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
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Carrier The basic radio, television, or telephony center of frequency transmit signal. The carrier in an analog signal is modulated by manipulating its amplitude (making it louder or softer) or its frequency (shifting it up or down) in relation to the incoming signal. Satellite carriers operating in the analog mode are usually frequency modulated. (Satnews) Carrier Frequency The main frequency on which a voice, data, or video signal is sent. Microwave and satellite communications transmitters operate in the band from 1 to 14 GHz (a GHz is one billion cycles per second). (Satnews) Carrier Hum Modulation The peak-to-peak magnitude of the amplitude distortion relative to the Radio Frequency (RF) carrier signal level due to the fundamental and low-order harmonics of the power-supply frequency. Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) The Ethernet media access method. All network devices contend equally for access to transmit. If a device detects another device's signal while it is transmitting, it aborts transmission and retries after a brief pause. Carrier to Composite Noise (CCN) The ratio of the continuous wave (CW) carrier to the combined noise plus noise-like signal sources of non-thermal origin. This includes the thermal noise (CTN), combined with the noise-like intermodulation products created by beat products of analog and digital signals (CIN). (SCTE) Carrier to Intermodulation Noise (CIN) The ratio of the continuous wave (CW) carrier to the noise-like signals generated by the non-linearity of a broadband transmission system carrying a combination of analog signals and digitally modulated signals. These distortion products are analogous to the composite second order (CSO) and composite triple beat (CTB) products generated by analog carriers, but due to the pseudo random nature of the digital modulation signals, appear as a noise-like interference. When CIN products fall within the analog portion of the spectrum, their effect on the analog signal is similar to increasing thermal (random) noise. Since CIN is a distortion product, its contribution is dependent on the output signal level. (SCTE) Carrier to Noise (C/N) Traditionally, the term used to describe the ratio of the peak level of the visual carrier of an analog television transmission to the noise floor of the transmission system. This term, when used generically, may refer to the ratio of the carrier to all undesired noise and noise-like signals. The terms carrier to composite noise (CCN), carrier to intermodulation noise (CIN), and carrier to thermal noise (CTN) are used to more clearly identify the specific components of the noise floor. For the purposes of ANSI/SCTE 17 2001, Test Procedure for Carrier to Noise (C/N, CCN, CIN, CTN), dated 07 November 2001 and modified 02 April 2002, continuous wave (CW) carriers are substituted at equivalent levels to the peak visual carrier levels. (SCTE) Carrier-to-Noise Ratio (C/N or CNR) The square of the ratio of the root mean square (RMS) of the voltage of the digitally-modulated Radio Frequency (RF) carrier to the RMS of the continuous random noise voltage in the defined measurement bandwidth. (If not specified explicitly, the measurement bandwidth is the symbol rate of the digital modulation; for video it is 4 MHz.) 
CNR Diagram courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/c Carrier to Noise Ratio (C/N) Also expressed as CNR; the ratio of the received carrier power and the noise power in a given bandwidth, expressed in dB. This figure is directly related to G/T and S/N; and in a video signal the higher the C/N, the better the received picture. (Satnews) Carrier to Thermal Noise (CTN) The ratio of the continuous wave (CW) carrier to the thermal noise floor of the transmission system, specifically excluding any contribution from digital intermodulation products. (Note: for fiber optic systems, this term may include noise components such as shot noise and relative intensity noise (RIN), which are not strictly thermal, but are treated as part of the optical system thermal noise contribution.) (SCTE) Cassegrain Antenna The antenna principle that utilizes a subreflector at the focal point which reflects energy to or from a feed located at the apex of the main reflector. (Satnews) CARS Cable Television Relay Services Cartridge Container for recorded programming designed to be shown on a television receiver. The cartridge contains a reel of motion picture film, videotape or electronically embossed vinyl tape, blank or recorded, and uses an external take- up reel. CAS Conditional Access System Cascade The operation of two or more amplifiers in series so that the output of one device feeds the input of the next. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Cascade Depth The number of amplifiers between the headend and the specific subscriber. Cascaded 1 dB Compression Point (P1dB) Total P1dB (dB) = 10*log10 ((1/ (p1dB1*gain2*gain3) + 1/ (p1dB2*gain3) + 1/ (p1dB3)) ^-1)
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) An extension to HTML to allow styles, e.g. color, font, size to be specified for certain elements of a hypertext document. Style information can be included in-line in the HTML file or in a separate CSS file (which can then be easily shared by multiple HTML files). Cascode An amplifier consisting of a grounded-emitter input stage that drives a grounded-base output stage; advantages include high gain and low noise; widely used in television tuners. (Answers dot com) 
Cascode Amplifier Diagram courtesy of http://www.wiringdiagrams21.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Cascode-Video-FET-Amplifier-Circuit-Diagram.png Cassegrain Feed A type of satellite antenna receive feed that employs a reflector to direct the satellite signal via a waveguide to an low noise amplifier (LNA) or low noise block converter (LNB). (Arris Glossary of Terms) Cassegrain Feed System An antenna feed design that includes a primary reflector, the dish, and a secondary reflector which redirects microwaves via a waveguide to a low noise amplifier (LNA) or low noise block converter (LNB). (Arris Glossary of Terms) Cassette A self-contained package of reel-to-reel blank or recorded film, videotape or electronically embossed vinyl tape which is continuous and self-rewinding. Similar to a cartridge, but of slightly different design.
CableHome Address Translation CAT Conditional Access Table Category Rated Twisted pair communications circuits are rated by category, whose specifications are covered under EIA/TIA 568. The higher the category number, the higher the information capacity of the circuit. (Linear LLC) Cathode In an electron or vacuum tube, a cathode is the opposite of an anode. A cathode in a television is essentially a filament coated in a substance that gives off negative electrons when heated. In many ways, the filament is like the filament on a light bulb. (Glossary of Terms dot Net) CATV Cable Television CATV Community Antenna Television System CATV Hybrid Amplifier Module Also referred to as a CATV Hybrid, Hybrid Amplifier, or “hybrid”. In cable plant, including HFC networks, a term used to describe an amplifier module made up of transistor amplifier elements combined with passive elements to form a CATV hybrid amplifier module. Usually manufactured using the cable industry specific SOT-115J package developed in original form in 1968 by TRW. The first hybrid amplifiers used within revenue generating cable television networks were manufactured by TRW employed within Lindsay Broadband trunk, bridger, and line extender amplifiers installed in Belgium in 1973. 
Drawing courtesy of “Reliability Considerations in CATV Hybrids”, IEEE Transactions On Cable Television, VOL. CATV-3, NO. 1, January 1978, Al Grant and Jim Eachus, Motorola, Inc. CATV Sweep
CATV Sweep Screen Shots taken from Test Instrumentation courtesy of JDSU Test and Measurement HFC Test Talk Cable Test & Technology Forum, http://blogs.jdsu.com/hfc/archive/2010/06/18/catv-sweep-defined.aspx CAUI 100 Gbps Attachment Unit Interface (Traverso) Cause Code A numerical value that indicates the current status of an ISDN call session and what caused that change in status. CB Citizens Band radio. (Arris Glossary of Terms) CBC Cipher Block Chaining CBR Constant Bit Rate CCAP Converged Cable Access Platform; A CableLabs™ directed activity, CCAP blends key requirements from the Converged Multiservice Access Platform (CMAP) and the Converged Edge Services Access Router (CESAR) design and development projects. While not diametrically opposed, CMAP and CESAR had slightly differing takes on points such as service group size and whether encryption should be integrated or stand alone. Both, however, did have the same end goal in mind, which is combining edge QAM (E-QAM) and cable modem termination system (CMTS) functionality to save on power and space in the headend (HE) while increasing density and reducing per port costs. The CCAP will pick up the gauntlet with the idea of enabling MSOs to continue the migration to IP video delivery. Along the way, it seeks to make all fronts happy by allowing varying service group size, accommodating multiple interfaces, and supporting both a modular and integrated approach. USA MSOs Comcast and Cox, which both backed CMAP, and Time Warner Cable (TWC), a CESAR proponent, support the consensus-based CCAP, predicting that coming together will help them gain economies of scale and drive down prices. (Hernon) The latest CableLabs™ DOCSIS® CCAP specifications, including the CCAP OSSI XML Schema File, are found here: http://www.cablelabs.com/cablemodem/specifications/ccap.html 
CCAP Logo courtesy of Monta Monaco Hernon, 17June2011 CCCM CPE Controlled Cable Modem CCD Charge coupled device. In this device charge is stored on a capacitor which are etched onto a chip. A number of samples can be simultaneously stored. Used in MAC transmissions for temporarily storing video signals. (Channel Vision) CCI Copy Control Information CCITT (now TSS) Comite Consultatif Internationale de Telegraphique et Telephonique. International body, associated with the ITU, which establishes worldwide standards for telecommunications. Reorganized to include CCIR (radio standards group) and renamed TSS (Telecommunications Standardization Sector). (Satnews) CCIR Consultative Committee on Radio; replaced by ITU-R: http://www.itu.int/publications/itur.html (FiberOpticsInfo) CCIR 601 An international standard (renamed ITU 601) for component digital television that was derived from the SMPTE RP1 25 and EBU 3246E standards. ITU 601 defines the sampling systems, matrix values and filter characteristics for Y, Cr, Cb and RGB component digital television. It establishes a 4:2:2 sampling scheme at 13.5 MHz for the luminance channel and 6.75 MHz for the chrominance channels with eight-bit digitizing for each channel. These sample frequencies were chosen because they work for both 525-line 60 Hz and 625-line 50 Hz component video systems. The term 4:2:2 refers to the ration of the number of luminance channel samples to the number of chrominance channel samples; for every four luminance samples, the chrominance channels are each sampled twice. The D1 digital videotape format conforms to ITU 601. (SVAT Electronics) CCIR 656 The international standard (renamed ITU 601) defining the electrical and mechanical interfaces for digital television equipment operating according to the ITU 601 standard. ITU 656 defines both the parallel and serial connector pinouts, as well as the blanking, sync and multiplexing schemes used in both parallel and serial interfaces. (SVAT Electronics) CCK Complimentary Code Keying; a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) coding method used in the 802.11b wireless LAN standard for 5.5 and 11 Mbps. The slower 1 and 2 Mbps specifications use Barker coding which has a chip rate of 11 as compared to 8 in CCK. CCK also provides up to 64 coding patterns, whereas Barker uses only one. Unlike CDMA, which overlaps transmissions using different codes, CCK uses the different codes to transmit more data serially (Time Division Multiplexing, TDM). (PCmagazine) CCTV Closed Circuit Television CD Compact Disk; often used to describe high-quality audio, CD-quality audio, or short-wavelength lasers; CD Laser. (FiberOpticsInfo) CDM Coherence Division Multiplexing CDMA Code Division Multiple Access CDR Call Detail Record CDS Correlated Double Sampling; a technique used in the design of some CCD cameras that reduces the video signal noise generated by the chip. (SVAT Electronics) CE Consumer Electronics CEA Consumer Electronics Association CEC Consumer Electronics Control; a standard created and maintained by High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Licensing LLC that describes a series of software commands allowing consumers to control multiple consumer premises equipment (CPE) devices from a single remote control and to automate multiple functions. For example, press “PLAY” on a suitably equipped Blu-ray player and it can power up a connected television (TV), HDTV, 3DTV, HD3DTV, or similar monitor automatically and switch it to the desired pre-programmed input setting. When the Blu-ray player is powered down it has the capability to power the connected audio/video (A/V) system, including connected monitor, as well. The consumer can theoretically control all CEC enabled devices with a single remote control even if only one connected device has an infrared (IR) or RS-232 input. The CEC standard allows manufacturers to add proprietary commands to the CEC control set. Some CPE original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) identify CEC capability via their own brand names, such as Sony BRAVIA, Samsung Anynet+, and LG SimpleLink which are all CEC implementations and are, on a basic level, compatible with each other. (Kreski) Cell ATM layer protocol data unit. Cell In cellular mobile telephony, the geographic area served by one transmitter or base station transmit element. Subscribers may move from cell to cell. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Cellular A wireless telephone system where each geographic area (cell) is covered by a base station; users are handed over to other base stations as they move from cell to cell; analog and digital systems exist. Celsius Measure of temperature where pure water freezes at 0° and boils at 100°. (FiberOpticsInfo) Center Conductor The centermost feature of coaxial cable, it consists of solid copper or copper clad aluminum wire. Signals travel along the outside of the center conductor. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Center Mount A type of mounting bracket, located at the center of an off-air antenna, designed to fasten the antenna to a structure. (Arris Glossary of Terms) Center Wavelength In a laser, the nominal value central operating wavelength. It is the wavelength defined by a peak mode measurement where the effective optical power resides (see illustration). In an LED, the average of the two wavelengths measured at the half amplitude points of the power spectrum. (FiberOpticsInfo) 
Center Wavelength Illustration courtesy of Fiber Optics Info, http://www.fiber-optics.info/fiber_optic_glossary/c Center Wavelength and Bandpass Coupler performance is usually specified over a wavelength window, or in some cases, multiple windows. The center wavelength is the nominal wavelength of operation of the coupler, while the bandpass is the range of wavelengths over which the specifications are guaranteed. In many cases, couplers will perform adequately over a range outside their bandpass, but adherence to specifications is not guaranteed in this region. (AOFR) Central Office (CO) A switching system that connects lines to lines and lines to trunks. The term is sometimes used loosely to refer to a telephone company building in which a switching system is located and to include other equipment (such as transmission system terminals) that may be located in such a building. Certificate A message that, at least, states a name or identifies the Certification Authority (CA), identifies the Subscriber, contains the Subscriber's public key, identifies the Certificate's Validity Period, contains a Certificate serial number, and is digitally signed by the CA that issued the certificate. Certificate of Compliance The approval of the FCC that must be obtained before a cable system can carry television broadcast signals. Certificate Revocation List (CRL) A list of revoked certificates published by each certificate authority. Certification Authority (CA) An entity authorized to issue, manage, revoke, and renew Certificates. CESAR Converged Edge Services Access Router; CESAR is a project led by Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) that shares many similarities with the aims of the Comcast Corp.-led Converged Multiservice Access Platform (CMAP) effort. CESAR, like CMAP, targets the creation of dense edge products in cable operator super headends (HEs), HEs, and hubs that support traditional RF-based cable services with newer IP-based offerings, including IP video. Both look to combine cable modem termination system (CMTS) and edge QAM functions in the same device. CableLabs™ announced in June 2011 that CMAP and CESAR design specifications would be merged to form a new set of specifications under the CCAP acronym. (LightReading)
CCAP Logo courtesy of Monta Monaco Hernon, 17June2011 CFA Color Filter Array; a set of optical pixel filters used in single-chip color CCD cameras to produce the color components of a video signal. (SVAT Electronics) CFP 100 Gbps Form-factor Pluggable; an optical communications industry Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) packaging standard for serial 40 Gbps and parallel architecture 100 Gbps receivers, transmitters, and transponders. May also be referred to as a CFP MSA. (Traverso) CGA Color Graphics Adapter; a low-resolution color standard for computer monitors. (FiberOpticsInfo) Channel A transmission path between two points. The term channel may refer to a one-way path or, when paths in the two directions of transmission are always associated, to a two-way path. It is usually the smallest subdivision of a transmission system by means of which a single type of communication service is provided, i.e. a voice channel, teletypewriter channel, or data channel. Channel Capacity The number of channels available for current or future use on a cable system. Chapter A segment or subdivision of an episode. Ads are often inserted between chapters within long form content. (Fain) Characteristic Impedance A property of coaxial cables, also known as surge impedance, related to the capacitance and inductance, per unit length, of the cable. Characteristic impedance is most easily thought of in terms of its effect on transported signals or energy: if a coaxial cable is connected to an ideal resistance of value equal to the cable characteristic impedance, a signal transmitted toward the resistance is entirely absorbed and converted to heat with no reflected energy back up the cable. Characteristic impedance, Zo, in ohms, is a function of the relative diameters of the center conductor and the inner surface of the outer conductor and the dielectric constant of the dielectric material: (Ciciora) Download 2.22 Mb. Share with your friends:
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