Conrad L. Young’s Wired Broadband and Related Industry Glossary of Terms with Acronyms As of 15 February 2012 Open Access This document is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial
The ability to encode a visual sequence so as to enable the decoding of the digital data stream at various spatial and/or temporal resolutions
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The ability to encode a visual sequence so as to enable the decoding of the digital data stream at various spatial and/or temporal resolutions. (FiberOpticsInfo) Scalable Video Refers to video compression that can handle a range of bandwidths, scaling smoothly over them. (FiberOpticsInfo)
A type of horn antenna feed which uses a series of concentric rings to capture signals that have been reflected toward the focal point of a parabolic antenna. (Satnews) Scalar Theory of Light That theory that treats the light field as a single scalar field rather than as two coupled vector fields. (Photonics dot com) Scaling Law In coherence theory, an optical law put forth by physicist Emil Wolf that explains the behavior of light as it travels away from its source over large distances in space. Light spectra are assumed to remain uniform as light travels, but may change under certain circumstances. (Photonics dot com) Scanning 1) In telecommunications systems, periodic examination of traffic activity to determine whether further processing is required. 2) In television, facsimile, and picture transmission, the process of successively analyzing the colors and densities of the object according to a predetermined pattern. (FiberOpticsInfo) Scanning Acoustic Microscope (SAM) Also called scanning laser acoustic microscope. A device that uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to penetrate surfaces. A scanning laser beam is used as a detector, which transmits information about subsurface defects to a television monitor for imaging. (Photonics dot com) Scanning Line A single continuous narrow strip of the picture area containing highlights, shadows, and halftones, determined by the process of scanning. Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) A high-resolution imaging instrument that can detect and measure the positions of individual atoms on the surface of a material. A very fine conductive probe is placed at a distance of 10 to 20 Å above the surface of a conductive sample, and a bias voltage is applied between probe and surface during scanning, creating overlapping electron clouds and electrons that tunnel between the potential barrier between the probe and the sample. The probe tip is maintained at a constant distance from the sample by a piezoelectric transducer, yielding a three-dimensional topographical image. (Photonics dot com) Scattering The change in direction of light rays or photons after striking a small particle or particles. It may also be regarded as the diffusion of a light beam caused by the in homogeneity of the transmitting medium. (Arris Glossary of Terms) 
Scattering Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s SCCP
Scrambler A device used to electronically alter a signal so that it can only be viewed or heard on a receiver equipped with a special decoder. (Satnews) Also, 1) A device that transposes or inverts signals or otherwise encodes a message at the transmitter to make the message unintelligible at a receiver not equipped with an appropriately set descrambling device. Scramblers usually use a fixed algorithm or mechanism. 2) A device intended to normalize the duty cycle of a data stream to be close to 50%. (FiberOpticsInfo) Scrambling A method of altering a signal identity to prevent unauthorized reception by persons not having decoders. (Arris Glossary of Terms) SCSI Small Computer System Interface; an intelligent interface device that expands a microprocessor (CPU) bus to facilitate connections to multiple peripherals (e.g., CD-ROM drives, hard drives, or scanners) and exchange data with those peripherals via a separate communications bus. (FiberOpticsInfo) SCTE Society for Cable Telecommunications Engineers; headquarted in Pennsylvania USA, near the birthplace of the cable industry in the USA, the SCTE is the cable industry’s society for “techies”, engineers, and technicians. The SCTE performs cable industry training and functions as a cable industry standards body, in cooperation with ANSI, Cable Labs, IEEE, ITU, EN, and other standards bodies. Annual membership fee is $45 US as of CY 2011. Anyone with interest in the cable industry and its technology should join. The other major trade organization within the cable industry in the USA is the National Cable Telecommunications Association (www.ncta.com), which is the USA cable industry’s trade organization with primary focus for content providers and legal professionals. The NCTA is based in Washington, D.C. and lobbies for cable industry interests, goals, and rights against all comers. Link to the SCTE web site: www.scte.org.
Stream Control Transmission Protocol SD Secure Digital SDA Stealth Digital Analyzer; a type of HFC network test equipment manufactured by JDSU (formerly Acterna and Wavetek) to perform HFC network frequency and related measurements. The “stealth” aspect is derived from the SDA’s ability to perform measurements within a revenue generating, active HFC network in a non-interfering way. The majority of HFC network transmission errors (including digital) are found by measuring the frequency response of the network. Physical errors in the network that influence transmitted signals can be revealed in a HFC network sweep trace often referred to as a “CATV sweep”. The sweep results are independent of transmission methods and formats. (JDSU) 
SDA-5000 Meter photograph courtesy of JDSU SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy SDMA Spatial Division Multiple Access SDP Session Description Protocol SDR Software Defined Radio; radio in which some or all of the physical layer functions are software defined. Also known as Software Radio. The Wireless Innovation Forum, working in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) P1900.1 group, has worked to establish a definition of SDR that provides consistency and a clear overview of the technology and its associated benefits. A radio is any kind of device that wirelessly transmits or receives signals in the radio frequency (RF) part of the electromagnetic spectrum to facilitate the transfer of information. In today's world, radios exist in a multitude of items such as cell phones, computers, car door openers, vehicles, and televisions. Traditional hardware based radio devices limit cross-functionality and can only be modified through physical intervention. This results in higher production costs and minimal flexibility in supporting multiple waveform standards. By contrast, software defined radio technology provides an efficient and comparatively inexpensive solution to this problem, allowing multi-mode, multi-band and/or multi-functional wireless devices that can be enhanced using software upgrades. SDR defines a collection of hardware and software technologies where some or all of the radio’s operating functions (also referred to as physical layer processing) are implemented through modifiable software or firmware operating on programmable processing technologies. These devices include field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), digital signal processors (DSP), general purpose processors (GPP), programmable System on Chip (SoC) or other application specific programmable processors. The use of these technologies allows new wireless features and capabilities to be added to existing radio systems without requiring new hardware. (Wireless Innovation)
SDTV Standard Definition Television SDU Service Data Unit SDV Switched Digital Video; an open internet protocol (IP) architecture that permits real-time subscriber monitoring (usually via use of an out-of-band (OOB) channel or channels) of content usage and the ability for a cable operator headend (HE) or hub to selectively deliver content based on real-time usage. Switched Digital Video (SDV) allows cable providers the ability to save bandwidth by sending requested channels on an “as needed” basis to users one at a time. Cable operators can potentially offer a greater number of channel offerings to compensate for not having to broadcast unwatched programs when not required to do so. SDV compresses multiple standard definition television (SDTV) or HDTV broadcast streams into MPEG-2/MPEG-4 video through Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) techniques. SDV services are typically reserved for hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks where highest data rates can be achieved (for future expansion of SDV networks). Cable providers can consume typically from 50% to 75% less bandwidth compared to traditional broadcast services by multiplexing ten (10) SDTV broadcasts per 6MHz RF channel (typical). MPEG-4 encoding can yield a greater number of channels, however with reduced video quality. 
Simplified Block Diagram Showing SDV Architecture, Cable Operator to Subscriber and Return, courtesy of Cisco Sealing Boot (Sealing Sleeve) Placed on port threads for outdoor installations. It water seals and corrosion protects the port thread to connector area. (Arris Glossary of Terms) SECAM Système Électronique Couleur avec Mèmoire; a color television system developed by the French and used in the USSR. SECAM operates with 625 lines per picture frame and 50 cycles per second, but is incompatible in operation with the European PAL system or the U.S. NTSC system. (Satnews) SFD Saturation Flux Density; The power required to achieve saturation of a single repeater channel on the satellite. (Satnews) Second Audio Program (SAP) In a BTSC-encoded television sound carrier, a monaural audio subcarrier that can be used to transmit supplemental foreign language translation audio or other information. Secondary Audio Program (SAP) Secondary audio signal that is broadcast along with a television signal and its primary audio. SAP may be enabled through either the television, stereo VCR equipped to receive SAP signals, or an SAP receiver. SAPs may be used for a variety of enhanced programming, including providing a “video description” of a program’s key visual elements, inserted in natural pauses, that describes actions not otherwise reflected in the dialog, used by visually impaired viewers. This service also allows television stations to broadcast programs in a language other than English, and may be used to receiver weather information, or other forms of “real-time” information. (FiberOpticsInfo) Second Harmonic A second order beat whose two beating carriers have the same frequency. Second Order Beat An unwanted carrier created by two separate carriers beating against each other. These beating carriers may have the same or different frequencies. Secret Key The cryptographic key used in a symmetric key algorithm, which results in the secrecy of the encrypted data that depends solely on keeping the key a secret; also known as a symmetric key. Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) A standards-based method for computing a condensed representation of a message or a data file. Secured Socket Layer (SSL) Used to define standard encryption software to pass sensitive information over an unsecured Internet connection. SSL works on encryption of sensitive data using complex techniques and converting them back to original data using keys on the receiving side. Or a public key encryption based protocol for secure communications between client and server. Security Association (SA) A one-way relationship between sender and receiver offering security services on the communication flow. Security Association Identifier (SAID) Uniquely identifies Security Associations in the DOCSIS Baseline Privacy Plus Interface (BPI+) security protocol. Security Shield (Security Sleeve) Protects "F" connections on taps, converters, etc. from tampering. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Selective Reception A characteristic of spatial processing that monitors incoming signals and distinguishes between desirable information and interference; by filtering out interfering signals and appropriately combining the reception from all the antennas in the array, this approach provides significant improvement in signal quality. Selectivity A measure of the performance of a radio receiver to respond only to the tuned transmission (such as a radio station) and reject other signals nearby, such as another broadcast on an adjacent channel. Selectivity is usually measured as a ratio in decibels (dB), comparing the signal strength received against that of a similar signal on another frequency. If the signal is at the adjacent channel of the selected signal, this measurement is also known as adjacent-channel rejection ratio (ACRR). Selectivity also provides some immunity to blanketing interference. (Word IQ) Self-phase modulation (SPM) A fiber nonlinearity caused by the nonlinear index of refraction of glass. The index of refraction varies with optical power level causing a frequency chirp which interacts with the fiber’s dispersion to broaden the pulse. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
Self-phase Modulation Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s SELFOC Derived from "self-focusing,'' Nippon Sheet Glass Co. (NSG) of Japan's trade name for graded-index fiber rods with parabolic index profile, suitable for use as cylindrical microlenses. (Photonics dot com) Selfoc Lens A trade name used by the Nippon Sheet Glass Company for a graded-index fiber lens; a segment of graded-index fiber made to serve as a lens. (FiberOpticsInfo) Semiconductor A material whose resistivity is between that of conductors and insulators, and whose resistivity can sometimes be changed by light, electric field , or a magnetic field. Current flow is sometimes by movement of negative electrons, and sometimes by transfer of positive holes. Used in transistors, diodes, photodiodes, photocells, and thermistors. Some examples are: silicon, germanium, selenium, and lead sulfide. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) A specialized laser diode, without end mirrors, with fiber attached to both ends. SOAs amplify any optical signal that comes from either fiber and transmit an amplified version of the signal out of the second fiber. SOAs are typically constructed in a small package and work for 1310 nm and 1550 nm systems. In addition, they transmit bidirectionally, making the reduced size of the device an advantage over regenerators or EDFAs. However, the drawbacks to SOAs include high-coupling loss, polarization dependence, and a higher noise figure. Modern optical networks utilize SOAs in the following ways: (1) Power Boosters: Many tunable laser designs output low optical power levels and must be immediately followed by an optical amplifier. (A power booster can use either an SOA or EDFA). (2) In-Line Amplifier: Allows signals to be amplified within the signal path. (3) Wavelength Conversion: Involves changing the wavelength of an optical signal. (4) Receiver Preamplifier: SOAs can be placed in front of detectors to enhance sensitivity. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/articles/optical_amplifiers Sensitivity The sensitivity of an electronic device, e.g., a communications system receiver, or detection device, e.g., PIN diode, is the minimum input signal required to produce a specified output signal having a specified signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other specified criteria. Note 1: The sensitivity of a microphone is usually expressed as field strength in dB re 1 V/Pa (Pa = N/m²) or as millivolts per pascals (mV/Pa) into an open circuit or into 1 kilo ohms load. Note 2: "Sensitivity" is sometimes improperly used as a synonym for "responsivity." Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188. (Word IQ) Serial One bit at a time, along a single transmission path. (FiberOpticsInfo) Serial Digital Digital information that is transmitted in serial form. Often used informally to refer to serial digital television signals. (FiberOpticsInfo) Serial Digital Interface (SDI) A 10-bit, scrambled, polarity independent interface, based on a 270 Mb/s data rate, with common scrambling for both component ITU-R 601, composite digital video, and four channels of (embedded) digital audio. Most new broadcast digital equipment includes SDI. (FiberOpticsInfo) Serial Digital Transport Interface (SDTI) Another name for Society for Motion Picture and TV Engineers (SMPTE) 305M. Allows faster-than-real-time transfers between various servers and between acquisition tapes, disk-based editing systems and servers. Supports both 270 Mb/s and 360 Mb/s data rates. (FiberOpticsInfo) Server A computer and/or software that provides and controls resources for clients on a network. These resources can include hardware devices such as printers and storage systems, or files as in the case of a Web server. Service A service is a sequence of programs under the control of a broadcaster which can be broadcast as part of a schedule. Service Access Point (SAP) The point at which services are provided by one layer, or sublayer to the layer immediately above it. Service Application An application is service-bound if, and only if, it is associated with one or more broadcast services. Service Class A set of queuing and scheduling attributes that is named and that is configured at the cable modem termination system (CMTS). A Service Class is identified by a Service Class Name. A Service Class has an associated QoS Parameter Set. Service Class Name An ASCII string by which a Service Class may be referenced in modem configuration files and protocol exchanges. Service Control Point (SCP) A SCP is a node within a signaling system number 7 (SS7) network that provides centralized service logic and data, such as call routing information. Service Data Unit (SDU) The information that is delivered as a unit between peer service access points (SAPs). Service Flow (SF) A unidirectional flow of packets on the RF interface of a DOCSIS system. Or a MAC-layer transport service which provides unidirectional transport of packets from the upper layer service entity to the RF. It also shapes, polices and prioritizes traffic according to QoS traffic parameters defined for the Flow. Service Flow Identifier (SFID) A 32-bit integer assigned by the CMTS to each DOCSIS Service Flow defined within a DOCSIS RF MAC domain. Any 32-bit SFID must not conflict with a zero- extended 14-bit SID. SFIDs are considered to be in either the upstream direction (USFID) or downstream direction (DSFID). USFIDs and DSFIDs are allocated from the same SFID number space. Service Identifier (SID) An identifier appearing in the DOCSIS media access control (MAC) allocation map message, which identifies the entities which may make use of a particular upstream bandwidth assignment. A cable modem may have one or more unicast SIDs. A group of cable modems may share a multicast SID. Service Information (SI) That information that describes the broadcast services available on the network. Service Profile Identifier (SPID) A number that the telephone company switching equipment uses to keep track of configuration information for each terminal adapter connected to an ISDN telephone line. The telephone company should give you your SPIDs at the time they assign you your ISDN directory numbers. Servo-loop Automatic device for regulating. (FiberOpticsInfo) Session Description Protocol (SDP) A DDE-1 protocol that defines a multicast session that may or may not be concurrent with a TV program. Or IETF protocol that describes multimedia sessions for the purposes of session announcement, session invitation, and other forms of multimedia session initiation. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) An Internet protocol used for negotiating multimedia sessions across the network. Session Key A cryptographic key intended to encrypt data for a limited period of time, typically between a pair of entities. Set-Top Box (STB) Any of several different electronic devices that may be used in a customer's home to enable services to be on that customer's TV. If the “set-top” device is used only for extending the channels available, it is called a converter. If it restores scrambled or otherwise protected signals, it is a descrambler. SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. (Answers dot com)
Short Haul; a classification of video performance under RS-250B/C. Higher performance than long-haul or medium-haul. (FiberOpticsInfo) SHA-1 Secure Hash Algorithm 1 Shadow Mask Download 2.22 Mb. Share with your friends:
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