Clipperpunks (Not!), Someone in the know passed on some information to me about the Clipper/Skipjack stuff. Here it is: ***begin quote*** An ARM processor will be used as a controller inside the Skipjack & ?? chips (don't think it's currently used in Clipper). VLSI progammable logic (EEprom based?) is used to both store the keys, and provide some other logic functions, so you can't read anything if you take the chip apart. I don't think any other exotic technologies are used. Mykotronix designs the mask- they're fabricated at VLSI. ***end quote*** We knew all of this, except for the part about the ARM processor (formerly the "Acorn Risc Machine") being used in the core. The ARM is a high MIPS-per-watt processor that is being used in the Apple Newton and the 3DO game machine. (I'll leave it to you all to construct some theories about what this might mean--but probably doesn't--for Newtons and 3DO containing Skipkjack features.) --Tim May -- .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^756839 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. Note: I put time and money into writing this posting. I hope you enjoy it.