Satellite & Cable TV
INDIAN STANDARD SET TOP BOX SPECIFICATIONS
The BIS specifications for Analog and Digital Set Top boxes have now been formally released. SCaT takes a close look and
explains its requirements and implications.
The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) is the government body that lays out the various Indian Standards. A comprehensive
range of Indian Standards have already been formulated for most Cable TV hardware. The Cable Act in-fact requires
hardware deployed on Indian Cable TV networks must confirm to these standards.
The Lok Sabha had cleared an amendment to the Cable Act that proposed to make the use of an addressable system
compulsory for delivery of pay channels. This amendment was also passed by the Raj Sabha on 10th December 2002. The
passing of the legislation in both houses paves the way for its formal declaration as an amendment to the Cable Act, over
the next 4 to 6 weeks.
Since the law requires that all addressable systems on Indian Cable TV Networks must conform to the BIS specifications, it
is important to be familiar with the specifications.
ANALOG & DIGITAL
The BIS has formulated 2 separate specifications.
The IS 15244: 2002 is the Indian Standard: Analog Set Top Box - Specification.
The IS 15245: 2002 is the Indian Standard: Digital Set Top Box - Specification.
While several of the other CATV hardware specifications have been derived from European (IEC) specifications, the Set Top
Box (STB) specifications have been formulated from scratch since no other country has dictated specifications for these
devices.
BROAD STANDARDS ONLY
The Set Top Box is similar to a lock and key arrangement which permits only a single, authorised user access. To maintain
this exclusive access, each lock and key combination needs to be unique. Various manufacturers have created their own
unique designs of locks and keys and boast that their lock and key combination is unbeatable. It would be self defeating if
the government dictated a universal specification for all locks and keys !
A similar situation exists for STBs.
NOT INTER-OPERABLE
As explained above, the BIS has not dictated a specific scrambling (locking) system. This will avoid any monopolisation of
what could possibly emerge as one of the worlds largest markets for Set Top Boxes.
The BIS standards however, do specify general guidelines as well as technical parameters to ensure that the boxes
interface with all cable TV networks that meet BIS specifications, as well as with B&W and Colour TV sets including legacy
TV sets with mechanical tuners capable of receiving VHF transmissions only.
COMMON SPECIFICATIONS
The I.S. 15244 (for Analog STBs) & I.S. 15245 (for Digital STBs) have identical general requirements such as those
relating to the interface with Cable TV networks & customer devices such as TVs, VCRs etc. Safety requirements, Electro
Magnetic Compatibility (EMC), Marking, Environmental Tests, as well as Transportation test such as Bump and Drop as well
as operating life tests are identical for both, Analog and Digital STBs. Hence, we will collectively review these common
specifications below.
Only the performance requirements are obviously different for Analog and Digital STBs. These are indicated separately in
Tables 1 & 2.
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Satellite & Cable TV
FTA USE
An important requirement is that all STBs - Analog or Digital, must have a facility that will permit the user to view Free-To-
Air analog CATV RF signals that are carried as part of the compulsory basic tier bouquet.
OPERATING FREQ. BAND
Both Analog and Digital STBs are required to operate from 47 MHz to 862 MHz with a minimum input level of 60 dbU upto
300 MHz and 57 dbU for frequencies above 300 MHz i.e. in the UHF band where the inter channel spacing shifts to 8 MHz
(PALG). The Set Top Boxes must accommodate a maximum input level of 80 dbU for less than 20 channels or 77 dbU for
more than 20 channels. All other details such as carrier level differences, amplitude difference within a TV channel, RF
input return loss and carrier to noise ratios are as defined by other corresponding BIS specifications for Cable TV
equipment (IS 13420 Part 1 & IS 14231 Part 3)
RETURN PATH
IS 15244 & IS 15245 permit use of the return path by the Set Top Box. The return path signals must be in accordance
with previously defined IS specifications (IS 14231 - Part 8)
ANY SCRAMBLING
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Satellite & Cable TV
The Set Top Box specifications permit the manufacturer or service provider to select and implement the conditional access
system of their choice. This includes a proprietary scrambling system.
SMART CARDS
The specifications state "The STB may have provision for Smart Card operation". If a smart card is incorporated, it must
meet IS 14202 (Parts 1, 2 & 3)
SMS
The I.S. standards permit the service provider to opt for any Subscriber Management System (SMS), as long as it ensures
consumer interest by "efficient responsive and accurate billing and collection".
OUTPUTS
To ensure easy interface with all types of TV Sets including old legacy TVs with only VHF, mechanical tuners, the BIS
specifications require the Set Top Boxes to have a VHF channel 3/4 output for PAL B. For PAL G a frequency agile UHF
output is required. The RF output must be through an IEC 60169-2 (TV female) connector.
The Set Top Boxes are also required to provide one video as well as left and right audio outputs on RCA connectors.
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Satellite & Cable TV
REMOTE CONTROL
The provision of a remote control is optional.
FINGER PRINTING
This is probably one of the most important requirements even though it is not commonly provided on Set Top Boxes
worldwide. Finger printing is a facility whereby a STB, when commanded from the headend, outputs its unique identity
(such as its serial number) on to the screen of the TV to which it is connected.
Finger printing is an effective anti piracy measure.
An unscrupulous last mile operator may install a bank of STB, each outputting unscrambling video and audio signals of
various pay channels. These signals could then be re-modulated and fed out as a pirated, unscrambled bouquet. The
Master Headend can, in such cases, activate finger printing and identify each of the errant STBs on the pirate network and
shut them off.
It must be noted that the amendments to the Cable Act dictate that delivery of a pay channel without a conditional access
system is a non bailable offence and attracts a jail sentence !
OPERATING VOLTAGE
Considering a very wide voltage fluctuations over most of the country, the I.S. specifications require STBs to operate for
any electrical input ranging from 90 VAC to 270 VAC.
Similarly, all STBs must operate over 0 to 50 deg. C.
ENVIRONMENTAL TEST
To ensure reliable operations of the Set Top Box after transportation as well as to endure reasonable user abuse, the STBs
need to be confirm to a drop test (IS 13252) Dry and Damp Heat Tests (IS 9000 Part 3/5 & Part 5/1) as well as Cold Test
(Part 2/4).
SUMMARY
The I.S. must be congratulated on putting out The BIS specs even before they have been mandated by law. The specs are
reasonable and ensure reliable operation under Indian conditions. They also ensure that both Analog as well as Digital
boxes are compatible with existing TV sets and CATV networks.
The STBs can employ any scrambling and billing system. Set Top Boxes from one network need not operate on any other
network. This open standard will ensure that no monopoly is fostered into the market by law and that the law does not tilt
in favour of any particular manufacturer or system.
The compulsory requirement of finger printing will go a long way in easily identifying errant STBs as well as trouble
shooting. The IS 15244 & 15245 lay the ground work for an open architecture STB where all manufacturers are invited to
compete and establish their own niche in a huge pay TV market.
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