Scientific-Atlanta has donated the equipment to ECE for a two-way digital CATV communications research laboratory. The Scientific-Atlanta headend system consists of a satellite antenna and digital receivers, digital network control system, broad-band integrated gateway, head-end QSPK and QAM modulators, DAVIC controller, and several explorer digital home communications terminals with facilities for software development. It is located in the Communications Systems Center laboratory in the GCATT Building (ECE Newsletter story).
The Scientific-Atlanta equipment will be the
basis of a Two-way Digital CATV Communications Research Laboratory.
The S-A system will consist of a satellite antenna and digital
receivers, Digital Network Control System, Broadband Integrated
Gateway, head-end QSPK and QAM modulators, DAVIC Controller, and
twenty Explorer 2000 Digital Home Communications Terminals with
facilities for software development. The latter have the Power
TV operating system with support for HTML and Javascript and Power
Key system for security and conditional access. A steerable 4.5-meter
satellite dish with C-band and Ku-band receivers (photo)
completes the installation.
The facility will be used by students doing research projects
on:
Network Access Protocols
CATV Network Security
CATV Digital Network Modeling and Measurements
Telephony over Cable
Video-conferencing over Cable
Video on Demand
Home Communications Terminal based Applications Software
Development of set-top based software for application areas such
as E-Commerce and others that require an Real-Time Operating System
and special security features are possible.
