Standards Updates

This month we are excited to announce the approval of a new Project Authorization Request (PAR) for an Implementation Guide to Assure Network and Service Reliability. Broadband networks are essential to our everyday lives and such networks have become more and more reliable thanks to standardization and greater interoperability methods.  The published SCTE 290 2024r1, “Service and Network Reliability Measurements and Use Cases,” offers a vendor neutral framework for defining, measuring, and reporting network and service reliability and is a great foundation for building even more reliable networks.  The next standardization step in further expanding reliability is being constructed in SCTE’s Network Operations Subcommittee Working Group 8, “Network and Service Reliability,” and was recently approved by the Engineering Committee. This new implementation guide will help expand network and service reliability by creating a comprehensive, step-by-step guide, and outline data needed for vendors and service providers to implement an industry-accepted approach to measuring and reporting network and service reliability.  The team meets every other Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Be sure to join NOS WG8 to get involved.

We also have another new release in the SCTE 293 “What Is…?” series of technical monographs that provide high-level overviews of given topics. The material in these documents can be used as part of technical training programs, a tutorial for individuals seeking a high-level understanding of the topic, and/or a refresher for those who may have forgotten some of the fundamentals of the topic. The newest release explains long loop ALC, which is an important part of DOCSIS® CMTS and cable modem operation. Long loop AGC helps to maintain correct RF signal levels at the upstream input to a CMTS or CCAP. This technical monograph provides an overview of long loop ALC, and includes several examples illustrating how it works. Be sure to check out SCTE 293-7 2025, “What is… Long Loop Automatic Level Control?” To expand your knowledge, you can also find the first six technical monographs here.

SCTE 62 2024, “Test Method: Noise Figure Testing Procedures,” has been completely rewritten to utilize modern test equipment. In the design of broadband networks, it’s critical to keep noise levels low in order to maximize signal integrity. Noise figure is the amount, in dB, by which the carrier-to-thermal noise of a signal is degraded when passing through an active device. This latest update standardizes the measurement of noise figure using both the “Y-factor” method and the “gain” or “cold source” method.

The following documents were recently released by the SCTE Standards program:

Approved Project Authorization Requests (PARs)

• • EC-2024-020: PAR for Implementation Guide to Assure Network and Service Reliability

New Standards

• • SCTE 293-7 2025: What is… Long Loop Automatic Level Control?

Revised Standards

• • SCTE 62 2024: Test Method: Noise Figure Testing Procedures.

Reaffirmed Standards

• • SCTE 06 2019 (R2025): Composite Distortion Measurements (CSO & CTB)
  • SCTE 09 2016 (R2025): Test Method for Cold Bend
  • SCTE 17 2018 (R2024): Test Procedure for Carrier to Noise

Four new standards were announced and released. The first, SCTE 288 2024, “Plug-in Cable Attenuator Performance Standard,” defines a common minimum specification of electrical performance and certain mechanical characteristics of plug-in attenuators used in broadband cable network nodes and amplifiers. When operators purchase aftermarket accessories, their procurement departments seldom have the engineering abilities needed to qualify and/or disqualify components based on performance. Standardization of the specification of these components will have a positive effect all the way through the supply chain, through the operators’ technical operations, and on to the customer.

The other three are part of the SCTE 293 “What Is…?” series of technical monographs that provide high-level overviews of given topics. The material in these documents can be used as part of technical training programs, a tutorial for individuals seeking a high-level understanding of the topic, and/or a refresher for those who may have forgotten some of the fundamentals of the topic. The first three were released earlier this year (2025). Be sure to check out SCTE 293-1, “What Is…The Decibel?,” and SCTE 293-2, “What Is… Velocity of Propagation?,” and SCTE 293-3, “What Is…Return Loss?,” if you missed them. 

The approval of a new project for Increasing Energy Efficiencies Through Inside Plant Optimization was also announced. The development of this new standard will occur within the Energy Management Subcommittee (EMS). This standard will address energy efficiency optimizations and strategies for critical equipment within cable operator facilities and data centers, including subjects such as rightsizing direct current (DC) rectification, integrating renewable energy, intelligent lighting systems, finding and decommissioning of “vampire” equipment, economization of HVAC systems, airflow management, and optimization of HVAC setpoints. Be sure to join EMS to get involved.

The following documents were released by the SCTE Standards program:

Approved Project Authorization Requests (PARs)

• EC-2024-019: PAR for Increasing Energy Efficiencies Through Inside Plant Optimization

New Standards

• SCTE 288 2024: Plug-in Cable Attenuator Performance Standard
• SCTE 293-4 2024: What is…Loss (Attenuation)?
• SCTE 293-5 2024: What is…Unity Gain?
• SCTE 293-6 2024: What is… Skin Effect and Skin Depth?

Revised Standards

• SCTE 246 2025: Best Practices in Photovoltaic System Operations and Maintenance for Cable System Operator

Withdrawn Standards

• SCTE 208 2021: Cable Operator Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Collection Recommended Practices