TECHNOLÜGY Official Trade Journal of the Society of Cable Television Engineers

Home , Videocipher, VideoCrypt

è e 4 a COMMUNICATIÔNS% TECHNOLÜGY Official trade journal of the Society of Cable Television Engineers

Converging on the

-73 --I 0 M

ri• 0 * * CJ1 ›,/14 C.51 > *

4:# 4t- Lit world 4# 4k 4# e•—•

P wering today's system Trabieshooting: The basic February 1994 LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?

%?leefij;

) ii

1 1 j.7-1 1 1 nzi :AO

CABLE PARAMETERS DISPLAY EXPAND

RANGE VERT HORIZ

Sencore's CA780 "CABLEIZER" will help you find any cable fault.

More Than Just ATDR 65dB Sensitivity — See even minor cable damage, One Button Measurements — Cable Length, loose connectors, water ingress. Z (impedance), VSWR, Delta Distance, Delta Return Loss 2nSec Short Range Pulse — Test to within afew feet of the TDR. BEST OF ALL Great Value — High performance at alow price. Screen Storage & Printer System Interface — Document System Performance Measurements Easy To Use — Everyone's an expert in minutes!

Call 1-800-SENCORE for aFREE field evaluation today!

Sencore, 3200 Sencore Drive, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57107 — Phone (605) 339-0100 or 1-800-736-2673 —Fax (605) 339-0317 Reader Service Number 2 TRILOGY COMMUNICATIONS INC. THE ULTIMATE CABLE SUPPLI R

Prove ech ology Low L ¡Leader

Ektellence

-Superior Control Process State of The Art Equipment Guaranteed On Time Delivery SUPERIOR CORROSION PROTECTED DROP CABLE

Trilogy Communications expends the same diligent pursuit of perfection in manufacturing dual-drop cables for TV/tele y installations, 5O cables for downlink transmissions, and RMC 2 radiating air- dielectric coaxial c e for open-air communications in highly developed or underground locations.

SENDING THE RIGHT SIGNAL

stee e_

rikiknYtO COMMUNICATIONS INC. Reader Service Number 3.

Call or write for free samples and brochure: TRiLOGY COMMUNICATIONS INC., 2910 Highway 80 East, Pearl, Mississippi 39208 (800) 874-5649 /(601) 932-4461 /FAX (601) 939-6637 CONTENTS FEBRUARY 1994 nepartments Features

Editor's Letter 6 Digital video 22 Padmanabha Rao of News 10 Compression Labs Coverage from Emerging describes the potential of Technologies '94, the compressed digital video. Western Show and more. MPEG-2 30 SCTE News 20 A blueprint for network interoperability. Scientific- Back to Basics 83 Atlanta's Anthony Wasilewski details the This month's installment it tackles drop/feeder international standard. troubleshooting with articles by Jack Webb of Back to Basics 83 AC power 46 Sencore and Duff The past, present and Campbell of Riser-Bond. future of AC powering. By Power Guard's Marty de For Safety's Sake 94 Alminana. Ralph Haimowitz of the SCTE reviews afew new UPS 50 products for ladder safety. A look at standby power in the fiber age. By Jud Ad Index 97 Williams of Performance Cable TV Products. Bookshelf 100 Road to ATV 52 Brian James of CableLabs Business/Classifieds 102 searches for an advanced TV standard. Calendar 108 Digital video 22

President's Message 110 DirecTv 56 SCTE President Bill Riker Karen JP Howes covers reports on the board's the new digital satellite --I winter meeting. system.

Cover CT Daily wrap 67 Art by Brad Hamilton. New products covered in the CT Daily at the Western Show. DirecTv 56 RF spectrum chart A pull-out wall chart covering cable and over- the-air assignments MPEG-2 30 from 300 kHz to 30 GHz.

©1994 by Phillips Business Information, Inc.. a subsidiary of Phillips Publishing International, Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without permission. Communications Technology (ISSN 0884-2272) is published monthly by Phillips Business Information, Inc., 1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 300. Rockville, MD 20850. Editorial and sales offices located at 1900 Grant St., Suite 720. Denver, CO 80203, 303-839-1565. February 1994, Volume 10, Number 2. Second class postage paid at Rockville. MD and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Communications Technology. Phillips Business Information. inc.. 1201 Seven Locks Road. Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850. Printed in U.S.A.

Most tamper evident Why Buy Anything Else?

Easiest to read

_ e Raised numerals getc&ragLcr reumuLe) last forever Products creatively designed for the cable industry Less expensive than 800-257-2448 the tags developed for the '70's

Reader Service Number 26

4 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY 2020 VISION

Will videoconferencing bring you to the table?

Attend staff meetings from together for amajor announce- data. Teleconferencing, tele-

home...end the battle with rush ment. When business calls for commuting and telecomputing

hour traffic.., hold avideocon- videoconferencing, will your will change the way we work,

ference with contractors in Los network answer? travel and close business deals.

Angeles... link computers with Anticipate tomorrow's applica- Our network know-how helps engineers in Singapore and col- tions today. Digitized rings and you move your network toward laborate on aproduct design... packetized signals will link busi- the future, using incremental bring regional salespeople nesses to the electronic super- revenues to drive investment.

highway, allowing efficient, two- To see what our network vision

way delivery of video, voice and brings to your table, call us at

1-800-TO ANTEC.

Our Cable Integrated Services Network provides a plan for integrating digital rings into the information 14111TEC highway, making services like videoconferencing and Ngt-tvvc>rlk Kric>vv-hc)vv telecommuting areality

01993 ANTEC Reader Service Number 5. Reader Response Number 4 EDITOR'S LETTER 2 4

Convergence conversations

or he scene was Jerrold's Christmas party in Denver. It was nice to see many old industry friends and ac- quaintances and toast the upcoming holidays. Not surprisingly, the chit- chat centered on the recently announced mergers between cable and telephone companies. One long-time friend, a purchasing agent at a major MSO, commented on the benefits of the convergence of the two industries. She echoed the feelings of many at that holiday cele- bration: New capital from the mergers will allow additional growth; we'll have access to new ideas, technology and resources; telephone and cable will combine to form a revolu- tionary new business. I'm an advocate of convergence. But Iwalked away from that conversa- it may not bode well in the long run tion with a suddenly uneasy feeling. for folks like my purchasing agent Yes, convergence generally will be friend. Only time will tell. positive for both industries. CATV system personnel will have an opportunity Lists to work in what will literally be a brand Jonathan Kramer, CompuServe's new industry. In the end, the consumer broadcast professional forum CATV will be the true beneficiary. sysop, recently announced that he is But what of the people who work in putting together a list of Society of the corporate offices of the MSOs who Cable Television Engineers members are merging with the phone compa- who are available on-line. The pur- nies? Think about it for a moment. Can pose is to encourage direct E-Mail you tell me a single situation where contact between SCTE members, one company merged with another forum visitors and interested parties. and then retained the entire staffs of The list will be posted in the library the two original companies? section of the BP forum. Why on earth would a large telco If you want to be on the list, drop — with its corporate staff that already Jonathan an E-Mail via his Com- includes human resources, communi- puServe address: 73300,2161. Be cations, marketing, legal, operations, sure to include your name, addresses engineering and purchasing depart- (please identify by service), SCTE ments — keep duplicate functions in member status and number, chapter an acquired CATV corporate opera- or meeting group affiliation, and any tion? With the possible exception of additional pertinent information engineering, which likely would be ab- (chapter official, ham call sign, inter- sorbed by the telco, the other depart- ests, etc.). APARTMENT BOXES ments' responsibilities probably can Speaking of lists, if you're a ham be handled by the telco's own people. radio operator, don't forget that Time Ap- 11b rIN' Granted, the percentage of corpo- Warner's Steve Johnson maintains a t rate types who might possibly be dis- list of hams in the CATV industry. To U1 III Cable Security placed by these mergers, at least date it numbers in excess of 500, and •. compared to field personnel (some- • 801 Fox Trail you can add to that total by calling 11V • P.O. Box 2796 one has to run the systems), is fairly Steve at (303) 799-1200. Opelika, AL 36801 small. And don't think I'm being a cur- 800-288-1506 Fax: 205-742-0058 mudgeon about all of the recently an- Ronald J. Hranac nounced mergers. Quite the contrary: Senior Technical Editor 6 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Communication superhighways demand highly reliable powering GLOBAL networks. Power Guard is aworld NETWORK leader in supplying simple solutions to POWERING these complex powering issues. SOLUTIONS Call today to discuss your powering requirements.

801 Fox Trail - P.O. Box 2796 Opelika, Al 36803 800 288-1507 205 742-0055 205 742-0058 Fax NEWS NEWS 11-I ET 94: CATV's rates of only 10 kbytes. Nash said that one of the problems AT&T researcher Clive Holborow with digital systems is that they either bright future dug into the details of MPEG modula- work or they don't. Consequently, there PHOENIX — The excitement over the tion. He said that the MPEG working may not be an indication that the net- coming generation of cable TV tech- group built a virtual VCR place holder work is about to fail, as snowy pictures nologies drew a larger than expected into the MPEG standard, which will can indicate for analog systems. crowd to the SCTE's 1994 Conference provide consumers with VCR-like con- In the cable plant, ingress could play on Emerging Technologies. Hundreds trol while watching MPEG movies. Hol- havoc on a digital system. Nash said, of cable, telephone and computer borow pointed that politics were in- "You really need to have atight plant or technicians and engineers converged volved in incorporating this unfinished you are setting yourself up for ingress." on Phoenix to find out about every- piece into the MPEG standard. It was Impulse power from devices like thing from the latest success with felt by MPEG people that they were the blenders and radio emissions from ultra-high bit rate digital modulation right organization to specify it, and they pagers can be sources of ingress into techniques, to what technologies the felt that if there was no place holder, the cable plant. competition is stocking in their arsenal. then it may have gone to another orga- Brian Bauer, applications engineer- Didier Le Galle, vice president of nization. ing manager at Raychem, pointed out research and development at C-Cube Bill Nash, TCI's digital compression that the ingress from a loose connector discussed the current state of the product engineer, reported on the reis 30 dB more than a tight one. He de- MPEG-2 standard, the preferred com- sults of their experimentation with scribed a new kind of tap connector pression technique for CATV. He said multi-megabit digital transmission over that does not swivel and drastically re- that digital optical discs capable of a variety of media in a real world envi- duces problems. In a recent trial, a data rates of 4-6 Mbytes will be ship- ronment. With the exception of AML cable company was able to reduce ser- ping soon. He also pointed out that an microwave, all of the digital links run- vice calls from bad connections by MPEG-4 standard for personal video ning on 64 QAM did just as well as ex- 100%. communication is in the process of pected. The problem with AML mi- Jack Terry, a researcher at Bell development. It will enable wireless crowave appeared to be excessive Northern Research, discussed a novel terminals to download video at data phase noise. architecture for interactive services

PowerTronics Equipment Company, How OUR NEW FIBER OPTIC OVERLASH 1NEW COMPANY COMMITTED TO Quality Innovation 8« Servic BLOCKS ALLOW NEAR-PERFECT LASHING In Power Supplies

PROVEN PRODUCTS Our products have been time tested and proven reliable for many years. Our patented designs afford features not available on other Standby Power Supplies like: Smart Charging and PWM Regulation

Our Standby Power Supplies will help • Reduce your battery cost Red, • Reduce your maintenance cost 'Cd„ ocfe • Improve your Standby time nership-1 We've made them so affordable, you can use more ... to Call us today to discuss your Powering Requirements improve lashing jobs on fiber cables up to 2" (50 mm), and mes- senger strand from Y." to X" (6-10 mm). That's affordable, not cheap; they're built GMP-tough, with alightweight, but strong electro-galvanized steel frame. P IIWBEI TIIONICS And they're simple to raise and EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. attach with aWire Raising Tool, .11,80 It's easy to improve Ite!, 11999 Plano Rd., Suite 180, Dallas, TX 75243 lashing ... with GMP. TOOLS BUILTTO GO THE DISTANCE 1-800-856-0285 •Fax: (214) 238-8146 See us at the Texas Cable Show Booth 619 3111 Old Lincoln Highway •Trevose, PA 19053-4996 •USA TEL: 215-357-5500 •FAX: 215-357-6216 •Telex: 755380 Reader Service Number 14 Reader Service Number 19 $, F -FLATNESS SUPPLIES FIREE

HUM SPECTRUM AN

FULLY AUTOMATED COMPLIANCF. TEST SYSTEM FACT: Semi-annual proof of perforrnince testing is here to stay! FACT: Manual FCC proof testing is time consuming, expensive and creates excessive, aggravatinli outages! FACT: LANguordim cuts the worklond for your overburdened technical staff with total measurement automation! FACT: LANguardim does more and costs less than any other (false' monitoring system! FACT: Whei proof time rolls around again have our =.A.C.T.S. and you won't roll your trucks!

Committed to Quality 1900 AM Drive •PO Box 9004 •Quakertown, PA 18951-9004 Tel: (215) 536-1354 FAX (215) 536-1475 For more FACTS and ademonstration call AM today! 1(800) 248-9004

For alive demonsuation stop by )oths 626 & 628 at the SCIT. Fech Expo. Reader Service Number 20 based on active taps, which are capa- persion makes the chirp a problem. dix said that this will increase reliabili- ble of converting a digital signal into an Synchronous has developed an exter- ty dramatically. While a standard all analog signal, and passing it to a nal modulation system that delivers lin- coax-based cable system is out for an home. Terry claimed that this type of ear chirp-free performance. average of nine hours per year, tests architecture resulted in lower costs and Jim Chiddix, senior vice president of have indicated that a fiber rich system lower power consumption. engineering at Time Warner, gave an can reduce that to 1.5 hours per year. Al Johnson, president of Syn- overview on the state of the Full Ser- Craig Mundie, vice president of ad- chronous Communications, described vice Network being built in Orlando. vanced consumer technology at Mi- how 1,550 nm technology is finding a Chiddix plans to drive fiber wherever crosoft, described their strategy for variety of uses in cable TV. He said he can, even if it is a little bit more ex- providing an operating system for that one of the myths of 1,550 nm sys- pensive than coax. Time Warner will consumer devices. He said that the tems is that they create chirp. The real- bring fiber to 500-home nodes, which set-top box of the future will not be ity is that DFB lasers create chirp at will be coupled into four more fibers, just an independent box, but a gate- any wavelength, but at 1,550 nrn, dis- each serving 125-home nodes. Chid- way into a local network in each consumer's home. Mundie said: "As devices grow in processing power, people will demand that they interoperate. Not in the sense that they change media, but in the Find cable faults sense that they can interact." In addition to changing channels, the set-top remote of tomorrow may control lights, stereos and dishwashers as well. Fast! But at the end, arch skeptic Gary Arlen, president of Arlen Communica- tions, threw a bit of water on the excitement. He pointed out dozens of exam- Model 1205 ples of companies that in their moment of excitement believed that their interactive service would lead to incredible is the perfect revenue growth. In its heyday, Qube brought Warner a tremendous growth TDR, of new franchises. But in the end, most of these services fell flat on their face when reality began to catch up with Cable Fault their myth. — George Lawton, West Coast Correspondent

Locator. The following is technical news from the Western Cable Show held in Ana- heim, CA, Dec. 1-3, 1993. For more The new Model 1205 is the from the show, see the "CT Daily wrap- ultimate, multi-purpose, TDR, up" beginning on page 67. Cable Fault Locator, combining the features you asked for into one compact and low priced Western Show packs instrument. Unique and exclusive features like DUAL CURSORS, technical wallop RS-232 COMPUTER INTERFACE, SOFTWARE DISKETTES, The Western Show held in December SUPERSTORE WAVEFORM STORAGE, and AUTO-SEARCH all come boasted awide variety of sessions cov- STANDARD. Many other standard and optional features make the ering new technologies and emerging Model 1205 the most powerful full featured TDR available today. Call engineering trends. now for free information or a demonstration of any of our complete At the "Multimedia/Interactive Ser- line of Cable Fault Locators. Base price: only $2995! vices and Applications" session, speakers pondered the future of multimedia Riser-Bond Instruments and what it will mean to the cable in- is your one-stop TDR shop! dustry. For starters, it is important to understand that multimedia and inter- Riser Bond 800-688-8377 activity are different types of services INSTRUMENTS that can work together. Multimedia is 5101 NORTH 57TH STREET the fusion of audio, video and data LINCOLN NE 68507-3141 controlled by acomputer. 402-466-0933 On the other hand, Pete Miller (vice president of corporate development at Viacom) suggested, "Interactive is not Reader Service Number 21 12 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Power for Converging Technologies

Cable Television The World Leader in Cable TV Power Solutions - Telecommunications 7he Fastest-Growing Supplier of AC & DC Power Solutions Power Supplies CableUPS'", DC & Uninterruptible Power Supplies Complete Power Systems Supporting Broadband, Fiber & Digital Transmission - Proven Reliability With More Than 300.00o nsi (illations World-Wide

A Alpha's Complete Line of Power Solutions for Converging Technologies. - Customer Responsive Design Providing Custom Power Solutions

•1-800-421-8088 for more information With sales and service offices throughout the world

United States Canada United Kingdom Germany Middle East Alpha Technologies Alpha Technologies Alphatec Alphatechnic Alphatec 3767 Alpha Way 5700 Sidley Street 5The Astra Centre, Hansastrasse 8 P.O. Box 6468 Bellingham, WA 98226 Burnaby, B.C. V5J 5E5 Edinburgh Way D-91126 Schwabach limassol, Cyprus 1T7 Tel: (206) 647-2360 Tel: (604) 430-1476 Harlow Essex CM20 2BE Germany Tel: 357-5-375675 ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES Fax: (206) 671-4936 Fax: (604) 430-8908 Tel: 44-279-422110 Tel: 49-9122-997303 Fax: 357-5-359595 Fax: 44-279-423355 Fax: 49-9122-997321 The World IAmicr in Cable TV & Telecommunications Power Solutions. Reader Service Number 27 computer technology connected to a technology at startup 3DO, believes Tompane said, "It is no longer the television. It is not multimedia. It is not that the advent of a new programming assembly line bit twiddlers that have to a technology at all. The way to think medium will accelerate the develop- make this work. They are not just cre- about interactive television is that it is ment of new software. 3D0 is licensing ating video games, but flight simulators TV augmented with interaction, and out a technology for extremely realistic and educational games. It amazes me that is all." 64-bit computer games. Before 300, how many creative titles are being cre- Miller believes that a shift in pro- software developers had to pay a roy- ated. Owing to the sheer momentum of gramming will occur in the next year as alty on the order of $10 to Nintendo or this kind of stuff, people are going to creative people get their hands on the Sega for every cartridge they sold. see applications that appeal to peo- tools. "In my company we are looking 3D0 enables software to be published ple's interest." forward to getting our hands on the au- for about $2 a copy. Eventually, video- In the "Intelligent Converters vs. In- thoring tools to really push and see on-demand will allow the same kind of telligent Networks" session, partici- what they can do." cost reduction for multimedia and inter- pants debated how deeply to embed Rick Tompane, vice president of active applications. intelligence in future cable TV networks. Leo Hoarty, president of ICTV, suggested that the headend is the best place to put intelligence. His company Molex Single Mode Technology has been working with IBM and New Century Communications on an archi- When Performance is Critical tecture that places multimedia processors in the headend, where they can be shared by a number of users. This enables lower startup and upgrade costs than an intelligent converter architecture. In ICTV's network, only a small number of multimedia processors are used, on the assumption that only a few users will initially make use of multimedia services at any given time. As revenues go up, the cable company can incrementally add new multimedia processors to suit them. Each home is equipped with a cable box with a $50 modem. All interactive services are transmitted to consumers via the spare analog channels on the network. This architecture enables ICTV to put a $2,000+ computer in each processor, since there are so few. Also, when it comes time to upgrade the processor, the cable company only has to change out half a dozen boxes, not a thousand. Jeffrey Huppertz, director of video systems at Scientific-Atlanta, argued •New one piece design, meets Bellcore TA-326 III. that putting intelligence in the home is a better idea. "Americans value conve- •Expedient delivery for standard & custom assemblies. nience above all else. They demand •Advanced termination processes, (RL < -50 dB Ultra PC). they get what they want, when they •Engineering expertise to support all your needs. need it. Ifeel that to have an unintelli- gent set-top box in the house running back to a server is like going back to the '60s. We feel this is an issue of time-sharing vs. distributed process- Fiber Optic ing." Huppertz said that putting intelli- Interconnect gence in the home leads to centralized Technologies, Inc.TM cost, requires considerable bandwidth, and is less fault-resistant. Molex Fiber Optics: 2111 Oxford Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 U.S A It seems like the reality falls be- Tel . (800) Al-FIBER or (708) 803-3600 Fax (708) 803-3608 tween these extremes. The ICTV archi-

Reader Service Number 23 tecture has a lower startup cost. But as 14 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ULTRALIGHT STEALTH STEALTH TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

New STEALTH SWEEP THE SNIALLEST, A signal level meter, too... The Stealth 3SR is also acompact, FASTEST, high-performance SAM. Use your Stealth receiver to measure LOWEST PRICED, individual carrier levels, C/N, and hum without deactivating MOST COMPREHENSIVE channels. It even measures digital signal levels. View this com- SYSTEM SWEEP prehensive collection of measurements on aconvenient LCD Stealth System Sweep... Put sweep technology right in your spectrum display that's easy to see even in bright sun and hand! The new, hand-held Stealth is the fastest continuously under wide temperature extremes. referenced system sweep available. Plus, it responds to your Stealth does all this without subscriber interference and with a adjustments in ablink of your well-trained eye (about asecond: 5to 1,000 MHz frequency range, standard. virtually real-time). Priced right... The Stealth System is about half the price of other You'll wonder how we squeezed in so much capability. The sweep systems. So, get the smallest, fastest, lowest priced, most Stealth 3SR Receiver monitors an active sweep, measures sys- capable sweep on the markei The Stealth. tem carriers, and factors in level variances sent by the 3ST Call 1-800-622-5515. Transmitter. The rugged receiver is weather-tight and durable for dependable field service. The powerful 3ST Transmitter's Wavetek... makers of quality test equipment for over 25 years. unique high resolution LCD spectrum display gives the headend technician aquick view of headend levels.

Ne's/Ava-rŒK ©Wavetek Corp., 1993 Reader Service Number 63 usage grows, it will not be able to sup- the data. In Fleming's scheme, two real-time, bidirectional, broadband port an entire network via the excess fibers would be carried out to each communications to increase product analog bandwidth. At that point, it will neighborhood, one for 750 MHz video, quality and reduce time to market. make sense to place a digital video de- and the other for SONET. The interac- Network users will access a wide compression box in everyone's home, tive services will be transported over variety of interactive software applica- while keeping the processing power in SONET. tions and information repositories. Ap- the headend, where it can be shared. Fleming does not believe that this plications fall into two broad types. Participants in the "Fiber Architec- type of architecture will make economic Text-based applications handle admin- tures in an Interactive World" technical sense this year. But ultimately, it could istrative functions, letting manufactur- session discussed different possibilities grow in popularity because "it is a ers bid jobs, execute purchase orders, for building the next generation net- strong expression of convergence be- revise product specifications, and per- work. cause all of this ATM and SONET will form scores of other tasks. Visual- Carl McGrath, a technical manager be the same whether you are a cable based applications let users transmit at AT&T, said the major impediment to company, a power company, or some- images, the information format used information services is the return chan- one bought out by a telephone compa- most in manufacturing. Images trans- nel problems. He suggested there were ny." — George Lawton, West Coast mitted include complex two- or three- some ways of alleviating these limita- Correspondent dimensional CAD drawings, white tions. There could be multiple indepen- boarding, video desktop applications, dent coax loops beyond a fiber node. electronic mail, videoconferencing and This would increase the available up- Alliance creates multimedia presentations. stream bandwidth for each user. interactive network The network will link the stand- The return paths from these coax Arizona State University, Digital alone computers and LANs of manu- loops could be block shifted on a single Equipment Corp. and Times Mirror facturers, including prime contractors fiber. For example, the first loop goes Cable Television announced they have and a group of their first and second back at 5-30 MHz, the second at 50-75 entered into a strategic alliance to de- tier vendors. The first implementation MHz, and so on. velop an interactive network that con- will include McDonnell Douglas Heli- Steven Fleming, director of strategic nects large manufacturing companies copter Systems and two suppliers, marketing for Northern Telecom, sug- to their suppliers and subcontractors. Tempe Precision Instruments and gested that SONET could be integrated The purpose of the network is to make Modern Industries Inc. with a cable network for improved per- American corporations more competi- The partners will divide development formance by separating the video from tive, nationally and worldwide, by using and operation of the network along func-

Stow Ten with TOTE LITE e 0 1 4

TOTE LITE A new converter container. Built tough, yet lightweight, stackable and space efficient. With permanent dividers, it is the right tool for the job.

Cable Resources Inc 156 Porter St. Boston, MA 02128 Call Today, 800-537-9995 .01994. C.° Resources Inc

Reader Service Number 24 16 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Prevent Accide Injuries, ost Time, Lost Production

Cost Effective!

Pole & Strand Tie Off Easy Lift & Carry SAFE-TIE LADDER TOTE

For Information Call 402-496-4700 or Complete Reverse & Mail This Card to: Independent Technologies, Omaha, NE CT 2/94

Eliminate Electrical Noise In Your Headend!!!

Description: Specifications: Input: NTSC composite color signal, 1v pp into 75 Ohms Intelvideo's Digital Impulse Noise Reducer Model INR is a state of the Return Loss <40dB art signal processing system that essentiey removes all electrical or Output:NTSC corrposrie color signal. Iv pp into 75 Ohms Return loss >35dB ignition-type impulse noise from NTSC Color signals. It is also effective Frequency Response: 15dB to 4.5MHz, <30B down at 5.6MHz Non Linearity, <2% in detecting and correcting satellite or FM Ink threshold noise that nor- Diterential Phase: <1'plus quantizing elects Differential Gain: <1%plus quantizing sheds mally appears as "sparkers" or streaks (it is, in effect, a means of ex- K Factor with 21 pulse: Better than 1% tending threshold in FM links). The system may also be used as a System Delay: 1 TV Frame Power Requirements: 120v AC 60Hz, 40 Watts stand alone tape dropout compensator for composite NTSC color sig- Operating Temperature: 32" F to 100"F, Ambent nals. Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing Mechanical: IRU cabinet; 1.75-H, 19W, 15%; 9 Lbs

DENVER ATLANTA Si LOUIS 800-525-8386 800-962-5966 800-821-6800 303-779-1 749 FAX 404-368-8928 FAX 314-429-2401 FAX

MEGA HEffIZ CT 2/94 T-leaclend Standli -- - 7le B1- FEZ Generator System * Package Includes 5to 75 KW generator, LP or natural gas fuel. * Transfer switch with auto exerciser, and battery charger. * Installation inside or outside with protective housing. Call: SPECTRUM 9911111111111111.1111111111111111111111 1-800-628-0088 CT 2/94 Name NO POSTAGE T,he

Cornpey NECESSARY IF MAILED Address 111111 I; Coy _- IN THE • Phone _ UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 739 OMAHA NE

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY THE ADDRESSEE

INDEPENDENT TECHNOLOGIES INC 11422 MIRACLE HILLS DR STE 500

OMAHA NE 68154-9714 ;

1.11..1..1.isill.1.1..1..11.1..1...1...11.1..1.1.1.1

•

Name PLACE Company STAMP Address HERE City State Zip

Phone

Fax

MEGA HERTZ 6940 South Holly, Suite 200 Englewood, CO 80112

MI MI fa, tab MO fa

Name Company Place Address Stamp City State Zip Here Phone Fax WPM e(74111 803 Forest Ridge Suite 108 Bedford, TX 76022 REGISTER NOW

The Society of Cable Television Lnuineers Uresents

•P JOIUSIC. 11ÇV114t ILCIUIS4e MISSCUP Member Vegiistration: S2 >à " Voom Vates Vange from $71 to $12i/Niaht

4 a

1CUL CESELAIL SI %%IONS!

1C 13LIEAUCUT WCLUSLOLS:

tit CAI HALUWÁLL ENHUITOLS'

To receive your Cable-lec EXPC Leaistration Lackaue. contact SCIE at ((it) 3C3-CSSS or FAX to ((if) 3C3 -58)S.

Reader Service Number 1 tional lines. DEC will serve as the net- turing (CIM) Systems Research Center Alan Stillwell of the FCC discussed work operations manager, providing of ASU acts as the focus for new appli- cable's compatibility problems with con- customer support, security and network cations development. In addition, the sumer equipment and the FCC's in- traffic management, as well as the engi- center will collect and measure data to volvement in solving the problem. He neering, networking equipment, comput- determine the benefits beta test partici- mainly covered what is CATV's biggest er systems and hardware support re- pants receive from the network and the compatibility problem with consumer's quired to turn the existing cable TV sys- critical success factors needed to com- TV sets and VCRs — the set-top con- tem into a bidirectional network. Arizona mercialize such anetwork. verter. The FCC recognizes the need for State University's Computer Integrated set-tops especially as a means of pre- Manufacturing Systems Research Cen- SCTE sponsors venting theft of service, but also recog- ter will develop an intelligent graphic nizes the public's desire to use their user interface for workstations and per- FCC Washington VCRs without the limits attached by a sonal computers, and applications soft- update panel set-top or use the remote controls that ware to aid manufactures with purchas- Pointing out this is the 10th year the came with their "cable-compatible" TV ing functions. Network operations and Society of Cable Television Engineers sets. Stillwell discussed the FCC's study management functions will be run from has sponsored technical sessions at the into the use of a new interface that the ASU campus in Tempe. Times Mir- Western Show, SCTE President Bill would be built into cable-ready VCRs ror, which owns Dimension Cable Ser- Riker welcomed attendees to the "FCC and TV sets that would reduce the set- vices of Phoenix (its largest cable oper- Washington Update" session and told top compatibility problem. ation), will provide the network infras- them that this was to be a straight-from- The next FCC representative to tructure and manage business planning, the-horse's-mouth discussion since four speak was Ron Parver, chief of the marketing and regulatory affairs func- representatives from the FCC were part Cable TV Branch. His main point was tions. of the panel. that "must-carry is a gray area in the Specifically, Times Mirror is the pri- Helena Mitchell, chief of EBS at the Cable Act." mary provider of transmission infrastruc- FCC, gave details on cable's integration Assistant Chief of the Cable TV ture and connectivity over its existing into the Emergency Broadcast System. Branch John Wong disagreed. He said fiber/coax cable in Phoenix. Field tests and new equipment demon- must-carry in the act "was quite blacky." DEC has provided its Digital Channel strations have kept Mitchell busy over He also informed the audience that pho- Program including the new Channel- the last six months and she noted that tos and videotapes sent in to the FCC to Works technology, which allows for low- even the FCC staff has been amazed at prove the presence or absence of a TV cost 10 Mb Ethernet connectivity via the some of the products suppliers have de- signal are only asupport tool, but not full cable network over distances of up to 70 moed that essentially allow the public to proof of compliance. As for signal leak- miles. DEC also will provide FDDI prod- be informed of an emergency "any- age, Wong was disconcerted with what ucts composed of bridges and network where no matter what you're doing." As he has seen with many of the 85% of management software that converts Mitchell has stressed many times, she '93 CLI filings that have already been cable systems into two-way interactive, again repeated that the FCC's EBS de- made. He said he recognized signal high-speed networks that support video, partment is "open and receptive to your leakage was playing second fiddle to voice and data applications. DEC's ideas and thoughts." The commission is other issues brought about by the Cable Alpha AXP computer systems will be in- still seeking a new name for EBS that Act, but warned he saw "a dramatic de- cluded in the network as well. will better include cable's involvement. terioration in the quality of filings" that The Computer Integrated Manufac- New name ideas are welcome. was unacceptable.

Only the DIR- 657 Satellite Receiver combines the highest level of video performance with the most advanced features available. The DIR- 657 also offers you aclear display of functions and easy access to along list of features including. •RS-2508 Broadcast quality performance •Selectable IF bandpass filters, 24 or 30 MHz •Optional RS-232C interface for remote operation •Two frequency synthesized audio subcarriers For more information on an IRD with asizeable difference call DX Communications at (914)347-4040 or write; 10 Skyline Drive, Hawthorne, NY, 10532. Wendell Bailey, vice president of sci- system's performance, though still following NCTA's recommended prac- ence and technology at the National think the testing causes too many in- tices and lauded signal leakage as the Cable Television Association, wrapped terruptions. What this needs to be cou- perfect way to upgrade. In his opinion, up the session first by stressing that he pled with, says John Wong of the though automated testing is a great believes the FCC truly has the best in- FCC, is a little common sense. Wong time saver for the engineer, there is no tentions to do what's best for all with lives in Washington, DC, where the substitute for a competent person per- new regulations, but that the commis- local cable operator rightly notified its forming the tests. sion needs to listen to the technical side subscribers that at midnight on a given of the story more before making any day, service would be interrupted for more policy. Replying to Wong's com- mandatory testing. Service was shut CLI receives ment about the deterioration of CLI fil- off promptly at midnight — right in the $10.8 million order ings, he said he laid the blame at the middle of a Washington Redskins foot- Compression Labs Inc. announced feet of the commission. "The general ball game. Wong received all the that Thomson Consumer Electronics policies of the FCC have forced reliable, phone call complaints, an unnecessary awarded the company a $10.8 million honest businessmen out of the busi- case of finger pointing. "Look at your contract amendment to purchase addi- ness," he quipped. As for proof-of-per- programming," he pleaded, shaking tional compressed digital video (CDV) formance, Bailey stressed to the audi- his head with a laugh. encoding systems for North America's ence that it wasn't really the FCC's job Jones Intercable's Saconna Blair first high-power direct broadcast satel- to show them exactly how to perform detailed a six-step implementation lite system. the tests and they "shouldn't let the FCC plan designed to close the gap be- In April 1992 Thomson awarded CLI do your engineering for you." tween perception and reality. He an initial contract for up to $5 million to stressed understanding of require- furnish CDV encoding systems for Di- One year later: ments, communicating information, es- recTv, a unit of GM Hughes Electron- What's new with tablishing timelines, using adequate ics, and Hubbard Broadcasting's U.S. and accurate test equipment, deter- Satellite Broadcasting subsidiary. proof-of-performance? mining personnel requirements and The additional encoding systems The opinion is that proof testing is, documentation. will be used to expand the DBS sys- for the most part, enjoying smooth wa- Jonathan Kramer of Communica- tem being built by Hughes to carry pro- ters. The initial "up in arms" reaction of tions Support covered his list of reality gramming channels offered by the Di- operators seems to have subsided checks and hated proofs. Just as inad- recTv programming service. The en- somewhat. But this doesn't mean that equate as incomplete documentation, coding systems are based on the everyone is testing competently. It just Kramer urged the avoidance of over- MPEG-2 standard. means that all the paper work has yet documentation that makes no sense John Tyson, president, CEO and to be checked. and creates inconsistencies. He chairman of CLI, said, "As the world Steve Allen of Jones Intercable ad- lamented the use of out-of-calibration shifts from analog to compressed digi- dressed testing's importance in his equipment and tests that appear to be tal video technology, we see the rapid opening of this Western Show session, falsified. "Don't rely on summary re- emergence of new delivery systems stating, "I feel proof-of-performance sults," he stressed. Operators need to for home entertainment. Direct broad- tests truly are necessary and benefit read the data. A good fail safe? Have cast satellite is an exciting system that our customers." His impression is that a peer review your proof. will change the way television is most operators are satisfied with their In conclusion, Wong recommended broadcast to the home."

LOCAL ON WIDE • WIDE •• 'LOCK mFF EIVIO E_0SD CH SC1 •VIDEO ‘. NARROW :) NARROW FINE . ENABLE • sC2 IR

LW' CH ON/ OFF V/ n IF BE'-11 SC LJ STL, / (MHz) DX ANTENNA MONO LEFT RIGHT SUBCARRIER1 SUBCARRIER2 VC AUDIO LEVELS SC Reader Service Number 42 • •• MNI. I 111 Reader Service Number 28 SCTE NEWS Make Your Quality SETE Cable Connection Nominations open: ground in working with fiber. First in- With Pirelli. volved with fiber backbones, he subse- Member of the Year quently began installing fiber-to-feeder The Society is currently seeking As an ISO 9001 registered networks, handling the 270 MHz to 550 nominations for its 1994 Member of the company, Pirelli manufactures a MHz upgrade in Kansas City, MO. Year Award. Presented each year at full range of fiber optic cables for From 1988-1991, he managed Time the Cable-Tec Expo, this award is given the cable television industry. Warner's (ATC's) construction division, by the SCTE board of directors to rec- which did the pre-engineering and in- Make your quality cable connec- ognize amember for outstanding contri- stallation of fiber plant in 15 to 20 ATC tion by calling these Pirelli butions to the goals and purposes of divisions during that time. He was re- representatives: the Society. sponsible for taking concepts created All persons nominated for the award by Jim Chiddix and Dave Pangrac and Communications Supply Group must be Active members of the Society. implementing them in the field. He has 680 Industrial Cir S Nominations must be received in writing Shakopee MN 55379 installed thousands of sheath miles of by SCTE national headquarters no later 1-800-451-9032 •FAX 612-445-8423 fiber throughout the U.S. than March 1, 1994. All nominations will ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, WI, WY, CO, NM Jim is a graduate of the National be presented to the board of directors Cable Television Institute's fiber-optics for consideration and the selected per- dB Communications course and has taught that subject at son will receive a plaque recognizing 490 Hwy 33 W the Time Warner National Training this honor at the 1994 Cable-Tec Expo, Englishtown NJ 07726 Center. In addition, several of his arti- to be held June 16-18 in St. Louis, MO. 1-800-526-2332 •FAX 908-446-2717 cles on fiber construction practices Since its establishment in 1974, the NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, NJ have been published in the trade press SCTE Member of the Year Award has and he is afrequent speaker at industry B.E. Duval Company been presented to 20 individuals. Previ- conferences and seminars. 347 W 6th St ous recipients of the award are as fol- SCTE President Bill Riker was joined PO Box 5255 lows: Bill Grant (1993); Ron Wolfe at the ceremony by last year's award San Pedro CA 90733 (1 992); Steve Allen (1 991); Richard recipient Tom Staniec, who presented 310-833-0951 •FAX 310-832-9970 Covell (1990); Paul Beeman (1 989); Ludington with the award. In addition to CA, NV, AZ, HI Mike Aloisi (1988); Rex Porter (1987); receiving a piece of Steuben crystal en- Sally Kinsman (1986); Pete Petrovich Glade Communication titled "Rising Star," $2,000 was donated (1985); David Franklin (1984); John Equipment Company by Corning in Ludington's name to Kurpinski (1983); Clifford Paul (1982); 2691 151st Place NE SCTE's Scholarship Program to fund Yves Fortier (1981); Thomas Polis Redmond WA 98052-5522 fiber-optic training. 1-800-347-0048 •FAX 206-869-4119 (1980); Kenneth Gunter and Ralph WA, OR, ID, MT, UT, AK Haimowitz (1979); James Grabenstein (1978); Frank Bias (1977); Glenn Marketing MicroSat Chambers (1976); James Collins plan underway 4343 Shallowford Rd Ste F3 (1975); and Steven Doudourfis (1974). Late last summer, national head- Marietta GA 30062 For further information on the Mem- quarters staff embarked on a marketing 1-800-438-0812 •FAX 404-643-0899 ber of the Year Award, please contact plan intended to increase awareness of TX, KS, OK, AR, LA, MS, TN, AL, NC, SCTE national headquarters at (610) the Society's programs and services SC, GA, FL 363-6888. throughout the CATV industry. An arti- NCS Industries, Inc. cle in the August/September Interval outlined SCTE's short- and long-range 2255-E Wyandotte Rd Polaris Award Willow Grove PA 19090 public relations goals. At that time, the 1-800-523-2342 •FAX 215-657-0840 given to Ludington focus was on targeting cable industry PA, WV, VA, MD, DE The second annual Polaris Award CEOs, company presidents and man- was presented to Time Warner's Jim agers. As a result of the merger of W. Whitaker & Associates Ludington in a ceremony held Jan. 5 many cable systems with telephone 620 S Earl Ave during the Society of Cable Television companies, it has become more impor- PO Box 6327 Engineer's 1994 Conference on tant than ever to convince system man- Lafayette IN 47903 Emerging Technologies at the Pointe agers and telco personnel of the value 1-800-433-8775 •FAX 317-447-5064 Hilton Resort on South Mountain in of technical training. As of January MI, MO, IL, IN, OH, KY Phoenix, AZ. 1994, the Society's staff has imple- The Polaris Award is sponsored by mented two ideas that were suggested Corning, CEO magazine and SCTE to by IBS, an Exton, PA, marketing firm. recognize a cable TV engineering man- The first, an executive newsletter en- IRE LLI ager at the system, MSO or supplier titled Interface was unveiled at the FIBER OPTIC CABLES level who recognizes the strategic ben- Western Show in Anaheim, CA, on 1-800-669-0808 803-951-4800 efits of optical fiber technology. Dec. 1. A quarterly publication, Inter- Ludington has an extensive back- face has been written as an informa - 20 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Reader Service Number 2É tional piece for both cable and telco se- -70 dB Back Reflection Fixed and Variable Optical Attenuators nior management. With a focus on company training incentive programs, SCTE activities with government and amin regulatory agencies, and interviews q111. - with industry leaders who recognize the , value of the Society, the intent is to encourage management to provide employees with opportunities for training that will improve job skills, resulting in increased knowledge and productivity. The second item, a technical term-a- day calendar, was developed to We stock all models demonstrate the value of SCTE training Photonic Components, Inc. 1875 Lundy Ave. Suite 104, San Jose, CA 95131 to the industry by teaching a cable term PHONE: (408)383-7504 FAX:(408)943-0269 each day in 1994. The calendars were sent to chapter presidents and cable and telephone management personnel during the last week in December. They also were available at the Emerging Technologies Conference in Phoenix. Some of Our

Certification: Best Ideas Digitrace incentives Digitrace Inc. of Flint, MI, has insti- tuted an incentive program for its em- Have Gone ployees who upon successful completion of the Society's Broadband Com- Into Storage. munications Technician/Engineer (BCT/E) program become certified at the Technician and/or Engineer level. Although several companies already The Moore "Smart" Line of Fiber Optic Storage and have such incentives in place, what makes Digitrace unique is its commit- Management Solutions. ment of offering to conduct the classes •Moore Fiber Optic Aerial Slack Rack after normal work hours, on site, thereby making it convenient for employees •Moore Surface Entry OptiVault to participate. The incentive program is comprised •Moore OptiVault Buried Pull Box of the following: Digitrace will purchase •Moore Fiber Optic Overlash Roller the complete set of SCTE training videos, the BCT/E "Certification Program For nearly •Moore Fiber Optic Distribution Systems Reference Bibliography Reprint Manual" half acentury, and an additional instructional video cov- Moore Diversified ering signal level meters; the company Products has set them- will conduct a two-hour training session selves apart through innova- every other week on a regular schedule; tive thinking. We've taken the standard, and made it better. We've taken and Digitrace will award a $1,000 bonus the acceptable, and macle it excel. Consequently, we've created aproduct upon completion of certification at the line that works smarter. Technician level, and $2,500 for certification at the Engineer level. The pro- Whether you're installing outside plant fiber (OSP) or require the finesse gram is open to all employees, but each of interior fiber distribution, we've developed away to store and manage candidate must be a national member of it...better. Call us today and see just what all we've got in store for you. SCTE. Get the Most from Moore. Other companies offering incentives include: Jones Intercable (Albuquerque, NM); TCI Cablevision of California (San Mateo); Continental Cablevision (St. Paul, MN); Monmouth Cablevision (Bel- Moore Diversified Products, Inc. • 1441 Sunshine Lane • i.exington, KY 40505-2918 mar, NJ); Cardinal Communications 606-299-6288 • 800-769-1441 • 606-299-665:1(FAX) (Columbus, IN); Cochran Communica- tions (Cathedral City, CA); and Columbia International (San Angelo, TX). Reader Service Number 30 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 1994 21 Compressed digital video: A new world of broadcast potential

By Padmanabha Rao Senior Staff Scientist, Compression Labs Inc. Figure 1: Preprocessing

elevision is exploding with new applications that can increase Temporal prediction Frequency domain Preprocessing ar business productivity, improve and motion compensation decomposition the flexibility and quality of TV entertainment, and allow far greater interactive use of the TV media. But while the Reconstructed potential of television has grown Quantization steadily, the actual pace of expansion frame has been drastically restricted by the high cost and limited availability of transmission time — limits imposed by Frequency domain the same bandwidth bottleneck affect- Coding composition ing today's data networks. Encoder A quantum leap in digital compression technology now increases the amount of video data that can be transmitted over existing bandwidth resources by more than 500%. The technology changes the economics of Decoder Decoding television, opening a media that has been virtually closed to many private broadcasters by the high, fixed cost of bandwidth. Reducing the cost of Post-processing Reconstructed Frequency domain broadcast by dramatically increasing frame composition the amount of data that can be transmitted at this fixed cost opens the market to a wide range of applications, Motion compensation including cable, television, business reference fetch TV and distance learning.

New twists on proven technology The ability to compress digital broadcast signals to the to the upper bodies of people who are typically seated — point where satellite bandwidth is affordable to a broad a scenario known as "talking heads." Because one of the range of markets is an outgrowth of technology that has key elements in data compression is transmitting only been used for over a decade in videoconferencing appli- data that has changed from one video frame to the next, cations. The primary differences between broadcast appli- the amount of data that must be sent in a videoconferenc- cations and videoconferencing applications are the vol- ing application is minimal. ume of data and the quality of signal required. Broadcast applications, in contrast, typically contain Videoconferencing signals typically consist of people continual movement and changes in scene, requiring sitting in a conference room. This includes very little much more data to be coded for transmission. The quali- movement in a static background. Movement is localized ty required for broadcast, much of which is used for en- 22 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Superior Performance

DIGITAL VIDEO Over Fiber Multiple high quality uncompressed video signals at distances in excess of 50 kilometers without the additional cost of modulators, amplifiers, or de-modulators. One to 20 channels per fiber.

Flexible Features Reliability Bi-directional 0KHz Quad Audio Redundant path. Interactive Drop and Insert, Remote diagnostics. Singlemode odular Architecture Dual power supplies. Multimode RS 250C

Programmable Cost Effective Computer-based Start with one channel. operating system. Expand as needed.

Applications Microwave Transmission Replacement, Video Origination from Live News Sites, Ad Insertion, CCTV Traffic Monitoring, Industrial Television, Distance Learning

619.438.8362 2330 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Fax: 619.438.2412

Reader Service Number 35 tertainment purposes, also is considerably higher than "Over the long term, current and what is acceptable for videoconferencing. However, the core digital compression technology needed for broad- future MPEG standards will cast applications is the same as that required for video- encourage a melding of video conferencing. and computer technology." MPEG, a video signal decoder standard generated by the Motion Picture Experts Group under the direction of the International Standards Organization, is a key standard for video compression technology. Although MPEG's tion that can be transmitted over a fixed amount of band- efforts originally were intended for the storage of video width. This is accomplished by eliminating all data within images on compact discs and other media, it soon be- the video signal that is unnecessary for achieving accept- came clear that the committee's work had far broader ap- able quality of the transmitted signal. plications — ranging from cable TV delivery to high defini- The data elimination process involves a step-by-step tion TV (HDTV). procedure. Each step in the procedure focuses on a spe- The MPEG standard is now designed to support the cific element of the video signal and eliminates unneces- rapid expansion of digital TV and ensure that proliferating sary data within that area. But while the compression pro- applications work together efficiently and effectively. cedure is fairly standard, the efficiency of each function — MPEG-1 was designed primarily for storage media. the balance between eliminating as much data as possi- MPEG-2 is a generic video coding standard for applica- ble to maximize compression while retaining the highest tions such as broadcasting, interactive video and HDTV. possible quality of picture — is determined by how each For the consumer, MPEG standards promise to greatly function is implemented. While Compression Labs is the increase competition at both the decoder box level and first vendor to offer MPEG-based digital video compres- the system component level, resulting in dramatic price sion encoding, as other vendors enter the market, each decreases and spurring the home entertainment and in- offering will be differentiated by the efficiency with which formation service markets. As a result, MPEG-compliant compression functions are implemented. encoder products are in great demand. Compression also can be achieved without implementing all available compression functions. However, the cost Compressing digital broadcast signals of implementation is such that systems that do not make Compressing a broadcast signal involves minimizing use of all of these techniques suffer significant perfor- the amount of data that must be transmitted to achieve a mance disadvantages, while showing minimal cost bene- quality image in order to maximize the amount of informa - fits. The cost benefits of these partial implementations are

GALL FOR PARTICIPATION First International Workshop on Community Networking

Integrated Multimedia Services to the Home Mr=

July 13-14, 1994 IEEE CONNAUNICATIONS Westin Hotel. San Francisco Bay. California. USA SOCIETY

Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society, in collaboration with ACM SIGCOMM. the Internet Society. and Smart Valley

RELEVANT AREAS: Contributions are encouraged in the four areas listed below with relevant topics:

I. APPLICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: types of applications; coding: set-top operating systems; QoS networking requirements (symmetric/ asymmetric bandwidth, delay, and losses); security and privacy; service models; user interface and navigation facilities. 2. LOCAL DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY: topology: fiber/cable/UTP/wireless: modulation, bandwidth allocation; MAC (reverse channel); role of ATM; dependencies on equipment/network in the home (e.g.. TV set-top). 3. ADDRESSING, SIGNALING, AND UPPER-LAYER PROTOCOLS: local vs. global addressing: the service provider view vs. the common carrier view: the video-dialtone gateway; role of B-ISDN protocols; network- and transport-layer protocols; network management; APIs. 4. INTERNETWORKING AND ARCHITECTURE: the gateway: accessing other networks (data, telephone); server placement and network optimization; the regional distribution centers; testbeds; network traffic models; network cost structure and its implications on service pricing; medium- and long-term network evolution; the impact of regulatory constraints.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING ABSTRACTS: Please send via electronic mail ashort abstract (up to 7(X) words in ASCII or PostScript) describing a position statement in one of the areas above to en-workshop(a)opera.hpl.hp.com. Note that submissions longer than the limit above will not be reviewed. Only if electronic submission is impossible, ahardcopy version may be sent to: Riccardo Gusella, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories. 1501 Page Mill Rd., MS IU-17. Palo Alto. CA 94304. USA. Participation in the workshop will be by invitation only based on the Program Committee's review of position statements. Some of the authors will he asked to submit extended abstracts and to present their positions during the workshop. Workshop size limitation may preclude attendance of all authors of multi-author abstracts.

DATES: Deadline for submitting abstracts April IS. 1994 Acceptance notification May 12. 1994 Extended abstract due (limited to 2000 words) June 16. 1994

PROGRAM CHAIRS: Martin De Prycker Alcatel Bell Telephone. Antwerp, Belgium Riccardo Gusella Hewlett-Packard Laboratories. Palo Alto. California

To obtain more information on the workshop. send an e-mail message to cn-info(g)opera.hpl.hp.com SMART VALLEY

Reader Response Number 31 24 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Complete Satellite And Cable Delivery Systems Worldwide

01610111101

-4 *eneral Still/flee is th pleading and addressing capability. Our;.errold supeer of s ems and equi ent to the Communications distribution 21d subscriber cable and sa TV indust nfact, all our prodUcts — both cable and wireless— are

I products and es have bee ,Fleveloped known throughout the industry for being with your ne mind. i ‘ innovative ancrdependable. And our Our DigiCip product line4k,setting the Comm/Scope products cover al.! your coaxial /standards for digital compression as the and fiber dptic cable needs. industry moves toward its next plateau of One company. Three compa ible product rfurmance. Our IndeoCipher satellite groups. All working toward one :ommon go sucti.ine provides state of the art security Your complete and total satisfac tion.

United Kingdom Singapore Hong Kong Brazil 44-734-755555 65-322-8552 852-841-7727 55-21-494-3132

e .S., ,Jerrold Communications Division 215-674:4800; MiScope Division 704-324-2200; VideoCipher Divi4S619-455-1500. •• • P General Imtrumen

Reader Service Number 15 MPEG-2 systems specification: Blueprint for network interoperability

By Anthony J. Wasilewski The program Senior Staff Engineer, Scientific-Atlanta stream utilizes Figure 1: MPEG-2 transport stream concept variable-length single, international standard packets and is intended for "error- has emerged that promises to Video A unify and focus the digital "revo- free" environments A Audio A lution" currently underway. This is the in which software MPEG-2 standard. Named for the Mov- parsing is sup- Video B MUX Transport ported. The pack- stream ing Picture Experts Group, its work is Data A sanctioned by ISO/IEC as Working ets are generally Group 11, Subcommittee 29 of JTC1. relatively large Data B U.S. delegates are accredited for par- (1K to 2K bytes). Audio B ticipation through ANSI. Program streams While MPEG-2 (ISO 13818) is wide- may be used to ly known and recognized as a video multiplex together and audio compression specification, it the many components of one program. A prototypical view of the basic multi- is perhaps less appreciated in that it Relevant applications would include plexing concept of an MPEG transport also contains a systems "layer." This single-program playback from a local stream is shown in Figure 1. part of the standard provides a trans- digital storage medium (DSM). The packetized elementary stream mission medium independent coding The transport stream is specifically structure provides a method of packag- technique to build bit streams contain- designed for transmission in "errored" ing subparts of a longer video, audio or ing one or more MPEG programs. This conditions and includes features for en- data stream and permits the associa- is accomplished through a syntax (for- hanced error resiliency and packet loss tion of time stamps and other indicators mal grammar) and set of semantic detection. Transport packets have a with each of these subparts. rules for the construction of the bit fixed and relatively short length (188 The primary mode of data transmis- streams that include provisions for syn- bytes). Many programs, each with sion in MPEG broadcast applications chronization, error resiliency, multiplex- many components, may be combined will be the MPEG-2 transport stream. ing and clock recovery. Each program in a transport stream. Terrestrial broad- This has been confirmed, for example, is composed of one or several elemen- cast, CATV/satellite networks and infor U.S. high definition TV (HDTV) by tary streams. An elementary stream is teractive telephony-based services are the Grand Alliance of HDTV proponent the coded representation of one video, a few emerging applications of the TS. companies (which also will use MPEG- one audio or one data stream that share the common time base of the program of which they are members. Figure 2: Protocol data units in MPEG-2 architecture Each elementary stream is a succes- Compressed MPEG elementary stream data sion of access units of the appropriate video, audio type (picture, audio frame). The MPEG-2 systems standard contains two different types of stream de- PES scriptions: 1) program stream (PS) and header 2) transport stream (TS). Each stream type is optimized for different applica- PES tion domains. Both streams are packet- packet based and may be considered as transport layer entities in the sense of the ISO network reference model (ISO 7498). The two streams are not strict subsets or supersets of each other but are related by a common structure: the Transport packetized elementary stream (PES). It packets is possible and reasonable to convert from one stream type to the other in Transport packet header real systems.

30 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENT EQUALIZERS FOR QUALITY RF SERVICES, JERROLD, TEXSCAN / SYLVANIA PATHMAKER AND RCA

-.I EQUALIZER FOR JERROLD JLX

+ + NEW + + + + + + NEW 4 (350, 450 AND 550 MHz) Available in 2dB Cable Equivalent Increments 6.75

600 MHz NOW AVAILABLE FROM QRF PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

111Mir-

271) M

,V)0 MI $6.00 ea. MHz 57.00 WU MHz

QEP-ADP FIXED VALUE ADAPTER ALLOWS QLX TO REPLACE SEPS QEP-ADP $7.00 PLUS QLX $6.75 — TOTAL $13.75

eire

FOP SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA 111111111111Ds sin JXP PADS $2.90 • EQUIPMENT !;XP-T TOPS $1.75 PATHMAKER EQUALIZERS + + + NEW • • • • $10.00 EA. PATHMAKER PADS $4.50 EA.

• RCA EQUALIZERS • •• RCA PADS

$6.50

QUALITY RF SERVICES, 850 PARK WAY (407) 747-4998 (800) 327-9767 JUPITER, FL 33477 FAX (407) 744-4618

Reader Service Number 68

BROADBAND MICROWAVE SOLUTIONS FOR TOM AND TOMORROW than two transport packet payloads.

1 ...... 1...1... A - • a In ,,.. wr ...• ••••4••••••/ és *it re% et' r-f

program at the time the PCR bytes Figure 4: Prefix format were put into the transport stream. The decoder uses this value to syn- Transport Payload Transport PID Transport Adaptation Continuity chronize the decoder system clock packet unit priority scrambling field counter with the encoder system clock. The error start control control indicator indicator format of the PCR is shown in Figure 5. The lower 9 bits of the PCR is a modulo-300 counter that is incre- 1bit 1bit 1bit 13 bits 2 bits 2 bits 4 bits mented at the 27 MHz clock rate. At each modulo-300 "rollover" the count in the upper 33 bits is incremented. by an entity external to the transport, reserved by ISO. It indicates whether The upper 33 bits then represent such as a data link processor. the associated transport packet pay- counts that occur at a 90 kHz rate. The payload unit start indicator is a load contains an adaptation field, pay- This is done so that other time 1-bit field that signals that a PES load or both. stamps (presentation and decode, packet header immediately follows the discussed later) can be compared packet prefix or adaptation field, if 00 Reserved using the 90 kHz value. any. If the packet is a PSI-bearing 11 No adaptation field, payload only Because every program in an packet, this bit indicates that a PSI 10 Adaptation field only, no payload MPEG-2 TS may have its own PCR, segment begins in the beginning of 11 Adaptation field followed by payload programs may be mutliplexed asyn- the payload section. chronously. That is, the time bases The transport priority bit allows The continuity counter is a modulo- of the different programs need not transport entities to assign higher pri- 16 counter that is incremented with be locked together before multiplex- ority to selected packets. This may be each packet sent. It may be used by a ing. This has major positive implica- used as a directive to data links for decoder to detect packet loss. Also, tions for backhaul and rerouting of error protection or other special treat- the sending of duplicate packets is al- MPEG data. In particular, TS assem- ment. lowed. This is accomplished by not in- bly at any particular network node Thirteen bits of the prefix is used for crementing the continuity counter on does not depend on genlocking of a packet ID (PID). The PID identifies consecutive (duplicate) packets. Pack- video signals either from locally or the stream that is carried in the associ- ets with other PID values may, of remotely originated sources. ated transport packet. Data from only course, occur between such "consecu- The PCR field may be modified by one elementary stream may be put tive" packets. multiplexers and is used to accumu- into packets with common PID values. late delays that are incurred through Adaptation field various stages of multiplexing. Wher- The transport scrambling control The adaptation field is a conve- ever there exists a possibility of a field is defined as follows: nience "window" that may be opened variable delay (jitter) of a packet, the in any transport packet. When pre- PCR value must be adjusted to reflect 00 This packet has no encryption sent, it may carry both MPEG-related that delay. At the decoder, the PCR is 01 User-defined and private information of relevance used to initialize and correct the de- 10 User-defined to a given transport stream or the ele- coder system clock. At the encoder 11 User-defined mentary stream carried within a given (multiplexer), the PCR is inserted into transport packet. Provisions for clock the stream with a correct value in the The definition and management of recovery (such as the program clock context of the overall multiplex. the encryption keys are not specified reference — PCR) and encryption key Synchronization of audio and by MPEG, but are explicitly supported management are typical of this infor- video (and data) within a program through recognized private data mation. By placing such information in also is accomplished with a time streams and in private areas of the the adaptation field, it becomes "en- stamp approach. Similar (33-bit) time adaptation field. Some suggested uses capsulated" with its associated data. stamps are inserted into the TS in as- of the user-defined states are given in This is very helpful in remultiplexing sociation with access units of video the parentheses and are for identifying and network routing operations. and audio (PES structure). These key parity or mode. The PCR is a counter value that presentation time stamps (PTSs) and The 2-bit adaptation field control represents a "snapshot" of the system decode time stamps (DTSs) are used field has three defined states and one time clock (STC) for the associated to inform the decoder when to decode and display a picture and when to play an audio segment. The value Program clock reference (PCR) format Figure 5: of the PTSs and DTSs refer to the same clock established by the PCR-base (33 bits) PCR-Ext (9 bits) PCRs. The adaptation field has a private data section that may be user-defined. The transmission of entitlement 90 kHz 27 MHz control messages (ECMs) must be synchronized with the corresponding cipher- text (encrypted elementary stream). The

36 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY i1bi.e.i-ed. iIiI là1 Request Blonder Tongue For All Your Head end And Distribution Needs

Made In The USA With A SOLUTIONS! Specification And ** ** Reference Materials Available- Hardcopy or Year Product System Design Computer Disk! Warranty Assistance Amiable Your Choice -MAC or PC

13 &18 GHz Free 800 Manufacturer Of Quality • EXPRESS Info -Une Antennas, Satellite Receivers, Modulators, .te e The Microwave 1-800-523-6049 Processors, Of The Amplifiers Future! Free 800 • And • Call Today For Fax Order-Une Additional Distribution Literature 1-800-336-6295 Products

•CATV/MATV/SMATV Markets •Video Teleconferencing Systems •Broadband Networks, Fiber Optic/Coaxial Cable •Multimedia Data Communications And Media Retrieval •Schools, Hotels, Hospitals, Prisons & Other Host Services •Broadcast Television Signal Processing

•LAN's, WAN's And Other Computer Networks • •• BLONDER

• ••

••• TONGUE ••• LABORATORIES, INC. • "Mr The Standard Of Quality In TV Signal Distribution One Jake Brown Road, PO Box 1000, Old Bridge, NJ 08857-1000 .131111111111111:1111MIL..„ Reader Service Number 18 Tel. (908) 679-4000 Fax. (908) 679-4353 JON 111111100! adaptation field provides a natural and struct a PS from multiple elemental "One of the advan- convenient method of achieving this, streams that have been transported tages of a packet- since the ECMs are encapsulated with using the TS syntax. Reconstructing the data. This also simplifies remulti- PSs on the decode side is supported based transport is plexing and routing operations. by using the PES structure to encapsu- the straightforward late the raw service data. This structure Payload section contains header information that trans- support of drop/add The remainder of the transport lates directly into the PS format. and insert of asyn- packet carries either elemental service chronous services. data (video, audio, text) in PES pack- Service data and PES ets, PSI or private data such as condi- All MPEG video and audio data must The MPEG TS was tional access, network frequencies, be formatted into a PES and inserted designed with this etc. Only one type of data is allowed in into the payload portion of the IS pack- in mind." packets labeled with a common PID. et. The PES provides a structure for as- In order to adapt the packet transmis- sociating presentation timing informa- sion to any data link rate, a "stuffing" tion and other factors with elementary PTSs, DTSs, trick mode fields for fast packet is defined. This is sent when a stream presentation units. forward/fast reverse and the like (a PES data link interface demands packets continuity counter and future PES head- and there are no valid packets to PES structure er extensions). send. PID value 0x1FFF (8191 10 )is re- PES packets are of variable and rel- When inserting PES packets into served for null or "stuffing" packets. atively long length. This length is not transport packets, PES headers must be The contents of the stuff packet is set specified by the MPEG standard but it aligned with transport packets headers. A to all ones. is normally bounded at 64 kbytes. single PES packet may span many trans- (Using a length of zero permits an un- port packets and the subsections of the Program stream compatibility bounded case for video streams only.) PES packet must appear in consecutive The transport stream supports inter- Each PES packet may be protected transport packets of the same PID value. face to and from the PS format. On the with an optional CRC. A PES packet Note, however, that these transport pack- encode side, PSs may be demulti- starts with a header that has a mini- ets may be freely interleaved with other plexed and placed into individual ele- mum of 9 bytes of length and structure transport packets of different PID values mentary streams for transmission pur- information. Many optional fields may that carry data from different elementary poses. Decoders will be able to con- then follow in the header such as streams.

Video services Coded MPEG video streams are The Character Generator Experts! placed into PES packets before being inserted into transport streams. Each PES • ALL MAJOR BRANDS! packet contains all or part of a video ac- • Chyron Graphics Group cess unit (i.e., an I, P or B picture in coded form). PTS and DTS data are • DynaTech placed into the PES packet header that encapsulates the associated access unit. • Texscan/MSI The PTS and DTS are in the same units as the PCR-base and reference the LI Video Data Systems same source clock. The PTS instructs the decoder when to display the associated • Display Systems Intl access unit. The DTS indicates when the decoder should decode the access unit. CI Magic Box This may be useful when pictures are • QINGEN sent out of presentation order, such as for B-frames. LI The New D-2000 Some video-related data may be sent for Windows and AMICA in the user data portion of the MPEG video. This includes closed-caption data, • And Many More...! pan-scan coordinates, various time codes and video-to-teletext frame reference. We have complete systems as low as $700 and as high as $20,000 each! Whether The user data section also may include a you need just one system or thousands Call D.Co., we will assist you in making the best choice for your applications. "generic" VBI (vertical blanking interval) data format. This will support the analog insertion of various VBI data formats D.Co. (such as Nielsen data) at the decoder. Specialty Video Products D.Co. •27401 Los Altos •Suite #270 •Mission Viejo •California •92691 Audio services (714) 367-1700 • (714) 367-1734 FAX Likewise, MPEG audio services use the PES packet layer that was dis - Reader Service Number 39

38 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY The CALAN family of test, mea- The CALAN surement and monitoring solutions is designed to support the most important goal of system operators: Family of Test Maximum Subscriber Satisfaction. Each of these systems consists of Measurement & its own family of hardware components as well as adistinct internal software package capable of Monitoring generating reports required by management and the FCC. Solutions

The 1776 Integrated Sweep System and Spectrum Analyzer represents the first non-interfering, high resolution system sweep. Combined with a microprocessor-controlled System Analyzer, this portable and rugged EL,•1_ 6- 7776 system facilitates the improvement of picture quality by performing sweep and distortion measurements quickly and easily.

The COMET remote line monitoring system offers a full range of automatic measurements and diagnostic techniques to locate and correct problems in broadband networks from any remote location. COMET is self-reporting, stand- alone system capable of working with, or independently of, other status monitoring systems. Comet can be installed in any CATV or broadband LAN System, regardless of the manufacturer or type of amplifier used.

CALAN'S STAR 2010 Signal Level Measurement System heralds awhole new era in carrier analysis for the cable industry. A fast, accurate and easy-to-use instru- .fi. A4Î.STAR ment, The 2010 covers the entire frequency range (5 MHz to 1 GHz) with unmatched speed-36 channels in less than one second.

Our SOURCE Multi-Carrier Signal generation system provides sync/ async operation and multi-channel control. The system offers up to 180 extremely clean and stable TruLL eesource. carriers for CTB, X-mod and Din distortion testing for CATV and LAN.

GALAXY unites performance data from our other systems into an advanced information management system, thereby integrating the CALAN family of products. EididgiX e 6a fax

CABLE ND LOCAL AREA NETWORKS

1771 Independence Drive

Din( mans Ferry, PA 18328

800-544-3392

Ir PA: (717) 828-2356

FAX: (717) 828-2472

rt CALAN Inc 1993 Prrnted In The USA 3/1/93 Reader Service Number 22 fied with 256 codes. Sixteen-bit codes Table 2: TS structures in MPEG PSI also may be provided to support more diverse character sets and attributes. Bitmapped graphics, palette control PSI structure name Structure type Reserved PID # Description and downloadable fonts also are provided with the text service command Program MPEG 0 Associates program set. The data portion of a text com- association table number with a mand can extend across transport program map table packets by using the private section PID and segment number. Allows speci- structure from the PSI specification. fication of the PID of Hardware can be configured to filter the network table. text data using the general 32-bit "filter" field and/or the page number field. A Transport stream MPEG User-assigned Specifies the program map table component elemen- subtitle command supports PTS infor- tary streams and mation and has a filter field that can be descriptors for one or used to select aspecific language. This more programs. supports the capability of including several languages in one text packet. Un- Network Private User-assigned Gives physical information table network parameters used portions of the packet will be such as FDM frequen- padded out with zeros. cies, transponder numbers, etc. Support for conditional Conditional MPEG 1 Associates one or access mechanisms access table more (private) EMM Scrambling is the MPEG term used streams and other CA to denote the encryption of service data each with a data (video, audio). MPEG does not re- unique PID #. quire scrambling nor does it specify which algorithms may be used. As an independent transport layer, it leaves cussed previously. PTS data should be ed to ensure buffer integrity, but the ac- these decisions to the higher layers of attached at packets that include audio tual choice of baud rate could be set in- the transmission model. Encryption is frame boundaries. A single MPEG-1, dependently at the decoder. prohibited, however, in the TS packet Level 2 audio service can provide two header and in nonprivate sections of channels (e.g., stereo) of audio or a Synchronous data the adaptation field. single channel (e.g., mono) of audio. Non-MPEG synchronous serial data If scrambling is desired in an appli- also can be carried by the MPEG-2 TS. cation however, MPEG provides sever- Utility and other This, however, requires that PCR val- al explicit support mechanisms. The digital data services ues be transmitted that are locked to scrambling control field in the TS Asynchronous serial data can be the synchronous rate that is being packet header, for example, may be transmitted using the MPEG-2 TS. This served at the encoder. Also, at the de- used to indicate the encryption mode type of data does not rely on "locking" coder, the clock that is providing the and identify the key parity of the pay- the decoder clock with a clock at the output rate must be locked to the 27 load section. The adaptation field may encoder. In order to guarantee that the MHz system clock, which is in turn tied be used to convey the ECMs or keys decoder input buffer will not overflow, to the incoming PCR values. This needed to perform the decryption. the maximum service rate at the en- method would be used to transmit coder must be less than or equal to the high-speed synchronous data and tele- Entitlement data rate used at the decoder. Flow phony standards such as DS1. Like management messages control should be provided at the en- asynchronous data, this data would not The MPEG standard does not speci- coder to ensure that the source is throt- have to undergo any preformatting be- fy the format of entitlement manage- tled when approaching the limits of the fore placed into TS packets. ment messages (EMMs) nor even that input buffer. The raw asynchronous they be sent at all. It does however data is placed into TS packets for Text and subtitle services provide a method for decoders to be transmission. Each transmission pack- Text services may be sent using the able to identify and demultiplex packets et should always start with a 1-byte general format of a command byte fol- that carry EMMs. EMMs are sent using count that indicates the number of valid lowed by the data that corresponds to a predetermined packet ID that will be bytes. This allows for partial packets to that command. MPEG considers all set at the multiplexer and is known to be flushed by the encoder after a pro- such cases as private data. In most the decoder through the PSI. (See next grammable time-out. The decoder will cases the length of the message will be section of this article.) output the data serially at a standard variable. Two types of text data trans- serial baud rate. Note that the baud mission may be cited as possible ex- Entitlement control messages rate at the decoder and encoder do not amples with this system. Eight-bit char- ECMs are the encryption keys and have to match. Virtual channel informa- acter codes are sent for conformance other systemwide information used to tion should include data that indicates to world system text (WST) and for control access to individual services. the minimum decoder baud rate need- other character sets that can be satis- Again, the standard does not require

40 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY their presence but rather supports the definition of programs and ele- MPEG transport their existence through descriptors mentary streams also is provided: stream PSI structures and private data areas/PIDs. ECMs the descriptor. There are four recognized TS struc- may be sent in private data areas of MPEG has adopted a hierarchical tures in MPEG PSI, however, the con- the adaptation field or in transport view of systems: tents of only three of them are speci- -nckets marked as private. fied by MPEG. These structures may a) A network may have one or be thought of as tables. (See Table 2.) Jrogram specific information more transport streams. PSI-bearing transport packets may PSI is the total collection of b) A transport stream may con- be freely intermixed with those carry- MPEG normative and private infor- tain one or more programs. ing MPEG data. In practice, they will mation that allows decoders to: c) A program may contain one or occur perhaps at 10 or 20 Hz rates for more elementary streams. random access channels. For connec- 1) Access individual transport tion-oriented services it is permissible streams in networks. Each layer of the hierarchy com- that they occur but once, at the begin- 2) Associate elementary streams pletely encapsulates the ones un- ning of the session establishment. within those transport streams to- derneath it. Thus, a program num- It should be noted that the "condi- gether as programs. ber has significance only within a tional access table" (lower left in Table 3) Obtain the location and type of transport stream. Program numbers 2) supports the identification of one or conditional access information that may be duplicated in different trans- more conditional access systems. This is required to decrypt/descramble el- port streams in the same network. allows data and control from more ementary streams. Likewise the PID values that than one conditional access system to 4) Demultiplex, identify and route identify the elementary streams that coexist in the same transport stream. to the proper decoding circuitry, all comprise a program are meaningful -uckets required for program pre- only within the context of a transport Extensibility and descriptors sentation. stream. Thus, the full range of PID The MPEG TS is designed to be 5) Identify additional attributes of values is available in each TS. Note reasonably "future-proofed" through MPEG or private data such as lan- that this could lead to "PID colli- several extensibility mechanisms. guage code, windowing parameters, sions" when mapping packets from First, there are ISO-reserved fields conditional access system, etc. one TS to another. Systems con- in almost all parts of the TS structure. templating this should allocate PID Some of these reserved fields are only A mechanism for extension of values accordingly. 1 bit but some are used to open up

illiffefetenfflal

Our NBT 9101 Multi Carrier Generator is designed to meet all your requirements as the Source for any. Beat the hi number of clean, noise-free and stable carriers when you want to measure distortion in broadband CATV, LAN, AMI. or Fibre Optic systems. cost of truc The NBT 9101 has features that go beyond the standard requirements. It comes with an extensive with remote control PC program that rolls trou bleshootingnew lets you operate all of its functions for asingle channel, all training. channels or groups of channels. fine tune the fre- Solve more of your customers' technical problems on quency of achannel. the I st call and you'll save your system money and set asloped output subs! Two powerful upcoming training programs level, and recall instrument setups. from MM will do it! They teach foolproof technical and much more. troubleshooting skills to techs, installers and CSRs— including signal-flow logic, customer equipment and hookup, customer relations, and training on the most The NBT 9101 provides you with extensive functions as: common troubleshooting situations. • !•;, nchronous and Non-s>nchronous modulation modes. Foolproof technical troubleshooting skills • Dual Dut>C>cle. 50`i and 19q, for the modulating signal. for teas, installers and CSRs! • "LL VCO's with internal and Common references. Available in avariety of formats, this easy-to-use train- • Calibrated anentuators. (Ito IS dit in 0.1dB steps. for every carrier • Both GPIB and RS-232 interfaces. ing could slash your service call costs by thousands!

US distributor: CALAN Inc. Phone 717-828-2356 Fax. 717-828-2472 CALL NOW FOR LIMITED MIND EXTENSION INSTITUTE. 4., For further details, please contact Svhdin rei loom brmoi‘' INTRODUCTORY PRICING! Norwegian Broadband Technology AS 9697 East. Mineral Avenue P.O. Box 34, N-1472 Fjellhamar, NORWAY P.O. Box 3309 800-833-3472 fibt Phone int .47-67-975-S10 Englewood, CO 80115-3309

Reader Response Number 41 Reader Response Number 75 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 1994 41 presentation synchronization in an Figure 6: General MPEG descriptor format MPEG decoder. The transport stream enters the de- multiplexer component that extracts the Tag Length Data required MPEG packets based on PID value. It also parses the packet struc- la ger fields. These fie ds may be tracks to the video ("lip-syncing") also tures to obtain the PCR and PTS time. used by ISO in the future to extend is required. stamps. The PCRs are routed to a the standard. MPEG uses a model called the clock generation component. The Second, descriptions of programs standard target decoder (STD) to pro- PTSs are sent to the video and audio and elementary streams may be ex- vide a rigorous mathematical abstrac- decoders. If video/audio decoders that tended through the use of descriptors. tion of a real decoder. This model is can parse the PES structure become About a dozen descriptors are prede- based on a constant end-to-end delay available, the PTSs may be sent direct- fined by ISO 13818. An additional 192 in the delivery of the coded bit streams, ly to these decoders through the buffer. descriptors are available for user defi- that pictures and audio samples are Coded MPEG video and audio (ac- nition. The descriptors all have the presented exactly once and that a sys- cess units) are sent to decoder general format of Figure 6. tem time clock (STC) exists for each buffers. The video and audio decoders The "tag" is an 8-bit field that iden- program. The model provides for pre- request data from these buffers, de- tifies each descriptor. The length is cise buffer management at the decode it into a format that is then also an 8-bit field that specifies the coder. It should be emphasized that passed to DIA components for conver- total length of the data portion that MPEG does not require that the origi- sion to analog display. follows it. nal clock signal that is present at an The decoder has a local time clock encoder also be present at the de- (DTC). This clock, if allowed to free- Time base recovery coder. This is fortunate, since support- run, would produce an incorrect time and synchronization ing such an end-to-end clock is pro- base for program delivery. This is be- An important function in MPEG de- hibitive in many networks. Instead, a cause it is highly unlikely that the fre- coders is reconstruction of the clock set of time stamps is utilized in both the quency of the DTC would be exactly associated with a program. This clock PS and TS to convey the instanta- the same as that of the original en- is used to reconstruct, among other neous phase, frequency and value of coder and that the DTC frequency will things, the proper horizontal scan rate the STO. In a sense, the STC is coded be perfectly stable (would not drift). and color subcarrier frequency for the (digitized) and inserted into the bit This leads to the prime function of the video. Of equal interest is assuring the stream in a manner analogous to the PCRs. PCR values, sent periodically in proper presentation rate of audio and video/audio coding itself. The STD the transport stream, are used to cor- video presentation units. These are model is used as the yardstick of valid rect the DTC clock value. the audio sample rate and the picture (compliant) bit streams. At the beginning of the decoding of or frame rate. For most applications, Figure 7 shows a functional view of a transport bit stream, the PCR value the synchronization of the audio the method of clock generation and is used to initialize the counter for the DTC. As the clock runs, the value of this counter is feedback to the subtrac- Figure 7: Clock generation and presentation synchronization tion component. The local (feedback) value is then compared with subse- Video, audio PTS quent PCRs as they arrive in the transport stream. Since a PCR when it ar- MPEG-2 rives, represents the correct time base transport Coded video Video stream Demux Buffer decoder for the program, the difference be- and tween it and the local DTC may be Coded audio parse I I To display Buffer used to drive the instantaneous fre- Audio quency of the VCO and either slow PCR decoder down or speed up the DTC, as appropriate. Note that because of the hybrid

Clock nature of the PCR (it has both a 90 generation kHz and 27 MHz component), a lin- Program clock earizer is used to convert to units in the 27 MHz domain. The output of the VCO is a 27 MHz oscillator signal and Initialize is used as the system clock frequency PCR j at the decoder. The reconstruction of the proper

Subtract — L — VCO — DTC -4 STC at the decoder has an additional --A— positive effect: predictable and bound- • ed buffer occupancies. If the local DTC Feedback were not somehow locked to the STC, but rather drifted from it at some fixed or variable rate, the result would be

42 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY C&JICK CHANGE ARTIST HCP2550 HETERODYNE CHANNEL PROCESSOR CHANGE CHANNEL TO CHANNEL

• ....ea ma:i.e... 4B

• •

The R.L. Drake Company now offers you greater flexibility in meeting the needs of your headend with the HCP2550 Heterodyne Channel Processor. Drake, long recognized for manufacturing communication equipment of enduring quality, has designed the HCP2550 to be an extremely versatile heterodyne channel processor surpassing the most demanding engineering requirements.

II Capable of converting any • SAW filtering eliminates standard VHF, UHF, HRC, IRC, adjacent channel interference. or cable TV input signal to HRC, IRC, or any standard • Programming of input and cable TV output channel. output channels is accessible via front panel DIP switches. IN Output frequency coverage from 54 MHz to 550 MHz. • IF loop-thru connections.

• Selectable offsets, III High output power to +60 dBmV. AN ratio adjustment, and RF output adjustment offer exceptional flexibility.

R.L. Drake Company Sales Office: 513-866-2421 Made in America by P.O. Box 3006 Fax: 513-866-0806 Drake...A trusted, world Miamisburg, OH 45343 Service & Parts: 513-746-6990 leader in communications U.S.A. In Canada: 705-742-3122 equipment since 1943.

Reader Service Number 44 the underflow or overflow (depending "It can become a being deployed in some major interac- on the direction and magnitude of the tive network trials currently under- drift) of the video and/or audio buffers. major foundation of way. The MPEG TS was designed to With a compliant MPEG bit stream interoperability in the be as compatible with this new tech- and a suitable, stable PLL, avoidance 'digital superhigh- nology as possible. This was pursued of this underflow/overflow may be as- through the following mechanisms: sured. way' since it provides a network- and • The MPEG TS is a network and Error resiliency mechanisms data link-indepen- data link independent transport, While a transport layer is responsi- which has excellent affinity to the ble for reliable end-to-end delivery of dent transport layer ATM layered approach. transmission data, this does not mean and a timing model • The length of the MPEG trans- that all error-checking and correction that also is data- port packet was chosen to map even- must take place in this layer. Usually, ly into four ATM cell payloads (as- these functions are left to the data-link independent." suming four additional octets of layer since it is a really a channel-cod- adaptation layer information). ing problem. That is, the forward error •The transport priority bit may be correction (FEC) and other error strate- detection of errors within the transport used to assist in the setting of the gies should be chosen to match the layer. An optional 16-bit CRC may be ATM cell loss priority bit (CLP). Cur- channel error characteristics and not used over each PES packet. This value rent ATM specifications do not ade- the transmission data per se. The is intended for network maintenance quately address the transmission of transport layer, however, may be called such as isolating sources of intermit- variable bit rate (VBR) video in the upon to provide error resiliency mecha- tent errors rather than for use by de- general case in which an end-to-end nisms that are appropriate and tailored coders at network endpoints. network clock is unavailable. This to the transmission data. problem is addressed by MPEG TSs. In MPEG-2 TSs, this is accom- Each of the PSI table structures em- Liaisons between the ISO MPEG plished through several avenues: ploys a 32-bit CRC for each of its sec- group and the ITU-TS (formerly tions. In this case, the decoder may CCITT) and with the ATM Forum • Transport error indicator bit: As calculate its own CRC value over the have started a dialog to work through mentioned previously, this transport appropriate data and compare it to the this issue and the general mapping packet header bit may be set to indi- transmitted value to determine if errors of MPEG onto ATM networks. cate that an uncorrectable error or er- have occurred. rors have occurred in the associated Conclusion packet. This allows an error detected Networking and remultiplexing MPEG-2 (ISO 13818) is a multi- on one data link to be indicated further One of the advantages of a packet- faceted standard for the coding of down the line in a multihop networking based transport is the straightforward digital compressed video and audio or routing application. Decoders may support of drop/add and insert of and for their multiplexing, storage then use this indicator to trigger the in- asynchronous services. The MPEG and transmission. The systems part vocation of the appropriate conceal- TS was designed with this in mind. is comprised of program stream and ment or processing mechanism. Amongst other things this allows for transport stream definitions, each of •Priority bit: Also found in the pack- distribution of services via high rate which are expressed as a set of syn- et header, this bit may be used to indi- multiplexes, such as a SONET OC -3 tax and semantics. The program cate the relative priority of transport rate, with later partitioning and rerout- stream is optimized for use in "error- packets. Packets of higher priority may ing to lower rate transports for, say, a free" environments where software then receive preferential error protec- 6 MHz CATV channel. Local insertion parsing is common, such as digital tion or even be routed to a special of ads and conditional access also are storage media. The transport stream transmission medium on the current or readily supported. is optimized for use in "error-prone" a later hop. The MPEG priority bit also The latter receives explicit support environments such as broadcast, may be used to assist in the setting of from the splicing point flag and splice CATV, satellite and telephony net- the ATM cell loss priority (CLP) bit countdown that may be included in the works. While one is not a strict sub- when MPEG transport streams are bit stream to indicate to the decoder set or superset of the other, conver- sent into ATM networks. that a splicing point is about to be ar- sion is possible and is facilitated by • Continuity counter: Packet loss rived at. A random access flag also the common packetized elementary may be detected with the 4-bit continu- warns the decoder that a discontinu- stream (PES) structure. ity counter in the packet header. This ous change in the time base is about The MPEG-2 systems specifica- counter is incremented as each packet to occur. tion provides support for clock recov- of a given PID value is inserted into the ery, synchronization, buffer manage- TS. Thus, the decoder (or downstream ATM compatibility ment, private data and conditional multiplexers) may monitor this value for ATM is a very promising technology access. It can become a major foun- discontinuities to determine if packet for the transmission of voice, video and dation of interoperability in the "digi- losses have occurred. data in LAN/MAN/WAN networks. tal superhighway" since it provides a • CRCs: The transport stream pro- Some LAN devices are beginning to network- and data link-independent vides cyclic redundancy checks appear now and early versions of large transport layer and a timing model (CRCs) in several areas to assist in the ATM switches (10 gigabit fabrics) are that also is data-independent. CT

44 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ) _ • ‘'

I. :..t.‘

11 Them Again: - . - , e • 'Is , '1 '\ • Iv I r It's true. Once you install AOFR couplers in your fiber optic ultimate test, we subject them to freezing cold, blazing heat network, that's the last you'll see of them. And that's the and everything in between way it should be. The result of this proven process is areliable product of Your fiber optic network faces extreme environmental the highest quality. One that stays put once it's installed. challenges and your couplers have to oe able to take the Ore that passes the test of time. So if you want to take a heat. And the cold. And any element Mother Nature throws really close look at an AOFR coupler, better do it before your at them. AOFR couplers can. That's why they're installed plant is installed. Because you won't get another chance. around the world, in all types of climates and conditions. For more information about AOFR's wide range of Because your customers expect dependable service all couplers and related products, call your nearest AOFR of the time, downtime is not an option. AOFR couplers can sales office. make the critical difference. The keys are superior design, automated manufacturing and rigorous testing. AOFR's automation precisely controls each coupler's manufacture under aQuality System that is noFR Making Connections Wodldwide ISO 9001 certified —from design and manufacturing to assembly and shipping. Then, to put our couplers to the A subsidiary of 4> BHP

AOFR Americas Inc. •800 East Campbell Road. Suite 108 •Richardson, Texas 75081 •USA •(214) 644 1394 •FAX (214) 480 9278 AOFR Europe GmbH •Dauthendeystrasse 2• D-81377 Munich •Germany •(089) 714 0911 •FAX (089) 719 3933 AOFR Pty Limited •9 Lyell Street •Fyshwick ACT 2609 •Australia •(06) 280 5911 •FAX (06) 280 6393

Reader Service Number 32 Powering: How we did it, how it will be done

By Marty de Alminana "It is obvious that we "Status monitoring will fix our prob- International Sales Engineer, Power Guard Inc. lem," we said. We renamed it "net- need to consider the work management." As we move into n the beginning there was television powering question at the future, we must know what our but only the privileged few owned a the outset rather network is doing at all times. We no ITV set. Soon there were TV sets in longer have the luxury of assuming every home. Everyone in the city was than relegating it to that since we have three 100 amp/ happy. But beyond the city all that was the last decision as hour batteries in our slick standby seen was the dreaded ghost. we have done in the power supply that all is well. The "I can sell you an antenna for the en- past." standby (when properly applied) will tire town, Mr. Rural Dweller." As a re- improve system reliability, but we sult, the community antenna TV system must remember that since it is more was born. complex than our old faithful ferro, it Ah, but the viewer was not satis- tion of the viewing public and with pres- is a point of maintenance. Since it is fied. "We want more!" More they got sures mounting from city councils dur- active, it should be monitored like all and more and more. And the city ing the refranchising process, system of the other actives in the system. dweller also was not satisfied. "We reliability was at issue. Previously, if want more too!" they said. Soon 24- there was a picture, there were happy Limitations of hour movies arrived. customers. Not so in our new world of current technology You know the rest of the story. video. The traditional tree-and-branch If we go back far enough we can This race to provide more and more system architecture obviously had an remember the 30 VAC powering tech- also meant the need for more power. ever-increasing potential for disaster nique. But all too soon the system This was to become the hew and cry as one traced your way back toward being required to deliver more was so of the system designer as he attempt- the headend. More and more plant power hungry that 30 VAC was not ed to push more and more signals would be affected by a simple loss of able to push the power through the down the cable. power at a supply close to the point of cable. (The obvious result of loop re- signal origination. The standby was sistance.) The answer was 60 VAC. The ferro born. This was generally still considered Back in the beginning, life was much In its early days, it was a rather low voltage for the sake of the various simpler. The ferro or AC supply, as it is simple straightforward device capable regulatory bodies and would allow for most commonly know, was the all-in-all of delivering an AC powering signal to almost twice the amount of powering for powering the system. Since the ac- the plant actives for a period of time from one location. The future had ar- tives to be powered were dispersed during the loss of utility power (hope- rived but not for long. around the service area, individual pow- fully in excess of the outage). The In the race to outdo ourselves (to ering of each device was impractical. We problem was that the operator gener- provide more as an answer to the cry had a two-conductor cable interconnect- ally did not know when the unit was from our customers for more, more, ing the devices we wished to power any- operating in the standby mode. This more) quickly led us into the same way, why not use it? The power inserter led to the delaying of the inevitable, dead end as before. We are again was born. The AC supply has served our the dreaded outage! Standbys have voltage-limited in traditional systems. industry well. It is rugged, simple, reliable functioned well as bandages for the We have placed more and more ac- and inexpensive. We have used it for the short-term outage. The natural re- tives in the field that are themselves previous reasons but primarily for a rea- sponse for the extended outage was more complex and power hungry. son not generally mentioned. It is a good to ask for more time. So more batter- There seems to be no end in sight. regulator for the most part. We rely on its ies were employed. Lighter loads were The challenge is formidable. ability to regulate the 60 VAC under vary- placed on the supplies. More supplies It also presents a challenge to the ing conditions of line voltage and output were installed because of the reduced passive manufacturers as well. We loading. Since we have essentially acon- individual loads. But still on Super continue to pass power but with ever stant power load, it performs rather well. Bowl Sunday the dreaded outage increasing bandwidths — not an easy would occur (caused by some care- or inexpensive task. We should face The standby less driver "parking" his automobile on the fact that to operate a network of With the ever-increasing sophistica- the utility poll feeding our supply). the future, we will be required to do a

46 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROTECT YOUR SOUND INVESTMENT PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

AUDIO LEVELS •STEREO SEPARATION •STEREO PHASE •SAP

Your customer satisfaction deviation on the TV modulator can •AGC432 -Automatic Gain is important, and more of your be done using the TSD. Control protects from over/under customers are installing high-end •MTS-2B -Stereo generator modulation. stereo N and Home Theater with AGO, dual inputs and It takes the right equipment to Surround Sound Systems.That's frequency response flat to 15 kHz. offer quality audio. With our why Learning Industries offers a Represents the top of the line. excellent performance and full line of high quality BTSC •MTS-2C -AGO, dual inputs unmatched features, Learning is stereo equipment: and frequency response your Sound Investment. Call or •TSD -Television Stereo to 14 kHz. write today for information on our Decoder, for monitoring and •MTS-4 -Dual inputs, 14 kHz full line of audio equipment. maintaining BTSC stereo and frequency response, compact SAP. When connected to design, 3units per 114" rack speakers or headphones, you space. e can listen and visually monitor •SE-1 -14 kHz response and audio levels and separation using 3units per rack space, most eco- LE ANIING INDUSTRIES the TSD's meters. Hooking a nomical stereo generator. scope to the TSD gives acom- •SAP-1/SAP-2 -Second 15339 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92718 (800) 4 -LEAMING Audio Program generator. prehensive view of your audio (714) 727-4144 •FAX (714) 727-3650 signal. Setting the baseband

sun° LAP .2.1 • • • • Les EMMET LO EAMING INDUSTRIES

.24 .31 .111 •1L .12 e

4.122 20.01 SD TV STEREO A SAP DECODER

A RDA IS

t 11 7 L E >40,11E0 1.1 RATIO AMING INDUSTRIES • -24-31 -10-111 -12 -6-6-3 0 .3 142 TEST 26 BTSC STEREO GENERATOR A LEVEL 'Jr e LEVEL PRASE F.VEL

1 SE

Reader Service Number 53. better job of balancing cost against style of powering with the placement hood by neighborhood, to achieve performance, with performance being of hubs in neighborhoods that house some interesting results. the weightier of the two. If we don't fiber to copper mux/demux equip- As previously mentioned, some do this we know who will. ment. This was dictated by the very operators have considered very high situation with which we, the CATV in- operating voltages in a centralized Powering the superhighway dustry, are dealing. We can't power power scheme as a means by which How will we power the information over fiber. The telephone industry to push the power through the cable, superhighway? This is the question liked centralized power since it only regulatory issues aside. Some have of the day. Everything must be re- had to have one power company considered placing a shadow power thought. The overall system design. connection and the batteries could conductor along with the signal deliv- How deep do we take the fiber? What be properly treated to enhance ser- ery cable, be it fiber or coax, to seg- are the type and quality of services to vice life. regate this activity. Some telcos be provided? Will the local regulatory The CATV industry has always uti- have considered using their copper bodies place previously nonapplica- lized distributed power: power sup- plant for part of the power delivery ble requirements on the system if it plies placed every so many miles; mechanism (not unlike what they becomes an essential services batteries spread out over the system have done all along). There is no pipeline? in standby equipment; and multiple one answer yet as we have had in With the merging of two industries, power company connections. We the past. The pool of ideas is being telco and CATV, the past activities in have learned to cope with the situa- stirred by the creative thinkers of our the powering arena do not necessari- tion even though it has not been a industry. The number of well thought ly apply. The telephone industry has perfect world. out options made available from the historically operated a centralized So which topology will win out? It various power equipment vendors power plant. In the central office (CO) most likely will be distributed power. will no doubt make these questions there were numerous banks of batter- This is because the fact that to deliver more tolerable. ies constantly on charge with an ad- the amount of power required to oper- ditional engine-driven generator to ate the networks of tomorrow with the Watts the question! cover even the rare extended outage. centralized approach would require As we see, all bets are off when it This was acceptable until the telco in- lethal operating voltages. This would comes to traditional powering ap- dustry started providing enhanced not be practical. We may see a hybrid proaches. The whole process must services. It has gone to a distributed approach on a small scale, neighbor- now revolve around a new term for

Lack of power protection is areal turn off. Any loss of power can pull the plug on the best of systems. Voltage Control introduced state of the art AC surge suppressors to the CATV industry. You trust us to protect your equipment, now let us keep you turned on with true on-line UPS power.

Nib Power Protection 1-800-693-7270 Voltage Control e Products Systems Inc.

Reader Response Number 49 48 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY our industry as it applies to powering. even a small added load on our sys- way in which they never have before. We need to start thinking in terms of tems will forever mean added operat- We have been able to deliver signal to watts. If we start with watts, we can ing cost. That cost, of course, will a port a: a given cost over time. That divide the system into wattage areas. never cease to increase. day is rapidly going by the wayside. This allows us the ability to decide In discussions with various manu- Our power demands will become as operating voltages, conductor sizes facturers of terminal devices that pro- dynamic as our customer base. After and amount of battery plant needed vide telephone service over the cable, all, power is power. (all in a manner previous methods did the power consumption of the devices It is obvious that we need to con- not allow). range from 6 to 9 watts. Let's assume sider the powering question at the out- Take for example a typical 500- that we provide 50% of our previous set rather than relegating it to the last mile plant. At an estimated 3.4 miles example service area with this option. decision as we have done in the past. of plant for each power supply and If we assume 100 homes per mile of We have to design a powering with a typical loading average of 9 plant, that means that we would be scheme and plant first. Only then can amps, the total wattage consumed all providing 2,500 pieces of additional we overlay any one of several signal day, every day, 365 days a year will equipment that will need power. The delivery systems. There are some be 79,411 watts. This is the way you consensus of opinion at this point is very interesting methods of delivering should discuss your power consump- that the operator will be responsible service being discussed in today's tion issues with your local power for the powering of this device since market. However, when it comes to company. You may find the discus- that stage has been set by the telco discussing how to power those meth- sion to go much easier if you take tradition. ods, one is generally met with blank this approach. With 2,500 added devices with a stares. it is the opinion of this writer If we take our loading up only 0.5 demand of 6 watts minimum, that that the real challenge is in "powering" amp, 30 watts, per supply what effect translates into a total of 15,000 watts the network, not necessarily "operat- will that have? That is an additional or nearly a 20% increase in power re- ing" it. 4,410 watts. At an average cost for quired. This is power that we must There are new and exciting devel- power of 6 cents per kilowatt hour, plan for at the beginning. We must opments looming on the horizon. The the previous 79,411 watts would cost consider this impact up front as we question is which ones will steer the $41,150 per year. Our increased load design and allow for this potential ex- market? The answer will affect the way results in an added cost of $2,286. pansion. Expected penetration figures we build our systems to achieve the We can see by these examples that must be brought into the equation in a revenue and reliability we require. CT

"I'VE GOT AN ATTITUDE ABOUT EQUIPMENT REPAIR!"

—Wendell Wilkins, National Accounts Manager

"Whatever it takes to get the job done right" is the attitude you can count Ore Rick Elmore was a very busy man when Wendell stopped by one hot summer afternoon. A tornado had put Rick's crew behind schedule, so Wendell decided to jump in to help them out. It's that "whatever it takes" attitude that sets people like Wendell apart. You'll find every employee at Sawtre Electronics, from our professional sales staff and skilled bench technicians to the cheerful voice you hear in customer service, share this same attitude. We want to take care of your equipment repair needs both now and into the future, even if that means rolling up our sleeves and getting a little sweaty! Your satisfaction is our number one priority. So, the next time you need a helping hand with headend, line or test equipment repair as well as Videocipher® repair, please give us a call at 1-800-749-5452. You'll get better service because we've got a better attitude. Sawtre Electronics. The company with the attitude you'll like.

rSAWTRE Ft Fc-FRnNInn I4230 Rosehill, Suite L-5 Phone: (214) 240-5452 Garland, Texas 75043 Fax: (214) 303-0527

Reader Response Number 50

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 1994 49 When is aUPS not aUPS?

By Jud Williams Owner, Performance Cable TV Products True on-line UPS

able TV is taking on an entirely To the new perspective because of the cable Crapid growth of fiber optics and the opportunities this technology of- ./\ fers. The old claim that fiber was too costly has surely fallen by the wayside. In fact, a cable system can't af- AC to DC Inverter ford not to take advantage of this fan- converter Power Battery 24 VDC in 120 VAC in inserter tastic medium. Many cable plants are 60 VAC out ,M•1 24 VDC out evolving into hybrid systems since Utility both fiber and coaxial technology are power being used. Basically, it results in mixing the old with the new. Present- sistors alternately turning on in such a "A true on-line UPS ly, fiber-to-the-node is a popular ar- way that they draw current through chitecture as well as the use of fiber one-half of the primary of a trans- has no transfer to eliminate multiple headends. former winding, then switching to the relay as do standby The purpose of this article is to ex- other half so that a square wave is power supplies amine how power supplies fit into produced on the secondary of the fiber technology and to discuss some transformer. Various pulse-generating because regardless of the pitfalls that may be encoun- circuits assure that the multivibrator of the speed of the tered in the future. continues to oscillate. These inverters transfer, there is al- The power supplies Iwill be dis- generally operate from 24 VDC. cussing are the ones that produce the A second type of inverter uses a ways the possibility nominal 60 VAC that powers the pulse-forming circuit often located on of relay bounce." cable plant. We should all know that a logic board to drive the output tran- cable TV operates on 60 V RMS (root sistors so that they turn on and off in cause regardless of the speed of the mean square) rather than 120 V, unison. This also results in a square transfer, there is always the possibili- mainly because of safety reasons. waveform. Since this is a less effi- ty of relay bounce. In fact, all relays This 120 VAC can be lethal so it is cient type of inverter, it is usually bounce upon closure because of the stepped down to a safer 60 V by use powered by 36 VDC. Some versions length and springiness of their arma- of a ferroresonant transformer. The of this configuration operate through a tures. Also, with continued use, relay ferroresonant was selected (wisely I ferroresonant transformer that con- contacts tend to become contaminat- might add) because it effectively reg- sumes some additional power but re- ed by erosion and oxidation so that ulates, conditions and suppresses, sults in tighter regulation. their effectiveness and reliability is giving the cable system a nice clean, compromised over time. noise-free voltage to operate from. By UPSs The consequence of a bouncing the way, a modern ferroresonant The power supplies described thus relay contact is the possibility of gen- transformer does not normally pro- far are strictly "standby inverters." erating inductive spikes that may be- duce a quasi square wave as is often There is yet another type of power come a form of digital intrusion. Be- suggested, particularly when operat- supply that is used as a backup, par- cause the cable shares its conductor ing from the 120 V utility. It actually ticularly when digital information is in- with both signal and power, it is easy approaches a sine wave except when volved. As you can imagine, digital to see how one may affect the other there is no load on it. signals can be quite sensitive to particularly when digital information is spikes and noise when introduced present. Standby inverters into their signal path. This so-called It is fair to say though that when Backup and standby power sup- "digital intrusion" can be quite de- playing the numbers game of proba- plies (the proper name is "inverter") structive to a chain of binary pulses. bility, such an occurrence may not be do in fact generate square waves, so For this reason, the computer world an issue with present state-of-the-art a cable system is actually subjected uses the un interruptible power supply, cable TV. But looking into the future to two different wave shapes. The two commonly called a UPS. when interactive cable is widespread, most popular square wave producing As the name infers, the power sup- the problems may be different. standby power supply configurations ply produces continuous clean power As a guard against such an even- are the multivibrator and the driven even if the utility power line goes on tuality there is a type of UPS that op- types. and off, or fluctuates, producing erates on a double conversion basis. The multivibrator is by far the most surges, sags, transients and noise. A Simply stated, the configuration func- efficient and operates on the principle true on-line UPS has no transfer relay of two opposing pairs of power tran- as do standby power supplies be- (Continued on page 98) 50 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TODO UN MUNDO EN EQUIPOS DE CABECERA

Hecho en los Estados Unidos de acuerdo a especificaciones internacionales.

MODULADORES, DEMODULADORES Y PROCESADORES EN SISTEMAS NTSC 0 PAL

• _ •

1* '

«Ax• • •

• • • • •IIII• • e

tAx• •

chx•

. • • sAx•

Jam

• MODULADORES DE CANAL FIJO 0 VARIABLE HASTA 550 MHZ • PROCESADORES CON FRECUENCIA DE ENTRADA HAST4 860 MHZ • SUMADORES ACTIVOS 0 PASIVOS DE 24 ENTRADAS.

CADCO COMUNICACIONES EN BANDA ANCHA

En USA Representante en Sudamerica General Cable S.A. 2405 S. Shiloh Road Florida 274 5" Piso of 51 Garland, Texas 75041 (1005) Buenos Aires — Argentina Te: 214 271 3654 Te (54 1) 326 6180 FAX 214 271 3651 FAX (54-1) 326 5922

Reader Service Number 40 The road to ATV: A progress report

CableLabs has had an office at the systems or partial systems were sub- was created to perform the subjective Advanced Television Test Center in mitted in response to the initial re- evaluations of high definition video. It Alexandria, VA, since early 1990. Ca- quest. The proposals were reviewed, was sponsored by the Department of bleLabs is committed to testing all some accepted for further develop- Communications, Communications proposed high definition TV (HDTV) ment (precertified), while others were Research Centre, Tektronix Canada, systems in a cable TV environment. rejected. All of the proposals utilized Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Leitch The author of this article is CableLabs some form of analog transmission. International, Rogers Engineering, director of advanced TV testing at the The development of ATV systems Telesat Canada and Advanced Broad- ATTC facility. What follows is a review was pushing the state-of-the-art in casting Systems of Canada. of the history and present status of the technology. In order to allow propos- search for an advanced TV (ATV) als incorporating new (possibly superi- Systems to be tested standard. or) technology, June 1, 1990, was set Five ATV systems were accepted, as the date by which a system had to tested and evaluated for consideration By Brian James be precertified to be considered for as the U.S. ATV standard. Director of Advanced Television Testing Cable Television Laboratories testing. Just before the June 1 dead- 1) NHK, which developed the origi- line, General Instrument Corp.'s nal 1,125-line high definition studio TV refers to any system for dis- VideoCipher Division submitted a pro- system, proposed an analog transmis- tributing video and audio proposal for an ATV system using a digi- sion 1,125-line, interlaced system. Agramming that results in im- tal transmission system. The other The four digital transmission sys- proved quality when compared to proponents were given an opportunity tems, in the order in which they were NTSC (National Television System to rethink their proposals to determine tested, were: Committee). An ATV system could be if they wanted to convert to digital 2) The American Television Al- a marginal improvement to the exist- transmission technique. Three of the liance (General Instrument and MIT) ing NTSC service or could be a com- proponents modified their proposals to DigiCipher system, which used a 32 pletely new system with much higher include digital transmission tech- QAM mode to transport a 1,050-line, quality, different aspect ratio and niques. interlaced signal. scanning parameters, and improved 3) The Zenith/AT&T Digital Spec- audio quality. Test procedures trum Compatible-HDTV (DSC-HDTV) HDTV is a subset of ATV and The test procedures developed by system used a 2/4 VSB modulation refers to a system capable of deliver- the committee called for general ob- technique to transport a 787/788-line, ing a much improved quality picture. jective tests, terrestrial and cable spe- progressively scanned signal. The general goal of a high definition cific transmission tests, plus subjec- 4) The Advanced Television Re- signal is to provide about twice the tive tests. Two laboratories were search Consortium (NBC, North horizontal and vertical resolution of formed to perform some portions of American Philips, David Sarnoff Re- NTSC receivers, and improved audio the tests with CableLabs to perform search Center, Thomson Consumer quality. The picture and sound quality the cable-specific portions. One labo- Electronics and Compression Labs) should approach those of a 35mm film ratory, the Advanced Television Test Advanced Digital-HDTV (AD-HDTV) presentation. Center (ATTC), was created to per- system used two separate 32 QAM form the objective and terrestrial por- channels to transport a 1,050-line, in- The role of the FCC tion of the tests plus collect expert terlaced signal. The Federal Communications Com- viewer observations and commentary. 5) The American Television Al- mission began the process of select- ATTC was sponsored by broadcasting liance Channel Compatible DigiCipher ing an ATV system with the appoint- companies and industry organizations (CCDC) system used a 32 QAM mode ment of the Advisory Committee on including Capital Cities/ABC, CBS, to transport a 787/788-line, progres- Advanced Television Service under NBC, PBS, Association of Indepen- sively scanned signal. the chairmanship of Richard Wiley. dent Television Stations, Association Three subcommittees (Planning, Sys- for Maximum Service Television, Elec- The aspect ratio of all systems was tem and Implementation) were tronics Industries Association and Na- 16:9 and the channel bandwidth was 6 charged with developing necessary at- tional Association of Broadcasters. MHz. tributes for the ATV system, testing CableLabs entered into a contract with The system testing began on July the proposed systems to determine the ATTC to perform the cable portion 12, 1991, and was completed on Nov. whether they met the requirements, of the tests at the same location as 12, 1992. Reports of tests were pre- and developing scenarios for the intro- the terrestrial tests. pared by the testing laboratories, then duction of ATV. Interested parties The other laboratory, the Advanced reviewed and analyzed by System were asked to submit proposals for Television Evaluation Laboratory, lo- Subcommittee/Working Party 4 (SS/ ATV systems. Over 20 proposals for cated just outside Ottawa, Ontario, WP-4), the working party on system

52 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY NTSC/PA Switch Hitters

Model 5212 NTSC/PAL Vectorscope Model 5222 NTSC/PAL Waveform Monitor

At home in both worlds, Leader's new Model with digital on-screen readout. X-Y (Lissajous) 5212 Vectorscope and Model 5222 Waveform display of stereo audio is also provided. Monitor fill the monitoring needs of facilities that The waveform monitor, Model 5222, features operate in both NTSC and PAL television sys- eight channel operation. Picture display is includ- tems. Switch-hitting is automatic, and system ed. Line select operation offers readout in both flexibility is extended by universal power supplies NTSC or PAL (SECAM Ill) notation. Selected that accept power sources from 90 to 250 Vac, line(s) are highlighted in the picture display and 48 to 440 Hz and 11 to 20 Vdc as an option. in the combined 1V/1H display. Cursor measure- Both units are microprocessor controlled. This ments apply to both time and level and provide translates into a wide range of system tailoring to 0.5% accuracy. fit individual needs, while keeping front panel White phosphor CRTs are options for both units. controls simple and familiar. The vectorscope, Model 5212, features three Call toll-free channel operation with overlay display of the 1 800 645-5104 three signals. Automatic phase-set places burst from the selected reference precisely on the -(B- In NY State Y) axis, and this includes an external reference. Phase accuracy is ±1°, and a digital readout 516 231-6900 shows the phase of selected vectors with respect to the burst reference. A simple method of mea- LEADER suring differential phase and gain is provided, FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Leader Instruments Corporation, 380 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, New York 11788 Regional Offices: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta. In Canada call Omnitronix Ltd., 416 828-6221

Reader Service Number 47 standards that reports to the FCC Ad- "The final decision, pixels for the progressive format and visory Committee. rectangular pixels for the interlaced while it may not hap- format. Final report pen until some time The video compression would SS/WP-4 was responsible for the in 1995, will be well have substantial commonality with review of the test results and the draft- MPEG-2, but with additional ele- ing of the final report of the Advisory worth the effort and ments that represent innovative con- Committee. Some members at the delays." tributions from each of the previous meetings expressed concern that at- systems. A system would use a pack- tendance at the meetings was open to etized, prioritized, data format to pro- everyone. This admitted the possibility vide flexibility of services and exten- that various interests could fill a meet- sibility. ing with their representatives and systems be retested after the improve- Areas of the Grand Alliance sys- make it difficult to obtain a decision ments approved by its Technical Sub- tem needing to be finalized included based only on technical merit. To ad- group were incorporated. the audio system and the transmis- dress this concern, a "Special Panel" sion system. The audio system was was appointed by the Advisory Com- The Grand Alliance to be selected from three proposals: mittee to review the results of the lab- The Advisory Committee met on The Dolby AC-3 system; multichan- oratories, to consider contributions Feb. 24, 1993, and adopted the report nel MUSICAM; and MIT-AC audio and analysis of the various working and recommendations of the Special systems. The transmission system is parties, and to determine ability of Panel. The retests were scheduled to to be one of QAM, spectrally shaped proponent systems to meet require- begin in the spring of 1993. The chair- QAM, 6 VSB (with trellis code) or 4 ments of the selection criteria and to man of the Advisory Committee, VSB. prepare a report for the Advisory Richard Wiley, urged the proponents The Technical Subgroup of the Committee. The Technical Subgroup to join together in a "Grand Alliance" Advisory Committee met in August to of the Special Panel was formed to re- that would combine the best technical review the alliance's progress in de- view proposed improvements to the aspects of each system into one opti- termining the specific subsystems to ATV systems to determine if the im- mal system. A side benefit of this ap- be used in the final system and to provements were feasible and desir- proach would be the elimination of po- set tentative dates for decisions on able. These improvements would be tential lawsuits by the losing propo- various parts of the system. Rather considered in the recommendation for nents. On May 24, 1993, the Advisory than approve all aspects of the sys- the final report. Committee produced a press release tem, it was decided that (as the al- The panel met on Feb. 8-11, 1993, announcing the formation of a Grand liance determined which subsystem to review the data and prepare the re- Alliance of the entities sponsoring the it wanted to adopt) the Technical port. It determined that the four digital four remaining digital ATC systems. Subgroup would review the decision systems exhibited substantial trans- The entities (AT&T, the David Sarnoff process and either approve the pro- mission performance over the Nar- Research Center, General Instrument, posal or recommend an alternative. row-MUSE (NHK) transmission sys- Massachusetts Institute of Technolo- That procedure would allow the indi- tem and further determined that the gy, North American Philips, Thomson vidual development of the various Narrow-MUSE system would not Consumer Electronics and Zenith subgroups as they were approved prove to be a suitable terrestrial Electronics) had reached a business rather than waiting for all subgroups broadcasting ATV system for the and technical agreement to produce a to be specified. The dates for the United States. The panel recommend- merged system proposal. The ATVA final decisions were: audio system ed that the Narrow-MUSE system be progressive system, which was the Aug. 31, scanning formats Sept. 14, dropped from consideration due to its first improved system to be tested, compression system Sept. 30, and poor performance in the terrestrial had arrived at the test center but the transmission system Nov. 30. The transmission tests. tests had not yet started. The testing transmission system was to be test- The panel determined that there was put on hold pending development ed at the ATTC in January and the were no significant cost differences of the alliance system. The Special tests of the complete system were to among the proposed systems. All sys- Panel Technical Subgroup was begin in June 1994. Field tests would tems had proposed improvements to charged with reviewing the alliance follow the laboratory tests and the their transmission systems and the proposal and certifying the proposed final reports of all tests was to be panel found that incorporation of the system. completed by the end of the year. improvements in time for field testing The Grand Alliance members pre- could lead to improved spectrum uti- sented their proposed system to the Possible delays lization and increased robustness be- Technical Subgroup in June 1993. The Technical Subgroup met on yond that found during the first tests. This system appeared to include all of Oct. 21 to review the progress of the The all-digital approach was expected the original proposals with specific Grand Alliance and to consider ap- to provide excellent quality pictures subsystems to be decided in the fu- proving its decisions. The alliance and audio once the proposed improve- ture. The highlights of the proposed announced that the Dolby AC-3 audio ments were incorporated, and was de- system included flexible picture for- system was adopted. At the encour- termined to be desirable for extensibili- mats with header/descriptor approach agement of the subgroup, the alty and interoperability. The panel fur- allowing both progressive and inter- ther recommended that the four digital laced raster forms including square (Continued on page 98)

54 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Times Fiber is not your average hole in the wall company.

If you're like many cable systems, you're paying way too much for cable. Too much in rebuilds because of moisture and corrosion damage. Too much in truck rolls because of cold weather conductor pullouts. Too much in upgrades because the bandwidth couldn't live up to the demand. Too bad. Because it doesn't cost any more to specify 1 GHz bandwidth, triple-bonded Times Fiber trunk and feeder cable up front. And then reap the rewards of superior cable technology all the way down the line. Call 1(800) 677-CATV.

Times Fiber Communications, Inc. Divisional Am phenol Corporation

C 358 Hall Avenue •P.O. Box 384 •Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 265-8500 FAX (203) 265-8422 1-800-677-CATV (USA Only)

Reader Service Number 43. DirecTv: Creating a digital entertainment system

The following is updated from an article vice, something new was coming to subsidiary will operate both birds. that ran in the October 1993 issue of fruition: a digital, satellite-based enter- With one satellite up and the other "Via Satellite" and is by a freelance tainment system that many feel can being readied for launch, and a variety writer based in Roswell, GA. give cable TV a run for the money. of programmers agreeing to be on its DirecTv will command 11 transpon- service, DirecTv is getting ready to sell By Karen JP Howes ders on DBS 1; Hubbard Broadcast- the concept of DBS to U.S. viewers on ing's United States Satellite Broad- awidescale basis. hen Hughes Communications casting, which is marketing its own Inc.'s DirecTv launched an DBS service, owns the other five. A The digital satellite system W HS 601 satellite into the second spacecraft, scheduled for The Digital Satellite System receiv- 101°W orbital slot this past Dec. 17 for launch in the middle of this year, will er, developed by Thomson/RCA, is its direct broadcast satellite (DBS) ser- be owned by DirecTv. The Hughes only one aspect of the digital technolo-

Videocrypt's conditional access system

or he DSS receiver manufactured by Thomson Consumer subscription TV venues throughout the world. While Electronics for DirecTv incorporates a Videocrypt de- Videocrypt is characterized as aconventional decoder, all of coder within each unit. Videocrypt is the conditional access its proprietary authorization secrets do not exist within the system developed by News Datacom and used in numerous decoder itself. The addressability, tiering and billing features

The Videocrypt system

Transmission Reception

Customer service

Authorization center

Blacklist Security database Subscriber computer Receiver management system yir Scrambled video Scheduling computer + data packets Video + OSD Security Decoder encoder computer

Data Seed + info

oxcee Scrambling Smart seed and card data packets Scrambled video + data packets

Out Ground station

56 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY BOTTOM LINE CONTE C Converter Service Makes You Money...

Let's face the facts... the lonçer acable converter provides uninterrupted service to your subscriber.., the more money you make.Breakdowns mean customers complain, trucks roll, and time evaporates... sound familiar?

At CONTEC, we specialize in building ".3trategic service partnerships" with cable operators... NATIONWIDE.

By exceeding OEM standards, our quality repEirs withstand the test of time... and so do our business relationships.

CONTEC LEADERSHIP PROVIDES:

Computen i ed tracking of repairs by serial nJrnber. D Experiencad, factory trained technicians III Stringent quality control procedures D Security clearance of each shipment LII Efficient customer service Fast turnaround and delivery

BOTTOM LINE, CONTEC service centers all work in harmony to keep your converters where they Del ong ... in subscriber homes... And, that makes you money!

CALL TODAY 1-800-382-2723

* CONTEC's Jerrold compatible replacement remote control units.

TM BBB IM 11M ffl BIM NIMB BBB MI IMIMB 1 1MM •fflimimine "BM IMIMBP'' \MIMI

THE LEADER IN CONVERTER TECHNOLOGY +

1023 State Street, P.O. Box 739, Schenectady, NY 12301-0739 Phone: (518)382-8000, FAX: (518)382-8452

Reader Service Number 52. gy employed in the DirecTv project. ate a sophisticated electronic program communicate with a VCR, provide for- This receiver is expected to be one of guide, deliver CD-quality audio and ward error correction, receive and de- the most powerful products in the con- laserdisc-quality video, process com- compress information sent via satellite, sumer electronics industry. plex authorization and security control convert from digital to analog, and Chips inside the RCA unit have 10 data, store pay-per-view (PPV) selec- even provide the local time. The receiv- times the power of a personal comput- tions and viewing habits, receive and er also will be able to produce a crys- er. The RCA box will be able to gener- send data through the telephone line, tal-clear, 16:9 aspect-ratio picture on

are housed within individual smart cards. It is these smart data that combine program identification and scheduling cards that provide the personalized authorization functions information with a random number. The packets of data and mark the only point through which pirates could circum- are fed to the smart card, which processes the information vent the security of the system. through a secret algorithm to produce a seed for a pseudo To the credit of News Datacom, should a break in the random bit sequencer (PRBS). This process produces a system occur, it is less costly and much less cumbersome string of 8-bit numbers, which determine the cut point for to replace a $10 smart card than a $250 decoder. Another each line. The packets of information fed to the card also benefit of removing the secrets from the box is that every are transmitted over the air. There are no secrets in this in- decoder is identical and capable of being manufactured by formation. The decoder extracts these data packets and any manufacturer as is every other mass marketed con- feeds them to the smart card in the decoder, which consumer electronics product. There can be multiple and com- tains the same algorithms as the smart card in the en- peting vendors supplying the decoder without incurring any coder. The same seed is therefore produced and a similar risk of compromise. Only News Datacom provides the PRBS reproduces the same cut points, allowing the de- smart card, however. coder to cut the lines in the same place as the encoder Note the accompanying figure on page 56. The and reconstitute the picture. Videocrypt encoder is based on a cut and rotate method of According to News Datacom, the data transmitted over- scrambling. According to Dr. Doy Rubin, technical director the-air is not secret and changes every few seconds. It is for the Israel-based News Datacom, the encoder selects the combination of the data and the information in the cards lines at random points within the TV picture at the exact mo- that provides the decoding information. As a result and un- ment of transmission. The lines are reversed and broadcast like other encryption systems, no keys are transmitted over so the picture is unintelligible. The specific location of the the air in the clear. Imperative to the security of the system encoder's cut points is proprietary and critical to the security is that the starting number is "hidden" from view. of the unit. As such, the Videocrypt system employs "special In essence, the Videocrypt smart card is an active techniques" to disguise the cut points. security device. It is not something that passively holds The location of the cut points is fed into the system keys. The purpose of the Videocrypt smart card is in- through the security encoder computer by way of a card trinsically tied to the process of authorization. There- reader and smart card. This PC also accepts input from the fore when the smart card is changed and replaced by a security data base computer that acts as an interface to the programmer for any reason, including a break in the subscriber management system and the program schedul- security of the system, the entire decryption/authoriza- ing system. tion process may be redesigned and reissued without The security encoder computer generates packets of affecting the utilization of the decoder.

Get aFree Fashion Tie With Every Order of Tyton Ties From TVC. Tyton Cable Ties may never tie together afashion ensemble, but they'll do an outstanding job tying together your cable. They're dependable, easy to use and reasonably priced—just like TVC. With offices nationwide, TVC is always as close as your phone. TVC has grown to be one of the biggest cable supply companies in the U.S. by delivering the best cable equipment, at affordable prices, when you need it. And by the way, Tyton Cable Ties look great with Western-cut leisure suits.

Quality Cable Products Since 1952 Tyton neINCORPORATED Northeast: Hershey, PA (717) 533-4982 1-800-233-2147 West: San Clemente, CA (714) 361.2011 1-800-755-1415 Southwest: Houston, TX (713) 956-2984 1-800-346-3759 Southeast: Sarasota, FL (813) 371-3444 1.800-245-4423 Corporate Office 1746 E Chocolate Avenue Hershey, PA 17033

Reader Response Number 54 No matter what the test, 3M has the answer.

Photodyne .' 5300 Series OTDR 3M1 ID 21.795 1. IA3E11 OFF 14.1 1.6446 km 181 41.400 km File lieldirldta Soisce NDHan:Ware Thu Sep I? 1111:01 1942 Marge eulse Width fiber (1)rmdem &or div. (Wer avq. (Dien

fleker A-Ft Distarce 317% km 2at Lass 15.06 c113 Loss/Untt 0.38 dBfkm

lite sulknenti. Hit (Esc) tO reurn to the Main livret.

II 12 I[ 13 It, 14 it 15 I F6 I 17 18 KU LOAD SOW DELETE PIDiAME FILE FILE FILE FILE

3M has everything you need to test your fiber wavelength multimode, or both in one system. The network, including aPC-based OTDR. Photodyne 5300 Series OTDR is easy to operate In addition to fiber identifiers, fault finders, power due to its graphic display, and fiber measurements meters, test sets, attenuators and light sources, 3M are automatic. The 5300 Series combines high now offers the Photodyne" 5300 Series, cost- resoltuion and long haul capabilities into one effective PC-based OTDRs that are perfect for system. It is user-programmable, RS232-controllable, telecommunications, LAN and CATV applications. and mass trace file printing is possible using most 3M offers aboard and software that can be standard printers. easily loaded onto your existing AT-compatible PC For more information about the 5300 Series (laptop or desktop), as well as acomplete PC- PC-based OTDR or other Photodyne test based OTDR system. You have the option of dual equipment, call the 3M Telecom Systems Division at wavelength single mode, dual 800 745 7459 or FAX 512 984 5811. 3FA

"Photodyne" is atrademark of 3144. 03N1 1994. 3M Innovation

Reader Service Number 17 Reader Response Number 55 "With the launch of New Technology Update DirecTv, the United Tempo to States is being fur- buy DBS ther immersed in the digital world. Con- satellites sumers will be able from Space to purchase DSS Systems/ equipment at the Loral BACKREFLECTION same outlets where telephones and TV pace Systems/Loral was In Fixed and Variable Fiber Optic sets are sold." Sawarded a contract for over Attenuators $400 million from Tempo, a subsidiary of Tele -Communications Inc., to build two high-powered direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast an RCA or Philips widescreen TV set. TV satellites. In fact, everything about the in- Under the terms of the Tempo home DSS receiver is unique. It is high contract, which results from a re- definition TV (HDTV)-upgradeable, structured arrangement between and its price is relatively low compared Space Systems/Loral and to the $325 that a satellite receiver Tempo, SS/L will deliver the two manufacturer has to pay for an analog System architecture has just satellites in orbit in June and Oc- decoder module used in a typical changed. Now, for the first time tober 1996. SS/L will provide for TVRO system. low backreflection attenuators can risk management and the probe used in the headend. No longer curement of launch services. The broadcast center do fiber optic systems have to be The satellites will provide DTH Activated, operated, monitored and TV service to customers in the adjusted from the top of a bucket controlled by bitstreams, DirecTv will be United States. The spacecrafts truck at the receiver. more than the first high-powered U.S. will be designed to use digitized DBS TV service. One key aspect of Di- Tune your system for maximum per- and compressed video signals to recTv's infrastructure is the 55,000 provide a tenfold increase in the formance with our variable square foot operations center in Castle number of channels. attenuator...then install the fixed Rock, CO. The $100 million to $120 mil- Each Tempo satellite will carry attenuator with the correct value. lion facility is designed to transmit 150 32 high-powered 107 watt channels of programming to 16 . Available in 1.0dB steps transponders, switchable to 16 transponders on each of the two DBS transponders at 200 watts. The . —70dB backreflection at both birds to be collocated at 101°W. bus design is based on SS/L's FS 1300nm and 1550 nm Sony is providing 300 digital dubbing 1300 platform, used for the Su- machines, 50 digital robotic playback . Bare fiber or preterminated perbird, NStar and Intelsat 7 se- systems, various signal routing periph- ries of communications satellites. . One piece price...under $100 erals, and a broadcast automation and (for fixed) media management system that automatically loads and unloads tapes, in- Check Out These Other used for DirecTv carry 120 watt serts advertisements, routes signals transponders, capable of being dou- Quality Products From Radiant throughout the center, and tracks the bled to 240 watts for future high-ratio . Super PC & APC (angle polish) tapes housed in DirecTv's media library. compression applications. Switching to assemblies By using automation, DirecTv has a 240 watt power level allows the use . Fiber Optic Patch & Splice been able to cut its personnel require- of smaller receive antennas or the Centers ments by 75%. According to David Bay- transmission of compressed HDTV. By lor, vice president of operations for Di- comparison, NCI's Galaxy IV and . Outdoor Splice Boxes recTv, the company would have needed Galaxy VII spacecrafts carry 50 watt a staff of 600 to catalog, monitor and transponders; Primestar, which beams For more information and prices, contact : play all of the programming needed to entertainment programming to viewers fill 150 channels. With state-of-the-art via GE Americom's Satcom K1, uses COMMUNICATIONSRADIANT equipment, Baylor continues, DirecTv 45 watt transponders. , •CORP. r will only have to hire 150 people to Hughes Space and Communica- Where Innovation and Quality Come Together cover three shifts, 24 hours a day, tions customized the HS 601 for Di- seven days aweek. recTv's direct-to-home (DTH) applica- 1-800-WOW-FIBR In NJ (908)757-7444 • FAX: (908)757-8666 tion. Shaped reflector technology and P.O. Box 867 . South Plainfield, NJ 07080 U.S.A. The DBS satellite custom-designed traveling wave tubes The DBS 1 and 2 satellites being were developed, so receive antennas 60 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Quarterly Monitoring

Logging

Transcribing

Work Order Creation

Prioritizing

Locating

Rideout Quality Assurance

•

Repair Quality Control

•

Archiving

•

Recall

Proof

4411. Quarterly Comparison Trying to -rriNke sense of the leakage monitoring program every 90 days is like trying to drink from a fire hose. If the pressure doesn't overwhelm you, the volume will. Time Management. Heard New insights for better, faster decisions. New ways to Enough? use information to slash waste, to directly impact the bottom line_

CLT Now TRILITHIC eüicTiëüs i atible Cable Leakage Technologies 1111 International Pkwy., #110 Richardson, TX 75081 800-783-8878 214-907-8100

Reader Service Number 56 See us at the Texas Show, Booth #613 DirecTv at a glance

law° DBS birds collocated at 101°W will provide Hughes Turner Network Television, USA Network and The Communication Inc.'s DirecTv and Hubbard Broad- Weather Channel. casting's USSB with a total of 200 programming channels. • Movies: Pay-per-view movies will comprise 50-60 HCI will take 11 transponders (or 50-60 channels) on the channels, with charges ranging from $1-$4. Popular hits satellite that was launched Dec. 17, 1993, onboard an Ari- will be broadcast every 30 minutes. Viewers will be able ane rocket, leaving USSB with five transponders. On the to purchase a film on impulse by selecting a title from second satellite, scheduled for a mid-year launch by Ari- the on-screen program guide or from a preview channel anespace, DirecTv will acquire 100 channels. DirecTv's showing trailers of the movie. Hollywood studios that 150-channel lineup consists of the following categories of have signed agreements with DirecTv include programming: Columbia/TriStar, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Turner/MGM and Universal Studios. • Cable networks: Up to 40 channels will be devoted to •Sports: Sporting events will fill up to 30 channels. How- premium and basic cable networks. Programmers that ever, at press time, DirecTv had not signed agreements have signed on with DirecTv include The Cartoon Network, with any programmer or producer for this genre. CNN, CNN International, Courtroom Television Network, • Special interest This category, which will include cul- Country Music Television, The Family Channel, The Golf tural, international and educational programs, will fill the Channel, Headline News, The Learning Channel, The remaining 30-40 channels. Nashville Network, Playboy TV, The Sci-Fi Channel, TBS • New programming services: Newsworld International SuperStation, The Travel Channel, Turner Classic Movies, and Northstar.

could be a uniform 18 inches. "In our beam-forming networks onboard mili- same outlets where telephones and TV original model," says Tom Bracken, Di- tary satellites, however, the power lev- sets are sold. Yet while the sophistica- recTv spokesman, "the size of the dish els for DBS 1and 2 are set during con- tion and affordable cost of the technol- would have varied depending on where struction and cannot be redirected in ogy is crucial to the success of Di- a customer lived." orbit. Hughes is using circular polariza- recTv, the project's viability has rested The birds carry 32 traveling wave tion to allow more efficient reuse of the on the support of a handful of TV pro- tubes that are paired and connected to frequencies and easier in-home instal- grammers and Hollywood studios. electronic power conditioners (16 are lation for consumers. With circular po- For that reason, five years ago Di- used as backups). The output signal is larization, the tuning of the receiving recTv would not have succeeded. The circularly polarized and beamed to the dish does not have to be as precise. political atmosphere was not conducive earth through a single feedhorn for to the creation of a TV subscription ser- each shaped reflector. With the shaped The programming vice designed to compete with U.S. reflectors, the satellite can boost power With the launch of DirecTv, the Unit- cable system operators. Hughes began to the southeast and other regions ed States is being further immersed in its quest to develop a DBS business in where rain fade would typically require the digital world. Consumers will be 1985. "We started when we were first a larger antenna. Unlike the intelligent able to purchase DSS equipment at the given a DBS slot," Bracken reminisces,

In the year 2000, what type of terminal enclosure will be protecting your connections? For longevity, flexibility and economy, look to CableTek for your current and future needs.

1150 Taylor Street •Elyria, Ohio 44035 (216) 365-3889 Toll-free 800-562-9378 Fax (216) 322-0321 palfekli WIRING PRODUCTS

Reader Response Number 57

62 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY • Signal Level Meter e Leakage Detector Tricorder Data Logger From Trilithic

It's all in the palm of your hand.

Equip your CATV technicians with the new Tricorder — aconvenient, hand-held instrument weighing less than three pounds taw but packing three big functions -at aprice competitive with instruments that only measure signal levels.

Signal Level Meter -Tune from 5to 1000MHz with aspin of the digital tuning knob. Choose IRC, HRC, NCTA and UHF channel plans, or tune through 10 channels you program in the Tricorder's memory. Leakage Detector -Switch to this mode and verify installed connections are leakage-free. Slip the Tricorder into the optional vehicle mount and survey your system while travelling between jobs. Data Logger -Automatically record the level of every picture and sound carrier on the system at dozens of sites, then download the data to aprinter or PC for apermanent record. FCC 24-Hour Test -The Tricorder measures and stores the level of every carrier, at user-settable intervals, for up to 30 hours, on internal power — automatically and unattended. When the test is done, download data to aPC or printer for apermanent record.

...all this functionality in the palm of your hand. Call us today for the full story on the new Tricorder, from Trilithic. 111 TRILITHIC 9202 E. 33rd St. Indianapolis, IN 46226 317-895-3600 800-344-2412 FAX: 317-895-3613

Reader Response Number 45 Reader Response Number 58 "but we could not put the business to- "Having overcome 41) gether. It was not until 1990 that it began to make sense." two significant hur- "The technology wasn't available," dles — developing a explains Jim Ramo, senior vice presi- digital, satellite- dent for DirecTv. "The ability to provide strong competition to cable was not based distribution there. The ability to have government system and signing step in was not there. In short, the capability for the business was not there." on programmers So, following a failed DBS venture, DirecTv faces per- dubbed Sky Cable, DirecTv was haps its biggest ob- Who has the formed as a Hughes-owned subsidiary. Sky Cable's partners had been NBC, stacle to success: lowest noise Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd. and selling the concept Continental Cablevision. of DBS to the public." The challenges appeared formidable. figure AML DirecTv had to develop a DBS service that would compete with the en- microwave trenched cable system operators and buy cable programming. The company had to design a digital transmission After making a pact with the NRTC, receiver and receive system. Satellite earth sta- in which the rural cooperative promised tions had to be mass marketed as a to pay DirecTv $250 million for the ex- in the world? consumer electronics product. Every- clusive rights to sell 20 cable program- where, the company faced skepticism ming channels in non-suburban areas, and prejudice that resulted from a DirecTv had to sign on programmers string of failed DBS ventures, while quickly. "We had a list of 35 (services) building a business from scratch. to work from," says Bracken. "We de- DirecTv executives called on pro- cided which ones we could do a deal grammers who they learned were not with faster." Guess Again initially interested in DBS. "Even last With the need to move as quickly as year (1992)," Bracken remembers, possible, DirecTv mounted a major "some of the programmers didn't return marketing effort aimed at program- our telephone calls." mers. "There's been a lot of education," But today, he continues, the atmo- says Bracken. "First, we had to get the sphere is different: "We won't have programmers to understand a new na- room for every cable channel that The answer is clear. tional distribution system. Then we wants to be on DirecTv." came on top of it with a new technolo- Cable AR/IL has the The program access rules estab- gy." But the tutorials paid off, and the lished by the Federal Communications contracts began to come in. On Jan. 7, best broadband AML Commission in conjunction with the 1993, The Disney Channel became the 1992 Cable Act may have helped DBS first programmer to join the DBS ven- equipment. operators negotiate rates in parity with ture. DirecTv was able to meet its 20- those offered to the cable industry. channel goal in order to honor its part Pre-Cable Act rates charged to MMDS of the deal with the NRTC. However, and TVRO program distributors, for in- since the NRTC only paid the DBS stance, were 500-1,000% higher, ac- provider $125 million (instead of the cording to some sources. promised $250 million), the original Since then, DirecTv has been able agreement between the two was Call the leader of microwave to convince a wide range of program- amended so that the NRTC had exclu- systems for Cable TV today mers to sign distribution agreements. sive rights to sell the 20 cable basics to for your free quotation: A unique aspect of DirecTv's strategy rural territories covering a total of 6 mil- in filling its programming channels was Phone: (702) 363-5660 lion homes. to attract small programmers first. Having overcome two significant Fax: (702) 363-2960 When other companies tried to pene- hurdles — developing a digital, satel- trate the cable network industry with lite-based distribution system and sign- new products or services, they initially ing on programmers — DirecTv faces targeted the largest programmers. Di- perhaps its biggest obstacle to suc- recTv executives, on the other hand, cess: selling the concept of DBS to the Cable ANIL believed that a viable business could public. "Now we have to integrate all be built, even if big names like Time the pieces," says Ramo. "We have to a world of difference Warner and Turner were not part of successfully market the service. That's the original line up. a big challenge." CT

64 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY POWER SUPPLIES. POWERFUL SUPPLIER.

Lectro SUPER SENTR

tab

,.. • Lectro's Technology. VueScan's Service. If you're looking for effective, reliable power supplies...look to VueScan,

South America's only authorized sales and service facility for Lectro Power Supply products. Together, We Have It All.

VueScan World Headquarters 1143 W. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442 (1-305)427-5000 • En español (1-305)481-8900 • (1-800)327-4966 Fax (1-305)427-0934

Reader Service Number 59 Everything You Need For Video Fiber Optics From One Manufacturer

0 se IM A • • I. Of. • • Headend °laical Optical Optical Optical Optical Optical Cable COAX Cable R I' Trunk or R I' lane Tap Ri ISsI.i TX & RS Trunk Node Mini-Receiver Rndger Node Trunk Repeater Distribution Amp Extender

FIBER BACKBONE Reduce Amplifier Cascades .49.114_ >

11100... 11.÷.11.1111› > FIBER BACKBONE WITH COAX Fiber backup and protection switching DILI I\I RING -<1 le• le> e• IN II It( ONNECT eiSTAR FEEDER Headend lip Utilizes optical & adv ing trunk repeator node inhere cci for reach and economics 4, FIBER TO FEEDER 1 Iliminates trunk AMPS and COAX •

04.*

FIBER & PASSIVE NETWORK Eliminates trunk COAX and all standard RE amplifiers

Sumitomo Products & Services

VSB-AM Digital Optical Cable Fusion Splicers •Optical TX •24 NTSC or 20 BTSC per •Full line •Single fiber Rack ór Strand fiber at 2.4 Gbps •Matched clad VAD fibers •Multi fiber High Power Lasers •Add/drop capability •FutureFlex air blown Connectors •Optical RX's •"Overhead" for voice/data fiber system Construction Services Trunk & Bridger

• SUMITOMO ELECTRIC Fiber Optics Corp.

78 Alexander Drive, RTP, NC 27709, 800/358-7378, Fax 919/541-8297 Member Of The Sumitomo Electric, Ltd. Gn3up Blown Fiber Technology invented by British Telecommunications PLC & developed & manufactured By Sumitomo Electric Ind, Ltd..

Reader Service Number 25. From Communications Technology magazine New Drop Amps From Pico

.•10 Pico Products Inc. announced produc- sure providing -130 dB RF shielding and tion of anew line of low-noise drop am- protection from the elements, is said to Belden Unveils plifiers (LNDA- I 0 and LNDA-20) de- ensure long-term performance and overall Fiber Trunk Cables signed to assist in meeting CFR Section cost-effectiveness. Over the 1 GHz band- Belden Wire & Cable Co. displayed 76.605 requirements. Available in either width. the amplifier's flatness is ±0.5 dB, new fiber-optic trunk cables. They are 10 or 20 dB gain, these broadband ampli- while maintaining a4 dB noise figure. available in armored and all -dielectric fiers provide continuous amplification Both versions of the amplifier contain crsions and meet Bellcore (TR- from 50 MHz to over 1 GHz. an internal DC block allowing for direct NWT-000020) and REA (PE-90) According to Pico Products, the low- connection to an antenna or CATV drop specifications. They are said to be noise and high-output capability of the tap ports. Included is apower inserter for ideal for use from headends to fiber amplifier makes it perfect for improving providing in -line voltage to the remotely odes. the signal level and quality to long drops. placed amplifier while allowing only the The Belden multifiber per tube de- The high-performance surface-mount cir- RF signals to pass to the subscriber's TV sign consists of four to 240 single- cuitry, packaged in asealed trap enclo- set. Reader service #208 mode fibers contained in loose, gel - filled, color-coded buffer tubes. The Powerful Auto Redundant iber tubes are cabled around adielec- ric central strength member and the Transmitter New From Hughes AML .nterstices are gel-filled to impede Hughes AML showed its new line of different models including the most pow- ,vater penetration. In the armored ver- auto redundant transmitter systems. This erful CARS band transmitter system ,ion, the buffered tubes are surround- new product line incorporates an intelli- available in the market, according to the cd by alayer of aramid yam. An inner gent control system that constantly moni- company. tlolyethylene jacket with ripcords is tors transmission quality and takes cor- The ARTS system allows for remote featured on both versions. rective action without any required input control of your transmitters via a built-in The reverse oscillating lay (ROL) from the system operator. In addition to RS-232 port or manual activation of the stranding provides easier mid-span ac- protecting the integrity of the signal deliv- redundancy capability. The ARTS sys- cess. The tubes are color-coded to aid ery, the system will notify the operator by tem is available immediately and can be identification and matching of tubes means of aflexible alarm system. The retrofitted on existing Hughes indoor and fibers. Reader service #203 ARTS product line is available in four broadband systems. Reader service #207

lleergENE/NNE %le We Measure The Best! 2 Hotel PPV A New Profitable Frontier Great Lakes Data Systems has devel- guest's room bill. Purchase information Pioneer and Tocom, and can provide oped an economical in-room entertain- including room number, time, date, pro- ITT interfaces for all major makes of ad- ment system, Touch Tone Theater, that gram title and cost are all available as dressable equipment. utilizes satellite, computer and digital soon as the order is placed. TTT runs on DOS and Novell Net- voice technologies to allow hotels, motels The system is compatible with equip- ware platforms, and comes with two-line and other private properties previously ment from anumber of addressable man- ARU capacity. Four-, eight-, and 12-line considered too small to offer premium in- ufacturers. GLDS billing software has ad- expansions are available for larger prop- room entertainment to guests. dressable interfaces for Scientific-Atlanta, erties. Reader service #206 A common problem for hotel PPV operators has been the "unintentional purchase." Some properties report re- SCIE Unveils Newest Publication funding an average of 30% of all movies The Society of Cable Television En- tors. Interface will focus on informing charged because the ordering instruc- gineers unveiled its newest publication systems managers, operations managers tions were unclear, awrong button was The quarterly newsletter, Interface, has and company CEOs of the myriad of pushed, or achild placed an order. The been written as an informational piece training opportunities offered within the company says guest requested credits for the cable industry's senior manage- industry. can be virtually eliminated with this ment. Recent developments between the Also, Interface will spotlight success- technology. cable TV industry and telephone compa- ful "Careers in Cable" and feature in- TIT uses automated ordering technol- nies have confirmed the need for in- depth interviews with industry leaders. ogy, without confusing set-top boxes. creased technical training in both sec- Reader service #204 Guests place orders using their in-mom touch tone telephones. They are greeted by prerecorded human speech, not a Alpha Shows New UPS, Powers computer voice. A unique personal iden- Telephony From Cable Network tification number (PIN) also can be required to confirm each purchase. Alpha Technologies introduced the mote status monitoring system, allowing The system is compatible with any PM4808 Power MUX, a60 VAC/48 the system manager access to vital infor- video source, and can coexist with free- VDC multiplexing power supply. The mation. to-guest TV services. Present cable TV, unit facilitates the remote powering of 48 In the event that more backup time is satellite or off-air service need not to be VDC telephony equipment from cable required for the telephony equipment disrupted. TV networks. The unit rectifies and con- than can be supplied by either cable trunk PPV event promotion is simplified ditions 60 VAC power from acable trunk power supply, the unit can be connected with an integrated character generator. A to provide high-quality 48 VDC, 4 amp to a small standby battery pack. The DC program schedule can be loaded from a output. Designed for optimum reliability, output also can be tailored to properly disk file directly into the TTT system. it is equipped with redundant AC input to maintain the battery pack over a wide op- Once loaded, event information can be further ensure the integrity of the DC erating temperature range. It is designed automatically sent to an optional barker being supplied to the telephony equip- to meet UL, CSA and VDE safety stan- channel to promote upcoming events and ment. dards. provide ordering information. The unit provides status information Also, the company announced the ad- Confirmed guest orders are printed at concerning the condition of the AC input dition of a7 amp version to its XP Series alogging computer, usually located at the as well as the DC output of the unit. uninterruptible power supply. The single front desk. Charges are then added to the These signals also can be cabled into a re- ferroresonant design provides fully regu-

MOIR IIII IBM MEW MIN MOM Mal BIM Multi-Room Video Access All Of Your Video Equipment From Any Of Your Televisions No Need For Multiple Converters Or VCRs •Economical! Expandable! Enjoyable!

Call or Fax today for your full color brochure complete with photos. Matrix 2000 BLONDER I diagrams and specifications. ,TONGUE I "Seeing Is Believing' ,LABORATORIES INC Tel. 908-679-4000 Fax 908-679-4353 mum mum 3 lated output voltage, battery backup, tion. The inverter and charger electronics surge and short circuit protection, plus are located on aremovable module that Powe .Guard Powers Up complete line conditioning under all can be replaced or upgraded without in- With New Power Supply modes of operation and loading. The terruption to the cable plant. Reader ser- Power Guard showed its new modular design allows the unit to be easi- vice #201 (PM4808), Reader service minus 48 V modular power supply ly configured for 7, 10 or 15 amp opera- #200 (X1) UPS) system with high-power capability and wide operating temperature range. The power supply is in a 19- Superior's Cheetah Fully inch rack-mount configuration. Mod- ular construction allows configuration Automates Compliance Testing for simple, redundant, or high power Superior Electronics added both the testing method that allows multiple systems, either with or without bat- In-Channel Frequency Response Mea- channels to be selected for scheduled re- tery support. surement and Cheetah Compliance Soft- mote measurements simultaneously at A pluggable wiring harness permits ware program (CCSW) to the Cheetah multiple test points. The CCSW allows ease of installation and replacement. product line of fully automated test calculated values to be combined with The wide temperature range (-40 to equipment. system measurements in a"push-but- +60° C) accommodates installation In-Channel Frequency Response will ton" pass/fail reporting format that is environments and the temperature be available in the Distortion Measure- utilized for compliance documentation. probe option tailors the battery charg- ment package, which already includes Live demonstrations are being provided er output for extended battery life. CTB, CSO, C/N and hum. This is a at the company's booth. Reader service Reader service #202 fully automated remotely programmable #199 New From Standard: RF Distribution Concept, Broadband Modulator Standard Communications Satellite tall. Capable of containing eight vertically the most demanding CATV distribution Broadband Products Division revealed its mounted slide-in modulators and one systems of the future, the universal design answer to the new demands of the infor- power supply, this configuration will per- of the TVM550 will allow rechanneliza- mation highway of the future with the mit up to 80 VSB-AM TV channels to be tion of master headends without replacing new Stratum series. integrated into asingle EIA 6-foot rack. equipment. Because of the cable industry shift The video transportation system of the fu- The TVM550 core is designed around from traditional tree-and-branch design to ture will require the flexibility and redun- a unique, broadband RF circuit that is an the more advanced redundant fiber ring dancy to ensure system performance in ultra-stable and artifact-free synthesizer architecture, dictated by optical digital the regional hubs or master headends that engineered by Standani Communications signal distribution, the eventual need for can potentially supply signals to several to eliminate the need for post-filtering. transition back to analog has blazed atrail hundred thousand subscribers. This advanced unit is the next generation for the introduction of anew series of dis- As well, Standard Communications of Standard-produced frequency agile tribution products. This transition node Satellite Broadband Products Division in- modulators, which are said to break the will require anew concept and approach troduced its new breed of conventional bandwidth barrier while producing re- to video distribution. frequency agile modulators with the broadcast quality video and spurious-free Stratum consists of an integrated 19- TVM550, aPLL synthesized broadband RF performance. inch modular rack system only 7 inches modulator. Designed to be integrated into Due to the dynamic bandwidth Have You Made Your Commitment To Sponsor One Of The 1994 International Lounges 11t: SCTE Cable-Tec — June 15-18. 1994 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CABLE Wireless '94 Show —June 20-23. 1994 CABLE Magazine Western Show — November 30-December 2. 1994 ma gazine Call Cindy Tandy At: 1-303-839-1565, Ext. 2E15 4

expansion within the cable industry, the processor that allows cable operators any ment alignment and setup procedures, the TVM550 allows operators to fulfill the channel in and any channel out capability. cohesive TVM550 permits reduction of maximum amount of analog channels de- The TVM550 also is available with a rack space. AC power requirements, and livered on their systems. With the installa- BTSC/MTS stereo generator that elimi- heat while permitting for future system tion of the OAP890 heterodyne processor nates external wiring between compo- expansion. Reader service #I98 (Stra- the TVM550 beconic a frequency agile nents. Without the need for dual equip- tum), #I97 (TVM550) Debut: Pioneer's Digital Laserdisc Player, Alpha Vision

Pioneer previewed digital equip- digital output. The player serves as a digital applications. Sixty minutes ment for pay-per-view (PPV), near PPV transmission system for satellite worth of video is contained on a 5- video-on-demand (NVOD) and video- delivery or localized video playback. inch (CD-sized) disc inside a500-disc on-demand (VOD) services. Pioneer In addition, this unit can be used as an changer. Through real-time decoding, New Media Technologies, Cable and archival source for video servers. the full 60-minute image is repro- Broadcast Systems Group exhibited a The company's one-sided digital duced at a horizontal resolution of model of its new four-headed digital laser discs offer 135 minutes of play- 460 lines. laserdisc player and Alpha Vision, a back time. They are recorded in digi- In addition to showing the digital CD-sized compressed system, as well tal video compression format, current- laser disc player and Alpha Vision, as demonstrating real-time decom- ly MPEG- I ++, at arate of 4.8 Mbps. Pioneer featured an operating decompression using its VLSI CDI 100 Se- Pioneer's VLSI CD] 100 Series chip pression demonstration. The CD1100 ries chip set. set makes the decoding possible. chip set was used to show real-time Pioneer reports it is the first to in- With the help of Pioneer's Alpha decompression from multiple com- troduce a digital laserdisc player with Vision, images are compressed and pression rates. The technology is four independent heads. The laserdisc stored allowing optimal quality, large MPEG- I++ with high-quality CCIR player is capable of both analog and storage capacity and durability for 601 resolution. Reader service #196

S-A Showcases New Fiber Toner Introduces Architecture, Optical Receiver New Enclosures I oner Cable Equipment leatured Scientific-Atlanta Inc. featured its 2,000-home fiber serving areas and then Hennessey outdoor enclosures for new fiber-to-the-serving area (FSA) migrate to smaller 500-home pockets headend or fiber node applications.

Mini -Star architecture and fiber-optic when new interactive or narrowcast ser - Environmentally controlled alu- receiver. The Mini-Star architecture and vices are launched. Alternatively, a sys- minum outdoor enclosures provide Model 6920 fiber receiver allow fiber tem may choose to begin with 500 - safe, clean, cost-effective alterna- deployment even deeper into the cable home serving areas and then migrate to tives for mounting any electronic system, providing more cost-effective I25-home pockets later. equipment in either streetside or and reliable delivery of new interactive This rebuild architecture utilizes ex- rooftop applications, according to services for added revenue, according to press coaxial cable to divide the larger the company. Each unit can be cus- the company. 2,000- or 500-home serving areas into tom made to your specific needs or Mini -Star is an evolution of the com- four smaller 500- or I25-home pockets you can choose one of many styles pany's FSA star architecture that moves The company's 750 MHz System Ani- already available. Reader service fiber even closer to the home. Mini -Star plifier II (SAII) is located at all express #205 allows the local system to begin with amplifier positions that serve as star

INTRODUCING _ IDEO Solve The INDOW DIGITAL VIDEO M ULTIMETER

1995 Problem C oms An Eiinloyee Ourp i Corporation ,INC. 5 points for the smaller pockets. These high level multi-output SAlls then feed Telecorp Announces New Payment Processor the subscriber taps. As smaller serving Telecorp Systems Inc. introduced its back those customers when payments areas become necessary, fiber may easi- new payment processor software that are not received on time. The payment ly migrate to the next Mini-Star express was designed to increase the efficiency processor reports provide detailed col- amplifier location. The 750 MHz SAII of a cable operator's nonpay collections lection information such as promises to is then converted to an integrated fiber program. The payment processor soft- pay by collector and which promises re- receiver and amplifier by replacing the ware package is sold in conjunction with sulted in payments received. Unsolicited lid with anew lid containing the com- the System 9000 predictive dialer. It au- payments also are tracked separately, al- pany's optical receiver. This upgrad- tomates the collections process, allow- lowing collection managers to assess the ability with no resplicing make the 750 ing cable operators more control over effectiveness of individual collectors. MHz receiver and amplifier avery cost- their collections efforts. The system is The predictive dialer provides out- effective package. the first predictive dialer to offer acable - bound call processing for proactive tele- According to the company, the specific collections package, according marketing, collections and retention. It Mini -Star architecture improves net- to the company. It automates the steps of eliminates the manual steps of making work reliability through 30% lower ac- making collections calls, thereby in- phone calls by automatically dialing tive device counts and subscriber tap creasing collector productivity up to phone numbers. It then screens out bus- placement downstream of amplifier 300%. ies, no answers and disconnected num- paths. The 750 MHz SAII is available The payment processor keeps track bers, connecting only answered calls to in single, dual and triple configurations. of payments received on a daily basis, telemarketers and collectors. Each call is The 750 MHz forward intermediate ter- allowing the predictive dialer to call only synchronized with an immediate screen minating trunk (FITT)/bridger module those customers who meet the collection display of the customer's information drops into a slimline trunk housing to manager's criteria. It also tracks all needed to complete the call. Reader ser- provide a 300 to 750 MHz upgrade promises to pay and automatically calls vice #195 path. The 750 MHz line extender and 750 MHz taps and passives also are Northern Telecom !Expands available. The Model 6920 fiber receiver fea- Magellan Broadband Portfolio tures: 1.5 GHz bandwidth platform; simplified bandwidth expansion using The latest addition to the Magellan The unit, which is scalable up to 80 the reversible signal flow feature of the portfolio of network switching systems, gigabits per second and down to 10 giga- SA II; provides platform for advanced the Magellan Concorde, was announced bits per second, will serve as a network system monitoring, reverse video and by Northern Telecom. It will be available backbone switch capable of delivering wave division multiplexing; and dual on a limited basis during the first half of multimedia traffic across broadband fiber cable inputs to accommodate RF 1995. communication networks reliably. and switching of redundant fiber routes. The Magellan Concorde is a 40 giga- cost-effectively, according to the compa- Also introduced were I GHz taps bit per second backbone ATM network ny. It is said to be designed for flexibility and passives to accommodate future switch that will deliver a wide range of and operational simplicity. It is capable of bandwidth requirements. The new taps multimedia applications from video to delivering video, data and voice traffic and passives are backwards-compatible, image and data transfer. The product is originating from multiple network are said to have excellent insertion loss targeted toward cable, telecommunica- sources and operators, and converging on specifications and also feature S-A's tions and video carriers and provides a high-capacity carrier backbone net- surge resistant circuitry. Reader service them with a smooth evolutionary path for work. #194 (Mini-Star), #193 (receiver) network upgrades. The unit supports standard open inter-

The Videoway services viewer consults, The only Multimedia inquires and plays with the system System with 13 hours per week: Video Games 5.5 hours

1/ million Videotex 2.5 hours

/4 subscribers Interactive TV 5.0 hours

For more information, please contact Pierre Hebert. (514) 281-1232, Montreal, vie:Leal/way Quebec, Canada 6 faces including SONET, SDH, CCITT providers to offer flexible pricing for dif- and ATM forum specifications and will ferent types, grades and packages of ser- Headend Electronics allow interworking with other Northern vice. Center Of Pico Telecom and third-party products. As The product joins the Magellan Pass- with the other members of the Magellan port enterprise network switch, an- Macom Display product portfolio, Magellan Concorde in- nounced last March, and the Magellan Pico Macom Inc. introduced its corporates a standard-based traffic and Gateway network access switch. The CATV series line of headend electron- services management capability through Magellan Gateway and Passport products ics. This line includes the PR-3200 Northern Telecom's multiple priority sys- are being deployed in networks today. commercial satellite receiver, which is tem (MPS). MPS optimizes traffic effi- The company is publicly demonstrating a frequency agile, 70 MHz, phase lock ciency based on customer-defined re- for the first time its Magellan Gateway loop receiver. Its companion, the PR- quirements and priorities for specific net- ATM switch here at the show. Reader 3200 1RD, has been licensed by Gen- work applications. It allows network service #191 eral Instrument Corp. to meet all VideoCipher RS performance require- General Instrument Rolls Out ments. Both receivers are C-/Ku-band compatible. New Broadband Telco Architecture The CAIN series also includes the M-600 audio and video modulator. General Instrument's Broadband modules as node size and service areas The M-600 is a SAW filtered, IF loop Communications Division unveiled the change. through, Chs. 2-62 modulator that is Broadband Telecommunications Archi- According to the company, the ar- said to provide high stability and supe- tecture (BTA). According to the com- chitecture is flexible enough to migrate rior picture and sound quality, and was pany, operators can use this architec- down to 125 homes in adedicated re- specifically designed for adjacent ture to build an economical system turn and 1,000 homes per transmitter. channel headend use. today that can — with only minor mod- Through various modular upgrades Also included in the series is the SP- ular upgrades — become tomorrow's the system can support reduced node 600 heterodyne signal processor, a state-of-the-art interactive system. size and add services such as video-on- high gain (70 dB), SAW filtered, low The plant is built to 750 MHz using, demand, telephony, interactivity, data noise, stable signal processor. at the start, mini-bridgers or broadband services and other options that might Pico Macom also is including as a telecommunications amplifiers. Both become available. Reader service part of the CATV series the newly de- products can then be upgraded with #192 signed PDA-1000 1 GHz, broadband distribution amplifier designed to meet New Riser-Bond TDR the future needs of all SMATV. CATV, TVRO and MMDS systems. Has Computer Interface Render service #178

The new Model 1205 time domain interface that allows stored wave- surements and distance to the fault. reflectometer was displayed by forms to be downloaded to a PC for The 1205 has alarge hyper-twist liq- Riser-Bond Instruments. The unit is post-storage evaluation and analysis. uid crystal display that provides de- low-cost, compact, multi -purpose An exclusive feature of Model 1205 tailed information of the instrument cable fault locator, designed for field is the automatic and manual dual cur- settings and cable conditions. testing all types of metallic paired ca- sor operation that allows measure- The product is designed for field bles. ment between any two points on the use and is rugged, compact, light- The Model 1205 features an RS- waveform. It will automatically cal- weight and features high precision 232 serial output port for computer culate and display return loss mea- accuracy. Reader service #177

E C: T R L I N v DROPAIMp Performance Now Doubled

3 dB noise figure 1 GHz bandwidth, 15 dB gain 23 dBmV output per channel -60 dB distortion performance No disappearing pictures 7 New Amp, Probe At Sencore

Sencore introduced two accessories ments to the new 40 dB FCC specifica- homemade probes or apiece of cable. designed for its line of signal networks. tion, according to the company. The The RFP274 provides ahigh impedance The RFA275 is a low-noise amplifier RFA275 provides an additional 20 dB probe that can be screwed into a5/8- that can be used to increase the signal of gain, raising the signal level and sys- inch seizure screw port on most ampli- level at drop locations in order to make tem noise to a level that can be mea- fiers and passives. Being high the FCC required C/N measurement re- sured with asignal level meter. The unit impedance, the probe has virtually no quirements. The RFP274 is an RF probe is powered directly from the SL750s ac- effect on the cable being tested, but pro- that can be used to measure signal levels cessory jack. vides accurate signal level measure- at any passive or active device through When troubleshooting the distribu- ments to better than ±-0.5 dB. The probe any 5/8-inch seizure screw port. tion plant, service technicians often provides 20 dB of isolation and can be Typical drop levels are 0 to +10 need to measure the signal level at a used with any signal level meter or dBmV, which is not enough signal level splitter or tap. This has been adifficult other test equipment. Reader service to make the required C/N measure- operation or only a guestimate using #174 (RFA275), #173 (RFP274) S-A Heralds Telephony-Over-Cable System Scientific-Atlanta introduced asystem dential interface unit installed outside the signals, the interface to aClass 5 switch of telephone service delivery products home and includes the broadband tele- or other switching device, system and di- that will enable switched telephone, phone signals carried over the network to agnostic functions, and the interface to video, data and interactive TV services to be terminated at the end of the CATV the operations and provisioning con- be delivered over broadband cable TV cable drop and pass through the building troller. networks. The dual telephone/CATV ca- as standard two-wire telephone signals. The CoAccess residential unit is de- pabilities will be provided by new cable Customers would see virtually no change signed to interface the broadband network headend and residential products to be in- in the way their video or telephone ser- to the end user's existing telephone equip- tegrated into the company's fiber-to-the- vice operates. ment. It is intended to provide the sub- serving area (FSA) hybrid fiber/coaxial A functional prototype of the CoAc- scriber loop functions, analog/digital con- broadband system architecture. cPss equipment was on display, but initial versions, RF interface to the broadband The new CoAccess system is designed shipments of the product in commercial network, and performs the multiplexing to be compatible with today's public quantities are not expected to begin until and demultiplexing of the digital signals. switched telephone networks, providing a the first half of 1994. System benefits include: single net- single network for video and telephony The CoAccess headend interface unit work for video and telephony; efficient services that makes efficient use of the is designed to provide the interface to the use of cable spectrum; multiline, expand- cable TV spectrum. In the product design, RF broadband network. It is intended to able; no in-home equipment; no cus- telephone services are integrated in amul- perform all the functionality for multi- tomer power requirement; low cost of tiline, expandable architecture that re- plexing and demultiplexing of the digital service. Reader senice #169 quires no additional in-home wiring or equipment, enabling broadband network Cable AML Adds New Transmitters, Repeaters operators to integrate telephony-over- Cable AML displayed CARS band ware redundancy, Cable AML's series cable capabilities at alow cost of service. (12.7 to 13.25 GHz) dual redundant "D" (for dual) transmitters and repeaters The technology contained in the broadband high-power transmitters and incorporate manual or remote input CoAccess network is provided by aresi- repeaters. Designed for maximum hard- switching betweenAual transmitters as

Cal:Serm/uDCThe Daily News Fax for Top CATV Executives

I Call (800) 777-5006 for subscription information [MI] A Publication of Phillips Business Information, Inc. 10 Siecor Unveils Optical Power Meter

Siecor Corp. introduced the 0M - through alength of fiber or an installed This compact, lightweight unit was 105F optical power meter specifically system. designed with the user in mind. Its fea- designed for applications requiring high- Offering ±5% accuracy, the unit can tures and performance make it well-suit- performance optical power measuring. be used in demanding precision applica- ed for private premises installation, test- This power meter is a full-wavelength tions such as cable TV, telephony and ing and maintenance, as well as field range unit calibrated at the three pre- others where tenths of a dB are critical, public network use. It features one-touch dominant wavelengths: 850, 1,300 and even at temperature extremes, and accu- selection of relative or absolute power 1,550 nm. The unit measures optical rate field measurements made on very level, a bright backlit LCD, autoranging power through fibers, checks end elec- high-powered lasers that transmit on a and an audible tone for quick, easy ac- tronics, and measures power loss range of +20 to -60 dBm are required. ceptance checks. Reader service #163 Electroline Unveils Amplifier For Upgrades

Operators can now use a new low - Conventionally, an LE or DA requires more power supplie, or respacing line ex- noise amplifier to upgrade feeder plant high input level, on the order of 15-20 tenders. bandwidths without moving line exten- dBmV, for example, and also generates a The unit also could be used as a ders or adding power supplies, according high level output, on the order of 45-50 preamplifier, again stage immediately to Electroline Equipment. The new fami- dBmV, for example. The new Electroline prior to an existing LE, to compensate for ly of distribution amplifiers will be partic- DM, on the other hand, are designed to the higher signal loss of an extended ularly helpful when operators upgrade work at far lower input levels (as low as 0 bandwidth network. They could be used from 300 MHz or 750 MHz. dBmV or -6 dBmV, for example) and more efficiently within alarge apartment produce output high enough to feed the building, where a more expensive distri- AM Communications tap network at adequate levels. That bution amplifier might be used. means an operator conceivably could up- Announces Test Generator The new DA features a compact form grade afeeder network from 300 MHz to factor, measuring 4.25" x 3.5" x 1.25". AM Communications displayed its 550 MHz or 750 MHz without adding Reader service #160 9031 modulator test generator, which is now in full production. The unit is a Pico Macom Looks To remote controlled headend device that Future MOU Needs provides test video signals for measur- Pico Macom provided information The unit is powered by an internal ing a modulator's in-channel flatness. about its new apartment amplifier de- switchable power supply that can be The unit can operate in either awide - signed to meet the future needs of all used in all international power systems. hand noise mode or a swept carrier SMATV, CATV, TVRO and MMDS Switchable plug-in power cords are or- mode. The 9031 has output connectors systems. The PDA-1000 is a low-noise dered with the amplifiers. The PDA- to drive up to eight modulators simul- linear distribution amplifier that provides 1000 has been designed for all distribu- taneously. The video output of the de- high output with low distortion and noise tion systems, including large adjacent vice can be turned on and off automat- figures across the 45-1,000 MHz forward channel cable TV systems. Built-in ically under software control so that bandwidth. The PDA-1000 has a built-in slope and tilt controls allow for easy field measurements of channel flatness passive return path from 5-30 MHz, and equalization of system signals. The am- can be completely automated. Reader there is an optional plug-in return amplifi- plifier will maintain a flat response for service #166 er module that provides an additional 17 the entire bandwidth of ±0.75 dB. Read- dB gain for the return path signals. er service #164

Have You Made Your Commitment To Sponsor One Of The 1994 International Lounges At:

INTERNATIONAL SCTE Cable-Tec —June 15-18, 1994 INTERNATIONAL CABLE Wireless '94 Show —June 20-23, 1994 CABLE Magazine Western Show — November 30-December 2. 1994 Magazine Call Cindy Tandy At: 1-303-839-1565, Ext. 205 11 General Instrument Unveils 750 MHz Laser Modules

General Instrument introduced its plications, long distance networking The company also unveiled its 750 new family of Starblazer 750 MHz laser and splitting, according to the company. MHz fiber mini -bridger (Model AM- modules that are built around the 500- Also introduced were products that MBR/750D-H), offering expanded channel laser the company introduced are complementary to these new lasers. bandwidth, return path video return and last year. A total of 10 products are The AM 750-ATH transmitter housing, three high level outputs for distribution planned for this family, including five which holds up to two laser modules, needs. This product is well suited for hybrid analog/digital models that load has areduced input level of 15 dBmV cost-effective and flexible fiber/coax to 550 MHz analog and 750 MHz digi- input level and is backward compatible networks such as the broadband tele- tal, and five all-analog units to 750 with existing lasers. The AM- communications architecture (BTA) MHz. 750ATH's "plug-and-play" features and will be akey element in the compa- The new modules offer variety and maximize carrier-to-noise and distortion ny's downsizing efforts. Reader ser- flexibility to cable operators wanting to performance while easing operational vice #159 (laser modules), #158 (hous- perform such tasks as point-to-point ap- setup time. ing), #157 mini-bridger) ComSonics Intros Fiber Test Devices For Today, Tomorrow

The new Video Window from Com- fiber-optic cable. This laser light source is new generation of test equipment. The Sonics is said to be aversatile, highly ac- available in two versions — a 1,310 nm meters are rugged, hand-held units that curate digital video multimeter suitable model and a 1,550 nm model. And for measure the power of light traveling in for meeting today's requirements and versatility it can function on NiCad batter- optical fiber. Test results appear on an preparing the cable industry for the com- ies. When it is combined with either the easy-to-read LCD. The meters, which ing 1995 FCC requirements. ComSonics optical power meters or make an excellent companion piece for a Video Window is a hand-held device FiberLite for WindowLite PLUS, it can ComSonics light source, are offered in weighing only 1.7 pounds, yet is said to be used for end-to-end loss testing of fiber two styles: A variable meter offering a be a powerhouse of video measuring. links. three-button style that has user-selectable With the new instrument, the technician The company also introduced its line wavelengths — 850, 1,310 and 1,550 nm. will be able to set up, match and calibrate of fiber-optic power meters as part of the ComSonics says it is excellent at obtain- all his video equipment, and do so in either NTSC and PAL formats. Three major tests include differential gain, dif- Hughes Exhibits Streetcrosser ferential phase and chromance-to-lumi- nance delay. Hughes is exhibiting the new wave requirements, the system has All test results, viewable on Video Streetcrosser, specifically designed the availability to transmit 72 analog Window's alphanumeric backlit screen and manufactured to interconnect or hundreds of digital signals over can be conducted with repeatable accura- noncontiguous properties and in- distances of up to 3,200 feet. With the cy. It is available with an optional print- crease subscriber count. The Street- availability of four compact models, er/PC interface to assist with in-depth crosser system transmits high-quality the Streetcrosser is avery cost-effec- study and analysis at office, lab or head- signals over short distances to cross tive system for educational or corpo- end. streets, freeways, rivers, streams or rate signal trunking and distribution A single-mode modulated laser light ravines. applications, according to the compa- source is suitable for multiple system ap- Designed for short haul micro- ny. Reader service #162 plications. It is designed to inject light into

PHILIPS Learn how Philips can take your network into tomorrow.

Philips Broadba ld Networks, Inc. 12 ing end-to-end loss results, cable accep- dowLite PLUS for its computing power The GeoSNIFFER employs what the tance testing, and is well suited for and power display. company says is the latest in cable sys- CATV applications. Its measurement Through its built-in photo detector. tem leakage detection technology. It range is +20 to -40 dBm it and can be the FiberLite module allows the techni- will survey an entire system for leakage used during splicing and connectoriza- cian to accurately measure the absolute trouble spots while the field technicians tion. The dual power meter measures at power of optical light traveling through roam the plant, accomplishing their nor- 1,310 and 1,550 nm and is controlled by the system. User options are selectable mal installation and repair duties. atwo-way switch. It is said to be ahard- and controlled through the use of the GeoSN1FFER is based on global po- working diagnostic tool when used dur- softkey pads on the face of the Win- sitioning system technology. It is ing connectorization and other fiber- dowLite PLUS. mounted in the technician's vehicle, optic service activities. The back reflection laser light source which also is equipped with aGPS an- FiberLite, the company's latest addi- can measure the optical return loss in tenna. A GPS receiver records position- tion of test equipment, incorporates the fiber cable. Using their company's al data as the technician moves about convenience of modularity. The quick power meter, a technician need only the system. Then, at the end of the day, connect/disconnect feature allows attach- connect the back reflection laser light collected data can be downloaded into ment to the host WindowLite PLUS, source to the system under test, read the any PC equipped with mapping soft- permitting the user achoice of test func- meter and subtract two numbers to eval- ware. Reader service #I53 (Video tions: the signal level meter functions or uate asystem. Optical power output of Window), #152 (power meters), #151, fiber-optic power meter function. While the unit is -10 dBM minimum and -7 #150 (FiberLite), #149 (GeoSNIF- attached, FiberLite relies on the Win- dBm typical. FER) Automate Your Headend With S-A And Superior

Scientific-Atlanta Headend Division original backup position. Headend Man- ities in picture quality would be reported and Superior Electronics Group have ager provides channel redundancy and to the headend operator via remote com- joined forces to provide a highly ad- backup 24 hours per day. The Cheetah puter interface. vanced method of automation for cable headend monitor provides frequency and The product provides status monitor- TV headends. By combining the features level measurements on both visual and ing of S-A hardware equipped with the of S-A's Headend Managert and SEG's aural carriers. status monitoring and control bus inter- Cheetah headend monitor, the result is a Dual package provides aconstantly face (SMC). computerized monitoring system that can scanning monitoring system that will au- Dual package offers the on-site and automatically detect and backup mal- tomatically detect and replace a defective remote operator amore complete picture functioning CATV channels without the or marginal channel without the immedi- of trouble (both cause and solution), need for any human intervention at the ate need to roll a truck or provide around- thereby providing options previously un- headend. Neither system loses any of the the-clock personnel on site. available without being on site with ex- features already offered by each compa- Headend status monitoring provides a tensive test equipment. Estimated com- ny's product with the combined benefits method of scanning equipment and signal mercial availability of this combined being ahighly advanced automation tool requirements that come together to make product is April 1994. Reader service for the headend operator. the combined headend output. Abnormal- #I47 Headend channel redundancy provides one (or more) backup networks that Power Guard Shares The Secret To A Longer Life can automatically replace defective chan- Power Guard showed its newly de- extend battery life. The supply measures nels with redundant equipment and in- signed standby power supply with a 9"W x 11"D x56"H, and is mounted on stantly restore the lost channels to their unique battery compartment designed to an underground vault that contains the

The Broadband Fiber Platform

Build it how you want it. a rrOW u (31 ST' 1In 10.

•••• ink --4 Harmonic Lightwaves 13 batteries. This configuration allows for The system has a built-in breaker box much cooler battery temperatures thus in- that comes prewired from the factory, and AIS Enhancer DV6000 creasing battery life substantially, accord- access is gained by way of ahinged vault Digital Regional ing to the company. The supply uses the top that swings open. The pedestal hous- same modules that are utilized in other ing attaches to the lid of the vault and re- Networking System American Lightwave Systems an- Power Guard power supplies. mains stationary. Reader service #16I nounced two enhancements to its high- speed digi:al regional networking sys- Cabil Corp. Offers New PPV Solution tem, the DV6000. The first is anew Cabil Corp. offerred a proprietary cost to the operator, where it is directly video carrier encoder/decoder card pair pay-per-view order-taking, billing and ported to the system's existing address- that allows RF scrambled signals to be support service for hotel applications that able controller. Cabil Corp. thereafter encoded and transmitted from amaster allows cable TV systems to use standard provides all support and delivery services headend to multiple remote headends. addressable converters to provide Play- automatically. including order-taking, The DV6000 can now carry every boy TV and other PPV programming in credit card processing. PPV delivery in- major video format currently in use or nonregulated hotels, motels and resorts structions to the system controller, and proposed by the CATV industry. This within cable franchise areas. The service, confirmation of PPV order acceptance. capability is provided by the DV - which features direct credit card billing The entire order process typically 6101 -CE carrier encoder and DV - for PPV purchases. requires no special takes 35 to 45 seconds, and PPV rev- 6102-CD carrier decoder cards. Each capital equipment or investment by the enues are then directly deposited to the card carries one video and one audio cable system, other than their preferred cable operator's bank account within a IF carder channel. The video IF input brand of converter. The Cabil Corp. sys- few days. For its turnkey services, and and output frequencies are 45.75 MHz. tem is compatible with Jerrold, Scientif- the use of its computer system, Cabil Thirty-two channels of scrambled ic-Atlanta, Pioneer and other major man- Corp. receives a transaction fee, which \ ideo can be transported on one fiber ufacturers' addressable systems. also covers all credit card processing using two optical wavelengths. In each addressable system, Cabil charges, fees, assessments and other bank The second announcement in the Corp. will install alocal computer control and service charges. Reader service I)V6000 family was a compact. modu- unit at the system office or headend, at no #156 lar frequency agile VSB/AM modulator that can be combined with the DV6000 to create acomplete remote Virtual Recorder Makes Digital headend. The ALM1000 VSB/AM modulator provides high performance Spot Insertion Affordable in a compact package. Eight modulators can tit into 7 inches of vertical ASC Audio Video Corp. says it has cess, spots can be instantly retrieved in lack space. Reader service #145 devised the ideal method for economical- any order — abig improvement over the DV6000), #144 (naNitilator) ly automating spot insertion. The new real-time process required to reorder spots Virtual Recorder is the first digital, direct on videotape. While VTRs were often re- replacement for videotape recorders and quired for atypical two-minute break Digital Future laser disk machines. Hundreds of com- (four 30-second spots) one Virtual Heats; Up At Zenith mercial spots can be loaded onto asingle Recorder can now handle the entire job. The racs; to develop technology for the VR and accessed instantly. Furthermore, the completely electronic 500-channel digital future heated up as Compared to conventional VTRs, the VR requires much less maintenance than Zenith Electronics Corp. expanded the VR offers numerous advantages for spot electro-mechanical videotape machines. capability of digital cable systems to insertion. Because the VR is random ac- Reader service #148 1,000 or more channels. •-•

Calabra/iDCThe Daily News Fax for Top CATV Executives Call (800) 777-5006 for subscription information lie A Publication of Phillips Business Information, Inc. 14

Zenith previewed its new digital digital transmission technologies. The 16-VSB transmission technology, cable decoder system planned for in- Using MPEG digital video compres- developed as part of Zenith's high defini- troduction next year, adecoder expect- sion technology, the new Zenith decoder tion TV (HDTV) research, also will send ed to be the first to combine world- will be able to receive as many as 23 two digital HDTV signals on asingle 6 class digital video compression and movies or nine live video programs (such MHz analog cable channel. Reader ser- 16-level vestigial sideband (16-VSB) as sports events), in each 6MHz channel. vice #146 EMI To Offer Info Net Access Through Cable

EMI Communications Corp. an- through their cable box to Internet, the Fast Packet Switching, EMI can mini- nounced plans to provide an information world's largest computer network, as mize the number of dedicated lines need- service to cable operators that will give well as government offices, universities ed for network support thus decreasing subscribers cost-effective computer ac- and library systems. The company also the cost of the service. cess to information networks via their will help cable operators integrate sys- The company will provide necessary cable. According to Gil Korta, vice presi- tem-specific local information like school equipment to cable systems as well as as- dent of marketing, the company is cur- events, bus schedules and local news, sist them in the design, installation, man- rently negotiating test agreements to weather and sports into the network. agement and maintenance of the informa- launch pilot projects in early 1994. It is Working in conjunction with acable tion network. Kona said that the cost of expecting to offer nationwide system operator, the company will provide sys- the service to the cable subscriber will be availability in early 1995. tem integration support to add voice and below current network access fees and Through EMI's information system, data capability in existing cable plant will be assigned on asystem by system cable subs will be able to connect direct structures. 'Thmugh a technology called basis. Reader service #142

Standard Announces New Ipitek Pushes Power Upgrade Option For Agile Of Fiber Optics Ipitek announced a new line of Standard Communications SATCONI Agile Omni Broadcast and International CATV laser transmitters for use in its Division introduced anew upgrade option Broadcast receivers (MT830/830I). The FiberTrunk system. The new laser for its Agile Omni. Deemed the Omni module is designed to be field-retrofitted transmitters have optical output power Global VU (Model CAM830), this new in existing Omni Broadcast installations of up to 1 mW with a transmission access control module is designed to or installed as afactory-ordered accessory. bandwidth of 900 MHz. bridge the gap between the cumbersome The Omni Global VU permits an un- The high optical output power and multiple menu-driven receivers and sim- limited number of user-definable satellite wide bandwidth of these transmitters ple rotating analog knob receivers for the formats (memory space permitting), com- allow transport of up to 100 video MT830 Series. plete control of all three audio subcarrier channels over an optical line budget in The Omni Global VU upgrade option demodulators and control of international excess of 15 dB. allows simple menu, front panel control video formats (PAL, SECAM and Ipitek also introduced a 10-bit digi- and access to reprogramming of all of the NTSC). The front panel of the new tal video multichannel codec. The IM- Omni's functions. As an added benefit, a module replaces the CAD800C and TRAN system delivers short-haul RS host of new expanded features is available CAD800B front panels. Control is pro- 2500 video at any distance with one to in both manual and remote control opera- vided by the CAM830. RS422 and 20 channels per fiber. Reader service tions. RS232C protocols are supported without #155 (transmitters), #I54 (codee) The upgrade is compatible with all external adapters. Reader service #14I

.TAg. A.PEEK I;I1111H: CALAN'S "WINDOW 11) CALAXY'.' • • • • e • • • • And Meet The Non-Stop Innovators • • • • • . • • • • • • •STAR 2010 •COMET

• • 1776-2 Turbo • • •SOURCE GHz • GHz • CABLE AND LOCAL AREA NETWORKS. • • • • • • s • CALL US AT (717) 828-2356 after the show 15

General Instrument Demodulator System Provides LinX To Interactivity Unveiled At Tektronix In response to customer de- General Instrument unveiled its Jer- compression units, offering still more mand for cable-specific demod- rold LinX module, the connection to services via digital compression and ulation gear economical enough drive cable's interactive programming, LinX strength. to place in multiple locations, and the CompuVerter, into which it will GI also demonstrated new headend Tektronix rolled out its be placed. In addition, it will demon- products designed to help cable opera- DS 12000 demodulator system. strate avariety of potential services that tors keep pace with the rapidly evolving The system delivers tunable can be driven by LinX. technology environment. The Jerrold downconversion plus measure- The first CompuVerters will be ex- Commander 6modulator (Model C6M- ment -quality synchronous de- tensions of GI's existing analog address- II) is the most highly advanced headend modulation at about half the able product lines. When the tile( mod- modulator available today, according to price of products made for ule is inserted into these units, they will the company, now with capabilities of broadcast applications, accord- assume CompuVerter status. Later next signal processing up to 1 GHz. Reader ing to the company. year, the company will provide this service #140 (module), #139 (headend The DS1200 demodulator sys- same module for the DigiCable digital products) tem consists of two instru- DROPAmp Production Run Increased ments. The TDC5 tunable down converter provides coverage of Electroline Equipment Inc. dis- DROPAmp can be powered either all frequencies from 47 MHz to played its new DROPAmp subscriber from inside the customer's home, using 860 MHz. A unique gain con- amplifier, featuring an exceptionally aplug-in adapter, or from the drop. It trol system automatically evalu- low 3dB noise figure, which is used to also offers an optional signal return path ates incoming signals to deter- boost signal levels for homes with nu- with the addition of one filter, and comes mine the ideal compromise be- merous outlets, multiple TV sets, in azinc die-cast housing. DROPAmp tween optimal signal-to-noise VCRs and other devices connected to offers 60 dB CSO and -60 dB cross - intermodulation distortion. The the drop or for situations where an mod. Output across all 50 channels is TDMS TV demodulator sup- extra-long drop is encountered. The flat. The amplifier comes in four ver- ports numerous RF and base - unit provides 15 dB output and 23 sions, featuring one, two, three or four band measurements, including dBmV output per channel for 155 outputs. It measures 4.5" x3.5" x 1.25", the four-key FCC tests. Reader channels, and as many as four separate including the F-connector ports. Reader service #180 in-home cables can be connected to it. service #136 EON Unveils New Consumer On-Screen Graphics For Interactive TV After seven years of research and graphics design in product demon- The timetables for the roll-out will development, EON Corp. (formerly strations. The graphics were included be determined in part by the FCC, known as TV Answer) unveiled the in EON's demonstration of its home which must issue licenses for Inter- on-screen graphics package that conversion of QB1 and the TV quiz active Video and Data Services sumers will see with its interactive show, Jeopardy. (IVDS) before EON's technology TV service. EON plans to introduce its inter- can be introduced locally. Reader EON featured its new, full-color active TV nationally in mid-1994. service #143 DIGITAL mules'II_yiçom 16 Porta Organizes Fiber Tangle Porta Systems announced an array of The new products include the Hori- with up to six output ports. The input lead products designed specifically for the zontal Unirack, the CSM-192 and RSM- can be supplied with a Porta connector to needs of the cable TV industry. These 298. The Horizontal Unirack is 3.47" (h) mate with the transmitter's connector new products, as well as Porta's existing x16.5" (w) x 12" (d) and can be mounted adapter or with protected jacketing for CATV product line, provide a complete in either a 19- or 23 -inch rack. Each routing to an area for fusion splicing. The passive network that is modular, easy to Unirack is capable of handling four unit is supplied with a hinged front cover install and allows for logical future up- Porta-6-pack modules. Each of these for added protection. Reader service grades. the company says. modules is capable of holding splitters #135

Harmonic Lightwaves Demos Cable AML Offers New New Fiber Transmitter Test Equipment Package Cable AML showed an integrated Harmonic Lightwaves introduced the mount housing. The HLT-4000 series low-cost test equipment package. The PWPLink DFB transmitter for use in housing also incorporates a convenient WR75TK was designed to allow short links, local distributor and high alphanumeric display allowing simpli- CARS band (12.7 to 13.25 GHz) users density newscasting applications. The fied setup and local monitoring. Perfor- to verify transmitter, receiver and sys- PWPLink complements the company's mance for the PWPLink ranges from 9 tem performance and to perform on- product line, which includes the dB to 13 dB optical budgets providing an site diagnostics and troubleshooting. YAGLink system and the NMS 500 net- end-of-line C/N of +51 with CTB of -67 The test equipment package also facili- work management system. Up to five dBc and CSO of 63 dBc. Availability is tates compliance with FCC verifica- DFB modules can be accommodated scheduled for the first quarter 1994. tion requirements by providing fre- within a compact 5-1/4" high rack- Reader service #137 quency and power measurement capabilities. Reader service #138 Channelmatic Intros Audio Level Control Module Channelmatic Inc. demonstrated its Featuring 10 DIP switch selectable ing 24 channels of aucho control that new audio level control (ALC-3001) attach and recovery time periods, the require only two rack units of physi- module. This control module incorpo- ALC can be custom configured to cal space at acost of about $300 per rates state-of-the-art circuitry to pro- match the audio characteristics of dif- channel. The modular design of the vide high-performance automatic sig- ferent network programming. The rack frame also incorporates an auto- nal level control while additionally company says the unit is economical- matic bypass relay when a module is improving the overall sound quality. ly priced and compact in size, offer- removed. Reader service #135 Amplifying With Viewsonics

Viewsonics announced a line of minia- two-output 10 dB gain mini amp uses the All amps can be either standard power ture broadband amplifiers with a frequen- 3/4-way splitter housing. The four-output type or power insertion and come with cy range of 45 MHz to 1 GHz. 10 dB gain and the single output 20 dB the patent pending plug-in adapter. This The single output 10 dB gain mini gain mini amps are housed in aslightly adapter utilizes F-connected power feed- amp uses the company's traditional small larger version. Ports are parallel to the ing and is available in 110 and 220 V ver- pattern two-way splitter housing. The mounting surface on all models. sions. Reader service #134

Have You Made Your Commitment To Sponsor One Of The 1994 International Lounges At: SCTE Cable-Tec — June 15-18, 1994 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CABLE Wireless '94 Show — June 20-23, 1994 CABLE

Magazine Western Show — November 30-December 2, 1994 Magazine Call Cindy Tandy At: 1-303-839-1565, Ext. 205 February 1994

%ei B K -ID

Ib li

The training and educational supplement to Communications Technology magazine.

Table of Contents TDR 84

The ins and outs of the time domain reflectometer. By Riser-Bonds Walter "Duff' Campbell.

SLM troubleshooting 88

Jack Webb of Sencore offers a hands-on introduction to the use of signal level meters in drop operation.

n e Table 3: Troubleshooting guide

Picture problems Cause Action/solution Snow (all channels) Low signal levels Open in drop Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Loose connector, dielectric left on center conductor or short center conductor. Short in drop Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Look for fasteners through cable. Bad cable Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Look for low levels or lost signal in the cable. Bad traps Measure signal level through traps. Measure at high, low, mid and adjacent channels. Bad splitters Measure signal levels through splitter. Terminate all unused legs. Bad balun Replace balun. Bad connector Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Fix/replace connector. Bad tap Use RF probe to measure signal levels low at tap port, but good at tap RF input. (Use same value.) Bad converter Check AC power. Swap converter or troubleshoot with test TV set. System problem Signals measure low back to tap, or noise is confirmed with test TV monitor at the tap. Notify supervisor. Bad TV set Signal levels are measured good through the drop and confirmed with atest TV monitor. Also, check input connection to TV set, A/B switch, video game adapter, and VCR connections. Eliminate all to verify TV operation. Intermittent snow Open in drop Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Loose connector, dielectric left on center conductor or short center conductor. Short in drop Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Look for fasteners through cable. Bad connector Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Fix/replace connector.

Snow Open in drop Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Loose connector, dielectric left on center conductor or short (low channels) center conductor. Levels will be good at high channels and low at low channels. Bad splitters Measure signal levels through splitter. Terminate all unused legs. Bad balun Replace balun. Balun may be for lower bandwidth system. Snow Bad cable Use meter to troubleshoot the drop. Look for water ingress in cable. Frequency response of cable is worse (high channels) than expected. Bad splitters Measure signal levels through splitter. Terminate all legs. Splitter may be for lower bandwidth system. Bad balun Measure signal levels through balun. Loss 3dB per balun. Balun may be for lower bandwidth system. Ghosting Ingress Test at tap with test TV monitor, or check drop for loose connector, damaged cable, broken ground, bad balun or "creative customer wiring." Direct pickup If good with a converter, but not with cable-ready set, problem is TV set. Must use aconverter. If bad at the tap, notify your supervisor.

Co-channel Ingress Test at tap with test TV monitor, or check drop for loose connector, damaged cable, broken ground, bad balun or "creative customer wiring." Direct pickup If good with a converter, but not with cable-ready set, problem is TV set. Must use aconverter. If bad at the tap, notify your supervisor. If bad at the tap, notify your supervisor. White Rash -1/3 line Test signal Normal when using high level sweep system. Explain that this is atest signal used to maintain the system. Vertical line FM interference Test at tap with test TV monitor, or check drop for loose connector, damaged cable, broken ground, bad balun or "creative customer wiring." Direct pickup If good with a converter, but not with cable-ready set, problem is direct pickup (TV set). Must use a converter. If not good with converter or bad at the tap, notify your supervisor. Horizontal bar(s) System problem Measure hum with the meter. If greater than 3% report it to your supervisor. If measured < 3% and visible test converter output/IF convert output is OK, TV set may have a problem. Bad TV set Measure hum at converter output, if <3%, TV set may have a problem.

Windshield wiper Test signal levels with meter. Use RF probe to measure signal levels. If low at tap port, but good at tap RF input, change tap plate to proper value. Bad converter If levels are OK, check converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set is defective. If not, test without converter or replace the converter. Bad TV set Test converter output with test TV, if OK, TV set may have aproblem. (Try reducing input to TV set with in-line pad.) System problem Test the drop with the test TV set, if X-mod is present, it is a system problem; report it to your supervisor. Herring bone Test signal levels with meter. Use RF probe to measure signal levels. If low at tap port, but good at tap RF input, change tap plate to proper value. Bad converter If levels are OK, check converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set is defective. If not OK, test without converter or replace the converter. Bad TV set Test converter output with test TV set, if OK, TV set may have aproblem. Adjust fine tuning control or tum on AFT. System problem Test the drop with the test TV set, if herringbone is present, it is a system problem; report it to your supervisor. Vertical roll Test signal levels with meter. Use RF probe to measure signal levels. If low at tap port, but good at tap RF input, change tap plate to proper value. Bad converter If levels are OK, check converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set may have a problem. If not, test without converter or replace the converter. Bad TV set Test converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set may have a problem. Never adjust customer's TV set. System problem Test the drop with the test TV set, if vertical roll is present, it is a system problem; report it to your supervisor. Diagonal tearing Test signal levels with meter. Use RF probe to measure signal levels. If low at tap port, but good at tap RF input, change tap plate to proper value. Bad converter If levels are OK, check converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set may have a problem. If not, test without converter or replace the converter. Bad TV set Test converter output with test TV set. If OK, TV set may have a problem. System problem Test the drop with the test TV set. If tearing is present, it is a system problem; report it to your supervisor. Sparkles Over modulation Test with test TV set. If OK, TV set is defective, otherwise notify your supervisor (headend or system problem). (single channel)

Contrast/brightness Mod level Test with test TV set. If OK, TV set may have a problem. Otherwise notify your supervisor (headend (single channel) or system problem).

92 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY/BACK TO BASICS Figure 7: Typical installation levels

+12 dB Tap TV set #1 CATV strand +50 dBmV 1.2 dBmV -11 dB

Set-top converter Trap

Drop cable Ground block (-6.8 dB) -3 dB (-0.5 dB)

Ground wire Set-top converter To suitable ground (-1 dB)

4 TV set #2 Ground rod

your levels are significantly different should double check the operation of picture quality such as hum, co-chan- than those predicted, then there may the TV set(s), the converter and/or nel, X-mod, C/N, ingress, etc., refer be a fault in the installation. To locate the traps, if used. Operate the TV set to other reference materials for pho- this fault we will use the signal level on all channels viewing the picture tos and descriptions. meter to troubleshoot our installation, quality and listening to the audio, es- Don't forget to check the remote starting back through the drop. pecially those channels adjacent to control for the converter and the Divide and conquer. Move back to trapped channels. A faulty trap will power on/power off operation. The the ground block output to check lev- not only insufficiently block the least little problem will mean a sec- els and if the levels are good the trapped channel, but also may trap ond truck roll and an unhappy cus- problem is between the ground block part of the adjacent channel. You can tomer. Be sure. Do it right the first and the wall plate. If not, move to the use your signal level meter to mea- time. Proper use of a signal level cable at the input of the ground sure the level of the adjacent video meter will help you make more instal- block. Keep dividing the problem and audio carriers. The FCC requires lations and more importantly make area into half until you get down to the audio carriers to be 13 to 17 dB them all good installations. the one faulty component. Don't for- down from their respective video car- It has always been a good practice get our assumptions and loss esti- rier. System transmission of the to equip your service and installation mates as you go through the drop audio carrier should have little effect personnel with a fully capable signal components so that you can predict a on this ratio. A problem is usually level meter, but now with the new good signal level reading. If you are caused by a faulty trap. focus on customer service, it is more using a splitter to provide second out- For help in identifying problems in important than ever. BTB lets, be sure that both legs are terminated by a TV, converter or termina- III tor. An open leg will cause standing waves and erroneous readings on Excellence the other leg. (See Figure 7.) If you have had a problem trou- in the Age bleshooting an installation be sure to Of Change double check all of your connections NaCom is the one contractor you can count on to respond to industry changes and new for proper tightness, tags and weath- technologies. As asingle source provider for turnkey installations, construction, and er boots, etc. It is very easy to forget walk-off or drafting services, look for one of NaCoe s-Offices near you: these items once you have solved AL. Mobile FL. Miami MO, St. Louis TN. Memphis CA.Los Angeles Pensacola New York City Area TX. Houston the major fault. For other helpful San Francisco Fi. Walton Beach OH, Columbus Bait/Wash. DC hints in troubleshooting the drop see San Diego Panama City Cincinnati IL. Chicago Gulf Breete Table 3. IN. Indianapolis KY. Louisville MN. Minneapolis Call iNaCom Finish the job (800) 669-8765 Ext. 3046 MIN Now that you are sure the signal level to the customer is correct you Reader Service Number 61

BACK TO BASICS/COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 1994 93 FOR SAFETY'S SAKE

Making the ups and downs in your life a little safer

By Ralph Haimowitz 5) No special additional equipment Director of Training ITC-6004 or ladder modification is needed to Society of Cable Television Engineers Figure 2: Safe-Tie use the product. T tshould not come as a surprise to 6) Most important of all, it reduces 1 anyone that the greatest number of the potential for ladder accidents substantially. accidents in the field are happening on ladders. Improper climbing habits, unsafe footwear and a lack of proper The second product is called Sky training in handling and using ladders Hook (Figures 3 and 4) and can ei- are primary causes (along with just ther be used as a top-tie for ladders plain carelessness). to poles, pipes, pillars, superstruc- tures, etc., or as a strand-tie when Occasionally, a new product working mid-span on cable plant. Sky comes along that can improve safety in the use of certain equipment. Re- Hook eliminates twisting of the tie- down unit. It stabilizes itself with cently Ifound out about three items weight shifts and may be used with or from Independent Technologies Inc. without strand hooks. It will prevent that seem to work well with ladders. The first two products are called lateral slide of the ladder on the Safe-Tie and Sky Hook. First, let's strand — something that makes it in- valuable for the safety of the techni- take a look at the Safe-Tie. cian. It allows for increased working The Safe-Tie was introduced as a reach and will ride out wind, weight ladder safety product in 1986 and there are currently two versions of 11/ this product on the market. Model ITC-6003 (Figure 1) secures a ladder to a utility pole or superstructure be-

fore climbing and is the most commonly used because it is the quickest and easiest to use. The ITC-6003 has two quick release buckles for rapid setup and take-down. The ITC- 6004 (Figure 2) does the same operation as the ITC-6003 except it uses straps around the ladder rail rather than hooks. Key benefits of using the Safe-Tie are:

1) Hooks around ladder rails that eliminate the unnecessary loops and ties through the ladder. 2) Buckle-operated unit with spring-loaded buckles that allow for quick disconnect within seconds. 3) Nylon webbing and stitching makes it rated stronger than rope or canvas webbing and is far less sus- ceptible to mildew and rot. Tie systems are rated at 1,500 pounds, which exceeds ladder specifications. 4) International orange color draws the attention of pedestrians to take precaution when near the ladder use location.

94 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Figure 4: Sky Hook as a strand-tie

1) Ladder Tote by Independent Technologies in use.

4) The built-in snap and ring secure 7' •- Ladder Tote to the ladder.

"Improper climbing habits, unsafe footwear and lack of proper training in handling and using ladders are primary causes (of accidents)." 2) Center yourself and the Ladder Tote beside the upright ladder. The and tension sag. Ease of application adjustable buckle should be on the is a big plus for this item. front end (direction of movement). Gordon Baldwin of Times Mirror Cable in California said the Safe-Tie and Sky Hook have proven excellent for their technicians' use with lad- 5) Secure the other end of the Lad- ders. He feels the products are "the der Tote to the ladder rail three equivalent of safety belts for ladders rungs from the center position in the and excellent for CATV use, particu- opposite direction. larly when the application is side loading for tools and equipment that needs to be pulled up or lowered down a pole." The third item is called Ladder Tote and was specially designed to carry ladders that are used throughout the cable industry over long distances, over rough terrain, when foot- ing is poor due to ice, snow, mud, leaves, etc., in congested business or residential areas, or for the smaller, slight-of-build technician. Ladder Tote lightens the load, eases lifting, improves balance and maneuvering, and helps reduce the risks of falling, 3) Loop one end of the Ladder Tote 6) The technician places Ladder muscle strain, back pain, fatigue and around the ladder rail and the third Tote over his shoulder (away from reduces lost time accidents. Ladder rung from the center position. the ladder).

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 1994 95 "The greatest number of accidents in the field are happen ing on ladders."

Tote was tested by technicians at High Country Cable, a system of Booth American in Boone, NC, and it was found to live up to the manufacturer's claims. (See the accompany series of photos starting on page 95 to see how the product is used.) This article is not intended as an endorsement of a specific products by the Society of Cable Television Engineers. The sole purpose of this article is to provide information re- garding safety material available to help protect the safety, health and 7) Now the tech adjusts the Ladder Tote buckle removing slack until the ladder can be lifted and carried about hip-high. welfare of cable system employees who climb ladders in the performance of their jobs. For additional information on these products call Independent Technolo- gies Inc. at (402) 496-4700. CT

COAST C c CATV SUPPLY, INC. S

314 Elizabeth Lane Corona, CA 91720

Ph: (909) 272-2360 Fax: (909) 272-3032

BEST PRICES From Coast to Coast 8) The shoulder pad may have to be adjusted to a comfortable position also. WE BUY and SELL SPECIALIZING IN NEW, USED or REMANUFACTURED •LINEGEAR •PASSIVES •CONVERTERS •HEADEND

CALL TODAY With Your Requirements LARGE QUANTITIES IN STOCK "We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express"

reeie G VISA 9) The ladder can now be easily carried and maneuvered in uneven terrain Reader Service Number 62 or congested areas.

96 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY MAIL

FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 788 PITTSFIELD, MA

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE OUTSIDE U.S. PLEASE AFFIX POSTAGE

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Reader Service Management Department P.O. Box 5360 Pittsfield, MA 01203-9788

NO POSTAGE NECESSARY Mil IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY MAIL

FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 788 PITTSFIELD, MA

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE OUTSIDE U.S. PLEASE AFFIX POSTAGE

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Reader Service Management Department P.O. Box 536 Pittsfield, MA 01203-9788

111,,, .„11„1,1 11.,,,,11. 1,1 ,1.1111 111,1 1.1,1,1 COMMUNICATIONS Return this card for Free Information •Free Subscription TECHNOLOGY Mail or Fax today A. Are you a member of the 32 Connectors 70. Fber Optics Test Equpment SCTE (Society of Cable 33 Converters 71. Leakage Detection - - February 1994 HB1 to 413 637 4343 Television Engineers)? 34 Controllers 72. OTORs 01 yes 35 Fleet Management 73. Oscillators 02 no The information at right must be completed to 36 Headend Equipment 74. - Power Meter 37 Interactive Software 75. Service Monitors process your request. B. Please check the cate- 38 Liontning Protection 76. Skala' Level Meters gory that best describes 39 Vaults/Pedestals 77.E SpecTrum Analyzers El Yes, Iwish to receive/continue to receive Communications Technology V] No your firm's primary 40 MMDS Transmission Equipment 78. Status Monitonng business (check only 1): 41 Microwave Equipment 79. System Bench Sweep Name Cable TV Systems Operations 42 Receivers and Modulators 80 TbRs 03 Independent Cable TV Syst 43 Safety Equipment 81. Video Test Equipment Title 04 - MS0 (two or more Cable 44 Satellite Equipment N Systems) Company 45 Splitters I. What is your annual cable 05. Cable TV Contractor 46 Subscrber/Addressable test A measurement Address 06. Cable TV Program Network Security Equipment/Remotes equipment expenditures? 07. SHAW or OBS Operator 47 Telephone/PCS Equbment 82. up to $50,000 City State Zip OB. - MDS, STV or LPTV Operator 48 Power Suppls. (Batteries, etc) 83. $50.001 to $100.000 09 Mnrowave or Telephone Corp 49 VideoCiphers 84. eion,00t to $250.000 Phone Fax 10. Commercial TV Broadcaster 50. Video Servers 85. over $250,000 11. Cable TV Component Signature Date Manufacturer E. What Is your Icable J. In the next 12 months, 12. Other (please specrly) equipment expenditures? (Signature and date required by US Postal Service) what cable services do 51 up to S50,000 you plan to buy? 52. - $50.001 to $100,000 86 Consuling/Brokerage Services Circle Numbers for Free Information C. Please check the 53 $100,001 to $250.000 87. - Contracing Services category that best 54 over $250.000 (Construction/installment describes your job title: 1 27 53 79 105 131 157 183 209 235 261 287 88 Repair Services 13 Corporate Management F. In the next 12 months, 2 28 54 80 106 132 158 184 210 236 262 288 89 Technical Services/ Eng Design 14 Management what fiber-optic equip- 90 Training Services 3 29 55 81 107 133 159 185 211 237 263 289 15 Progrznimng ment do you plan to buy? 4 30 56 82 108 134 160 186 212 238 264 290 TechnIcal/EnglneerIng 55 Fiber-Optic Amplifiers K. What is your Icable 5 31 57 83 109 135 161 187 213 239 265 291 16 Vice President 56 Fiber-Optic Connectors services expenditures? 6 32 58 84 110 136 162 188 214 240 266 292 17. Director 57 Fiber-Optic Couplers/Splitters 91 up to sso,000 7 33 59 85 111 137 163 189 125 241 267 293 18. Manager 58 Fber-Optic Splicers 92. $50.001 to $100,000 8 34 60 86 112 138 164 190 216 242 268 294 19 Engineer 59. Fiber-Optic Transmitter/Receiver 93 $1C0,001 to $250.000 9 35 61 87 113 139 165 191 217 243 269 295 20 - Technician 60. Fber-Oplic Patchcords/ Pigtails 94 over $250,000 10 36 62 88 114 140 166 192 218 244 270 296 21 Installer 61. Fiber-Optic Components 11 37 63 89 115 141 167 193 219 245 271 927 22 Sales/Marketing 62. Fber-Oplic Cable L. Do you plan to rebuild) 12 38 64 so 116 142 168 194 220 246 272 298 23 Other (please specrfy) 63 Fber-Optic Closures &Cabinets upgrade your system in: 13 39 65 91 117 143 169 195 221 247 273 299 95 1year 14 40 66 92 118 144 170 196 222 248 274 300 G. What is your annual 96. more than 2years 15 41 67 93 119 145 171 197 223 249 275 301 D. In the next 12 months, fiber-optic equipment 16 42 se 94 120 146 172 198 224 250 276 302 what cable equipment expenditures? M. How many miles of plant 17 43 69 95 121 147 173 199 225 251 277 303 do you plan to buy? 64 up to S50,000 are you upgrading/ 18 44 70 96 122 148 174 200 226 252 278 304 24. Amplifiers 65. - $50.031 to $100,000 rebuilding? 19 45 71 97 123 149 175 201 227 253 279 305 25. Antennas 66 $100,001 to 11250,000 97 up to10 miles 20 46 72 98 124 150 176 202 228 254 280 306 26. CATV PassNe Equipment 67 over $256000 98 11-30 miles inducing Coaxial Cable 21 47 73 99 125 151 177 203 229 255 281 307 99 31 miles or more 27 Cable Tools 22 48 74 100 126 152 178 204 230 256 282 308 H. In the next 12 months, 28. CAD Software, Mapping what cable test 8. 23 49 75 101 127 153 179 205 231 257 283 309 29. Commercial Insertion/ measurement equipment 24 50 76 102 128 154 180 206 232 258 284 310 Character Generator do you plan to buy? 25 51 77 103 129 155 181 207 233 259 285 311 30. Compression/Digital Equip. 68. Audio Test Equipment 26 52 78 104 130 156 182 208 234 260 286 312 31 Computer Equipment 69. Cable Fault Locators

COMMUNICATIONS Return this card for Free Information •Free Subscription TECHNOLOGY Mail or Fax today A. Are you a member of the 32. Connectors 70. Fiber Optics Test Equipment February 1994 HB2 SCTE (Society of Cable 33. Converters 71. Leakage Detection to 413-637-4343 Television Engineers)? 34. C,cntrollers 72. OTORs 01 yes 35. Fleet Management 73. Oscillators The information at right must be completed to 02 no 36. Headend Equipment 74. Power Meter 37. - Interactive Software 75. Service Me1110fs process your request. B. Please check the cate- 38. Lightning Protection 76. Signal Level Meters gory that best describes 39. Vaults/Pedestals 77. Spectrum Analyzers [.1 Yes, Iwish to receive/continue to receive Communications Technology. 1-1 No your firm's primary 40. - MMDS Transmission Equipment 78. Status Monitoring business (check only 1): 41. - Microwave Equipment 79. System Bench Sweep Name Cable TV Systems Operations 42. Receivers and Modulators 80. TDRs 03. Independent Cable N Syst Title 43. - Safety Equipment 81. Video Test Equipment 04. MS0 (two or more Cable 44. - Satellite Equipment Company N Systems) 45. Seers I. What is your annual cable 05. Cable TV Contractor 46. Subscriber/Addressable test a measurement Address 06. Cable N Program Network Security Equipment/Remotes equipment expenditures? 07. SMATV or DBS Operator 47. Telephone/PCS Equipment 82 up to $50.960 City State Zip 06. - MOS. SW or LPTV Operator 48. Power Sups% (Batteries, etc.) 83 $50,001 to $100,000 09. Microwave or Telephone Corp. 49. - VideoCiphers 84 -$100.001 to $250.000 Phone Fax 10. Commercial TV Broadcaster 50. - Video Servers as over $250.000 11. Cable TV Component Signature Date Manufacturer E. What is your Icable J. In the next 12 months, 12. Other (please specify) (Signature and date required by U.S. Postal Service) equipment expenditures? what cable services do 51. up to $50,000 you plan to buy? 52. - 150,001 to $100.000 86. Consulting/Brokerage Services Circle Numbers for Free Information C. Please check the 53. $loo,col to $250,000 87. Contracting Services category that best 54. over $250,000 (ConstructiorVInstallation) describes your job title: 1 27 53 79 105 131 157 183 209 235 261 287 88. Repair Services 13. Corporate Management F. In the next 12 months, 2 28 54 80 106 132 158 184 210 236 262 288 89 Technical Serviced Bag Design 14. Management what fiber-optic equip- 3 29 55 81 107 133 159 185 211 237 263 289 90 Training Services 15. Programming ment do you plan to buy? 4 30 56 82 108 134 160 186 212 238 264 290 Technical/Engineering 55. Fiber-Optic Amplifiers K. What is your Icable 5 31 57 83 109 135 161 187 213 239 265 291 16. Vice President 56. Fiber-Optic Connectors services expenditures? 6 32 58 84 110 136 162 188 214 240 266 292 17. Director 57. Fiber-Optic CouplerdSpIrtlers 91. up to $50,000 7 33 59 85 111 137 163 189 125 241 267 293 18. Manager 58. Fber-Optic Splicers 92. $50,001 to $100,000 8 34 60 86 112 138 164 190 216 242 268 294 19. Engneer 59. Fiber-Optic Transmitter/Receiver 93. $100,001 to 5250,000 9 35 61 87 113 139 165 191 217 243 269 295 20. Technician 60. Fber-Optic Patchcords, Pigtails 94 over $250.000 10 36 62 88 114 140 166 192 218 244 270 296 21. Installer 61. Fiber-Optic Components 11 37 63 89 115 141 167 193 219 245 271 927 22. Sales/Marketing 62. Fber-Optic Cable L. Do you plan to rebuild) 12 38 64 90 116 142 168 194 220 246 272 298 23. Other (please specify) 63. - Fber-Optic Closures a. Gabnets upgrade your system in: 13 39 65 91 117 143 169 195 221 247 273 299 95 1year 14 40 66 92 118 144 170 196 222 248 274 300 O. What is your annual 96 more than 2years 15 41 67 93 119 145 171 197 223 249 275 301 D. In the next 12 months, fiber-optic equipment 16 42 se 94 120 146 172 198 224 250 276 302 what cable equipment expenditures? M. How many miles of plant 17 43 69 95 121 147 173 199 225 251 277 303 do you plan to buy? 64 up to $50,000 are you upgrading/ 18 44 70 96 122 148 174 200 226 252 278 304 24. Amplifiers 65 $50.001 to $100,000 rebuilding? 19 45 71 97 123 149 175 201 227 253 279 305 25. Antennas 66 $196,00110 $250.000 97 up to10 miles 20 46 72 98 124 150 176 202 228 254 280 306 26. - CAN Passive Equipment includ 67 over $250.000 98 11.30 miles ing Coatial Cable 21 47 73 99 125 151 177 203 229 255 281 307 99 31 miles or more 27. Cable Tools 22 48 74 100 126 152 178 204 230 256 282 308 H. In the next 12 months, 28. CAD Software. Mappng 23 49 75 101 127 153 179 205 231 257 283 309 what cable test SI 29 Commercial Insertion/ measurement equipment 24 50 76 102 128 154 180 206 232 258 284 310 Character Generator 25 51 77 103 129 155 181 207 233 259 285 311 do you plan to buy? 30. Compression/Digital Equip. 68 Audio Test Equipment 26 52 78 104 130 156 182 208 234 260 286 312 31. Computer Equipment 69 Cable Fault Locators AD INDEX It's so simple! To obtain additional information from any of the display advertisers appearing in this issue of Communications Technology, please use one of the Reader Service Cards on the facing page (pass the others along). The ad index below has been expanded to include not only the page number of each advertiser, but also each corresponding reader service number to be circled on the Reader Service Card.

Reader Service # Page # Reader Service # Page #

Alpha Technologies 27 13 Molex Fiber Optics 23 14 AM Communications 20 11 Monroe Electronics 8 8 Amherst International 67 101 Moore Diversified 30 21 Ando Corporation 80 26 Multilink 16 27 Antec Corporation 5, 85 5, 112 NaCom 61 93 Antennas for Communications 76 109 Norwegian Broadland 41 41 AOFR 32 45 Photonics 29 21 Ben Hughes/Cable Prep 36 34 Pico Products 72 108 Blonder Tongue 18 37 Pirelli Cable 28 30 Budco 70 108 Power Guard 7, 4 7,6 Cable AML 58 64 Powertronics 14 10 Cable Leakage Technology 56 61 Quality R.F. Services 68 31 Cable Link 74 109 Radiant Communication 55 60 Cable Media 29 21 Ripley Company 69 101 Cable Resources 24 16 Riser-Bond Instruments 21 12 Cable -Tek Wiring Products 57 62 RL Drake 44 43 Cadco 40 51 RMS Electronics 73 109 Calan 22 39 Sadelco 64 98 C-Cor Electronics 60 87 Sawtre Electronics 50 49 Coast CATV Supply 62 96 SCTE 1 17 ComSonics 38 35 Sencore 2 2 Contec 52 57 Standard Communication 13 9 D. Company 39 38 Sumitomo Electric 25 66 DH Satellite 71 108 Superior Electronics 84 111 DX Communications 42 18, 19 Telecrafter Products 26 4 FM Systems 9 8 Three-M 17 59 GMP Inc 19 10 Times Fiber Communications 43 55 HP Labs 31 24 Toner Cable Equipment 66 99 Hughes AML 48 33 Trilithic 45 63 Ipitek 35 23 Trilogy Communications 3 3 Jerrold Communications 15 25 Tulsat 33, 34 28, 29 Leader Instruments 47 53 TVC Supply 54 58 Learning Industries 53 47 Voltage Control Systems 49 48 Mega Hertz 37 34 VueScan 59 65 Mind Extension Institute 75 41 Wavetek 63 15

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Road to ATV proposed alliance transmission sys- UPS tems, there could be a further delay (Continued from page 54) (Continued from page 50) while the alliance modifies its system liance agreed to a 1,080 active line to work with COFDM. tions in an AC-to-DC-to-AC format as interlaced presentation with the de- Other potential delays in rolling out shown in the accompanying figure on velopment of a transition path to a complete system include the follow- page 50. It acts like an ordinary inverter 1,080 active line progressive display. ing: The transmission system select- operating from a pair of batteries to pro- The 787/788-line progressive display ed needs to be capable of transport- duce AC, but also has an AC-to-DC was retained. The alliance agreed to ing two ATV signals within 6 MHz on converter (better known as a DC power incorporate "B" frames in the system a cable system; VCRs must be de- supply) attached to the battery termi- so it would be MPEG-2 compatible. signed to enable the recording and nals supplying the current necessary to The spectrum-shaped QAM transmis- playback of the ATV signal; and an operate the inverter and keep the bat- sion system was withdrawn from con- encryption system has to be devel- teries charged. sideration. The Technical Subgroup oped and incorporated into the de- When a power failure occurs, the in- approved the recommendations of sign to allow cable operators to se- verter section doesn't even know any- the Grand Alliance and passed the cure the signal. thing has happened. It just keeps hum- recommendation to the full Advisory ming merrily along from the current Committee for approval. The adop- Conclusion supplied by the batteries that have tion of full MPEG-2 compliance im- The process of developing an ATV been floating fully charged across the pacts the schedule and results in the system and adopting a national stan- inverter input. Because there are no re- complete system tests being delayed dard has moved a long way from the lays in this configuration, it is the only until October 1994. Field tests would appointment of the Advisory Commit- type that may properly be called a true follow with final reports in early 1995. tee in 1987 with significant develop- on-line UPS. The proposed transmission systems ments in technology during that peri- The trade-off for this type of power will be tested at the test center in od. The development and implemen- supply is less efficiency — something in January 1994. The Transmission Ex- tation of the new technologies — the order of 20% below a transfer type perts Group of the Technical Sub- while slowing down the process — of standby inverter. But the advantages group is continuing to investigate will result in a superior system. The of complete isolation from the power line coded orthoganal frequency division final decision, while it may not hap- and no possibility of transfer glitches multiplex (COFDM) transmission. If pen until some time in 1995, will be surely makes this type of power supply COFDM proves to be superior to the well worth the effort and delays. CT aviable option for critical locations. CT 54-600*MHz .. only $849 Complete Sadelco's Model 7600 Signal Level Meter

Comes Complete With:

E +1 dB Accuracy III Illuminated Meter E Color Coded Dial E Electronic Shut-Off E Speaker 111 Steel Case E Padded Nylon Bag E Ni -Cad Batteries E Charger

Sadelco was 1st to advocate using H. Sadel's patented Made in the USA by: White Noise Application to calibrate Signal Level Meters *812 MHz, Model 7600U and other CATV equipment, more than a decade ago. Tel: 201-569-3323 75 West Forest Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey 07631 Sadeico:Inc. Fax: 201-569-6285

Reader Response Number 64 98 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY just afew of over 2,000 cable -tv products available from

Successfully serving the cable -tv and telecommunication industr ies for over 23 years.

Call for your FREE copy of the best catalog in the industry cable equipment, inc. 969 Horsham Road • Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044 • USAI USA NATIONWIDE: 800-523-5947 • FAX: 215-675-7543 •WORLDWID':: 1-215-675-2053

Toner Cable Equipment, Inc. -1994 Reader Service Number 66 ENGINEERING INFRARED STATUS MONITORING DRAFTING & DESIGN Integrated Network Services, Inc. STOP CLIMBING POLES!

•Design & CADD (.- INS offers acomplete •Low Cost •Standby Power Supplies •Base & Strand Mapping service package utilizing • No Reverse needed •Trunk Amplifiers •As-Built Mapping today's technology •High and Low Levels •Stores 1000 readings •Fiber Design to provide customized •AC and DC Voltages •Download to IBM •CATV Training ( solutions at prices to •Temperature •Data base compatible •Consulting fit your budget. •FCC Testing Call for FREE Video demo SCTE Member Contact: Butch Sehorn 404-751-8881 CABLEWARE ELECTRONICS 1325 Northmeadow Pkwy., Suite 110. Roswell, GA 30076 (702) 641-4405 •Fax: (702) 641-4425

CONTRACT INSTALLERS,INC. UHF Radio Equipped Trucks •Uniformed Installers

HOUSE INSTALLATIONS vineCable Company 1 Aerial -Underground -Pre-wire APARTMENT INSTALLATIONS Repairs & Sales Post wire -Pre-wire -Commercial Building a Converter Repairs Tap Audits a Specialists on Jerrold Addressable Install or Remove Traps and/or Converters • Competitive Pricing Drop change over for System Rebuilds a Authorized Panasonic & S-A Service Center LENNY FISCHER MONTIE FISCHER Contact: Errol McCalla TKR Cable Company P.O. Box 1564 P.O. Box 1058 Ph: (908) 583-2026 25 Industrial Drive Appleton, Wisconson 54913-1564 Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32549-1058 (414) 582-7087 •Fax (414) 528-7528 (904) 651-5154 Fax: (908) 290 -1677 Cliffwood Beach, NJ 07735

(5) TeIsta T40 Placer Units In Stock From $8,000 MIDWEST CABLE SERVICES (15) Telsta-Versilift 1Ton Buckets In Stock From $4,000 (13) Digger Derricks Etc. (130) Specialized Trucks In Stock Call For Price List: (215) 721-4444 Fax: (215) 721-4350 •ts, • !Inept Opdyke Inc.

Truck & -NATIONWIDE BUYERS - Equipment Sales CATV SCRAP CABLE AND USED LINE GEAR 3I 23 Bet hlehem Ise Hatfield. PA 19440 P.O. Box 96, Argos, IN 46501 • USA Phone: (219) 892-5537 • FAX: (219) 892-5624

NATIONWIDE TOWER COMPANY COMMUNICATIONS TOWER CONTRACTOR Fishel Technologies Erections •Dismantles •Antenna •Relamp It1 Division of the Fishel Company Ultrasound •Structural Analysis •Paint Inspections •Reguy •Engineering • CATV Design • Strand P.O. Box 130 Poole, KY 42444-0130 Mapping Phone (502) 533-6600 • Fax (502) 533-0044 24 Hour Emergency Service Available • CATV Drafting

SCTE SUSTAINING MEMBER • Turnkey • As-built CATV DESIGN Projects Mapping

ASSOCIATES, INC. Lode Data AutoCAD VersaCAD SINCE 1979 •Design •AutoCad Drafting •Strand Mapping •Cad Training/Setup Contact: Curt Smith 1-800 -347 -4351 •As-Built Mapping •Scanning Services 5524 Bee Caves Rd.. Suite Cl •Austin. Texas 78746 Steve Williams President (512) 328 -2461 1810 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH. 43228 Charles Wright CAD CABLE CONSTRUCTORS, INC. (815) 698-2564 DRAFTING Rt. 116 & 1-57, Central Plaza COMPLETE TURNKEY CONSTRUCTION 1-800-338-9299 SERVICES,INC. Ashkum, IL 60911 •Coaxial and Fiber •Material Supply •Base Mapping •As-Built Mapping •Mapping and Design •Emergency Fiber Restoration •Member SCTE •System Sweep •Strand Mapping •System Design •Splicing and Activation •Proof of Performance •Digitizing Services •System Walkout •Fusion Splicing •Turnkey Headend •Aerial, Underground & •Complete Turnkey Project Specializing in high volume precision drafting. Fiber Construction Management "Quality service for all your cable drafting and design needs." SCTE quality service performed on a timely basis Call for literature. Member

California Amplifier BRIDGEPOINT

U.S. manufacturer of: C-Band LNBFs (Pulse. Voltage Switched and Dual H/V Output), LNBs, Commercial Phase-Locked LNBs. Ku-Band COMMUNICATIONS INC. LNBs (Multiple Frequencies). Feedhorns (C. C/Ku, C/Ku/S). Arabsat LNBs and TVRO accessories. Wireless Cable (MMDS) products in- Coax and Fiber Construction clude: 31 and 33 Channel Integrated " Yagi" antenna/downconveiers, stand-alone downconverters (Multiple Frequencies), LNAs and the Full Installation Services BeambenderTm. alow cost microwave repeater. Subscriber Audits and Sales

460 Calle San Pablo Phone: (805) 987-9000 Camarillo, CA 93012 USA Fax: (805) 987-8359 (214) 617.-8888

• Cmaacr: John Ramsey, Director of Business Development DALLAS, TEXAS

LEMCO AMS-1 CHARACTER GENERATOR

•Character Generators CALL FOR YOUR CATALOG •VCR Controllers ATARI Computer and Software •Video Switches 800-233-8713 only $499.00! •Custom Hardware and Software TOOLSTHE OPTIONAL BA7TERY BACK S pa. Dickel Communicatons Co. FAX 310-496-4716 TRADiF 1 E 5208 East Banbury St./ Long Reach, CA 90808 Tel. 310-496-0674

"Video Poster"TM Page Generator & Controller FCC PROOF OF PERFORMANCE TESTING av- New! Text-to-speech voice llodern cello Local Weather i FIBER OPTIC DESIGN & ACTIVATION HEADEND OPTIMIZATION -Temp:85 F Humidity 35% 'Wind from SW @ 5 MPH Battery , COMPLETE SYSTEM AUDITS becked Split screen control allows logo clock and text to remain on screen... "BCLIC Infra -'cd Remote Logos can display AUTOCAD CUSTOMIZED CATV MENU ...Scrolling messages... VCR control on Video Poster' . & SYMBOLS LIBRARY 5 New HI -RES Fonts Modem Control of Remote Sites! CAD DRAFTING & DESIGN 12:24:30 THURSDAY 3:21:92 Program all from IBM or MAC STRAND MAP & AS BUILT •111-Res fonts, Video Page & Character enerator tore more t an •se pages Logos & pictures stored on cartridge 'I 6colors, 5fonts, Crawl, Flash, Special P.O. Box 244 MAP DIGITIZATION & REVISIONS effects *Two (240 hr.) variable size crawls per page 'Accurate real time clock & date 'Restores & displays pages, time & date even if power fails! 'Low cost Yankton, S.D. 57078 C64 computer (NTSC + Ch 3/4 out) *100 Time and date control events 'Infra- (605) 665-1393 800-292-0126 red controls up to 8 VCR's 'Transfer á control via modem *Control model "RMAV" & external relays + VCR's *NTSC color bars' Satellite touch-tone decode commercial Insert*User friendl ,Demo & Instructional VHS tape

Model *Price •Description of "Video Poster" TM Options: I Call for Demo tape I "RAMX" $349.95 Video Poster; 600 page Battery backed RAM-disk, Video cable & manual "C64" $179.95 Refurbished computer, with power supply (1 year warrenty all products) "Modem" $89.95 1290 baud Hayes compatible plug-in modem for remote page transfer "BCLK" $ 69.95 Battery clock (with RAM) restores time & date if power fails "PK8" $179.95 Relay control, Touch-tone decoder, Infra-red senders, 8 analog Inputs "Wei" $189.95 Temp. deg. C. or F. + Humidity sensors; Req. PK8 "WSDM" $279.95 Anamometor Wind speed and direction; Req. PK8 Jumper Cables "1541" $189.95 Optional disk drive; external unlimited back up for RAMX CUSTOM MADE CABLE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING: "DVM2" $379.95 Page controlled Digital audio;10 messages, 2 min. "TSP1" $379.95 Text-to-speech computer voice message each screen. "RMAV" F to F, N to N. BNC, RCA, F-81 "VCR8" $129.95 Control up to 8 VCR tape decks with PK8 & Infra-Red Gilbert AHS RG-56 Belden "RMAV" $ CALL 2108 750"F' audio & video AXB control LRC RG-59 Times "MST1" $ CALL Touch-tone sat. decoder AXB insert, VCR con. Pec Off Shore RG-11 Comm/Scope PK8 expansion DVM1 or TSP1 Amphenol RG-213 Intercomp WSDM adds voice messages 7mew to all screens RG-214 NUMJ Text-to-speech or We will make any cable assembly. Quick delivery on all colors and lengths digitized voice Fax (602) 582-2915. PH (602) 581-0331 Engineering Consulting Tel: 714-671-2009 Fax: 714-255-9984 335 W. Melinda Drive, Phoenix, AZ. 85027 USA 583 Candlewood St. Brea, Ca. 92621111astercardWisa'Discover*Amex•PO'CO 1133 Specializing in •Turn-Key •New Build •Rebuild •Fiber Optics ONINIERCI ‘I ELECTRONICS & St.11)1.1 Your complete electronics source

HYBRIDS • SEMICONDUCTORS • WIRE • CABLE

FUSES •CONNECTORS •HAND TOOLS MULTIMETERS „CABLE Tva.A.51,), AND OTHER TRANSFORMERS •SURGE PROTECTORS TEST INSTRUMENTS UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLIES James R. Daversa •Owner 800-247-5883 433 Walker Road •Chambersburg, PA 17201 (717) 261-1002 •Fax: (717) 261-1020 A Division of CEI

AVS Communications Texas Show Booth # 358 11

2-Way Radio CABLE TECHNICAL SERVICES Sales & Service •Commercial/Residential Installations •Sweep and Balance •Underground/ Aerial Construction (Tektronix 2721/2722, non-interfering) •Fiber Optic./Coaxial •System Audits/As Builds (510) 471-3167 •Design/Strand Mapping David A. Fiamingo P.O. Box 1625 President Union City, CA 94587 11226 Indian Trail, Dallas, TX 75229 PH: (214) 241-4169 •Fax: (214) 243-4348

Quality Cable & Electronics Inc. Commercial Spun Aluminum Antennas 1950 N.W. 44Th i Street Porn ano Beach, Florida 33064 AZ/EL POLAR HORIZON & DUAL AXIS MOUNTS

Aun, CONVERTERS See Us At CALL FOR PRICING &ELEcrflobircsrivc. HEADENDS TEXAS CABLE SHOW (800) 627-9443 13 LE DROP M ATERIAL Booth #132 DH Satellite LINE EQ UIPMENT NAB SHOW 600 N. Marquette Rd. Booth #1369 New /Used Prairie du Chien, WI •USA •53821 Phone (608) 326-8406 All Equipment /Competitive Prices CABLE & SATELLITE London Fax (608) 326-4233 Phone: 30509780 8845 Fax: 3050 978* 8831 Stand #6000 DAVID GREEN Ca// or Fax us toda with your request!

NEW: Rack Space Saver VCII & VCRS CHASSIS Upgrade -$99.50 LEE ENTERPRISE Female Business Enterprise •VCII Complete Repairs, exchanges & upgrades to VCII plus or VCRS Complete Cable Equipment Repair Facility 623 Fourth Street •P.O. Box 590 1-800-551-0096 Deshler, NE 68340 Call for Complete Price List z TM FAX (402) 365-7228 *Includes UPS return ground shipping and minor parts , ••—• INTERNATIONAL

FREE 44pg Catalog 8 80 Audio Video Applic. We Supply Quality 1SO PRODUCTS

PHONO 11-1 TP•NS ACN Satellite Equipment .. . ,i--- .0-u •-i ii-i-i 'T :,:.:` c'',''c''' o'ri's

New & 2- .n 18 -nul Audio •2 Piece Hydroformed 2Hn 24-oul Au.° Remanufactu red • 4-on 1-06.1 t Vécl•n Au.° 0141 Ampl• Aluminum Antennas POEI.Syr, Olst 0,11,4 lioutony Smtchers à -Converters OPAMP LABS INC 1213) 934-3566'.--- •Seavey 3&4 Beam Multiple •Line Extenders Il•lrg 1033 N Sycamore Av LOS ANGELES CA, 90038 •Trunk Amps Satellite Feeds •Headend Equipment •California Amplifier •Addressable Systems Design & Drafting LNA/LNB/LNCs •Up/Down Converters Sales & Service Guaranteed Throughout North America •Mexico •South America AJM Design Associates (for most frequency applications) Computer-Aided Design & Drafting CABLE LINK INC. Phone: (800) 382-2723 280 Cozzins St. •Columbus, OH. 43215 P.O. Box 639 Tony Messina FAX: (518) 382-8452 USA Ph: (614) 221-3131 •Fax: (614) 222-0581 Huntingdon Valley, PA. 19006 215-676-9161 dB-tronics® FM Microwave EME rgency Alert Equipment Sales and Service Spares & Repairs Systems By •Upgrade, modification and repair of By Subscriber, Dist., Headend & Test Equip. CornmSpec

• Sales of Re-manufactured Equipment Complete "G, H, BX & X • Specialists in SA Addressable Line' Repairs & Retunes IdEA/ONiCS Converter Repair, Including Inband New Replacement Power •Industry Leader in Quality Supplies & Harnesses 69 Channels CustomerService and Security Channel Fiters & Waveguide Branching 14 day delivery •State -of-the -Art Repair Software Provides Extensive Tracking & Reporting Used Equipment Purchased & Compatible with all headends Sold •Free Pickup and Delivery, "True" Affordable Flat Rate Pricing Field & Training Services Available 24 & 88 Channel units also available Voice (800) 356-2730 •Fax (803) 439-7518 Don Sicard CommSpec (701) 786-3904 For More Information Write To: TEL (508) 373-0657 6Tyler Park Fax: (701) 786-4294 dB-tronics., Attn: CT Ad FAX (508) 374-0154 P.O. Box 968 182 Quinn Road •WeIlford, SC. 29385 Haverhill, MA 01831 USA get converted! AERIAL BUCKET TRUCKS Custom Made Industry Large selecton geared r Jumper Assemblies R OCKY M OUNTAIN for CATV Service All Brands Fittings/Cable Since JUMPER CABLES STANDARr TRUCK & •F Male •RG -59 EOUIPMEN fCO.. INC. 1966 P.O. Box 9707 •Helena. MT. 59604 •F Female •RG -56 •BNC •FIG - 11 1155 Hill St. S.E. •PL • Other Atlanta, GA 30315 Our jumpers never leave our plant during construction, insuring inspection of each phase Ph: 1-800-241-9357 of construction. Our quality control insures you of the lowest RF leakage possibe. Fax: (404). 622-4462 L Call for pricing and free sample. (406) 458-6563 USA BUCKET TRUCKS

IMF?

DOLIGHT / SOLD / SERVICED G. I. VideoCipher II -$299 I Standard 24 PC - $225 Mag. 5-330 Trunk -$299 N SA 330 Trunk -$199 IN STOCK Jerrold SJ Trunk 301 -$199 Syl/Tex 2000 Trunk -$199 NEW & REFURBISHED Jerrold SJ Trunk 400 -$299 Jerrold JLE-400 - $ 85 S Amps, LE's, Taps, Splitters Magnavox 5LE330 -$ 85 Jerrold SJ 450 Trunk -$435 Connectors & Headends SA Slimline 450 Trunk -$435 T Jerrold SLE/SLR - $ 19 SA 8525 w/ Remote -$ 25 0 Hamlin CRX - $ 12 ALL BRANDS 270 TO 550 MHz Pioneer BC-2002/2 -$1.99 C Tocom 5503-A - 5 40 Call for updated price list Assorted Taps -$1.50 K C-Cor 450 LE NEW -$175 = MINIMUM QUANTITIES APPLY -CALL FOR COMPLETE INVENTORY LIST

/ t ru sAL 1141£ SEW Wee' W.V.4 7- WE SELZ,' ..r/A,CE I' 9.e.? We Buy -Wanted: ALL BRANDS ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT NEEDED -FAX LIST YOUR USED OR EXCESS EQUIPMENT Fax your used/excess list q,_kb a 1- ‘'14 ',I'S, 1%4 .,... (215) 630-0320 •800-WT ARENA •FAX 630-8202 (USA) 714-272-2360 Fax: 714-272-3032

WE SELL SURPLUS NEW Si USED SLR 300's w/Hsg. $20 ea. I MLE Connectors, Taps, Headend, Main Line Equipment, Inc. Line Gear, misc. Unbelievable Buy! Large Excess Inventory National Distributor for Pathmaker-Texscan TM BROKERS Great Prices &Service Since '75 Refurbished - Guaranteed 5402 Highway 95 MAG-330 Trunk Amp $300.00 MAG-450 Trunk Amp $450.00 Cocolalla, ID 83813 USA 510-226-4940 MAG-330 L/E $80.00 Phone: (208) 683-2797 MAG-450 LIE $140.00 (208) 683-2019 (USA) 800-227-1200 Wa ./.1/a Tha iiatiet luny* (208) 683-3998 CAW (USA) FAX 510-651-8545 Distributor of Eagle Traps Fax: (208) 683-2374 SERVICES 1(800) 444-2288 •FAX: 1(310) 715-6695 Los Angeles, CA. USA

PURCHASING POWER! NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION More than 325 companies — including çpiJONESuRPLus COOPERATIVE, INC. 17 "Top -100" MSO's save money every month by purchasing cable, programming, WE BUY 4ND SELL QUALITY CATV EQUIPMENT 14809 W. 95th Street coax, hardware, insurance, motor vehicles LINE AMPLIFIERS, TAPS, CONNECTORS Lenexa, KS 66215 USA and more through the co-op. CONVERTERS -ALL TYPES AND MAKES Phone: (913) 599-5900 Call to find out how the co-op can give HEADEND EQUIPMENT Fax: 913-599-5903 you purchasing power. USA •1619i 757-300M •Fax (6191757-404k Reader Service Number 70 in1111111:1M11 .aaaaaaa CALENDAR aaamliaaa

JJJ111111i1Jall

February nar, Installer certification 14-17: Siecor fiber-optic train- exams to be administered, ing course, fiber-optic installa- Mount Vernon, NY. Contact tion, splicing, maintenance Vincent Cupples, (315) 452- and restoration for cable TV 0709. applications, Hickory, NC. 18: Hewlett-Packard CATV Contact (800) SIECOR1. measurements course, Pitts- 15-16: Scientific-Atlanta burgh. Contact (800) 472- technical training session, 5277. 8600 System operation and 19: SCTE Cactus Chapter maintenance (System Man- seminar, Installer and ager 10), Atlanta. Contact BCT/E certification exams to Bill Brobst, (404) 903-6306. be administered, Tucson 16-17: SCTE Northern Cablevision, Tucson, AZ. California Vendor's Day, Contact Harold Mackey, Holiday Inn, Fairfield, CA. (602) 352-5860, ext. 135. Contact Steve Allen, (916) 22: SCTE Desert Chapter 783-7495 seminar, BCT/E and In- •USES #4911 17: SCTE Lake Michigan staller certification exams to INSULATED STAPLES Chapter seminar, BCT/E be administered, Palm *HEAVY DUTY certification exams to be CONSTRUCTION Desert, CA. Contact Greg STAINLESS STEEL administered, Morley, MI. Williams, (619) 340-1312, •ONE SHOT STAPELING Contact Karen Briggs, ext. 277. •NO HAMMERING! (616) 941-3783. 23: SCTE Michiana Chap- 18: SCTE Central New ter seminar. Contact Russ York Meeting Group semi- Stickney, (219) 259-8015.

Introducing Pico's New Two-Way Low Noise Drop Amplifier LNDA • 10 & 20 db gain-forward SIZES •5-40 MHz return available 3 meter 10' with or without gain 3.3 meter 11' •Surface mount technology 3.7 meter 12' •Remote DC power supply 3.9 meter 13' included 4.2 meter 14' •Meets FCC specs without 4.5 meter 14'8" 5 meter 16' rebuilding • Ultra low noise figure GIBRALTER: • Excellent distortion specs Dual Axis motorized Az/el •Economical mount, standard with RC2000, PC compatible dual axis controller. Visit us at Texas Cable Show, Booth #110

DH Satellite e PICO PRODUCTS. INC. 6315 Fly Road 600 N. Marquette Rd. 'co ip PRODUC IS Pe E. Syracuse. NY 13057 Prairie du Chien, WI USA 53821 315-437-1711 Phone Phone (608) 326-8406 315-437-7525 Fax Fax (608) 326-4233 1-800-822-7420 Toll Free

Reader Service Number 71 Reader Service Number 72

108 FEBRUARY 1994 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Reader Service Number 73

San Antonio Convention Planning ahead Center, San Antonio. Con- April 10-12: CAB, New York. tact Texas Cable TV Associ- For performance reliability Contact (212) 751-7770. ation, (512) 474-2082. May 2-5: SuperComm/ 23-25: Texas Show '94 When in your cable system, ICC '94, New Orleans. Technical Sessions, San depend on RMS. For over Contact (312) 782-8597. Antonio, TX. Contact SCTE fifty years RMS has been May 22-25: The National national headquarters, (610) Show, New Orleans. 363-6888. Quality committed to providing Contact (202) 775-3669. 24: Hewlett-Packard CATV the cable television June 15-18: SCTE Cable- Measurements Course, industry with the highest Tec Expo, St. Louis. Burlington, MA. Contact (800) 472-5277. Counts, quality parts and excellent Contact (215) 363-6888. 24-25: Scientific-Atlanta service, ensuring reduced technical training session, maintenance and 23: SCTE Smokey Moun- design consideration and Count tain Chapter seminar, im- sweep and balance, Atlanta. operational costs for you. proving system perfor- Contact Bill Brobst, (404) Don't trust anything less mance, Days Inn, Kingsport, 903-6306. TN. Contact Roy Tester, On RMS than RMS in your system. (615) 878-5502. March 22-24: OFC '94, San Jose, 1: Hewlett-Packard CATV Call today for our full CA. Contact (202) 223- measurements course, prets catalog. 8130. Paramus, NJ. Contact (800) 23: SCTE Smokey Moun- 472-5277. tain Chapter seminar, im- 1-2: SCTE Upper Valley 41-51 Hartz Way proving system perfor- Chapter seminar, telephony RAW Secaucus, NJ 07094 mance, Days Inn, Kingsport, and broadband, Holiday Inn, Phone: 201-601-9191 ELECIROMCS,111i. TN. Contact Roy Tester, White River Junction, VT. FAX: 201-601-0011 (615) 878-5502. Contact Chip Winchell, (315) Toll Free: 800-223-8312 23-25: The Texas Show. 682-1446.

GET READY FOR FOX Cable Link Inc. ON GALAXY VII INTRODUCES The

THE MICROl'ROL 100 PLUS Addressable Controller

-the first addre.sahle controller engineered and priced tor the smaller cable .istetti. Manufactures 3.7, 5 cl 7.14eter Antennas, Multi-sat Feeds, $2,499.00 Dual Beam Retrofits, and Available with the following options High Interference •Telephone PPV •Accounting/MIS software Rejection Horns •Billing System Software •Lease option Antennas for For more information call or fax Communications Telephone (904) 687-4121 V7,j-7 Cable Link Inc. ANTENNAS FOR C, Fax (904) 687-1203 serving the cable industry throughout 350 C) press Road, Ocala, FL 34472 North America Mexico South America Ph: (614) 221-3131 Fax: (614) 222-0581

Reader Response Number 76 Reader Response Number 74 it/174V1 ESAGS E

The Itional cha ,mted increasingly popular S' ID were discussed. The b roved recommendation 0040 h&igh 1996. However, d de 0 Dro , 1 d number of attend( 10 more difficult to finc igh to handle the -) book them. 1 ations were I 0000.

//Our drop is more than just parts — it's asystem. IDS enhances the performance of your cable ANTEC offers anew way to approach the network, and substantially reduces trouble calls. drop — as acomplete system. The Integrated The industry's first drop system, IDS increases Drop System (MS)" consists of individual the quality of your service today, and prepares products, engineered as asystem, and tested you for the future of your network. to ensure component compatibility. From now on, when you think drop — think integrated drop system Backed with training, technical support, system. And when you think system — think standardized installation procedures, and Learn how the Integrated Drop System can other value-added benefits, the IDS approach benefit your network — call the ANTEC office ensures consistency in your drops. nearest you. 1 ANTEC

ANTEC • Rolling Meadows, I

Adanta, Gcorgia 101 810-'901 • 1800! 212-11$1 • Chicago. Illinois c-tég .t)- - set • 800 t1-531,8 • Dalla-s, Texas, 21i, t9.i3 • oile) 231-5006

Denver, Colorado 1 loi , io-m19 • (801)1841-1531 • Don Mountain, Michigan ,91164 I- 1111 • 181.10) (.21-83S8 • Montreal. Quebec 51 é1 636-1'21 • 18001 561-9- 10

Santa Ana, California'141 '5."-1630 • D300/115 ci) •rl • Seattle. Washington r2K,reis-98:',2 • iSOM 1•48-92.o • Toronto. Ontario M051 6(r" 4122(, • 0400) 665-1182 Vancouver, British Columbia , ' • Wharton, New Jersey 2)41) 328-119811 • INN» 631-9603 Reader Service Number 85 1993 ANTEC 1