Service manual

Guide to ASTRO™ Digital Radios
There are some other interesting points to note about the ASTRO™ host ROS firmware. Over the
years there’s been discussion about the ASTRO™ product-family supporting the Multiple Private Line
(MPL) feature. There’s no reference in RSS or CPS to this sought-after feature, but there’s reference to it
in the host ROS firmware as a soft-menu item. This applies to both the mobile and portable host ROS
firmware builds.
Figure 11.5 An illustration which highlights the MPL feature in ASTRO Digital Spectra™ host ROS firmware. This feature is also referenced in the
ASTRO Digital Saber™ and XTS 3000™ host ROS builds. (Host ROS R11.70.00 referenced in this illustration example)
Another issue which has been discussed is the support or lack of, for certain encryption
algorithms. The ASTRO Digital Spectra™ and ASTRO Digital Saber™ and XTS 3000™ support DES-XL, DES,
DVI-XL, DVP-XL, DES-OFB, HAYSTACK, AES-256 and DVI-SP. DES-OFB and AES-256 are ASTRO™ CAI-only
encryption algorithms.
Figure 11.6 Contrary to incorrect information posted on a certain Internet discussion forum, the ASTRO™ products do support the AES-256
Type 3 encryption algorithm. Featured in the photo illustration is an XTS 3000™ with a DES-OFB/DES-XL/AES-256 triple-algorithm UCM module
installed. This algorithm is also referenced in both the ASTRO™ portable and mobile host ROS firmware builds.
Figure 11.7 An illustration which details the encryption algorithms supported in ASTRO™ portable and mobile host ROS firmware releases. (As
of R07.71.00 and R11.70.00. Hexadecimal addresses from host ROS R07.71.00 used in this illustration example)
It is believed HAYSTACK is a Type 1 algorithm for ASTRO™ CAI and DVI-SP is a modified variant of
DVI-XL, which works in ASTRO™ CAI mode for export-customers. (These details are unconfirmed)
A useful feature which could be used in combination with surveillance accessories is the voice-
activated transmit (VOX) feature, and ultra-sensitive VOX operation. These features are referenced in