National Security Agency, 9800 Savage Road, Suite 6541, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6541

NSA Technology Transfer Program

welcome

National Security Agency, 9800 Savage Road, Suite 6541, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6541

NSA Technology Transfer Program

The National Security Agency/Central Security Service 

(NSA/CSS) drives one of the U.S. government’s leading 

research and development (R&D) programs. 

NSA scientists and engineers, along with our academic and 

research partners, develop cutting-edge technologies to 

meet agency mission requirements. 

Our discoveries also contribute to the creation and 

improvement of many commercial products. 

Through our Technology Transfer Program, NSA openly 

shares these technologies with private industry, 

academia, and U.S. government agencies.
NSA Technology Transfer Program

Table of Contents

National Security Agency

Overview 6

Technology Transfer

Program (TTP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What Is Technology Transfer?

Benefits of Technology Transfer

Types of Technology Transfer

Technology Transfer

LEGISLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 

 Executive Order 12591 of 1987

Technology Transfer

PROGRAM Services 10

Opportunity Management

TTP Customer Service Center

 Intellectual Asset Management

Program And Technology Marketing

 Rewards And Recognition

Technology Transfer

Mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Patent License Agreement (PLA)

PLA Benefits

 Licensing Policy

Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA)

 CRADA Benefits

 CRADA Elements

Education Partnership Agreement (EPA)

EPA Benefits

 EPA Elements

Technology Transfer Sharing Agreements (TTSA)

TTSA Benefits

TTSA Elements
Table of Contents CORE TECHNOLOGY AREAS

CORE TECHNOLOGY INTRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Communications and Networking 18

Photonic Logic Device Suite

Detecting and Controlling Malicious Software

NetTop®

 WIDS: Wireless Intrusion Detection System 

Testing a Wireless Device

Stepping Stones

TRICKLER: Autonomous Metadata Producer

ADVANCED MATHEMATICS 27

Advanced Computing 28

Quantifying Digital Voice Enhancement

Information Processing 30

Aladdin Tool Suite: Name Matcher and Tagger

Nellauger: Generating Transliterated Names

 RENOIR: General Network Visualization and Manipulation Program

Topic Determination of Textual Information

Text Extraction from Color Images

 KODA: Summarizing Text Using Just the Text

Note Enhancement: Retrieving Electronic Data During Note Taking

Microelectronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

 Low Cost Single Die-Level Plating Process for Integrated Circuits

Fabricating Very High Density Double-Sided,

 Multi-Layered, Flex Interconnect

Forward Scattered Electronic Image (FSEI) Sample Holder

Three Dimensional Microsystem and Fabrication Method
6 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency OVERVIEW

NSA is America’s cryptologic organization. 

It coordinates, directs, and performs highly 

specialized activities to protect U.S. government 

information systems and produce foreign signals 

intelligence information. NSA is on the forefront of 

communications and data processing. It is also one 

of the most important centers of foreign language 

analysis and research within the U.S. government. 

NSA’s early interest in cryptanalytic research 

led to the first large-scale computer and the 

first solid-state computer, predecessors to the 

modern computer. NSA pioneered efforts in 

flexible storage capabilities, which led to the 

development of the tape cassette. NSA also made 

groundbreaking developments in semiconductor 

technology and remains a world leader in many 

technological fields.

NSA headquarters is located at Ft. Meade, 

Maryland. Its workforce represents an unusual 

combination of specialties: analysts, engineers, 

physicists, mathematicians, linguists, computer 

scientists, and researchers. 

NSA recognizes the value of its investments in 

R&D activities and the potential impact of these 

activities for enhancing the U.S. economy. More 

importantly, NSA appreciates that leveraging its 

R&D with others can have a significant impact on 

its ability to meet the dynamic, time sensitive 

requirements of its mission. This recognition is 

why the Agency actively participates, supports, 

and encourages technology transfer through its 

Technology Transfer Program (TTP).
7

Technology Transfer TTP Program

The NSA TTP provides commercial, academic, 

and government entities access to NSA-developed 

technologies and collaborative R&D opportunities. 

These technologies and capabilities can result in 

significant cost savings, technological advancements, 

and profits for those organizations that leverage this 

resource. 

NSA’s TTP officially launched in 1990 under the 

legislative authority of the Technology Transfer Act of 

1986. Since its inception, the program has provided 

a venue for NSA employees to share federally-funded 

research and to conduct collaborative research with 

academia, private industry, other federal agencies, and 

state and local governments.

The TTP Office facilitates the exploration and 

formalization of partnerships between NSA 

and outside organizations to achieve specific 

objectives.

The primary objective of NSA’s TTP Office is to 

transfer NSA-developed technology to commercial 

enterprises to strengthen the U.S. industrial 

base and accept commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) 

technology for government use to reduce the cost of 

items purchased by the federal government by:

• Developing dual-use technologies for application by 

the government and the commercial marketplace

• Accelerating development of emerging technologies

• Leveraging external subject-matter expertise

and resources to address government and 

industry needs

NSA is proactively seeking partnerships with 

government, academic, and industrial organizations 

that will work with the Agency to meet NSA mission 

objectives through the TTP. Licensing, collaborative 

R&D, education partnerships, and other opportunities

are available within these key areas:

• Communications and Networking

• Advanced Mathematics

• Advanced Computing

• Information Processing 

• Microelectronics

Through a series of well-defined processes and 

procedures, TTP and NSA’s Office of General 

Counsel (OGC) draft, facilitate, negotiate, and 

broker each TTP agreement.

To explore opportunities available through 

the NSA Technology Transfer Program, 

please visit our website:

http://www.nsa.gov/research/tech_transfer

Call 443-445-7159, or write to:

NSA Technology Transfer Program

9800 Savage Road, Suite 6541

Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6541
Technology Transfer TTP PROGRAM

8 NSA Technology Transfer Program

What is Technology Transfer?

In the context of federal laboratories, it is the 

sharing of information, intellectual property (IP), 

expertise, and technology between the laboratories 

and non-federal entities (i.e., state and local 

governments, universities, non-profit organizations, 

and private industry). It consists of transfers at 

various levels within the technology lifecycle, 

ranging from conception to the actual selling of 

products or services in the marketplace. 

TTP primarily facilitates Patent License 

Agreements, Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreements, Education Partnership 

Agreements, and Technology Transfer Sharing 

Agreements.

Benefits of Technology Transfer

Technology transfer offers benefits for both the 

government and non-federal entities. The most 

prominent benefits for engaging in technology 

transfer activities include:

• Using outside technical expertise and resources 

to help accomplish NSA’s mission-oriented 

activities through collaborative efforts between 

the government and a non-federal entity

• Leveraging federally-funded R&D to create new 

applications and commercial products or services

• Using government R&D investment to support 

commercial needs and create a positive impact 

on U.S. economy

• Using government facilities to conduct R&D 

efforts rather than building new facilities 

• Obtaining financial gains for the government 

and employees from royalty payments for those 

technology transfers that involve patent licenses

• Creating an opportunity for university researchers 

and students to gain valuable learning experience 

from collaboration with leading NSA scientists, 

researchers, and developers.

Types of Technology Transfer

The technology transfer process is dependent on 

the type and goal of the transfer. The main types of 

transfer include:

• Commercial Transfer - Transfer of federallyowned technologies to the private sector 

to develop new or improved technologies, 

materials, processes, products, or services which 

are made available to the public

• Exporting Resources - Federal personnel provide 

expertise, IP, equipment, and consultation to 

non-federal entities

• Importing Resources - Federal personnel engage 

with non-federal entities to bring outside 

technology into the agency to enhance missionoriented efforts

• Dual Use - Federal laboratories partner with 

industry to jointly develop dual-use technologies, 

which has a direct benefit to the warfighter’s 

mission as well as to the industrial partner’s 

competitive position in the marketplace
9

Technology Transfer LEGISLATION

There are many laws that promote technology transfer and provide technology transfer mechanisms and incentives.

The following are highlights of some of the federal legislation that apply to NSA’s TTP Program.

Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-480)

defines technology transfer and encourages federal laboratories to engage in cooperative research with 

state and local governments, academia, nonprofit organizations, or private industry. Its provisions also 

established and defined the basic activities of an Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) at 

each federal laboratory, and set aside a small percentage of each laboratory’s budget to fund technology 

transfer activities.

Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 (P.L.96-517)

permits universities, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations to obtain title to inventions developed 

with federal funds. This policy also allows the federal agency to retain an irrevocable license to use the 

invention. This policy permits federal laboratories to grant exclusive patent licenses to industry.

15 United States Code, Section 3710a

when entering into a CRADA agreement, preference shall be given to business units located in the U.S. which 

agree to substantially manufacture products in the U.S.

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (P.L.99-502) 

requires scientists and engineers to consider technology transfer an individual responsibility. It also enables 

federal labs to negotiate licensing arrangements for patented inventions and requires that federal inventors 

share in royalties from patent licenses. It establishes a charter and funding mechanism for the Federal 

Laboratory Consortium (FLC). The FLC is responsible for a variety of activities including providing training 

courses and assistance for technology transfer programs.

Executive Order 12591 of 1987

ensures that federal labs assist universities and the private sector by transferring technical knowledge. 

It also promotes commercialization of federally-funded inventions by requiring that laboratories grant 

contractors the title to patents developed with federal funds, as long as the government is given a royaltyfree license for use. 
10 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Technology Transfer PROGRAM SERVICES

Organizationally located in NSA’s Research 

Directorate, TTP provides services to all NSA 

organizations and individuals who desire to 

participate in technology transfer activities. 

TTP offers services in the areas of Opportunity 

Management, Customer Service, Intellectual Asset 

Management, Program and Technology Marketing,

and Rewards and Recognition.

The process is initiated when a client contacts the 

TTP customer service center. Initial contact and 

company information is captured by the call center, 

and companies interested in engaging in technology 

transfer with NSA are required to sign a NonDisclosure Agreement.

Each client is assigned to a Technology Transfer 

Agent who will work with the company and the 

relevant NSA organizations to facilitate and ratify 

all appropriate technology transfer agreements.

Opportunity Management (OM)

OM addresses technology transfer inquiries from 

industry, academia, or government employees. 

OM identifies the appropriate agreement for the 

technology transfer and includes the facilitation 

and negotiation of the TTP agreement. 

TTP agreements include: Cooperative Research 

and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Patent 

License Agreements (PLAs), Education and Industry 

Partnership Agreements (EPA/IPAs), and Technology 

Transfer Sharing Agreements (TTSAs). 

The major activities involved in the OM process are:

• Requirement Assessment 

• Transfer Vehicle Identification

• Strategy Development

• Proposals and Negotiations

• Transfer Vehicle Execution

• Transfer Vehicle Management

Customer Service

TTP has a Customer Service Center to support and 

act as a focal point for both outside and Agencysponsored technology transfer opportunities. A 

well-defined procedure has been established to 

track and respond to TTP inquiries.
11

Technology Transfer PROGRAM SERVICES

Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)

IAM focuses on maximizing the value of NSA’s IP 

through the collective processes of identification, 

collection, assessment, management, and 

protection. 

The IAM process is initiated when a researcher, 

technologist, or developer submits an invention 

disclosure package to the OGC. Once the OGC 

determines ownership and whether IP protection 

is appropriate, a copy of the invention disclosure 

package is reviewed by the Technology Transfer 

Assessment Panel (TTAP). The TTAP is an internal 

panel comprised of senior technical directors, 

who review the invention disclosure package for 

suitability for public release and whether patent 

protection should be pursued.

If the TTAP approves the invention disclosure as 

a patent candidate for public release, the NSA 

patent attorneys write and file a patent application 

with the United States Patent and Trademark 

Office. Simultaneously, TTP adds the technology 

to its Intellectual Assets Portfolio and it becomes a 

candidate for a patent license agreement. If TTAP 

decides that the invention is not suitable for patent 

prosecution or public release, then the IAM lifecycle 

for that particular invention is complete. 

Once a technology becomes part of the Intellectual 

Asset Portfolio, TTP may conduct the following 

activities:

• Interview inventors/technologists to obtain 

technical support

• Conduct technology evaluations to determine 

commercial potential and benefits

• Conduct/obtain market assessments and 

valuations to determine potential industry areas 

and an approximate value of the technology to 

these markets

• Create Technology Profile Fact Sheets for posting 

on the nsa.gov website 

• Track transfers to other organizations

• Monitor and track any patent-related fees
12 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Technology Transfer program services

Program and Technology Marketing

Program marketing includes activities that support 

internal and external promotion of the TTP, 

its services, and capabilities. The goals of the 

promotional activities are to:

• Encourage NSA employees to participate in 

technology transfer activities 

• Promote the benefits of the program to internal 

and external organizations

• Identify potential partners based upon mission 

and industry needs

• Identify commercialization opportunities

Technology marketing is geared to promoting 

specific technologies at industry-sponsored events. 

The goal of this marketing is to identify potential 

licensees within specific markets for which the 

commercialization of these technologies would 

benefit the most. 

TTP conducts program awareness and technologyfocused marketing through a variety of promotion 

techniques:

• Publication of Technology Profile Fact Sheets on 

the nsa.gov website

• NSA publications

• Presentations to external and internal 

organizations

• Attendance at academic, government, trade 

shows, and exhibitions

Rewards and Recognition

Technology transfer legislation allows for the 

reward and recognition of those employees who 

participate in technology transfer activities or 

substantially increase the value of the inventions. 

These individuals share in a percentage of license 

fees and royalty payments, which can result from 

the licensing of a patent. 

TTP is responsible for handling, monitoring, 

tracking, and distributing all royalty payments and 

fees. To recognize participation in the technology 

transfer process, NSA distributes $2000 for the 

award of the patent, plus more than the minimum 

15% legislative requirement of collected royalties

to its government researchers.
13

Technology Transfer MECHANISMS

Patent License Agreements (PLA)

Title 35 U.S.C. 207-209 gives NSA the authority 

to grant licenses on its domestic and foreign 

patents and patent applications. This authority 

is implemented through PLAs. The goal of these 

licenses is to provide the private sector the 

opportunity to commercially develop federallyfunded research to promote economic growth and 

global competitiveness. 

PLA Benefits

• Encourages commercialization of federallyfunded research in the private sector

• Saves industry and academia the cost and time 

of conducting R&D

• Provides royalty income to the government and 

its inventors

• Creates new industry and employment 

opportunities in the private sector

• Maximizes the value of NSA’s R&D investment 

and resulting technologies

Licensing Policy

A license may be non-exclusive, partially exclusive, 

or exclusive. The licensee must complete a Letter 

of Application and submit for evaluation a Business 

Plan that outlines the licensee’s approach to 

commercialization and marketing of the invention. 

In general, a licensee must agree to substantially 

manufacture products in the U.S. 

The licensee must make the invention available 

to the public within a specified period of time and 

continue to make the benefits of the invention 

reasonably accessible to the public. The licensee 

must agree to report periodically on the use of the 

patent to NSA.

All NSA license agreements are individually 

negotiated with the prospective licensees on terms 

concerning license durations, reporting periods, 

fees, and royalty payments. The government 

always retains irrevocable, royalty free, worldwide 

government purpose rights to the invention.

NSA retains the right to terminate patent license 

agreements if the prospective licensee is unable 

to execute their business plan or achieve practical 

application as negotiated between prospective 

licensee and inventor/technologists.
Technology Transfer MECHANISMS

14 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement - 

CRADA

The CRADA is one of the most valuable technology 

transfer mechanisms for obtaining long-term 

value. Title 15 U.S.C. 3710 gives NSA the authority 

to enter into CRADAs to foster collaborative 

relationships with industry, local and state 

governments, and academia to obtain valuable 

technology transfer goals and benefits.

CRADA Benefits

• Creates new products, processes, and 

intellectual property applicable to mission and/

or commercial goals

• Modifies commercial products for government 

use in mission applications 

• Reduces cost and time of R&D to achieve 

mission and/or commercial goals

• Leverages external expertise, ideas, investment 

and resources 

• Provides a joint approach to solving specific 

problems by applying different cultural solutions

• Increases probability to commercialize 

inventions made under a CRADA

• Increases awareness of market and technology 

trends and the needs of industry and 

government

CRADA Elements

• Legal and business framework for the 

management and execution of the CRADA

• Statement of Work (SOW) that sets forth the 

nature and scope of research and development 

to be conducted

• Estimation of resources that will be used in the 

performance of the CRADA

• Reports for CRADA status and IP discovery

• Financial obligations that specify the amount of 

funds a partner will pay, if applicable

• Contact information for management and 

technical issues

• Ownership of inventions and copyrights brought 

into the CRADA and created from joint research 

performed under the CRADA 

• Rights and protections given to proprietary 

information brought into the CRADA and 

developed under the CRADA
15

Technology Transfer MECHANISMS

Education Partnership Agreement (EPA)

The purpose of an Education Partnership 

Agreement is to formalize the relationship 

between a federal lab and an educational 

institution. Title 10 U.S.C. 2194 allows NSA to 

share its unique experience by providing training 

to personnel in the science and technology fields 

at all education levels using EPAs. 

EPA Benefits

• Involving students to ensure a future resource of 

scientists, mathematicians, and engineers

• Providing unique opportunities for learning not 

available from other resources

• Providing access to laboratory personnel 

available to teach courses and develop science 

curriculums 

• Permitting students and teachers to become 

involved in developing useful technological 

applications

• Providing access to NSA resources, either 

through excess status or loan, which relieves 

institutions from some of the financial burden of 

R&D investment

EPA Elements

IP rights to inventions created under the 

agreement:

• Protections given to proprietary information 

brought into an agreement and developed under 

the agreement 

• Task Plan outlining the learning objectives and 

goals

• List of equipment to be loaned, if applicable
16 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Technology Transfer Sharing Agreement (TTSA)

TTSAs protect NSA’s right to seek commercialization 

of technologies it owns, and to effectively track the 

transfer of these technologies. 

TTSA Benefits

• Simple agreements that specify the purpose, 

terms, and conditions related to the transfer

• Allows for easy transition of technology between 

U.S. government agencies 

TTSA Elements

TTSAs include specific language regarding noncommercialization and restrict the transfer for 

government use only.

TTP only accepts TTSA requests from NSA 

government personnel. Contractors and other 

partners requiring technology in support of a 

contract must have their government Contractor 

Officer Representative (COR) or Program Manager 

submit the request to TTP on their behalf.

Government organizations may submit their

request directly to TTP.

Technology Transfer MECHANISMS
National Security Agency CORE TECHNOLOGY intro

17

NSA has identified valuable advanced technologies in the 

following core areas, which are available for sharing:

COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING

ADVANCED MATHEMATICS

ADVANCED COMPUTING

INFORMATION PROCESSING

MICROELECTRONICS 

The core technologies presented in this booklet represent 

a small subset of NSA technologies available for licensing. A 

complete listing of NSA Technology Profile Fact Sheets can be 

found on www.nsa.gov/research/tech_transfer
18 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency communication & networking

NSA is a demanding consumer and an aggressive developer 

of communications and networking equipment and products. 

Expanding capabilities currently include advancements in 

packet and switching technology, more sophisticated network 

structures, improved multimedia communications networks, 

ultra-high data rates, new compression techniques plus 

progressive mobile and satellite communication services.

The growing need to selectively distribute different levels of 

information over common networks has led to the Multilevel 

Information Systems Security Initiative (MISSI) and an evolving 

family of products. Additionally, the federal government now 

uses the STU-III telephone developed by the NSA for secure 

voice communications.

As NSA’s advancements in communications and networking 

techniques continue, they will provide new opportunities to 

deliver vast amounts of data more efficiently and reliably. In 

turn, technology users will continue to benefit from technical 

assistance and move toward resolving interoperability issues.

As our advancements in communication and networking 

techniques continue, they will provide new opportunities to 

deliver vast amounts of data more efficiently and reliably.
19

Electronic components may dominate today’s $100 billion semiconductor market, but a 

new technology is emerging that could make them obsolete. Integrated Photonics already 

promise to deliver what traditional electronics can’t — bandwidth and speed.

Electronic semiconductors are not keeping pace with the demands for speed and 

bandwidth that multimedia applications, like Video-on-Demand and Broadband TV, 

require. The creation of fully photonic components is needed to replace traditional 

electronic devices.

NSA’s Photonic Logic Device Suite lays the groundwork for the commercial development 

of an integrated photonics device. This suite of eight inventions overcomes the 

drawbacks and inefficiencies of previous methods, decreasing manufacturing costs, and 

improving the efficiency of integrated photonic devices.

Photonic Logic Device Suite

National Security Agency communication & networking
20 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Mode Transition-Discrimination Photonic Logic Device: 

An optical device for the implementation of invert 

or XOR logic. It is designed to be compact, to allow 

accurate discrimination between modes of the output 

signal, and to accept an input signal off-axis with 

respect to the output signal, preventing unintended 

signal scattering back into the input waveguides.

Method of Determining Semiconductor-Laser Facet 

Reflectivity After Reflectance Modification: Method for 

measuring the amount of light a laser facet (mirror) 

reflects back into a laser after the facet reflectance 

has been modified. Employs measurement tools 

already required for fabrication of semiconductor 

lasers, also works on lasers with coated or uncoated 

facets. Method to measure gain of a side-injection 

input photonic inverter, based on a semiconductor 

laser using two different modes of operation.

Method for Measuring Gain of Photonic Inverters: 

In one mode, the device operates as a photonic 

inverter; in the other, as a photo generated current 

measurement device. Captures an essential 

manufacturing metric. Overcomes the measuring 

errors currently associated with photonic inverters, 

including errors introduced by insertion loss.

Method of Coating Multiple Optical Device Facets 

with Dielectric Layers: Method of depositing layers 

of dielectric on facets of an optical semiconductor 

device (such as a ridge laser) for the purpose of 

controlling reflectance. Allows for quick modification 

of reflectance of facets using PECVD or a like method. 

Photonic Logic Device Fabrication Using Sacrificial 

Spacer Layers: These four inventions describe methods 

of constructing air gaps, waveguides, shadow masks, 

and mirrors on an optical semiconductor device 

by depositing spacer layers and then removing 

(‘sacrificing’) them.

Method of Fabricating Waveguide using Sacrificial 

Spacer Layer: Controlled coupling of a semiconductor 

laser into the waveguide.

Method of Fabricating Turning Mirror Using a Sacrificial 

Spacer Layer: For optical routing of integrated optical 

signals.

Method of Fabricating a Patterned Device Using a 

Sacrificial Spacer Layer: Avoids time-consuming, costly, 

high-resolution deep-UV or electron-beam lithographic 

steps for sub-micron shadow mask fabrication. 

Enables precise line width control of patterned 

optoelectronic and microelectronic devices.

Method of Fabricating Optical Device Using Multiple 

Sacrificial Spacer Layers: Increased spectral width and 

large range of reflectance in multiple air gap mirror 

structures.

National Security Agency communication & networking
21

Computer worms and viruses are more than an inconvenience to computer users worldwide. 

They pose a threat to national security and result in millions of dollars in recovery costs each 

year. 

These self-replicating programs exploit vulnerabilities in the targeted computer or network, 

resulting in system crashes, denial of service, and the corruption or destruction of critical 

and sensitive information. Now that most personal computers are connected to the internet 

and to local area networks, the spread of malicious codes and software is even more of a 

threat to computer users at all levels: from home users to medical, financial, government, 

and industrial users, among others.

NSA researchers recognize the severity of this problem and have developed a new technology 

that can severely limit the spread of both computer viruses and worms. This new technology 

is able to block or identify when an untrusted code tries to exploit a programming flaw on 

the targeted system. NSA’s detection process identifies or blocks this network-run software, 

distinguishing it from software stored locally on the targeted system. This exciting new 

methodology works in combination with other anti-virus products and can also serve as the 

basis of a new and powerful tool for identifying software delivered over a computer network 

and the mechanism for governing its execution. 

Detecting and Controlling Malicious Software

National Security Agency communication & networking
22 NSA Technology Transfer Program

NetTop®

Both the private and public sectors face challenges to improve the operational efficiency of 

their IT systems while reducing costs, and maintaining a high level of information security. 

NetTop® addresses these challenges by reducing the need for multiple workstations, 

allowing access to applications previously isolated on separate networks, and providing a 

high level of security. 

Researchers at NSA’s National Information Assurance Research Laboratory have 

invented and developed a modular architecture predominately based on COTS, which 

removes security functionality from the control of the end-user operating system and 

applications. 

NetTop® incorporates typical COTS user hardware and software found in most offices, 

schools, and homes. This technology is then combined with an underlying host operating 

system, virtual machine monitor, virtual network hubs, network encryptors, and a 

filtering router that allows multiple machine environments to run simultaneously and to 

access multiple networks all from the same physical platform.

National Security Agency communication & networking
23

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are exploding in popularity as users demand greater 

mobility. They are widely used in industry, government, and homes around the globe. WLANs are 

convenient but unprotected, and their reliance on open, uncontrolled transmission medium makes 

them highly vulnerable to attacks and intrusions. 

The U.S. Defense Department now mandates that all DoD WLANs be protected by Wireless 

Intrusion Detection Systems or WIDS at all times to mitigate risks and provide a more secure 

operating environment. The problem, however, is that even the best detection systems are not 

effective enough to protect secure or classified networks. To address this problem, researchers 

at NSA have developed a new approach to detect intrusions on wireless networks. This new 

approach is consistent with many of the DoD requirements for WLANs security.

WIDS detects rogue access points and clients, rogue devices actively communicating with valid 

devices, ad hoc and bridged networks, deviations from network security policy, packet flooding 

denial-of-service attacks, MAC spoofing, and frames having 802.11 protocol violations. 

NSA’s innovative system can also determine the channel that a packet is transmitted on, 

which is a big advantage over other WIDS that only detect the receiving channel. Users can 

also customize NSA’s tool to create custom capture filters and attack signatures. WIDS has the 

ability to simultaneously and continuously monitor all 802.11 channels. 

WIDS: 

Wireless Intrusion Detection System

National Security Agency communication & networking
24 NSA Technology Transfer Program

The evolution of wireless devices has taken consumers by surprise and the use of wireless 

devices have proliferated throughout the world. 802.11 wireless devices, such as cell 

phones, cameras, and MP3 players all connect to the internet using a wireless open, 

uncontrolled transmission medium. 

Researchers at NSA have found a way to allow users to test their wireless devices for 

security weaknesses and proper functioning. This method tests the device by generating 

network traffic packets that may be properly formatted, improperly formatted, or 

partially formatted. The user may configure the header or payload either directly, 

through a program, or from a file. The configured frames may be transmitted for a userdefinable number of iterations or set for continuous transmission in a repeating manner. 

After all of the frames are sent, at least one statistic about the wireless device under 

test is provided to the user.

Testing a Wireless Device

National Security Agency communication & networking
25

When hackers attack a computer, they frequently use one or more intermediary 

computers to hide the location of the attacking computer. These intermediary computers 

are called “stepping stones”. Researchers at NSA have developed a new tool that detects 

computer attacks and the involvement of a “stepping stone” in the attack. This method 

may be incorporated in a tool to search for the location of the attacking hacker. 

NSA’s method uses data passively collected from the network and cannot be detected 

by a hacker watching for possible countermeasures to his attack. After collecting 

the data, this method filters out and compares latency times from different layers 

of the data for a specified set of communications. If the latency exceeds a specified 

threshold, an alert is sent to the network or computer security analyst. The analyst 

may adjust the collection parameters, data filtering parameters, and the alert latency 

threshold. If the tool indicates that there is a “stepping stone”, it can determine 

how near or far it is from the attacking computer. Computer analysts can use this 

information to help them locate the hacker.

Stepping Stones

National Security Agency communication & networking
26 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Companies who rely on the internet to market their goods and services need to understand 

how potential customers use the web to search for information. Research scientists at NSA 

have developed a new process that can help them do that. 

TRICKLER monitors internet surfing habits and history, formats the resulting data, and 

sends it back to a central database for further research. TRICKLER combines an advanced 

data aggregation methodology with open source vulnerability information, operating 

system fingerprinting technology, and statistical methods to detect host and network 

attributes. It efficiently collects repetitive portions of network data, then correlates

and analyzes the results to identify surfing trends and network assets.

TRICKLER 

Analytic Metadata Producer

National Security Agency communication & networking
National Security Agency advanced mathematics

27

In order to remain a world leader in cryptologic methods, 

NSA must maintain our knowledge base of advanced 

mathematics to secure U.S. communications and maintain 

the country’s ability to exploit new advanced foreign 

communications systems.

NSA mathematicians are involved in a broad spectrum of 

sub-specialties, from algebra to statistics, and number 

theory to combinatorics. Many of the projects are 

interdisciplinary, requiring interaction with computer 

science, engineering, and linguistics technical experts.

NSA provides individual grants and conference funding in 

support of advanced mathematics research through its 

Mathematical Sciences’ Program. The Director’s Summer 

Program and the Mathematics Education Partnership 

Program were created in order to encourage future 

mathematicians, award grants for relevant mathematics research and offer bi-directional sabbaticals. 

Whenever possible, NSA continues to share mathematical insights with its partners in academia and 

industry.

Additional information on specific technologies involving Advanced Mathematics can be obtained by 

contacting the TTP Customer Service Center at 443-445-7159.

We must continue to explore, understand and 

exploit the power of advanced mathematics.
National Security Agency advanced computing

28 NSA Technology Transfer Program

NSA’s state-of-the-art computing infrastructure has 

maintained the development of secure cryptographic 

algorithms for U.S. communications and the exploitation 

of foreign communications. Today, we remain committed 

to the computer sciences and attract some of the 

brightest computer professionals in the nation.

NSA relies on a vast network of advanced computing 

resources in order to collect, sort, process, and analyze 

the raw data that produces foreign intelligence. Our 

current needs span several computing disciplines, 

including scientific programming, modeling, engineering, 

signals processing, graphical user interfaces, secure 

computing, text processing, database sorting and retrieval, 

artificial intelligence, and neural networks.

Cooperative efforts with universities and private industry 

are pushing NSA’s supercomputing capabilities even 

further. NSA is dedicated to sharing its computing advancements with commercial enterprises via technology 

transfer. 

We remain at the forefront of advanced 

computing research and development.
National Security Agency advanced computing

29

Researchers at NSA have developed a new statistical method of detecting duplicate voice 

recordings that doesn’t require a human listener or phonetic transcription systems. This 

technology is both language and content independent. 

This technology processes the unique pitch contour of the human voice and extracts 

specific statistical parameters that are used to create a numerical fingerprint of the 

voice in a computationally efficient and readily implementable way. 

Potential markets for this technology include voice recording libraries, personal 

surveillance systems, repetitive voice messaging, and nuisance call detection. An antispoofing application is also possible for use in biometric voice verification systems.

Quantifying Digital Voice Enhancements
National Security Agency information processing

30 NSA Technology Transfer Program

Advances in communications technologies increase the 

complex set of speech, data, video and multimedia 

signals, and the need for comprehensive information 

processing techniques. NSA is aggressively leading 

research efforts in these directions and applying 

new advances to the collection and processing of 

various forms of communication and the protection of 

communications among U.S. government organizations, 

including military, defense, and non-defense agencies.

Commercial applications of NSA’s information processing 

technologies include efficient techniques for secure 

mobile communications, cutting-edge machine learning 

technologies, and high-speed, wide-bandwidth, multimedia signaling. NSA’s information processing expertise 

has made a significant contribution to industry and will 

continue to further the nations competitiveness within 

the global economy. 

The NSA is aggressively leading research efforts.
National Security Agency information processing

31

Searching through large volumes of multi-lingual information to retrieve specific data, 

particularly names, is an important challenge for both government and industry. This 

difficulty escalates when non-western languages, such as Arabic, are transliterated into

a romanized alphabet. 

Aladdin Tagger first searches for transliterated names and is effective even within large 

data. It finds and marks up any matches using an automated expert system that looks 

for various identifiers and culturally specific, non-western personal names embedded in 

the native script. Non-experts can effectively conduct expert searches for transliterated 

names in large data sets and do so taking advantage of the best available linguistic 

rules. 

This knowledge-based system for name matching and tagging is maintained 

with contributions from expert linguists and contains an extensive collection of 

transliterated-names data. Its ranking algorithm uses relative frequencies of spellings in 

large data sets to highlight most likely matches. 

Aladdin Tool Suite: 

Name Matcher and Tagger
32 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency information processing

Transliterated Names is the challenging process of taking a word or text written in one 

language and converting it into the alphabet of another. Experts using conventions can 

build sets of transliterated names, but the results can vary greatly with wide differences of 

spellings – especially with non-western names. 

Transliterated Names is an automated transliteration system developed by NSA that 

meets these challenges. An additional benefit of automated transliteration is the ability 

to build and maintain knowledge bases of plausible spelling variants of transliterated 

names. 

These knowledge bases are easily searched. They are used to support valuable tools for 

those who need to match transliterated names in large data sets – even for non-linguists 

who do not type or recognize the native script. Non-linguists can also transform all 

or part of a native script text into standard romanized spellings that can be easily 

searched. Transliteration is immediate and the results appear while entering text.

Nellauger: 

Generating Transliterated Names
National Security Agency information processing

33

Analysts in a wide variety of disciplines need be able to look at large volumes of data, 

quickly discard irrelevant information, and identify interesting relationships. NSA’s Renoir is 

a versatile and highly developed software tool that can do just that.

Renoir takes large data sets that would otherwise be difficult for users to conceptualize 

and turns them into easily readable graphs. This powerful visualization tool works on 

any data set that contains associations and allows data from a variety of sources to 

be shared. Renoir’s unique patented data layout, community clustering algorithms, 

and well-developed Graphical User Interface allows users to manipulate, analyze, and 

customize the tool. Renoir is written in Java to run on any platform supporting the Java 

Virtual Machine.

Renoir is ideal for business intelligence applications and can be tailored to meet the 

needs of specific industries. Potential markets include bioinformatics, law enforcement, 

energy management, telecommunications, finance, marketing, data mining, customer 

relationship management, knowledge management, business performance management, 

statistical analysis, and search engines. This government owned software is available for 

use by any government agency.

RENOIR: 

General Network Visualization and 

Manipulation Program
34 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency information processing

NSA has a new invention that overcomes the problems of common keyword-based 

searches for document retrieval. Common keyword-based searches often lead to 

over-specification or over-generalization, especially when searching a large number of 

documents or executing numerous queries.

NSA’s technology, in contrast, generates a topic description and categorizes sample 

text, then searches and sorts new text by topic. The text may be of any length, in any 

language, and may be derived from any source, to include machine translated speech 

or an optical character reader.

This approach is effective for searching and sorting text by topic without using keyword 

proximity, n-grams, or Boolean combinations of keywords. It does not require stop 

lists or extensive stemming. Document retrieval by topic is more accurate and has the 

added advantage of providing an automatic maintenance scheme. Without automatic 

maintenance, large-scale knowledge bases degrade and become inoperable in today’s 

dynamic environment.

Topic Determination of Textual Information
National Security Agency information processing

35

Today’s search engines and scanners do a great job of processing text alone, but they 

are powerless when that same text is embedded in a color image. This is a significant 

limitation for search engines in today’s internet age since text often appears in photos, 

videos, and full color graphics, such as maps and charts. 

NSA has developed a patented suite of algorithms that can detect and extract text 

from any image, including photos, maps, and videos. The extracted text can then 

undergo further automated processing by an optical character reader or a search 

engine. This highly flexible set of algorithms uses simple math and can extract text 

in any shape, form, language, or location from a color image of any size or format. It 

digitally separates the text from the image in a sequence of parallel operations. Law 

Enforcement agencies could use this methodology to search through traffic footage to 

find license numbers of speeding motorists. Intelligence Community agencies could use 

it to search for hidden threats in on-line photos and maps. Search engine companies 

could upgrade browsers to search images for text. This powerful tool can be customtailored by the user for optimal results.

Text Extraction from Color Images
36 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency information processing

Today’s search engines and content managing systems often rely on dictionaries, 

encyclopedias, or exemplary texts to navigate and search through data. These tools work 

well until they are applied to large volumes of information. A research team at NSA took up 

this challenge and found a new way to search through and navigate large volumes of data.

KODA uses the text itself to search and navigate large sets of data, not dictionaries 

or encyclopedias. It works by measuring the similarity between passages of text and 

selects sentences it can use to summarize the text. KODA performs well on large data 

sets in many languages regardless of formatting. It can read thousands of documents 

and publish a summary of user-definable length for each document. It can also read 

web pages and complement search engines by summarizing the content on the page 

in which a keyword appears. Overall, KODA is an ideal application for integration into 

search engines and content management systems to address the expanding problem of 

information overload.

Summarizing Text Using Just the Text (KODA)

CODE

Inte rna l W orking Document. Not F or P ublic R e lea s e .
National Security Agency information processing

37

Note taking applications for wireless devices are becoming widely used to keep information 

clean and organized. People use these applications to jot down phone numbers, things-todo lists, messages and meeting notes to become more productive. NSA Researchers have 

developed an existing enhancement to complement these applications. 

NSA Note Enhancement allows a user to retrieve information in near real time from 

the internet or on-line databases while taking notes. This invention combines several 

existing “smart pad” technologies and wireless technology to automatically capture and 

extract information from written notes, while connecting to a search engine application 

or database. Users are also able to customize their keyword searches to request 

additional information and receive responses in real time.

Note Enhancement:

Retrieving Electronic Data During Note Taking
National Security Agency microelectronics

38 NSA Technology Transfer Program

NSA develops new designs and refines fabrication 

technology for complex, sub-micron feature-size 

integrated circuits that are usually highly classified and 

produced in small, cost-efficient lots. At the Laboratory 

for Physical Science, researchers continue to pioneer 

techniques in several areas related to microelectronics 

research. 

The NSA microelectronics community maintains a 

cooperative relationship with the U.S. semiconductor 

industry. This effective interaction results in 

opportunities for NSA and industry to evolve, maintain, 

sustain, and advance the U.S. microelectronics industry. 

We actively encourage research and 

development activities within this field.
National Security Agency microelectronics

39

Today’s integrated circuits are the building blocks of almost every modern electrical 

device from cars, computers, television sets, CD players, telephones, and cameras. Microelectronics packaging industries, national laboratories and universities are interested in 

lowering the cost of fabricating these circuits and reducing production time. A research 

team at NSA has found a way to do both. 

NSA’s new process for packaging integrated circuits does not require expensive and 

time consuming electroplating equipment. The technology allows the aluminum bond 

pads on the circuits to receive solder, eliminating the need for wafers, masks, several 

lithography steps, sputtered metal deposition, or electroplating. The result is large 

volumes of single-die level and wafer-level plating done without electroplating. A group 

of up to 50 die can be plated in less than one day as compared to 10.5 days for a waferlevel electroplating process.

Low Cost Single Die-Level Plating Process 

for Integrated Circuits
40 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency microelectronics

Consumers today demand smaller electronic devices with even greater functionality: 

tiny cell phones that store music, access the web and take photos, MP-3 players for 

songs, games, videos, photos, and internet access. These higher performing smaller 

devices require high density, high performance, low profile circuitry that can overcome 

strict electrical and physical constraints. 

The circuitry required must have low electrical resistance, low cross-talk, and high 

operating frequency. It must have a low enough profile to physically fit into smaller 

devices. The wiring density of the system level interconnects must keep pace with the 

rapidly increasing number of Input/Output connections on the chip. 

NSA has found a way to meet these challenges with a new technology that enables 

the fabrication of very high-density, double-sided, multi-layered circuits. The process 

combines semiconductor processes at high temperature with releasable bonding 

techniques. The superior electrical and physical characteristics of the circuits 

created using this technology address the electrical and physical constraints of 

portable electronic devices. 

Fabricating Very High Density Double-Sided, 

Multi-Layered, Flex Interconnect
National Security Agency microelectronics

41

Nearly all labs have a Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM), yet relatively few have the 

high resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) due to its cost. The FSEI sample 

holder uniquely brings near-TEM quality to the SEM by providing information about 

the sample that is both surface sensitive and very high resolution. The sample is simply 

mounted to the holder and placed in the microscope. 

There is no need to add any extra detector hardware to the microscope’s chamber. 

The incident electron beam intercepts the sample at a shallow angle and the resulting 

forward scattered electrons are directed towards a target which emits secondary 

electrons that are then counted by the microscope’s standard secondary electron 

detector. The collected signal is higher resolution and more surface sensitive than 

secondary emission, and this results in images with well-defined, three-dimensional 

appearances, allowing resolution in the 1.0 nanometer range.

The sample holder provides significant improvement from the typical SEM resolutions of 

several nanometers from using secondary electron imaging. This new technology enables 

superior high-resolution imaging on a general category of samples and eliminates the 

need for additional hardware at a significant cost savings.

Forward Scattered Electronic Image (FSEI) 

Sample Holder
42 NSA Technology Transfer Program

National Security Agency microelectronics

As consumer demand for smaller, multi-functional electronic devices escalates, 

industry requires a more economical approach to miniaturization. In response to this 

challenge, NSA has developed a way to fabricate the integrated microsystems needed for 

miniaturization in a more cost effective manner. 

NSA’s approach reduces the cost of building ultra-miniaturized microsystems 

by using COTS components and by streamlining the fabrication process. Passive 

elements, such as filters and capacitors, can be made using optimized substrates, rather 

than more expensive silicon. By performing functional quality control tests at multiple 

points in the process, production output increases. This cost-effective approach to 

miniaturization provides an opportunity for micro-integration of optical and mechanical 

devices with electronics and COTS components. Potential applications include remote 

environmental sensors and networked control systems within industrial facilities.

Three-Dimensional Microsystem 

and Fabrication Method
National Security Agency acronyms

43

COTS - Commercial Off The Shelf

CRADA - Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 

EPA - Education Partnership Agreement

FLC - Federal Laboratory Consortium 

IAM - Intellectual Assessment Management

IP - Intellectual Property

OGC - Office of General Counsel/Intellectual Property and Technology

OM - Opportunities Management

PLA - Patent License Agreement

R&D - Research and Development

TTAP - Technology Transfer Assessment Panel

TTP - Technology Transfer Program

TTSA - Technology Transfer Sharing Agreement
National Security Agency, 9800 Savage Road, Suite 6541, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6541

NSA Technology Transfer Program

i43480

www.nsa.gov/research/tech_transfer