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
A device, usually laser or LED, that emits light energy
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A device, usually laser or LED, that emits light energy. (Arris Glossary of Terms) SPA Shared Port Adapter Spacing Length of coaxial cable between amplifiers, usually expressed in equivalent decibels of gain required to overcome cable losses at the highest television channel or frequency carried in the system, such as “22dB spacing”. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Span Distance between line extenders or distribution amplifiers; also, distance between taps. Span Engineering The process of designing a DWDM transmission span to achieve the required performance based on fiber type, the transmission distance, amplifier spacing, noise, power, and channel count. (FiberOpticsInfo) Sparkles Video interference in a satellite transmitted picture appearing as small black or white dots or blips which may be caused by weak signal reception, poor receiver performance, improper tuning or polarization and possibly an insufficient signal-to-noise ratio. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Spatial Diversity An antenna configuration of two or more elements that are physically spaced (spatially diverse) to combat signal fading and improve signal quality; the desired spacing depends on the degree of multipath angle spread. Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) A complement (not an alternative) to CDMA and TDMA, this technology increases the number of users that can access an existing wireless phone or data system by exploiting the spatial characteristics of the channel itself through highly developed implementation of an intelligent antenna system's capabilities for receiving and transmitting. Special Effects Generator A device permitting combinations of images on a television screen supplied by one or more video inputs. Special Keycodes Keycodes other than the Mandatory Ordinary Keycodes that have been reserved for special purposes by special applications such as the monitor application, or some other implementation-dependent application with special privileges, such that they will not be treated the same as the Mandatory Ordinary Keycodes and may not be available to the application that has focus. Spectral Efficiency The number of data bits per second that can be transmitted in a one Hertz bandwidth range. (FiberOpticsInfo) Spectral Width A measure of the extent of a spectrum. For a source, the width of wavelengths contained in the output at one half of the wavelength of peak power. Typical spectral widths are 50 to 160 nm for an LED and less than 5 nm for a laser diode. (FiberOpticsInfo) Spectral Width, Full Width, Half Maximum (FWHM) The absolute difference between the wavelengths at which the spectral radiant intensity is 50 percent of the maximum power. (FiberOpticsInfo) Spectrum Frequencies or radiations that exist in a continuous range and have a common characteristic. A spectrum may be inclusive of many spectrum, e.g., the electromagnetic radiation spectrum includes the light spectrum, radio spectrum, infrared spectrum, etc. (Arris Glossary of Terms). Link to SCTE sponsored primer on RF spectrum and the cable plant: http://www.scte.org/mmpres/Primer/RFSpectrum/index.html Spectrum Management System (SMS) A system for managing the radio frequency (RF) cable spectrum. SPID Service Profile Identifier SPID Guessing A process that can greatly simplify the process of installing an ISDN adapter. Given the regular 10-digit telephone number(s) assigned to an ISDN line, a SPID guessing algorithm tries combining the seven and 10-digit phone numbers with various prefixes and suffixes until it finds it can communicate with the phone company's central office switch. Once it discovers the right combination, the algorithm also can figure out the kind of central office switching system to which the adapter is connected. Splice A permanent connection of two optical fibers. (Arris Glossary of Terms) 
Excerpt from ANSI/SCTE 87-1 2008, “Graphic Symbols For Cable Systems Part 1: HFC Symbols”
Fiber Optic Cable Splice Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optic Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s Spillover Satellite signal that falls on locations outside the beam pattern's defined edge of coverage. (Satnews) Spin Stabilization A form of satellite stabilization and attitude control which is achieved through spinning the exterior of the spacecraft about its axis at a fixed rate. (Satnews) Splice Block A splice block is used to splice two connectors. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Splice Case A metal or plastic housing used to enclose and protect fiber splices. Synonym for splice closure. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Splice Connector This connector is used to join together two cables. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Splice Loss See insertion loss. Splice Tray Flat rectangular components used to secure splices and store excess fiber. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Splitter A passive device (one with no active electronic components) which distributes a television signal carried on a cable in two or more paths and sends it to a number of receivers simultaneously. A low noise amplifier (LNA) splitter is an active device capable of distribution of RF signals into two or more paths combined with the ability to provide signal gain and RF power level adjustment. 
Excerpt from ANSI/SCTE 87-1 2008, “Graphic Symbols For Cable Systems Part 1: HFC Symbols”
Spread Spectrum Enables the successful transmission to hostile transmission environments. SPTS Single Program Transport Streams Squelch In telecommunications, squelch is a circuit function that acts to suppress the audio (or video) output of a receiver. It is activated in the absence of a sufficiently strong desired input signal, in order to exclude undesired lower-power input signals that may be present at or near the frequency of the desired signal. (Contrast with noise suppression.) . Two types of selective squelch are commonly used. A continuous tone-coded squelch system (CTCSS) uses any one of about 50 tones from 67 to 254 Hz. Digital-coded squelch (DCS) systems use a continuous stream of digital data to identify themselves, running in the same audio frequency band as the tones but at about 131 baud. CTCSS is usually called PL tone (for "Private Line", a trademark of Motorola), or simply squelch tone. It can be regarded as a form of in-band signaling. See also radiotelephone. Squelch can also be used based strictly on the signal strength of the signal, such as when a television mutes the audio or blanks the video on "empty" channels, or when a walkie talkie mutes the audio when no one is calling. Sources: modified from Federal Standard 1037C and from the NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management in support of MIL-STD-188. (Word IQ) SRS Stimulated Raman Scattering
Signaling System Number 7 SSID Service Set Identifier SSL Secured Socket Layer SSMA Spread Spectrum Multiple Access; refers to a frequency multiple access or multiplexing technique. (Satnews) SSP Signal Switching Point SSPA Solid State Power Amplifier; a very large scale integration (VSLI) solid state device that is gradually replacing Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs) in satellite communications systems because they are lighter weight and are more reliable. (Satnews) ST Straight-through fiber optic connector developed by AT&T. (Arris Glossary of Terms) S/T Interface The eight-pin RJ-45 connector on the “back side” of an NT-1 or ISDN adapter that connects one or more ISDN adapters to the NT-1. Of the eight pins on the RJ-45 connector, the outside two pins on each side provide power and the center four form a “transmit” and “receive” pairs. ISDN adapters with built-in NT-1s do not have an S/T Interface. Stabilized Light Source An LED or laser diode that emits light with a controlled and constant spectral width, center wavelength, and peak power with respect to time and temperature. (FiberOpticsInfo) Stacked Antenna Array Two or more identical off-air antennas aligned and mounted so as to achieve increased gain and to suppress and, in many instances, eliminate ghosts. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Staggercast This term is used to designate the interval of time, in NVOD; that is, the time between the beginning of a movie or program, on one channel and the beginning of the same program on another channel. (Ex: A movie starts at 7:00 on channel 50, at 7:15 on channel 51, at 7:30 on channel 52-the movie is staggercast 15 minutes.) Standalone MTA (S-MTA) A single node that contains an MTA and a non-DOCSIS MAC (e.g., Ethernet). Standard Broadcast Channel A specific band of off-air frequencies occupied by a carrier and two side bands of a transmitted signal, with the carrier frequency at the center. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Standby Power Supply A step down alternating current (AC) trans-former which converts 120 volts AC to a lower AC voltage (30 or 60volts) to be carried on the coaxial cable along with the cable signals to power active devices in the distribution plant. In addition, batteries and an inverter are included to provide backup power in the event of utility power (120 VAC) failure. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Star Coupler A coupler in which power at any input port is distributed to all output ports. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
Star Coupler Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s Star Network A network in which all terminals are connected through a single point, such as a star coupler or concentrator. (FiberOpticsInfo) Start Bits A sequence of bits sent by a device transmitting data so that the device receiving the data can synchronize its clock, which dictates the intervals at which individual bits are expected to be sent and received. Stationkeeping Minor orbital adjustments that are conducted to maintain the satellite's orbital assignment within the allocated "box" within the geostationary arc. (Satnews) Statute Mile A distance of 5,280 feet. (Timbercon) STB Set-top Box STB Client A device employed in switched digital video (SDV) capable headends and hubs that monitors and captures user channel usage (remote control “clicks”) and requests SDV servers. The STB Client receives HFC and RFoG network downstream (DS) commands from the SDV server to tune to the appropriate channel to match customer requests. Step-index Fiber Fiber that has a uniform index of refraction throughout the core that is a step below the index of refraction in the cladding. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
Step-index Fiber Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s Steering Coil A Steering Coil in a television is simply a large bind of copper wire that is hooked up to the power supply, effectively creating an electromagnet. There are two (2) steering coils in a television: the first one is used to control horizontal direction of the electron beam and the second is used for vertical control. Since the electron beam in the cathode ray tube carries a negative charge, it can be directed by manipulating the magnetic fields that the steering coils produce. Using this vertical and horizontal directional system the electron beam can be pointed at any space on the television screen. (Glossary of Terms dot Net) Steering Committee A group of persons who meet periodically to evaluate the progress and success of the implementation of the technology solution. (Timbercon) Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) The easiest fiber nonlinearity to trigger. When a powerful light wave travels through a fiber it interacts with acoustical vibration modes in the glass. This causes a scattering mechanism to be formed that reflects much of the light back to the source. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
SBS Threshold (SBSt) Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Threshold (SBSt) Defined by ITU-T 650.2, SBSt is the laser pump power threshold for the onset of SBS impairments. Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) A fiber nonlinearity similar to SBS but having a much higher threshold. This mechanism can also cause power to be robbed from shorter wavelength signals and provide gain to longer wavelength signals. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
SRS Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/s Stinger Coaxial cable connector employed to connect hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network transmission line optical nodes, trunk/bridger, and line extender (LE) amplifiers to low loss large diameter coaxial cable. Also known as a pin-type or chassis connector. Male connectors of this type are defined by ANSI/SCTE 111 2010 Specification for 5/8-24 Plug, Male Adapters. This specification serves as a recommended guideline for the physical dimensions of 5/8 – 24 plug (male) hard-line adapters that are used as interconnects in the 75 ohm RF broadband communications industry. It is not the purpose of this standard to specify the details of manufacturing. This type of termination is also known as a “trunk and distribution” coaxial cable connector. 
Representative of this type of connector are the Coning Gilbert GRSTM 3-Piece Series (link: http://www.corning.com/gilbert/broadband_products/trunk_distribution/GRS.aspx) described below: 
The industry-leading GRSTM 3-piece trunk and distribution connector series is designed for optimal performance in high-bandwidth, two-way, and digital communication systems. The GRS provides independent seizing of the cable’s center conductor and outer conductors during the installation process, guaranteeing proper cable retention. Stop Bits A sequence of bits sent by a device transmitting data so that the device receiving the data can synchronize its clock, which dictates the intervals at which individual bits are expected to be sent and received. Store and Forward Technique for examining incoming packets on an Ethernet switch or bridge whereby the whole packet is read before forwarding or filtering takes place. Store and forward is a slightly slower process than cut-through, but it does insure that all bad or misaligned packets are eliminated from the network by the switching device. Storm Loading Characteristics of particular geographical areas such as ice build-up, wind speed and ambient temperature, that affect the design of aerial cable installations. (Arris Glossary of Terms) STP Shielded Twisted-Pair STP Signal Transfer Point STP System Test Plan Streaking A term used to describe a picture condition in which objects appear to be extended horizontally beyond their normal boundaries. Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) IETF protocol that supports reliable data exchange between two endpoints. Stream Derived from the term “streaming” which is a method for delivering multimedia content to a user in a continuous fashion. A single long form viewing session is typically composed of multiple streams, similar to how an article is often broken into multiple page views. Caution should be used when using stream as a measure of user experience and engagement; measures of unique users and the average length of video session would be more representative. (Fain) Streaming Media Digital Video, Audio, and Data Services that are selectively delivered to individual users, either in response to a user request or based upon a user profile. These services are delivered over a data transport stream, either via real-time transmission to the user, or via off-peak data-carousel transmission to a storage device at or near the user's location for subsequent retrieval. Strength Member Steel, aramid yarns, fiberglass epoxy rods or other material used to increase the tensile strength of a cable. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Strip Amplifier An active device that amplifies and stabilizes an RF input signal. (Arris Glossary of Terms). Typically employed when only a defined frequency band requires amplification, control, and/or shaping. An example of this type of amplifier is the Blonder Tongue Laboratories FM Strip Amplifier model number ZSCA-FM. The ZSCA is designed to amplify and stabilize the level of a single or multiple FM channel in a MATV or SMATV headend. This strip amplifier offers low noise, high output capability, and a wide AGC window, thereby providing a very stable, low distortion signal.
Photo courtesy of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, http://www.blondertongue.com/
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