611 Subpart K—Technical Standards

Federal Communications Commission § 76.601

Subpart K—Technical Standards procedures utilized, and a statement of the qualifications of the person per- § 76.601 Performance tests. forming the tests shall also be in- (a) The operator of each cable tele- cluded. vision system shall be responsible for (2) Proof-of-performance tests to de- insuring that each such system is determine the extent to which a cable signed, installed, and operated in a television system complies with the manner that fully complies with the standards set forth in § 76.605(a) (3), (4), provisions of this subpart. and (5) shall be made on each of the (b) The operator of each cable tele- NTSC or similar video channels of that vision system shall conduct complete system. Unless otherwise as noted, performance tests of that system at proof-of-performance tests for all other least twice each calendar year (at in- standards in § 76.605(a) shall be made on tervals not to exceed seven months), a minimum of four (4) channels plus unless otherwise noted below. The per- one additional channel for every 100 formance tests shall be directed at de- MHz, or fraction thereof, of cable dis- termining the extent to which the sys- tribution system upper frequency limit tem complies with all the technical (e.g., 5 channels for cable television standards set forth in § 76.605(a) and systems with a cable distribution sys- shall be as follows: tem upper frequency limit of 101 to 216 (1) For cable television systems with MHz; 6 channels for cable television 1000 or more subscribers but with 12,500 systems with a cable distribution sys- or fewer subscribers, proof-of-perform- tem upper frequency limit of 217–300 ance tests conducted pursuant to this MHz; 7 channels for cable television section shall include measurements systems with a cable distribution upper taken at six (6) widely separated frequency limit to 300 to 400 MHz, etc.). points. However, within each cable sys- The channels selected for testing must tem, one additional test point shall be be representative of all the channels added for every additional 12,500 sub- within the cable television system. scribers or fraction thereof (e.g., 7 test (3) The operator of each cable tele- points if 12,501 to 25,000 subscribers; 8 vision system shall conduct semi-an- test points if 25,001 to 37,500 sub- nual proof-of-performance tests of that scribers, etc.). In addition, for tech- system, to determine the extent to nically integrated portions of cable which the system complies with the systems that are not mechanically con- technical standards set forth in tinuous (i.e., employing microwave § 76.605(a)(4) as follows. The visual sig- connections), at least one test point nal level on each channel shall be will be required for each portion of the measured and recorded, along with the cable system served by a technically date and time of the measurement, integrated microwave hub. The proof- once every six hours (at intervals of of-performance test points chosen shall not less than five hours or no more be balanced to represent all geographic than seven hours after the previous areas served by the cable system. At measurement), to include the warmest least one-third of the test points shall and the coldest times, during a 24-hour be representative of subscriber termi- period in January or February and in nals most distant from the system July or August. input and from each microwave re- (4) The operator of each cable tele- ceiver (if microwave transmissions are vision system shall conduct triennial employed), in terms of cable length. proof-of-performance tests of its sys- The measurements may be taken at tem to determine the extent to which convenient monitoring points in the the system complies with the technical cable network: Provided, that data standards set forth in § 76.605(a)(11). shall be included to relate the meas- (c) Successful completion of the per- ured performance of the system as formance tests required by paragraph would be viewed from a nearby sub- (b) of this section does not relieve the scriber terminal. An identification of system of the obligation to comply the instruments, including the makes, with all pertinent technical standards model numbers, and the most recent at all subscriber terminals. Additional date of calibration, a description of the tests, repeat tests, or tests involving

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specified subscriber terminals may be Center, Room CY-A257, Washington, required by the Commission or the DC 20554 and at the National Archives local franchiser to secure compliance and Records Administration (NARA). with the technical standards. For information on the availability of (d) The provisions of paragraphs (b) this material at NARA, call 202–741– and (c) of this section shall not apply 6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ to any cable television system having federallregister/ fewer than 1,000 subscribers: Provided, codeloflfederallregulations/ however, that any cable television sys- ibrllocations.html. tem using any frequency spectrum (b) The following materials are avail- other than that allocated to over-the- able for purchase from at least one of air television and FM broadcasting (as the following addresses: Global Engi- described in §§ 73.603 and 73.210 of this neering Documents, 15 Inverness Way chapter) is required to conduct all East, Englewood, CO 80112 or at http:// tests, measurements and monitoring of global.ihs.com; or American National signal leakage that are required by this Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd subpart. A cable television system op- Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036 erator complying with the monitoring, or at http://webstore.ansi.org/ logging and the leakage repair require- ansidocstore/default.asp; or Society of ments of § 76.614, shall be considered to Cable Telecommunications Engineers have met the requirements of this at http://www.scte.org/standards/ paragraph. However, the leakage log index.cfm; or Advanced Television Sys- shall be retained for five years rather tems Committee, 1750 K Street, NW., than the two years prescribed in Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006 or at § 76.1706. http://www.atsc.org/standards. NOTE 1 TO § 76.601: Prior to requiring any (1) ANSI/SCTE 26 2001 (formerly DVS additional testing pursuant to § 76.601(c), the 194): ‘‘Home Digital Network Interface local franchising authority shall notify the Specification with Copy Protection,’’ cable operator who will be allowed thirty 2001, IBR approved for § 76.640. days to come into compliance with any per- (2) SCTE 28 2003 (formerly DVS 295): ceived signal quality problems which need to ‘‘Host-POD Interface Standard,’’ 2003, be corrected. The Commission may request IBR approved for § 76.640. cable operators to test their systems at any (3) SCTE 41 2003 (formerly DVS 301): time. NOTE 2 TO § 76.601: Section 76.1717 contains ‘‘POD Copy Protection System,’’ 2003, recordkeeping requirements for each system IBR approved for § 76.640. operator in order to show compliance with (4) ANSI/SCTE 54 2003 (formerly DVS the technical rules of this subpart. 241), ‘‘Digital Video Service Multiplex NOTE 3 TO § 76.601: Section 76.1704 contains and Transport System Standard for recordkeeping requirements for proof of per- Cable Television,’’ 2003, IBR approved formance tests. for § 76.640. [65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000] (5) ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234), ‘‘Service Information Delivered § 76.602 Incorporation by reference. Out-of-Band for Digital Cable Tele- (a) The materials listed in this sec- vision,’’ 2002, IBR approved for § 76.640. tion are incorporated by reference in (6) CEA–931–A, ‘‘Remote Control this part. These incorporations by ref- Command Pass-through Standard for erence were approved by the Director Home Networking,’’ 2003, IBR approved of the Federal Register in accordance for § 76.640. with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (7) SCTE 40 2003 (formerly DVS 313), These materials are incorporated as ‘‘Digital Cable Network Interface they exist on the date of the approval, Standard,’’ 2003, IBR approved for and notice of any change in these ma- § 76.640. terials will be published in the FED- (8) ATSC A/65B: ‘‘ATSC Standard: ERAL REGISTER. The materials are Program and System Information Pro- available for purchase at the cor- tocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and responding addresses as noted, and all Cable (Revision B),’’ March 18, 2003, are available for inspection at the Fed- IBR approved for § 76.640. eral Communications Commission, 445 (9) CEA–542–B: ‘‘CEA Standard: Cable 12th. St., SW., Reference Information Television Channel Identification

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Plan,’’ July 2003, IBR approved for is connected to the subscriber tap, § 76.605. shall be 2 times the square root of 0.00662(Z) millivolts, where Z is the ap- [68 FR 66734, Nov. 28, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004; 69 FR 57861, Sept. 28, propriate impedance value.) 2004] (4) The visual signal level on each channel, as measured at the end of a 30 § 76.605 Technical standards. meter cable drop that is connected to (a) The following requirements apply the subscriber tap, shall not vary more to the performance of a cable tele- than 8 decibels within any six-month vision system as measured at any sub- interval, which must include four tests scriber terminal with a matched im- performed in six-hour increments dur- pedance at the termination point or at ing a 24-hour period in July or August the output of the modulating or proc- and during a 24-hour period in January essing equipment (generally the or February, and shall be maintained headend) of the cable television system within: or otherwise as noted. The require- (i) 3 decibels (dB) of the visual signal ments are applicable to each NTSC or level of any visual carrier within a 6 similar video downstream cable tele- MHz nominal frequency separation; vision channel in the system: (ii) 10 dB of the visual signal level on (1)(i) The cable television channels any other channel on a cable television delivered to the subscriber’s terminal system of up to 300 MHz of cable dis- shall be capable of being received and tribution system upper frequency displayed by TV broadcast receivers limit, with a 1 dB increase for each ad- used for off-the-air reception of TV ditional 100 MHz of cable distribution broadcast signals, as authorized under system upper frequency limit (e.g., 11 part 73 of this chapter; and dB for a system at 301–400 MHz; 12 dB (ii) Cable television systems shall for a system at 401–500 MHz, etc.); and transmit signals to subscriber premises (iii) A maximum level such that sig- equipment on frequencies in accord- nal degradation due to overload in the ance with the channel allocation plan subscriber’s receiver or terminal does set forth in CEA–542–B: ‘‘Standard: not occur. Cable Television Channel Identifica- (5) The rms voltage of the aural sig- tion Plan,’’ (Incorporated by reference, nal shall be maintained between 10 and see § 76.602). 17 decibels below the associated visual (2) The aural center frequency of the signal level. This requirement must be aural carrier must be 4.5 MHz ±5 kHz met both at the subscriber terminal above the frequency of the visual car- and at the output of the modulating rier at the output of the modulating or and processing equipment (generally processing equipment of a cable tele- the headend). For subscriber terminals vision system, and at the subscriber that use equipment which modulate terminal. and remodulate the signal (e.g., (3) The visual signal level, across a baseband converters), the rms voltage terminating impedance which cor- of the aural signal shall be maintained rectly matches the internal impedance between 6.5 and 17 decibels below the of the cable system as viewed from the associated visual signal level at the subscriber terminal, shall not be less subscriber terminal. than 1 millivolt across an internal im- (6) The amplitude characteristic pedance of 75 ohms (0 dBmV). Addition- shall be within a range of ±2 decibels ally, as measured at the end of a 30 from 0.75 MHz to 5.0 MHz above the meter (100 foot) cable drop that is con- lower boundary frequency of the cable nected to the subscriber tap, it shall television channel, referenced to the not be less than 1.41 millivolts across average of the highest and lowest am- an internal impedance of 75 ohms (+3 plitudes within these frequency bound- dBmV). (At other impedance values, aries. The amplitude characteristic the minimum visual signal level, as shall be measured at the subscriber ter- viewed from the subscriber terminal, minal. shall be the square root of 0.0133 (Z) (7) The ratio of RF visual signal level millivolts and, as measured at the end to system noise shall not be less than of a 30 meter (100 foot) cable drop that 43 decibels. For class I cable television

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channels, the requirements of this sec- ance with this parameter at each test tion are applicable only to: location. (i) Each signal which is delivered by (11) As of June 30, 1995, the following a cable television system to subscribers requirements apply to the performance within the predicted Grade B contour of the cable television system as meas- for that signal; ured at the output of the modulating (ii) Each signal which is first picked or processing equipment (generally the up within its predicted Grade B con- headend) of the system: tour; (i) The chrominance-luminance delay inequality (or chroma delay), which is (iii) Each signal that is first received the change in delay time of the chro- by the cable television system by di- minance component of the signal rel- rect video feed from a TV broadcast ative to the luminance component, station, a low power TV station, or a shall be within 170 nanoseconds. TV translator station. (ii) The differential gain for the color (8) The ratio of visual signal level to subcarrier of the television signal, the rms amplitude of any coherent dis- which is measured as the difference in turbances such as intermodulation amplitude between the largest and products, second and third order distor- smallest segments of the chrominance tions or discrete-frequency interfering signal (divided by the largest and ex- signals not operating on proper offset pressed in percent), shall not exceed assignments shall be as follows: ±20%. (i) The ratio of visual signal level to (iii) The differential phase for the coherent disturbances shall not be less color subcarrier of the television signal than 51 decibels for noncoherent chan- which is measured as the largest phase nel cable television systems, when difference in degrees between each seg- measured with modulated carriers and ment of the chrominance signal and time averaged; and reference segment (the segment at the (ii) The ratio of visual signal level to blanking level of O IRE), shall not ex- coherent disturbances which are fre- ceed ±10 degrees. quency-coincident with the visual car- (12) As an exception to the general rier shall not be less than 47 decibels provision requiring measurements to for coherent channel cable systems, be made at subscriber terminals, and when measured with modulated car- without regard to the type of signals riers and time averaged. carried by the cable television system, (9) The terminal isolation provided to signal leakage from a cable television each subscriber terminal: system shall be measured in accord- (i) Shall not be less than 18 decibels. ance with the procedures outlined in In lieu of periodic testing, the cable op- § 76.609(h) and shall be limited as fol- erator may use specifications provided lows: by the manufacturer for the terminal Signal leak- isolation equipment to meet this age limit Distance in standard; and Frequencies (micro-volt/ meters (m) meter) (ii) Shall be sufficient to prevent re- flections caused by open-circuited or Less than and including 54 short-circuited subscriber terminals MHz, and over 216 MHz ...... 15 30 Over 54 up to and including 216 from producing visible picture impair- MHz ...... 20 3 ments at any other subscriber terminal. (b) Cable television systems distrib- (10) The peak-to-peak variation in uting signals by using methods such as visual signal level caused by undesired nonconventional coaxial cable tech- low frequency disturbances (hum or re- niques, noncoaxial copper cable tech- petitive transients) generated within niques, specialized coaxial cable and the system, or by inadequate low fre- fiber optical cable hybridization tech- quency response, shall not exceed 3 per- niques or specialized compression tech- cent of the visual signal level. Meas- niques or specialized receiving devices, urements made on a single channel and which, because of their basic de- using a single unmodulated carrier sign, cannot comply with one or more may be used to demonstrate compli- of the technical standards set forth in

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paragraph (a) of this section, may be § 76.606 Closed captioning. permitted to operate: Provided, That (a) As of June 30, 1992, the operator of an adequate showing is made pursuant each cable television system shall not to § 76.7 which establishes that the pub- take any action to remove or alter lic interest is benefited. In such in- closed captioning data contained on stances, the Commission may prescribe line 21 of the vertical blanking inter- special technical requirements to en- val. sure that subscribers to such systems (b) As of July 1, 1993, the operator of are provided with an equivalent level each cable television system shall de- of good quality service. liver intact closed captioning data con- NOTE 1: Local franchising authorities of tained on line 21 of the vertical blank- systems serving fewer than 1000 subscribers ing interval, as it arrives at the may adopt standards less stringent than headend or from another origination those in § 76.605(a). Any such agreement shall source, to subscriber terminals and be reduced to writing and be associated with (when so delivered to the cable system) the system’s proof-of-performance records. in a format that can be recovered and NOTE 2: For systems serving rural areas as displayed by decoders meeting § 15.119 defined in § 76.5, the system may negotiate of this chapter. with its local franchising authority for standards less stringent than those in [57 FR 11003, Apr. 1, 1992] §§ 76.605(a)(3), 76.605(a)(7), 76.605(a)(8), 76.605(a)(10) and 76.605(a)(11). Any such agree- § 76.609 Measurements. ment shall be reduced to writing and be asso- (a) Measurements made to dem- ciated with the system’s proof-of-performance records. onstrate conformity with the perform- NOTE 3: The requirements of this section ance requirements set forth in §§ 76.601 shall not apply to devices subject to the TV and 76.605 shall be made under condi- interface device rules under part 15 of this tions which reflect system performance chapter. during normal operations, including NOTE 4: Should subscriber complaints arise the effect of any microwave relay oper- from a system failing to meet § 76.605(a)(6) ated in the Cable Television Relay prior to December 30, 1999, the cable operator (CARS) Service intervening between will be required to provide a converter that pickup antenna and the cable distribu- will allow the system to meet the standard tion network. Amplifiers shall be oper- immediately at the complaining subscriber’s terminal. Further, should the problem be ated at normal gains, either by the in- found to be system-wide, the Commission sertion of appropriate signals or by may order all converters on the system be manual adjustment. Special signals in- changed to meet the standard. serted in a cable television channel for NOTE 5: Should subscriber complaints arise measurement purposes should be oper- from a system failing to meet § 76.605(a)(10), ated at levels approximating those the cable operator will be required to remedy used for normal operation. Pilot tones, the complaint and perform test measure- auxiliary or substitute signals, and ments on § 76.605(a)(10) containing the full nontelevision signals normally carried number of channels as indicated in on the cable television system should § 76.601(b)(2) at the complaining subscriber’s terminal. Further, should the problem be be operated at normal levels to the ex- found to be system-wide, the Commission tent possible. Some exemplary, but not may order that the full number of channels mandatory, measurement procedures as indicated in § 76.601(b)(2) be tested at all are set forth in this section. required locations for future proof-of-per- (b) When it may be necessary to re- formance tests. move the television signal normally NOTE 6: No State or franchising authority carried on a cable television channel in may prohibit, condition, or restrict a cable order to facilitate a performance meas- system’s use of any type of subscriber equip- urement, it will be permissible to dis- ment or any transmission technology. connect the antenna which serves the [37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972] channel under measurement and to substitute therefor a matching resist- EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci- tations affecting § 76.605 see the List of CFR ance termination. Other antennas and Sections Affected, which appears in the inputs should remain connected and Finding Aids section of the printed volume normal signal levels should be main- and on GPO Access. tained on other channels.

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(c) As may be necessary to ensure tion, November 1989, on noise measure- satisfactory service to a subscriber, the ment may be employed. Commission may require additional (f) The amplitude of discrete fre- tests to demonstrate system perform- quency interfering signals within a ance or may specify the use of different cable television channel may be deter- test procedures. mined with either a spectrum analyzer (d) The frequency response of a cable or with a frequency-selective voltmeter television channel may be determined (field strength meter), which instru- by one of the following methods, as ap- ments have been calibrated for ade- propriate: quate accuracy. If calibration accuracy (1) By using a swept frequency or a is in doubt, measurements may be ref- manually variable signal generator at erenced to a calibrated signal gener- the sending end and a calibrated atten- ator, or a calibrated variable attenu- uator and frequency-selective ator, substituted at the point of meas- voltmeter at the subscriber terminal; urement. If an amplifier is used be- or tween the subscriber terminal and the measuring instrument, appropriate (2) By using either a multiburst gen- corrections must be made to account erator or vertical interval test signals for its gain. and either a modulator or processor at (g) The terminal isolation between the sending end, and by using either a any two terminals in the cable tele- demodulator and either an oscilloscope vision system may be measured by ap- display or a waveform monitor display plying a signal of known amplitude to at the subscriber terminal. one terminal and measuring the ampli- (e) System noise may be measured tude of that signal at the other ter- using a frequency-selective voltmeter minal. The frequency of the signal (field strength meter) which has been should be close to the midfrequency of suitably calibrated to indicate rms the channel being tested. Measure- noise or average power level and which ments of terminal isolation are not re- has a known bandwidth. With the sys- quired when either: tem operating at normal level and with (1) The manufacturer’s specifications a properly matched resistive termi- for subscriber tap isolation based on a nation substituted for the antenna, representative sample of no less than noise power indications at the sub- 500 subscribers taps or scriber terminal are taken in succes- (2) Laboratory tests performed by or sive increments of frequency equal to for the operator of a cable television the bandwidth of the frequency-selec- system on a representative sample of tive voltmeter, summing the power in- no less than 50 subscriber taps, indi- dications to obtain the total noise cates that the terminal isolation power present over a 4 MHz band cen- standard of § 76.605(a)(9) is met. tered within the cable television chan- To demonstrate compliance with nel. If it is established that the noise § 76.605(a)(9), the operator of a cable tel- level is constant within this band- evision system shall attach either such width, a single measurement may be manufacturer’s specifications or lab- taken which is corrected by an appro- oratory measurements as an exhibit to priate factor representing the ratio of 4 each proof-of-performance record. MHz to the noise bandwidth of the fre- (h) Measurements to determine the quency-selective voltmeter. If an am- field strength of the signal leakage plifier is inserted between the fre- emanated by the cable television sys- quency-selective voltmeter and the tem shall be made in accordance with subscriber terminal in order to facili- standard engineering procedures. Meas- tate this measurement, it should have urements made on frequencies above 25 a bandwidth of at least 4 MHz and ap- MHz shall include the following: propriate corrections must be made to (1) A field strength meter of adequate account for its gain and noise figure. accuracy using a horizontal dipole an- Alternatively, measurements made in tenna shall be employed. accordance with the NCTA Rec- (2) Field strength shall be expressed ommended Practices for Measurements in terms of the rms value of synchro- on Cable Television Systems, 2nd edi- nizing peak for each cable television

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channel for which signal leakage can nents carried at an average power level be measured. equal to or greater than 10¥4 watts (3) The resonant half wave dipole an- across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 tenna shall be placed 3 meters from and microsecond period, at any point in the positioned directly below the system cable distribution system in the fre- components and at 3 meters above quency bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz ground. Where such placement results for any purpose. Exception: Non-cable in a separation of less than 3 meters MVPDs serving less than 1000 sub- between the center of the dipole an- scribers and less than 1000 units do not tenna and the system components, or have to comply with § 76.1803. less than 3 meters between the dipole and ground level, the dipole shall be [69 FR 57862, Sept. 28, 2004] repositioned to provide a separation of § 76.611 Cable television basic signal 3 meters from the system components leakage performance criteria. at a height of 3 meters or more above ground. (a) No cable television system shall (4) The horizontal dipole antenna commence or provide service in the fre- shall be rotated about a vertical axis quency bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz and the maximum meter reading shall unless such systems is in compliance be used. with one of the following cable tele- (5) Measurements shall be made vision basic signal leakage perform- where other conductors are 3 or more ance criteria: meters (10 or more feet) away from the (1) prior to carriage of signals in the measuring antenna. aeronautical radio bands and at least (i) For systems using cable traps and once each calendar year, with no more filters to control the delivery of spe- than 12 months between successive cific channels to the subscriber ter- tests thereafter, based on a sampling of minal, measurements made to deter- at least 75% of the cable strand, and in- mine compliance with § 76.605(a) (5) and cluding any portion of the cable system (6) may be performed at the location which are known to have or can rea- immediately prior to the trap or filter sonably be expected to have less leak- for the specific channel. The effects of age integrity than the average of the these traps or filters, as certified by system, the cable operator dem- the system engineer or the equipment onstrates compliance with a cumu- manufacturer, must be attached to lative signal leakage index by showing each proof-of-performance record. either that (i) 10 log I3000 is equal to or (j) Measurements made to determine less than ¥7 or (ii) 10 log I00 is equal to the differential gain, differential phase or less than 64, using one of the fol- and the chrominance-luminance delay lowing formula: inequality (chroma delay) shall be made in accordance with the NCTA 1 n E2 I = ∑ i , Recommended Practices for Measure- 3000 / 2 ments on Cable Television Systems, 0 i=1 Ri 2nd edition, November 1989, on these parameters. n 1 2 IE∞ = ∑ , [37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 37 0/ i FR 13867, July 14, 1972; 41 FR 10067, Mar. 9, i=1 1976; 42 FR 21782, Apr. 29, 1977; 49 FR 45441, where: Nov. 16, 1984; 57 FR 11004, Apr. 1, 1992; 57 FR 61011, Dec. 23, 1992; 58 FR 44952, Aug. 25, 1993] 2 =+2 ()2 Rri i 3000

§ 76.610 Operation in the frequency ri is the distance (in meters) between the bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz— leakage source and the center of the cable scope of application. television system; The provisions of §§ 76.605(a)(12), q is the fraction of the system cable length actually examined for leakage sources and 76.611, 76.612, 76.613, 76.614, 76.616, 76.617, is equal to the strand kilometers (strand 76.1803 and 76.1804 are applicable to all miles) of plant tested divided by the total MVPDs (cable and non-cable) transmit- strand kilometers (strand miles) in the ting carriers or other signal compo- plant;

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Ri is the slant height distance (in meters) which the results can be correlated to from leakage source i to a point 3000 me- the VHF aeronautical band and (2) ters above the center of the cable tele- have an average power level equal to vision system; the average power level of the strong- Ei is the electric field strength in microvolts per meter (μV/m) measured pursuant to est cable television carrier on the sys- § 76.609(h) 3 meters from the leak i; and tem. n is the number of leaks found of field (c) In paragraph (a)(1) and (2) of this strength equal to or greater than 50 μV/m section, if a modulated test signal is pursuant to Section 76.609(h). used, the test signal and detector tech- The sum is carried over all leaks i de- nique must, when considered together, tected in the cable examined; or yield the same result as though an (2) prior to carriage of signals in the unmodulated test signal were used in aeronautical radio bands and at least conjunction with a detection technique once each calendar year, with no more which would yield the RMS value of than 12 months between successive said unmodulated carrier. tests thereafter, the cable operator (d) If a sampling of at least 75% of demonstrates by measurement in the the cable strand (and including any airspace that at no point does the field portions of the cable system which are strength generated by the cable system known to have or can reasonably be ex- exceed 10 microvolts per meter (μV/m) pected to have less leakage integrity RMS at an altitude of 450 meters above than the average of the system) as de- the average terrain of the cable sys- scribed in paragraph (a)(1) cannot be tem. The measurement system (includ- obtained by the cable operator or is ing the receiving antenna) shall be otherwise not reasonably feasible, the calibrated against a known field of 10 cable operator shall perform the air- μ V/m RMS produced by a well charac- space measurements described in para- terized antenna consisting of orthog- graph (a)(2). onal reasonant dipoles, both parallel to (e) Prior to providing service to any and one quarter wavelength above the subscriber on a new section of cable ground plane of a diameter of two me- plant, the operator shall show compli- ters or more at ground level. The ance with either: (1) The basic signal dipoles shall have centers collocated leakage criteria in accordance with and be excited 90 degrees apart. The paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section half-power bandwidth of the detector for the entire plant in operation or (2) shall be 25 kHz. If an aeronautical re- a showing shall be made indicating ceiver is used for this purpose it shall that no individual leak in the new sec- meet the standards of the Radio Tech- tion of the plant exceeds 20 μV/m at 3 nical Commission for Aeronautics meters in accordance with § 76.609 fo (RCTA) for aeronautical communica- the Rules. tions receivers. The aircraft antenna (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of shall be horizontally polarized. Cali- this section, a cable operator shall be bration shall be made in the commu- permitted to operate on any frequency nity unit or, if more than one, in any of which is offset pursuant to § 76.612 in the community units of the physical the frequency band 108–137 MHz for the system within a reasonable time period purpose of demonstrating compliance to performing the measurements. If with the cable television basic signal data is recorded digitally the 90th per- leakage performance criteria. centile level of points recorded over the cable system shall not exceed 10 [50 FR 29399, July 19, 1985, as amended at 53 μV/m RMS; if analog recordings is used FR 2499, Jan. 28, 1988; 53 FR 5684, Feb. 25, the peak values of the curves, when 1988; 58 FR 44952, Aug. 25, 1993] smoothed according to good engineering practices, shall not exceed 10 μV/m § 76.612 Cable television frequency RMS. separation standards. (b) In paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of All cable television systems which this section the unmodulated test sig- operate in the frequency bands 108–137 nal used on the cable plant shall: (1) Be and 225–400 MHz shall comply with the within the VHF aeronautical band 108– following frequency separation stand- 137 MHz or any other frequency in ards:

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(a) In the aeronautical kHz offset requirement in the navigation radiocommunication bands 118–137, 225– glide path band. 328.6 and 335.4–400 MHz, the frequency [50 FR 29400, July 19, 1985] of all carrier signals or signal components carried at an average power level § 76.613 Interference from a multi- equal to or greater than 10¥4 watts in channel video programming dis- a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 micro- tributor (MVPD). second period must operate at fre- (a) Harmful interference is any emis- quencies offset from certain fre- sion, radiation or induction which en- quencies which may be used by aero- dangers the functioning of a radio- nautical radio services operated by navigation service or of other safety Commission licensees or by the United services or seriously degrades, ob- States Government or its Agencies. structs or repeatedly interrupts a The aeronautical frequencies from radiocommunication service operating which offsets must be maintained are in accordance with this chapter. those frequencies which are within one of the aeronautical bands defined in (b) An MVPD that causes harmful in- this subparagraph, and when expressed terference shall promptly take appro- in MHz and divided by 0.025 yield an in- priate measures to eliminate the harm- teger. The offset must meet one of the ful interference. following two criteria: (c) If harmful interference to radio (1) All such cable carriers or signal communications involving the safety components shall be offset by 12.5 kHz of life and protection of property can- with a frequency tolerance of ±5 kHz; not be promptly eliminated by the ap- or plication of suitable techniques, oper- (2) The fundamental frequency from ation of the offending MVPD or appro- which the visual carrier frequencies are priate elements thereof shall imme- derived by multiplication by an integer diately be suspended upon notification number which shall be 6.0003 MHz with by the District Director and/or Resi- a tolerance of ±1 Hz (Harmonically Re- dent Agent of the Commission’s local lated Carrier (HRC) comb generators field office, and shall not be resumed only). until the interference has been elimi- (b) In the aeronautical radio- nated to the satisfaction of the District navigation bands 108–118 and 328.6–335.4 Director and/or Resident Agent. When MHz, the frequency of all carrier sig- authorized by the District Director nals or signal components carrier at an and/or Resident Agent, short test oper- average power level equal to or greater ations may be made during the period than 10¥4 watts in a 25 kHz bandwidth of suspended operation to check the ef- in any 160 microsecond period shall be ficacy of remedial measures. offset by 25 kHz with a tolerance of ±5 (d) The MVPD may be required by kHz. The aeronautical radionavigation the District Director and/or Resident frequencies from which offsets must be Agent to prepare and submit a report maintained are defined as follows: regarding the cause(s) of the inter- (1) Within the aeronautical band 108– ference, corrective measures planned 118 MHz when expressed in MHz and di- or taken, and the efficacy of the reme- vided by 0.025 yield an even integer. dial measures. (2) Within the band 328.6–335.4 MHz, [42 FR 41296, Aug. 16, 1977, as amended at 62 the radionavigation glide path chan- FR 61031, Nov. 14, 1997] nels are listed in Section 87.501 of the Rules. § 76.614 Cable television system reg- NOTE: The HRC system, as described above, ular monitoring. will meet this requirement in the 328.6–335.4 Cable television operators transmit- MHz navigation glide path band. Those In- ting carriers in the frequency bands crementally Related Carriers (IRC) systems, 108–137 and 225–400 MHz shall provide with comb generator reference frequencies set at certain odd multiples equal to or for a program of regular monitoring for greater than 3 times the 0.0125 MHz aero- signal leakage by substantially cov- nautical communications band offset, e.g. ering the plant every three months. (6n + 1.250 ±0.0375) MHz, may also meet the 25 The incorporation of this monitoring

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program into the daily activities of ex- however, that the operator of a cable isting service personnel in the dis- system to which the cable system ter- charge of their normal duties will gen- minal equipment is connected shall be erally cover all portions of the system responsible for detecting and elimi- and will therefore meet this require- nating any signal leakage where that ment. Monitoring equipment and pro- leakage would cause interference out- cedures utilized by a cable operator side the subscriber’s premises and/or shall be adequate to detect a leakage would cause the cable system to exceed source which produces a field strength the Part 76 signal leakage require- in these bands of 20 uV/m or greater at ments. In cases where excessive signal a distance of 3 meters. During regular leakage occurs, the cable operator monitoring, any leakage source which shall be required only to discontinue produces a field strength of 20 uV/m or service to the subscriber until the greater at a distance of 3 meters in the problem is corrected. aeronautical radio frequency bands shall be noted and such leakage sources [53 FR 46619, Nov. 18, 1989] shall be repaired within a reasonable period of time. §§ 76.618–76.620 [Reserved] NOTE 1 TO § 76.614: Section 76.1706 contains § 76.630 Compatibility with consumer signal leakage recordkeeping requirements electronics equipment. applicable to cable operators. (a) Cable system operators shall not [65 FR 53616, Sept. 5, 2000] scramble or otherwise encrypt signals carried on the basic service tier. Re- § 76.616 Operation near certain aeronautical and marine emergency quests for waivers of this prohibition radio frequencies. must demonstrate either a substantial problem with theft of basic tier service (a) The transmission of carriers or or a strong need to scramble basic sig- other signal components capable of de- nals for other reasons. As part of this livering peak power levels equal to or showing, cable operators are required greater than 10¥5 watts at any point in a cable television system is prohibited to notify subscribers by mail of waiver within 100 kHz of the frequency 121.5 requests. The notice to subscribers MHz, and is prohibited within 50 kHz of must be mailed no later than thirty the two frequencies 156.8 MHz and 243.0 calendar days from the date the re- MHz. quest waiver was filed with the Com- (b) At any point on a cable system mission, and cable operators must in- from 405.925 MHz to 406.176 MHz analog form the Commission in writing, as transmissions are prohibited from de- soon as possible, of that notification livering peak power levels equal to or date. The notification to subscribers greater than 10¥5 watts. The trans- must state: mission of digital signals in this range On (date of waiver request was filed with is limited to power levels measured the Commission), (cable operator’s name) using a root-mean-square detector of filed with the Federal Communications Com- less than 10¥5 watts in any 30 kHz mission a request for waiver of the rule pro- bandwidth over any 2.5 millisecond in- hibiting scrambling of channels on the basic terval. tier of service. 47 CFR 76.630(a). The request for waiver states (a brief summary of the [69 FR 57862, Sept. 28, 2004] waiver request). A copy of the request for waiver is on file for public inspection at (the § 76.617 Responsibility for inter- address of the cable operator’s local place of ference. business). Interference resulting from the use of Individuals who wish to comment on this cable system terminal equipment (in- request for waiver should mail comments to cluding subscriber terminal, input se- the Federal Communications Commission by no later than 30 days from (the date the noti- lector switch and any other acces- fication was mailed to subscribers). Those sories) shall be the responsibility of the comments should be addressed to the: Fed- cable system terminal equipment oper- eral Communications Commission, Media ator in accordance with the provisions Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, and should in- of part 15 of this chapter: provided, clude the name of the cable operator to

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whom the comments are applicable. Individ- transporting programs and services uals should also send a copy of their com- from its headend to receiving devices. ments to (the cable operator at its local Cable systems that only pass through 8 place of business). Cable operators may file VSB broadcast signals shall not be con- comments in reply no later than 7 days from the date subscriber comments must be filed. sidered digital cable systems. (b) No later than July 1, 2004, cable (b) Cable system operators that pro- operators shall support unidirectional vide their subscribers with cable sys- digital cable products, as defined in tem terminal devices and other cus- § 15.123 of this chapter, through the pro- tomer premises equipment that incor- visioning of Point of Deployment mod- porates remote control capability shall ules (PODs) and services, as follows: permit the remote operation of such (1) Digital cable systems with an ac- devices with commercially available tivated channel capacity of 750 MHz or remote control units or otherwise take greater shall comply with the following no action that would prevent the devices from being operated by a com- technical standards and requirements: mercially available remote control (i) SCTE 40 2003 (formerly DVS 313): unit. Cable system operators are ad- ‘‘Digital Cable Network Interface vised that this requirement obliges Standard’’ (incorporated by reference, them to actively enable the remote see § 76.602), provided however that with control functions of customer premises respect to Table B.11, the Phase Noise equipment where those functions do requirement shall be ¥86 dB/Hz, and not operate without a special activa- also provided that the ‘‘transit delay tion procedure. Cable system operators for most distant customer’’ require- may, however, disable the remote con- ment in Table B.3 is not mandatory. trol functions of a subscriber’s cus- (ii) ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS tomer premises equipment where re- 234): ‘‘Service Information Delivered quested by the subscriber. Out-of-Band for Digital Cable Tele- vision’’ (incorporated by reference, see NOTE 1 TO § 76.630: The provisions of para- § 76.602), provided however that the ref- graphs (a) and (b) of this section are applicable July 31, 1994, and June 30, 1994, respec- erenced Source Name Subtable shall be tively. provided for Profiles 1, 2, and 3. NOTE 2 TO § 76.630: § 76.1621 contains certain (iii) ANSI/SCTE 54 2003 (formerly requirements pertaining to a cable opera- DVS 241): ‘‘Digital Video Service Multi- tor’s offer to supply subscribers with special plex and Transport System Standard equipment that will enable the simultaneous for Cable Television’’ (incorporated by reception of multiple signals. reference, see § 76.602). NOTE 3 TO § 76.630: § 76.1622 contains certain requirements pertaining to the provision of a (iv) For each digital transport stream consumer education program on compat- that includes one or more services car- ibility matters to subscribers. ried in-the-clear, such transport NOTE 4 TO § 76.630: Cable operators must stream shall include virtual channel comply with the notification requirements data in-band in the form of ATSC A/ pertaining to the waiver of the prohibition 65B: ‘‘ATSC Standard: Program and against scrambling and encryption, and com- System Information Protocol for Ter- ply with the public file requirement in con- nection with such waiver. restrial Broadcast and Cable (Revision B)’’ (incorporated by reference, see [59 FR 25342, May 16, 1994, as amended at 61 § 76.602), when available from the con- FR 18510, Apr. 26, 1996; 65 FR 53616, Sept. 5, tent provider. With respect to in-band 2000; 67 FR 1650, Jan. 14, 2002; 67 FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002] transport: (A) The data shall, at minimum, de- § 76.640 Support for unidirectional scribe services carried within the digital cable products on digital transport stream carrying the PSIP cable systems. data itself; (a) The requirements of this section (B) PSIP data describing a twelve- shall apply to digital cable systems. hour time period shall be carried for For purposes of this section, digital each service in the transport stream. cable systems shall be defined as a This twelve-hour period corresponds to cable system with one or more chan- delivery of the following event infor- nels utilizing QAM modulation for mation tables: EIT–0, –1, –2 and –3;

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(C) The format of event information tors may provide more advanced PODs data format shall conform to ATSC A/ (i.e., PODs that are based on successor 65B: ‘‘ATSC Standard: Program and standards to those specified in para- System Information Protocol for Ter- graph (b)(2) of this section) to cus- restrial Broadcast and Cable (Revision tomers whose unidirectional digital B)’’ (incorporated by reference, see cable products are compatible with the § 76.602); more advanced PODs. (D) Each channel shall be identified (4) Cable operators shall: by a one- or two-part channel number (i) Effective April 1, 2004, upon re- and a textual channel name; and quest of a customer, replace any leased (E) The total bandwidth for PSIP high definition set-top box, which does data may be limited by the cable sys- not include a functional IEEE 1394 tem to 80 kbps for a 27 Mbits multiplex interface, with one that includes a and 115 kbps for a 38.8 Mbits multiplex. functional IEEE 1394 interface or up- (v) When service information tables grade the customer’s set-top box by are transmitted out-of-band for scram- download or other means to ensure bled services: that the IEEE 1394 interface is func- (A) The data shall, at minimum, de- tional. scribe services carried within the (ii) Effective July 1, 2005, include transport stream carrying the PSIP both a DVI or HDMI interface and an data itself; IEEE 1394 interface on all high defini- (B) A virtual channel table shall be tion set-top boxes acquired by a cable provided via the extended channel operator for distribution to customers. interface from the POD module. Tables (iii) Ensure that these cable oper- to be included shall conform to ANSI/ ator-provided high definition set-top SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234): boxes shall comply with ANSI/SCTE 26 ‘‘Service Information Delivered Out-of- 2001 (formerly DVS 194): ‘‘Home Digital Band for Digital Cable Television’’ (in- Network Interface Specification with corporated by reference, see § 76.602). Copy Protection’’ (incorporated by ref- (C) Event information data when erence, see § 76.602), with transmission present shall conform to ANSI/SCTE 65 of bit-mapped graphics optional, and 2002 (formerly DVS 234): ‘‘Service Infor- shall support the CEA–931–A: ‘‘Remote mation Delivered Out-of-Band for Dig- Control Command Pass-through Stand- ital Cable Television’’ (incorporated by ard for Home Networking’’ (incor- reference, see § 76.602) (profiles 4 or porated by reference, see § 76.602), pass higher). through control commands: tune func- (D) Each channel shall be identified tion, mute function, and restore vol- by a one-or two-part channel number ume function. In addition these boxes and a textual channel name; and shall support the power control com- (E) The channel number identified mands (power on, power off, and status with out-of-band signaling information inquiry) defined in A/VC Digital Inter- data should match the channel identi- face Command Set General Specifica- fied with in-band PSIP data for all un- tion Version 4.0 (as referenced in ANSI/ scrambled in-the-clear services. SCTE 26 2001 (formerly DVS 194): (2) All digital cable systems shall ‘‘Home Digital Network Interface comply with: Specification with Copy Protection’’ (i) SCTE 28 2003 (formerly DVS 295): (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602)). ‘‘Host-POD Interface Standard’’ (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602). [68 FR 66734, Nov. 28, 2003] (ii) SCTE 41 2003 (formerly DVS 301): ‘‘POD Copy Protection System’’ (incor- Subpart L—Cable Television porated by reference, see § 76.602). Access (3) Cable operators shall ensure, as to all digital cable systems, an adequate § 76.701 Leased access channels. supply of PODs that comply with the (a) Notwithstanding 47 U.S.C. standards specified in paragraph (b)(2) 532(b)(2) (Communications Act of 1934, of this section to ensure convenient ac- as amended, section 612), a cable oper- cess to such PODS by customers. With- ator, in accordance with 47 U.S.C. out limiting the foregoing, cable opera- 532(h) (Cable Consumer Protection and

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