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BVO
Trunk Encryption Device - Wanted item

BVO was a Trunk Encryption Device (Dutch: Bundel Vercijfer- Ontcijferapparaat), developed by Philips Usfa in Eindhoven (Netherlands) around 1981 for the Dutch Army. It was part of ZODIAC, the integrated communications network, and was installed in the automated telephone switch.

BVO allowed voice and text data to be bundled, encrypted and sent over a line-of-sight radio link. A number of BVO units were generally installed as part of the ZODIAC automated switch, designed by HSA. Many of such switches were implemented as mobile installations, allowing the fast creation of a flexible networks in the field.

Two versions of the BVO were available: BVO-M and BVO-T. The image on the right shows a typical BVO-M which was compatible with the earlier MUCOLEX trunk encryption devices installed in the Army's communication vans.
Typical BVO-M unit. Photo courtesy Philips Usfa [1]

BVO was generally installed as part of a terminating subsystem on the DELTACS (ZODIAC) switch. Each unit was housed in 3U 19" drawer, together with a Line Terminating Unit (LTU) and a Universal Junctor (UJ). It allowed multiplexed data (subscriber and trunk channels) to be exchanged at 1 Mb/s with existing MUCOLEX units in the field. An alternative to BVO-M, called BVO-T, was used for compatibility with the standard Trunk Encryption Device (TED) KG-81.

The image on the right shows a complete terminating subsystem in a 19" rackmount. Each subsystem consists of a Line Terminating Unit (LTU) at the left, a BVO Link Encryptor (LE) at the center, and a Universal Junctor (UJ) at the right.

The LTU is marked as LA (Dutch: Lijn Aanpassing). It regenerates a multiplexed data stream at an aggregate bitrate of 256, 512 or 1024 kb/s. It also ensures equalisation for cable lengths up to 2.4 km. The LTU/LA connects either to a standard phone line or to a line-of-sight radio link, such as the FM-200 transmitter [3].
Complete terminating subsystem. Photo courtesy Philips Usfa [1]

The Universal Junctor (UJ) is marked as UO (Dutch: Universele Omzetter. It handles the coupling of the matrix subsystem, the control subsystem and the LTUs. The UJ also handles all possible signalling protocols supported by ZODIAC. It converts the different types of signalling to a uniform protocol for the information exchange wih the control subsystem [3].