communication using broadband radios as well as for those responsible for the proper operation of electronic warfare systems.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.