METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ENCRYPTION KEYS IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for providing one or more encryption keys to a source terminal and one or more end terminals. The present invention allows a non-key generation capable terminal to send and receive encrypted calls. In addition, the present invention increases the security of extended length sessions and compensates for the use of smaller encryption keys by periodically changing the encryption keys. The present invention also allows the bearer paths between terminals to be separately encrypted using different algorithms or no encryption based on limitations imposed by law and the capabilities of the terminals.