This standard defines the characteristics and normative specifications for the interface between Point of Deployment (POD) security modules owned and distributed by cable operators, and commercially available consumer receivers and set-top terminals (“Host devices”) that are used to access multi-channel television programming carried on North American cable systems. The Point-of-Deployment module is also known as a CableCARD™ device. These Host devices may also be supplied by the cable operators. The combination of a properly-authorized POD module and a Host device permits the unscrambled display of cable programming that is otherwise protected by a conditional access scrambling system.
This standard applies extensions, modifications, and constraints to the interface defined in CEA-679, the National Renewable Security Standard.
This standard supports a variety of conditional access scrambling systems. Entitlement management messages (EMMs) for such scrambling systems are carried in the cable out of band channel as defined by ANSI SCTE 55-1and ANSI/SCTE 55-2. Other data transfer mechanisms such as the signaling methods of the DOCSIS version. 1.1 cable modem standard may be supported in the Host device. A cable operator is able to upgrade security in response to a breach by replacing the POD modules, without requiring any change in the host device.
The interface will support Emergency Alert messages transmitted over the out of band channel to the POD module and then delivered by the POD module over the interface to the host device using the format defined in SCTE 18.
It may also support Interactive Program Guide services, Impulse Pay Per View services, Video on Demand, and other messaging and interactive services. It supports both one way and two way cable systems, as well as host devices that incorporate DOCSIS modems or telco modems.
This standard defines the physical interface, signal timing, the link interface, and the application interface. It includes the extended channel specification, power management specifications, initialization procedures and firmware upgrade methods.