ENGINEERING COMMITTEE

Digital Video Subcommittee

SCTE STANDARD

SCTE 40 2016

Digital Cable Network Interface Standard

 NOTICE

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© Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Inc. 2016

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Scope................................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 DEFINITIONS and Acronyms ........................................................................................ 2

2.1 Compliance Notation ...................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Glossary .......................................................................................................................... 2

3.0 Normative references ........................................................................................................ 6

3.1 SCTE References ............................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Standards from other Organizations .............................................................................. 7

4.0 Informative References..................................................................................................... 7

4.1 SCTE References ............................................................................................................. 7

4.2 Standards from Other Organizations ............................................................................. 8

5.0 Reference acquisition ........................................................................................................ 9

6.0 PHYSICAL lAYER Characteristics.............................................................................. 10

6.1 RF Interface .................................................................................................................. 10

6.1.1 Maximum Individual Carrier Amplitude .............................................................. 10
6.2 Frequency Plan ............................................................................................................. 10
6.3 Communications Channels ........................................................................................... 11
6.3.1 Forward Application Transport (FAT) Channels.................................................. 11
6.3.2 NTSC Analog Channels ........................................................................................ 12
6.3.3 Out-Of-Band Forward Data Channels (FDC) ....................................................... 12
6.3.4 Out-Of-Band Reverse Data Channels (RDC) ....................................................... 13
6.3.5 DOCSIS Upstream and Downstream Channels .................................................... 15
6.4 Downstream Transmission Characteristics .................................................................. 15
6.4.1 RF Signal Levels and Adjacent Channel Characteristics ...................................... 17

7.0 Transport Layer Protocols ............................................................................................. 20

7.1 Forward Application Transport (FAT) Channels ......................................................... 20

7.2 Out-of-Band Forward Data Channels (FDC) .............................................................. 21
7.3 Out-of-Band Reverse Data Channels (RDC) ................................................................ 21

8.0 Services and Related Protocol Stacks............................................................................ 21

8.1 Audio-Visual Services ................................................................................................... 23
8.1.1 Analog Audio-Visual Services.............................................................................. 23
8.1.2 Digital Audio-Visual Services .............................................................................. 23
8.1.3 VBI Services ......................................................................................................... 24
8.2 Data Services ................................................................................................................ 24
8.3 In-Band Service/System Information ............................................................................ 24
8.4 Out-of-Band Service/System Information ..................................................................... 25
8.5 Emergency Alert System (EAS) ..................................................................................... 25
8.6 Closed Captioning ........................................................................................................ 26
8.6.1 Analog Television Programs ................................................................................. 26
8.6.2 Digital Television Programs ................................................................................. 26
8.7 Digital Television (DTV) Content Advisory Information.............................................. 26
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Cable Network Interface .............................................................................................. 1
Figure 2 FAT Channel Physical Layer Protocol ..................................................................... 12
Figure 3 Out-of-band Forward Data Channel Lower Layer Protocols ................................ 13
Figure 4 Out-of-band Reverse Data Channel Lower Layer Protocols ................................. 14
Figure 5 FAT Channel Transport Layer Protocol .................................................................. 21
Figure 6 Interrelation of Service Channels, Logic Interfaces and Applications for
Scrambled Programming ........................................................................................... 22
Figure 7 Interrelation of Service Channels, Logic Interfaces and Applications for
Unscrambled Programming ...................................................................................... 23
Figure 8 Modified Protocol Stack for Audio-Visual Services ................................................. 24
Figure 9 Protocol Stack for Out-of-Band Service/System Information ................................ 25
Figure 10 Protocol Stack for Inband EAS ............................................................................... 26

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Digital Cable Network Frequency Bands ................................................................. 11
Table 2. FDC Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics .................................................... 13
Table 3. RDC Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics .................................................... 14
Table 4. Analog and FAT Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics ................................ 16
Table 5. Nominal Relative Carrier Power Levels ................................................................... 18
Table 6. Adjacent Channel Characteristics ............................................................................. 19
 Digital Cable Network Interface Standard
1.0 SCOPE

This standard defines the characteristics and normative specifications for the digital network
interface between a cable television system and commercially available digital cable products
that are used to access multi-channel television programming (See Figure 1). The network
interface is also compatible with existing analog and digital set-top terminal equipment owned by
cable operators and with terminal equipment developed via the OpenCable™ specification
process (See www.opencable.com). All specifications in this document apply at the Demarcation
Point except as specifically noted. Specifications noted to apply at the terminal device are
applicable regardless of whether that device is owned by the subscriber or the cable operator. The
key functional characteristics assumed in this document are the following:

 The cable network provides services utilizing 6-MHz in-band channel(s), out-of-band
forward data channel(s), and out-of-band reverse data channel(s). The 6-MHz in-band
channels follow the CEA-542-C channel-tuning plan. However, the frequency location
can change over time such that analog and digital channels could be located anywhere in
the downstream operating range. Nothing in this standard precludes the use of other
narrowband or wideband digital signals.

 The 6 MHz in-band channels are used to transport digital services (QAM modulated
MPEG-2 transport streams) as well as analog services (NTSC AM-VSB channels).
Nothing in this standard precludes the use of other modulation modes.

 Services are either in the clear or protected using conditional access technology.
Demarcation Point

Figure 1 Cable Network Interface

2.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

2.1 Compliance Notation

“SHALL” This word or the adjective “REQUIRED” means that the item is an
absolute requirement of this specification.
“SHALL NOT” This phrase means that the item is an absolute prohibition of this
specification.
“SHOULD” This word or the adjective “RECOMMENDED” means that there may
exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore this item, but
the full implications should be understood and the case carefully
weighted before choosing a different course.
“SHOULD NOT” This phrase means that there may exist valid reasons in particular
circumstances when the listed behavior is acceptable or even useful,
but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully
weighed before implementing any behavior described with this label.
“MAY” This word or the adjective “OPTIONAL” means that this item is truly
optional. One vendor may choose to include the item because a
particular marketplace requires it or because it enhances the product,
for example; another vendor may omit the same item.

2.2 Glossary

64 QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation with 64 constellation points

256 QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation with 256 constellation points
AAL5 ATM Adaptation Layer 5
AC-3 A digital audio encoding scheme. The audio encoding format adopted
by the ATSC, standardized in A/52[9].
AM Amplitude Modulation
AM-VSB Amplitude Modulation – Vestigial Sideband - used to broadcast analog
NTSC video signals.
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode - A switching and transport protocol that
allows data, voice, and video to be carried over a single physical
network. ATM is ideal for interactive applications that require
dynamic routing and resource allocation.
ATSC Advanced Television Systems Committee
Cable Cable Television Systems
Carrier An RF signal used to carry information (video, audio, data) by some
modulation scheme.
CEA Consumer Electronics Association
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
Closed A textual description of dialog in a video program
Captioning
Complete Main A complete audio program (dialogue, music and effects)
Composite A baseband representation of a video signal containing luminance and
video chrominance information.
Conditional A system that controls and permits access to video, audio, and data that
Access System is being transmitted.
Content A defined method for describing the contents of a program based on a
Advisory number of rating scales.
Descriptor
C/N Carrier to Noise Ratio
CTB Composite Triple Beat – a third order distortion caused by mixing three
carriers (A+B-C) that falls on the fundamental of a carrier.
CSO Composite Second Order – The sum effect of all second order
distortion products.
Demarcation As specified in FCC Rules 47 CFR Section 76.5(mm), which is
Point typically a point at (or about) twelve inches outside of where the cable
wire enters the subscriber’s premises.
dB Decibel - A logarithmic value of a ratio
dBc Decibels relative to carrier amplitude
dBm Decibels relative to one milliwatt
dBmV Decibels relative to one millivolt across a given impedance (75 ohms in
North American cable systems). For direct correspondence to normal
settings by common test equipment, in this document, all RF signal and
power levels are represented in units of dBmV (decibels relative to 1
millivolt RMS, across 75 ohms). Note that this is used independent of
the bandwidth of the signal level being noted, although if not noted the
bandwidth is considered to be 6 MHz. The dBmV values measured in
any given bandwidth are converted directly to units of dBm (decibels
relative to one milliwatt) by subtracting 48.75. For example, a +20
dBmV value in this document is equivalent to -28.75 dBm.
DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications
Downstream Transmission from Headend to terminal device
Drop Cable A coaxial cable from a subscriber tap to the Demarcation Point
DSM-CC Digital Storage Media-Command and Control (ISO/IEC 13818-6)
DSG DOCSIS Set-top Gateway
DTV Digital Television – A general term for the digital coding and
transmission of an Audio / Video Program.
EAS Emergency Alert System
ES Elementary Stream – A generic term for a stream of data of one
particular type. Typically these streams are of Video or Audio Types.
FAT (Forward Application Transport) Channel - A data channel carried from
the headend to the terminal device in a modulated channel at a rate of
26.97 or 38.81 Mbps. See Annex A of SCTE 07[2]. MPEG-2
transport is used to multiplex video, audio, and data into the FAT
channel. The FAT Channel is also considered the “In-band” channel.
The FAT channel is used for MPEG-2 compressed video and audio.
FCC Federal Communications Commission.
FDC Forward Data Channel - A data channel carried from the headend to the
terminal device in a modulated channel at a rate of 1.544 to 3.088
Mbps.
Headend The control center of a cable television system, where incoming signals
are amplified, converted, processed, and combined into a common
cable, along with any locally originated programming, for transmission
to subscribers.
Host The part of a generic terminal device that does not contain the network
specific characteristics.
HRC Harmonically Related Carrier
ID Identifier
IF Intermediate Frequency. A signal processing stage between RF and
baseband.
Interleaving A communications technique for reordering associated bytes over a
longer period of time to reduce the effects of burst noise.
IP The network layer (layer 3) of the Open Systems Interconnection
reference model.
IRC Incrementally Related Carrier
ITU International Telecommunications Union
kbps Kilobits per second- bits per second in thousands
kHz Kilohertz - Cycles per second, in thousands
MAC Media Access Control
Mbps Megabits per second- bits per second, in Millions
MHz Megahertz - Cycles per second, in Millions
MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group - An international standards-setting
group, working to develop standards for compressed full-motion video,
audio, and other associated information.
MPEG-2 Refers to the ISO/IEC 13818 multi-part standard
mV Millivolt – Thousandths of a Volt
Noise An undesired or unintended element of a signal.
NTSC National Television Systems Committee – Refers to the Analog Color
Television Standard as used in North America
OOB Out-of-Band – Outside of the programming channels band. The OOB
channels provide communication channels between the network and the
terminal.
PES Packetized Elementary Stream
PHY Physical Layer
PID Packet Identifier – A unique integer value used to identify the contents
of an MPEG-2 Transport Stream packet.
POD / Point of Deployment Module (CableCARD™) - A module to be
POD Module provided by the MSO that contains all of the network specific
characteristics for a terminal device.
p-p Peak to peak
PSI Program Specific Information – Normative data that is necessary for
the demultiplexing of transport streams and the regeneration of
programs.
PSIP Program and System Information Protocol – A method of describing
Naming and Navigation data for a multi program transport stream as
defined in ATSC A/65[27].
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation – A radio frequency modulation
scheme, defined ANSI/SCTE 07[2] that combines phase and amplitude
modulation.
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying - A signaling and modulation scheme in
which an RF carrier is phase shifted to signal digital data.
Randomization A coding method that provides for even distribution of the symbols in
the QAM constellation, which enables the demodulator to maintain
proper lock.
 RDC Reverse Data Channel - A data channel transmitted from the terminal
device to the headend in a modulated channel at a rate of 0.256 to
3.088 Mbps.
Reed Solomon A coding method that adds parity symbols to a data packet thereby
providing a forward error correction capability.
RF Radio Frequency – Used to describe the part of the electromagnetic
frequency spectrum that is used to transmit video, audio, and data over
the air or via coaxial cable.
RRT Rating Region Table
SCTE Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers - The technical and
applied science leader for the cable telecommunications industry for
professional development, information, certification and standards.
SI Service/System Information
SMPTE Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers – A Standards
Organization devoted to advancing theory and application in motion
imaging, including film, television, video, computer imaging, and
telecommunications.
TS Transport Stream – An MPEG-2 Transport Stream as described in
ISO/IEC 13818-1[14]
TV Television
Upstream Transmission from terminal device to Headend
V Volt – Unit of Electrical Potential
VBI Vertical Blanking Interval - In analog video, the interval after the last
displayed line of video in a field and before the first displayed line of
video in the next field, during which a television receiver will
synchronize vertically.

3.0 NORMATIVE REFERENCES

The following documents contain provisions, which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. At the time of subcommittee approval, the editions indicated were
valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreement based on this standard are
encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the documents
listed below.

3.1 SCTE References

1. ANSI/SCTE 02 2006 : "F" Port (Female Indoor) Physical Dimensions

 2. ANSI/SCTE 07 2006 : Digital Video Transmission Standard for Cable Television

3. ANSI/SCTE 43 2005 : Digital Video Systems Characteristics Standard for Cable

Television

4. ANSI/SCTE 54 2009 : Digital Video Service Multiplex and Transport System

Standard for Cable Television

5. ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2009 : Digital Broadband Delivery System: Out-of-band Transport –

Mode A

6. ANSI/SCTE 55-2 2008 : Digital Broadband Delivery System: Out-of-band

Transport – Mode B

7. ANSI/SCTE 65 2008 : Service Information Delivered Out-of-Band for Digital

Cable Television

8. ANSI/SCTE 18 2007 : Emergency Alert Message for Cable

3.2 Standards from other Organizations

9. ATSC A/52:2010: ATSC Digital Audio Standard (AC-3)(E-AC-3) Standard

10. ATSC A/53 Parts 3 (2009) and 5 (2010): ATSC Digital Television Standard,

11. CEA-23-A: RF Interface Specification for Television Receiving Devices and

Cable Television Systems

12. CEA-542-C: Cable Television Channel Identification plan

13. CEA-608-E (ANSI): Line 21 Data Services

14. ISO/IEC 13818-1:2007: Information technology -- Generic coding of moving

pictures and associated audio information: Systems (MPEG-2 Systems)

4.0 INFORMATIVE REFERENCES

The following documents provide valuable information to the reader but are not required
when complying with this standard.

4.1 SCTE References

15. ANSI/SCTE 20 2004 : Standard Methods for Carriage of Closed Captions and
non-Real Time Sampled Video
 16. ANSI/SCTE 21 2001R2006 : Standard for Carriage of NTSC VBI Data in Cable
Digital Transport Stream

17. ANSI/SCTE 106 2010: DOCSIS® Set-Top Gateway (DSG) Specification

18. ANSI/SCTE 127 2007: Carriage of Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) Data in North
American Digital Television Bitstreams

19. ANSI/SCTE 128 2010-a: AVC Video Systems and Transport Constraints for Cable
Television

20. ANSI/SCTE 157 2008: VC-1 Video Systems and Transport Constraints for Cable
Television

21. ANSI/SCTE 22-1 2002R2007: Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specification

DOCSIS 1.0 Radio Frequency Interface (RFI)

22. ANSI/SCTE 23-1 2010: DOCSIS 1.1 Part 1: Radio Frequency Interface

23. ANSI/SCTE 79-1 2009: DOCSIS 2.0 Part 1: Radio Frequency Interface

24. ANSI/SCTE 135-1 2008: DOCSIS 3.0 Part 1: Physical Layer Specification

4.2 Standards from Other Organizations

25. ITU-T J.83 (12/07): Digital multi-programme systems for television, sound and
data services for cable distribution

26. SMPTE 170M: Television - Composite Analog Video Signal - NTSC for Studio
Applications

27. ATSC A/65:2009 ATSC Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial
Broadcast and Cable

28. CEA-708-D: Digital Television (DTV) Closed Captioning

29. CEA-766-C: U.S. and Canadian Region Rating Table (RRT) and Content
Advisory Descriptor for Transport of Content Advisory Information Using ATSC
A/65, A66 and A67 Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP)

30. ISO/IEC 13818-2:2000/Cor.2:2007: Technical Corrigendum 2

31. ISO/IEC 13818-6:1998/Cor 2:2002: Information technology -- Generic coding of

moving pictures and associated audio information -- Part 6: Extensions for DSM-
CC (MPEG-2 Digital Storage Media-Command and Control)
5.0 REFERENCE ACQUISITION

SCTE Standards:

Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Inc., 140 Philips Road, Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 1-800-542-5040, Fax: 610-363-5898 Internet: http://www.scte.org;
email: standards@scte.org

CEA Standards:

Global Engineering Documents, World Headquarters, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood,

CO USA 80112-5776; Phone 800-854-7179; Fax 303-397-2740; Internet
http://global.ihs.com; email global@ihs.com

ANSI/CEA Standards:

American National Standards Institute, Customer Service, 11 West 42nd Street, New York
NY 10036; Phone 212-642 4900; Fax 212-302-1286; email: sales@ansi.org; Internet:
http://www.ansi.org

FCC Documents:

ITS, Inc. 1231 20th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036; Phone 202 857 3800 Fax 202
857 3814; Internet: http://www.itsdocs.com/; email: service@itsdocs.com

ATSC Standards:

Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), 1776 K Street NW STE 200 -

Washington, DC 20006-2304; Ph.-202.872.9160 Fax-202.872.9161;
http://www.atsc.org/standards.html

ISO/IEC Standards:

Global Engineering Documents, World Headquarters, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood,

CO. USA 80112-5776; Phone 800-854-7179; Fax 303-397-2740; Internet:
http://global.ihs.com; email global@ihs.com.

ITU Standards:

ITU Sales and Marketing Service, International Telecommunication Union, Place des
Nations CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland; Phone +41 22 730 6141; Fax +41 22 730
5194; Internet: http://www.itu.org;/ email sales@itu.int

OpenCable Specifications:

Cable Television Laboratories, Inc., 400 Centennial Parkway, Louisville, CO 80027;

Phone 303-661-9100; Fax 303-661-9199; Internet: http://www.opencable.com/;
email: opencable@cablelabs.com
SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, 3 Barker Ave., 5th Floor, White
Plains, NY 10601; Phone: +1 (914) 761-1100; Fax: +1 (914) 761-3115
https://store.smpte.org/

6.0 PHYSICAL LAYER CHARACTERISTICS

6.1 RF Interface

The physical interface between the cable TV system and the terminal device at the terminal
device input shall be as defined in ANSI/SCTE 02[1].

6.1.1 Maximum Individual Carrier Amplitude

The maximum rms value of any individual received signal whose frequency is between
0.5 MHz and 30 MHz shall not exceed –7 dBm (+42 dBmV across 75 ohms) measured
at the input to the terminal device.

No signal power limits are specified between 30 MHz and 54 MHz. Receivers are not
expected to operate properly in the presence of signals in the 30 to 54 MHz band near
the levels specified for signals below 30 MHz.

The maximum rms value of any individual signal whose frequency exceeds 54 MHz
shall be less than 10 mV across a 75 ohm terminating impedance (+20 dBmV)
measured at the input to the terminal device. Receivers are not expected to properly
receive signals of individual carriers that fall outside the limits of Table 4 line 14

6.2 Frequency Plan

Cable systems deliver analog and digital services to terminal devices directly connected to
the cable system in a downstream passband. This passband is local system-dependent but
typically has a 54 MHz lower edge and an upper edge in the range of 300 to 1002 MHz.
Within that passband, NTSC analog television signals and Forward Application Transport
channels in 6-MHz channels may be present and shall adhere to the standard, HRC or IRC
frequency plans of CEA-542[12]. Forward Data Channels may be present in the 70-130
MHz range.

The cable network may support any portion or all of the 5-30 MHz, 5-42 MHz or 5-85
MHz passband in the upstream direction. NTSC analog television signals in 6 MHz
channels, as well as other narrowband and wideband signals, may be present anywhere
within these network supported passbands. Reverse Data Channels may be present
anywhere within the 5-42 MHz passband.
6.3 Communications Channels

The cable network shall have the following communications channels:

1. Forward Application Transport (FAT) channels.

2. Forward Data Channels (FDC).

The cable network may have the following communications channels:

1. NTSC Analog channels.
2. Reverse Data Channels (RDC).
3. DOCSIS Upstream and Downstream Channels

The FDC and RDC are referred to as out-of-band (OOB) channels. Frequency bands for
each channel are given in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Digital Cable Network Frequency Bands

FAT channels and NTSC Analog channels 54 to 1002 MHz
OOB FDCs 70 to 130 MHz
OOB RDCs 5 to 42 MHz

The cable network may support Reverse Data Channels (RDCs) within any portion or all of
the 5 MHz to 42 MHz passband in the upstream direction.

6.3.1 Forward Application Transport (FAT) Channels

The forward application transport channels shall be Quadrature Amplitude Modulation

(QAM) channels that comply with ITU J83.B / ANSI/SCTE 07[2] . Either 64 QAM or
256 QAM may be used to transport approximately 26.97 or 38.81 megabits/second,
respectively. See Annex A of SCTE 07. FAT channels may be located anywhere in the
54 to 1002 MHz range. The physical layer protocol for FAT channels is shown in
Figure 2 FAT Channel Physical Layer Protocol.
 Higher Layers

MPEG-2 TS

Reed Solomon Coding

Interleaving Physical
Layer
Randomization

Trellis Coded 64/256 QAM

Figure 2 FAT Channel Physical Layer Protocol

6.3.2 NTSC Analog Channels

The analog channels shall be NTSC RF AM-VSB modulated signals in accordance with
current cable-system practice and applicable FCC rules. NTSC Analog channels may
be located anywhere in the 54 to 1002 MHz range.

6.3.3 Out-Of-Band Forward Data Channels (FDC)

Each forward data channel shall be as defined in ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2009 or

ANSI/SCTE 55-2 2008 with the additional requirements specified in Table 2. The
FDCs may be located anywhere in the 70 to 130 MHz, and are spaced between the 6-
MHz Analog and/or FAT channels. Figure 3 shows the lower layer protocol stacks for
the out-of-band FDCs.
 Table 2. FDC Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics
1. Transmission Rate 1.544/3.088 Mbps, ANSI/SCTE 55-2
2.048 Mbps, ANSI/SCTE 55-1
2. RF Channel Spacing (Bandwidth) 1.0/2.0 MHz,) ANSI/SCTE 55-2
1.8 MHz, ANSI/SCTE 55-1
3. RF Frequency Range 70 MHz to 130 MHz
4. Nominal Carrier Frequency Any integer multiple of 250 kHz
between the minimum and maximum
carrier frequencies, inclusive of the
specified fixed frequency of 104.200
MHz.
5. Minimum Carrier Level at terminal input -15 dBmV

6. Maximum Carrier Level at terminal input +15 dBmV

7. C/(N+I) in Nyquist bandwidth  20 dB

8. Group Delay Variation 200 ns maximum measured over Nyquist

bandwidth

ANSI/SCTE 55-2 ANSI/SCTE 55-1

Payload Payload
ATM Cell Format Data Link Layer
Link/Physical Layer: MAC Sublayer
 Reed-Solomon
 MAC Packet
 Interleaving  MPEG-2 TS
Physical Layer: OOB FDC
 SL-ESF Frame Payload
Structure  Randomizer Lower Layer Protocols
 Reed-Solomon
 SL-ESF Format
 Randomizer  Interleaving
 QPSK/differential coding  QPSK/differential coding
Figure 3 Out-of-band Forward Data Channel Lower Layer Protocols

6.3.4 Out-Of-Band Reverse Data Channels (RDC)

When present, each reverse data channel shall be as defined in ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2009
or ANSI/SCTE 55-2 2008, with the additional requirements specified in Table 3. The
 RDCs may be present anywhere within the network-supported passband as defined in
Table 3. Figure 4 shows the lower layer protocol stacks for the out-of-band RDCs.

Table 3. RDC Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics

1. RF Transmission 1.544/3.088 Mbps, ANSI/SCTE 55-2
Rate
256 kbps, ANSI/SCTE 55-1
2. RF Channel 1.0/2.0 MHz, ANSI/SCTE 55-2
Spacing
192 kHz, ANSI/SCTE 55-1
(Bandwidth)
3. RF Frequency 5 MHz to 42 MHz.
Range

4. Nominal Carrier ANSI/SCTE 55-2 : Any integer multiple of 250 kHz between 5.0 MHz
Frequency and 42.0 MHz, inclusive.
ANSI/SCTE 55-1 : Any integer multiple of 192 kHz between 8.096
MHz and 40.160 MHz, inclusive.

ANSI/SCTE 55-2 ANSI/SCTE 55-1

Payload Payload
Data link Layer/AAL5 Data link Layer/AAL5
MAC Sublayer MAC Sublayer:
 MAC Packet sublayer OOB RDC
 MAC Signaling
Message  ATM Cell Format Lower Layer

 ATM Cell Format Protocols

Physical Layer: Physical Layer

 Reed-Solomon  Randomizer

 Randomizer  Reed-Solomon

 Burst QPSK/  Burst QPSK/

 differential coding  differential coding

Figure 4 Out-of-band Reverse Data Channel Lower Layer Protocols
 6.3.5 DOCSIS Upstream and Downstream Channels

DOCSIS upstream and downstream signals are present on many cable systems. Some of
these DOCSIS signals have very similar characteristics to the signals specified in this
standard but they are distinct and specified in separate standards including but not limited
to SCTE 22-1, SCTE 23-1, SCTE 79-1 and SCTE 135-1. The limits of this standard apply
to DOCSIS as an undesired signal.

6.4 Downstream Transmission Characteristics

The Downstream Transmission Characteristics are contained in Table 4 and Table 2.

Analog and FAT signals shall meet their respective characteristics specified in Table 4
when measured on the subscriber's premises at the end of a properly terminated Drop
Cable. OOB FDC signals shall meet the characteristics specified in Table 2 when measured
on the subscriber's premises at the end of a properly terminated Drop Cable.
 Table 4. Analog and FAT Channel: RF Transmission Characteristics
1. RF Channel Spacing 6 MHz
2. RF Frequency Range 54 MHz to 1002 MHz
IRC/HRC/Standard Channel Plans.
3. Transit delay from headend to most distant < 0.800 ms (typically much less)
customer
4. Carrier-to-noise-plus-interference ratio, Not less than
C/(N+I), in a 6-MHz band where C/(N+I)
27 dB for 64 QAM;
includes the simultaneous presence of all
additive impairments in the 6-MHz channel 33 dB for 256 QAM;
bandwidth including CTB, CSO, and other
forms of discrete interference. The carrier,
noise, and interference are all subject to any
linear channel distortions (micro-reflections)
present in the transmission path.

C/N (analog channels) 43 dB for AM-VSB analog

5. CTB Not greater than -53 dBc referenced to
inband carrier levels for analog
channels.
6. CSO Not greater than -53 dBc referenced to
inband carrier levels for analog
channels
7. Carrier-to-any other discrete interference Not greater than -53 dBc
(ingress)
8. AM Hum Modulation Not greater than 3% p-p
9. Group Delay Variation < 0.37 s/MHz across the 6-MHz
channel
10. Chroma / Luma Delay  170 ns (AM-VSB analog)
11. Phase Noise < -86 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz offset (relative
to the center of QAM signal spectrum)
12. Maximum Amplitude Variation across the < 6 dB p-p
6-MHz channel (digital channels)
Maximum Amplitude Variation across the < 4 dB p-p
6-MHz channel (analog channels)
 13. Bound for a single dominant micro-reflection -10 dB at < 0.5 s
-15 dB at < 1.0 s
-20 dB at < 1.5 s
-30 dB at < 4.5 s
Micro-reflections longer than 4.5
microseconds are included under item 4
(of this table) as a contributor to the
interference I in C/(N+I) ). Micro-
reflections, if present, shall not cause
the channel Group Delay Variation and
Maximum Amplitude Variation in
Table 4.9 and 4.12 respectively to be
exceeded.
14. Carrier level at the terminal input 64 QAM: -15 dBmV to + 15 dBmV
256 QAM: -12 dBmV to +15 dBmV
Analog Visual Carrier (c):
0 dBmV to +15 dBmV
Analog Aural Carrier:
-10 dBc to –17 dBc

6.4.1 RF Signal Levels and Adjacent Channel Characteristics

6.4.1.1 RF Signal Levels

To determine the adjacent channel characteristics between digital and NTSC analog
signals, the following information is provided.

The visual signal level of an analog signal is required to be within ± 3 dB of the visual
signal level of any adjacent analog channel (within a 6-MHz nominal frequency
separation) as specified in FCC Rules 47 CFR Section 76.605(a)(4)(i).

The nominal relative carrier power level is defined as the difference between the
power level of each digitally modulated carrier type relative to the reference analog
carrier power level, expressed in dB. Each nominal relative carrier power level is
uniquely specified within a range and applies to all carriers of a given type for a cable
system at the Demarcation Point, as given in Table 5 below.
 Table 5. Nominal Relative Carrier Power Levels
Analog NTSC 0 dB (reference level)
256 QAM FAT -5 ± 2 dB
QPSK FDC -8 ± 5 dB
64 QAM FAT -10 ± 2 dB

The variation in signal power of each individual carrier shall be within ± 3 dB of its
nominal relative carrier power level.

The analog signal power shall be measured as the Peak Envelope Power, which is the
average carrier power measured during the horizontal sync interval. The FAT digital
signal power shall be measured as the average signal power in a 6 MHz channel. The
FDC digital signal power shall be measured as the average signal power over the
appropriate bandwidth as defined in SCTE 55-1 or SCTE 55-2.

6.4.1.2 Adjacent Channel Characteristics

The worst-case Adjacent Channel performance shall be characterized according to

Table 6.
 Table 6. Adjacent Channel Characteristics
Desired (D) Channel Undesired (U) Adjacent Worst Case
Modulation Channel Modulation D/U Ratio
1 Analog NTSC 64 QAM +2 dB
2 Analog NTSC 256 QAM -3 dB
3 Analog NTSC QPSK FDC -3 dB
4 64 QAM FAT Analog NTSC -18 dB
5 64 QAM FAT 256 QAM -15 dB
6 64 QAM FAT QPSK FDC -15 dB
7 256 QAM FAT Analog NTSC -13 dB
8 256 QAM FAT 64 QAM -5 dB
9 256 QAM FAT QPSK FDC -10 dB
10 QPSK FDC Analog NTSC -19 dB
11 QPSK FDC 64 QAM -11 dB
12 QPSK FDC 256 QAM -16 dB
13 Analog NTSC Analog NTSC -3 dB
14 64 QAM FAT 64 QAM -6 dB
15 256 QAM FAT 256 QAM -6 dB
16 QPSK FDC QPSK FDC -6 dB
 Independent of the D/U ratios, the C/(N+I) and the absolute signal
levels shall meet the requirements for those parameters as
described elsewhere in the specification.
 Good engineering practice normally requires that only a single
FDC channel be adjacent to a FAT channel.

The Worst Case D/U Ratio (Desired-to-Undesired carrier level Ratio) in Table 6 is
derived from the Table 5 nominal levels and the Section 6.4.1.1 requirement that
individual signals to be within ±3 dB of those levels. This ratio occurs when a
desired carrier is -3 dB with respect to the minimum level allowed by Table 5 and the
undesired carrier is +3 dB with respect to the maximum level allowed by Table 5.

For example, line 1 in Table 6 refers to a worst case condition where a desired analog
NTSC signal has 2 dB more power than an adjacent undesired 64 QAM carrier. This
occurs when the desired analog NTSC signal variation is -3 dB with respect to the
Table 5 analog NTSC reference level of 0 dB. The undesired 64 QAM signal
variation is +3 dB above the -8 dB maximum allowed Nominal Relative Carrier
Power Level in the range specified for 64 QAM in Table 5. This results in a worst
 case level of -5 dB with respect to the reference level. The D/U ratio is therefore -3
dB minus -5 dB = +2 dB D/U ratio.

The worst case analog NTSC into analog NTSC D/U ratio in Table 6, line 13 is
limited to -3 dB by the FCC rule referenced in Section 6.4.1.1.

6.4.1.3 Limits for Digital Signals

Independent of meeting the requirements specified in sections 6.4.1.1 and 6.4.1.2

above, the level of digital signals shall fall within the ranges specified in Table 4
(QAM FAT), Table 2.5 and Table 2.6 (QPSK FDC) measured at the input to the
terminal device. These absolute carrier level ranges are the only parameters that limit
individual carrier levels across the 54 to 1002 MHz frequency band.

7.0 TRANSPORT LAYER PROTOCOLS

7.1 Forward Application Transport (FAT) Channels

The MPEG-2 Transport Stream protocol, defined in ISO/IEC 13818-1 MPEG-2

Systems[14], shall be used as the Transport Layer of the FAT channels. The protocols and
messages defined in this layer are used to transport a variety of digital services, including
digital audio-visual services, digital multi-media services, and information services.

The protocol stack of MPEG-based services is shown in Figure 5. The digital multiplex
and transport system is defined in ANSI/SCTE 54[4] . It is a compatible subset of the
MPEG-2 Systems specification defined in ISO/IEC 13818-1.

The overall system multiplexing approach is a combination of multiplexing at two different

layers. In the first layer, single program Transport Streams are formed by multiplexing
Transport Stream (TS) packets from one or more Packetized Elementary Stream (PES)
sources. In the second layer, many single program Transport Streams are combined to
form a multi-program Transport Stream. The multi-program stream includes Program
Specific Information (PSI) that identifies each program and its components.

In addition to MPEG-2 Video, AC-3 Audio, System Tables and other System Information,
MPEG-2 Transport packets are used to carry other services and information. The MPEG-2
Transport layer allows new ancillary services to be added to the basic service at any time in
the future. The transport and other protocol layers for these additional services and
information are currently undefined.
 Video, Audio ES System Tables and other System Information

MPEG-2 PES MPEG-2 PSI and MPEG-2 Private Sections

carrying other System Information

MPEG-2 TS

FAT Channel Physical Layer

Figure 5 FAT Channel Transport Layer Protocol

7.2 Out-of-Band Forward Data Channels (FDC)

The out-of-band forward data channels are defined above in Section 6.3.3 and Figure 3.
The out-of-band forward data channels are used for control and access messages,
application code download, electronic program guide data and other data services as
applicable.

Transport layer protocols for out-of-band forward channels are defined in ANSI/SCTE 55-
2 and ANSI/SCTE 55-1.

7.3 Out-of-Band Reverse Data Channels (RDC)

When present, the RDC channels are as defined above in 6.3.4 and Figure 4. The out-of-
band reverse channels carry traffic from the terminal device to the headend equipment. The
RDCs utilize IP packets with ATM AAL5 to transport information.

8.0 SERVICES AND RELATED PROTOCOL STACKS

In this section service and related protocol stacks are defined. Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the
inter-relations among the service channels, logic interfaces and applications.
 Service Logic Services &
Channel Interface Applications

Video
Point
Of
Deployment
(POD) Audio
RF Signal Module
from Scrambled
Cable Plant In-Band
Channels Service
In-Band MPEG-2 Info.
Processing Transport
Forward Stream
Processing Closed
Out-Of-Band
Caption
Channels
Out-Of-Band
Processing
Reverse EAS
Out-Of-Band
Channels
Host
General Data
Processing
Cable
Network
Interface

Figure 6 Interrelation of Service Channels,

Logic Interfaces and Applications for Scrambled Programming
 Service Logic Services &
Channel Interface Applications

Video

Audio
RF Signal
from
Cable Plant Service
MPEG-2 Info.
In-the-Clear
Transport
In-Band
Stream
Channels Closed
Processing
Caption

EAS

Data

Cable
Network
Interface

Figure 7 Interrelation of Service Channels,

Logic Interfaces and Applications for Unscrambled Programming

8.1 Audio-Visual Services

Audio-Visual services are provided on either or both the analog channels and the FAT
channels. These services include analog and digital broadcast, on-demand services,
premium, tiered, and other video services.

8.1.1 Analog Audio-Visual Services

Analog video and audio are provided in accordance with current cable-system practice and
applicable FCC rules. Along with the analog service, data may be sent in the NTSC
Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) lines (See Section 8.1.3 below) that are then processed by
the terminal device in compliance with FCC Rules 47 CFR Section 15.119. The
demodulated NTSC signal is the Composite signal defined in SMPTE-170M [26].

8.1.2 Digital Audio-Visual Services

Digital Audio-Visual services are provided as either MPEG-2 compressed video (ISO/IEC
13818-2[1]), AVC/H.264 compressed video as constrained by ANSI/SCTE 128[19], or
VC-1 compressed video as constrained by ANSI/SCTE 157[20] and AC-3 audio (ATSC
A/52 as constrained by ATSC A/53 Parts 3 and 5[10]). A modified protocol stack for both
analog and digital Audio-Visual services is shown in Figure 8. The video formats are those
specified in ANSI/SCTE 43[3] for MPEG-2, ANSI/SCTE 128[19] for AVC/H.264 and
SCTE 157[20] for VC-1. The constraints and extensions that apply to video are specified
in ANSI/SCTE 43[3], ANSI/SCTE 128[19] or SCTE 157[20]. When audio is present,
ANSI/SCTE 54[4] requires at least one Complete Main audio service to be present.

Video VBI Data Stereo /Mono Video Audio Data

/Pro-logic

PES packet
Composite Video Audio Baseband
Baseband Signal Signal
Conditional Access

MPEG-2 TS
NTSC Baseband
64/256 QAM Baseband Signal

NTSC/AM-VSB IF 64/256 QAM/IF

6-MHz RF Signal (CEA-542-C)

Figure 8 Modified Protocol Stack for Audio-Visual Services

8.1.3 VBI Services

VBI signals are found on lines 10 through 20 of the analog waveform, with closed
captioning signals found on line 21. Field 1, Field 2, or both may carry VBI signals.
Certain VBI services have been standardized by SCTE for carriage within a digital
television system. VBI services are documented by ANSI/SCTE 127[18].

8.2 Data Services

Broadcast data services may be provided via FAT channels and out-of-band FDCs.
Standards for data services are beyond the scope of this document.

8.3 In-Band Service/System Information

When system information is provided with transport streams containing one or more
unscrambled programs, that data shall be formatted as defined in Section 5.7.1 of
ANSI/SCTE 54[4].
8.4 Out-of-Band Service/System Information

When one or more scrambled services are offered on the cable system, System and Service
Information for those services is carried to each POD (CableCARD™) module deployed
by the cable operator for all services for which the POD module has entitlements. System
and Service Information is carried in an out-of-band Forward Data Channel, as defined in
section 6.3.3 above, using the formats described in ANSI/SCTE 65[7] or through an
application appropriate to the terminal device. Nothing in this standard precludes the use
of other modes for providing service information to products that include features or
functions needed to support interactive services. This information is carried in MPEG-2
private sections mapped into either MPEG-TS packets in ANSI/SCTE 55-1 or IP/AAL5
packets in ANSI/SCTE 55-2 . Figure 9 shows the protocol stack for Service/System
Information.

It is the responsibility of the POD module to provide System and Service Information
across the HOST-POD interface in Extended Channel data flows, using Service_type
MPEG_section, as defined in ANSI/SCTE 65 or for the appropriate application to present
the service information. The System and Service Information provided shall conform to
one or more of the profiles specified in ANSI/SCTE 65.

ANSI/SCTE 55-2 ANSI/SCTE 55-1

OOB-SI OOB-SI
ANSI/SCTE 65 ANSI/SCTE 65
MPEG-2 private section MPEG-2 private section

AAL5

ATM cell Format MPEG-2 TS

ANSI/SCTE 55-2 PHY ANSI/SCTE 55-1 PHY

Figure 9 Protocol Stack for Out-of-Band Service/System Information

8.5 Emergency Alert System (EAS)

Emergency Alert System (EAS) is used to alert viewers of incoming emergency messages.
The origination of these emergency alert messages could be from a variety of sources:
National, State or Local government, and etc. Emergency alert messages may be conveyed
to a viewer by means of a textual overlay on the TV screen or via audio announcements
that may pre-empt the audio source of a normal broadcast program or by other means at the
discretion of the operator and without impact to the receiver.
The EAS message syntax is compatible with MPEG-2 transport and is defined in
ANSI/SCTE 18[8]. When present on inband transmission, messages conforming to
ANSI/SCTE 18 shall appear in transport packet with the same PID that is used for
Service/System Information (SI). The table ID for the EAS message is 0xD8 as defined in
ANSI/SCTE 18. The protocol stack is shown in Figure 10. When present on out-of-band
(OOB) transmission, the EAS message shall be transmitted according to ANSI/SCTE 18.

EAS (ANSI/SCTE 18)

MPEG-2 Private Section

MPEG-2 TS

Figure 10 Protocol Stack for Inband EAS

8.6 Closed Captioning

Closed captioning data is associated with the video program and encoded by the program
provider. The cable network shall deliver these signals, when available, as specified in the
following sub-paragraphs.

8.6.1 Analog Television Programs

For analog television programs, the encoding of the closed captioning data shall be in
accordance with FCC Rules 47 CFR Section 15.119 and CEA-608[13]. For NTSC,
closed captioning data, when present, is carried in line 21 of the vertical blanking
interval (VBI).

8.6.2 Digital Television Programs

For digital television programs, when closed captioning data is provided, it shall be
provided in accordance with ANSI/SCTE 43[3] . Changes to closed captioning
encoding and transport format may occur at any time within a given service.

The caption service descriptor is carried according to ANSI/SCTE 54 [6].

8.7 Digital Television (DTV) Content Advisory Information

The content advisory descriptor, when present, shall be carried according to section 5.8.3.7
of ANSI/SCTE 54[4].