IEC 60728-1:2007

IEC 60728-1
Edition 4.0 2007-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services –
Part 1: System performance of forward paths

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IEC 60728-1
Edition 4.0 2007-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services –
Part 1: System performance of forward paths

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XG
ICS 33.060.40 ISBN 2-8318-9264-3

– 2 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.9
INTRODUCTION.11

1 Scope.16
2 Normative references .17
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations.19
3.1 Terms and definitions .19
3.2 Symbols .29
3.3 Abbreviations .30
4 Methods of measurement at system outlet.32
4.1 General .32
4.2 Mutual isolation between system outlets.34
4.2.1 Introduction .34
4.2.2 Equipment required .34
4.2.3 Connection of the equipment .34
4.2.4 Measurement procedure .35
4.2.5 Presentation of the results.36
4.3 Amplitude response within a channel.36
4.3.1 Introduction .36
4.3.2 Equipment required .36
4.3.3 Connection of the equipment .36
4.3.4 Measurement procedure .37
4.3.5 Presentation of the results.39
4.4 Chrominance-luminance gain and delay inequalities.39
4.4.1 Introduction .39
4.4.2 Equipment required .40
4.4.3 Connection of the equipment .40
4.4.4 Measurement procedure .40
4.4.5 Presentation of the results.42
4.5 Non-linear distortion .42
4.5.1 General .42
4.5.2 Intermodulation.42
4.5.3 Composite beat .42
4.5.4 Composite crossmodulation.47
4.5.5 Intermodulation noise .47
4.5.6 Hum modulation of carriers.47
4.5.7 Differential gain and phase .52
4.6 Carrier-to-noise ratio .56
4.6.1 Introduction .56
4.6.2 Equipment required .56
4.6.3 Connection of the equipment .56
4.6.4 Measurement set-up.57
4.6.5 Measurement procedure .57
4.6.6 Presentation of the results.58
4.7 Echoes .58
4.7.1 Introduction .58

60728-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 3 –
4.7.2 Equipment required .59
4.7.3 Connection of the equipment .60
4.7.4 Measurement procedure .60
4.7.5 Presentation of the results.60
4.8 AM-VSB television, FM radio and FM television signal level .60
4.8.1 General .60
4.8.2 Definitions for NTSC, PAL and SECAM systems.61
4.8.3 Equipment required .61
4.8.4 Measurement procedure .61
4.8.5 Presentation of the results.62
4.9 Data echo rating and data delay inequality .62
4.10 Interference in FM sound radio channels .62
4.11 Methods of measurement for digitally modulated signals .62
4.11.1 Introduction.62
4.11.2 Basic assumptions and measurement interfaces .62
4.11.3 Signal level for digitally modulated signals .65
4.11.4 RF signal-to-noise ratio S /N for digitally modulated signals.66
D,RF
4.11.5 Bit error ratio (BER) .68
4.11.6 BER versus E /N or C/N.69
b 0
4.11.7 Noise margin.72
4.11.8 Modulation error ratio (MER) .74
4.11.9 Phase jitter.76
4.11.10 Phase noise of an RF carrier.78
5 Performance requirements at system outlet .81
5.1 General .81
5.2 Impedance .82
5.3 Requirements at the terminal input .82
5.3.1 Signal level.82
5.3.2 Other parameters .83
5.4 Carrier levels at system outlets .83
5.4.1 Minimum and maximum carrier levels .83
5.4.2 Carrier level differences .84
5.5 Mutual isolation between system outlets.85
5.5.1 Isolation between two subscribers .85
5.5.2 Isolation between individual outlets in one household .85
5.5.3 Isolation between forward and return path .85
5.6 Frequency response within a television channel at any system outlet .86
5.6.1 Amplitude response.86
5.6.2 Group delay.86
5.7 Long-term frequency stability of distributed carrier signals at any system
outlet.87
5.8 Random noise .88
5.9 Interference to television channels .89
5.9.1 Single-frequency interference .89
5.9.2 Single-channel intermodulation interference .90
5.9.3 Multiple frequency intermodulation interference.90
5.9.4 Intermodulation noise .90
5.9.5 Cross-modulation .91
5.10 Video baseband requirements .91

– 4 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
5.10.1 Differential gain and phase in any television channel.91
5.10.2 Echoes .91
5.10.3 Amplitude and phase response for PALplus signals.91
5.11 Hum modulation of carriers in television channels .91
5.12 Requirements for data signal transmission .92
5.12.1 Data signals carried in the structure of a television signal.92
5.12.2 Data signals other than those carried within the structure of a
television signal.92
5.13 Digitally modulated signals – Additional performance requirements .93
5.13.1 DVB (PSK, QAM, OFDM) performance .93
5.13.2 NICAM performance .94
5.13.3 DAB performance .94
5.14 FM sound radio – Additional performance requirements .95
5.14.1 Amplitude response within an FM channel .95
5.14.2 Phase response within an FM channel.95
5.14.3 Interference within an FM channel .95
5.14.4 AM hum modulation on FM sound carriers .95
5.14.5 Echoes within an FM channel .95
6 Performance requirements at receiving antennas .95
6.1 Introduction .95
6.2 Method of measurement of field strength.96
6.2.1 Introduction .96
6.2.2 Equipment required .96
6.2.3 Connection of the equipment .96
6.2.4 Measurement procedure .96
6.2.5 Presentation of the results.98
6.3 Requirements.98
6.3.1 General .98
6.3.2 Field strength requirements .98
6.3.3 Quality of received signals.100
6.3.4 Safety.104
6.3.5 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 104
6.4 Interference reduction .104
6.4.1 General .104
6.4.2 Active antennas.104
7 Performance requirements at home network interfaces of cable networks . 104
7.1 Introduction .104
7.2 Requirements at HNI1 for passive coaxial home networks. 106
7.2.1 General .106
7.2.2 Carrier levels at the HNI1 .106
7.2.3 Mutual isolation between two HNI1 .108
7.2.4 Frequency response within any television channel at the HNI1 .109
7.2.5 Long-term frequency stability of distributed carrier signals at HNI1. 110
7.2.6 Random noise at the HNI1.110
7.2.7 Interference to television channels at the HNI1.110
7.2.8 Return path requirements at the HNI1 .111
7.3 Requirements at HNI2 for active coaxial home networks . 111
7.3.1 Carrier levels at the HNI2 .111
7.3.2 Mutual isolation between two HNI2 .113

60728-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 5 –
7.3.3 Frequency response within any television channel at the HNI2 .113
7.3.4 Long-term frequency stability of distributed carrier signals at HNI2. 114
7.3.5 Random noise at HNI2.114
7.3.6 Interference to television channels at the HNI2.116
7.3.7 Return path requirements at the HNI2 .117
7.4 Requirements at HNI3 and at system outlet or terminal input when the home
network is mainly of balanced type .118
7.4.1 Introduction .118
7.4.2 Requirements at HNI3 . 118
7.4.3 Requirements at system output .118
7.4.4 Additional requirements at HNI3 for upstream transmission . 119
7.5 Requirements at HNI3 (Case C) . 119
7.6 Requirements at HNI3 (Case D) . 119

Annex A (normative) Calibration of modulation depth.120
Annex B (normative) Equipment required – Additional items . 121
Annex C (normative) Preliminary checks on the measuring equipment for carrier-to-
noise ratio.122
Annex D (normative) Correction factors .123
Annex E (normative) Calibration of the measuring receiver .124
Annex F (normative) Correction factors for noise .125
Annex G (normative) Null packet and PRBS definitions.127
Annex H (normative) Digital signal level and bandwidth . 129
Annex I (normative) Correction factor for a spectrum analyser . 132
Annex J (informative) Differences in some countries. 133
Annex K (informative) Examples of home network implementation .143

Bibliography.151

Figure 1 – Example of a master antenna television system (MATV) for terrestrial
reception .12
Figure 2 – Example of the headend of a master antenna television system for satellite
(SMATV) reception .13
Figure 3 – Example of a master antenna television system for terrestrial and satellite
(SMATV) reception .13
Figure 4 – Example of a cabled distribution system for television and sound signals.14
Figure 5 – System model for downstream direction of a cable network for television
and sound signals (CATV) .15
Figure 6 – Arrangement of test equipment for measurement of mutual isolation
between system outlets .35
Figure 7 – Arrangement of test equipment for measurement of frequency response
within a channel.37
Figure 8 – Interpretation of displays for measurement of frequency response within a
channel.38
Figure 9 – Test signal (signal F for 625-line systems) employed for
chrominance/luminance gain and delay inequality.39
Figure 10 – Test signal (signal B2 for 625-line systems) employed for
chrominance/luminance gain and delay inequality.39

– 6 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
Figure 11 – Arrangement of test equipment for measurement of
chrominance/luminance gain and delay inequality.40
Figure 12 – Displayed pulses: chrominance low and lagging.41
Figure 13 – Displayed pulses: chrominance high and leading .41
Figure 14 – Connection of test equipment for the measurement of non-linear distortion
by composite beat.43
Figure 15 – Weighting curve for 625-line system B, G and D1 (PAL): CW interference
with no special (frequency offset) control .45
Figure 16 – Weighting curve for 625-line system I (PAL): CW interference with no
special (frequency offset) control .45
Figure 17 – Weighting curve for 625-line systems D and K (PAL): CW interference
with no special (frequency offset) control .46
Figure 18 – Weighting curve for 625-line system L (SECAM): CW interference with no
special (frequency offset) control .46
Figure 19 – Hum modulation envelope (x = percentage peak-to-peak hum modulation).47
Figure 20 – Calibrated potential divider.48
Figure 21 – Stable variable DC source.48
Figure 23 – Oscilloscope display.49
Figure 24 – Connection of equipment for hum modulation measurement (AC method) .51
Figure 25 – Signal D2 .52
Figure 26 – Example of the modified staircase waveform .53
Figure 27 – Arrangement of test equipment for measurement of differential gain and
phase .54
Figure 28 – Arrangement of test equipment for carrier-to-noise ratio measurement.57
Figure 29 – Echo rating graticule .59
Figure 30 – Arrangement of test equipment for measurement of echo rating .60
Figure 31 – I/Q signal source and RF modulator .63
Figure 32 – Reference receiver.64
Figure 33 – Test set-up for BER measurement.68
Figure 34 – Test set-up for BER measurement versus E /N or C/N and noise margin
b 0
measurement.70
Figure 35 – Example of BER measurement versus E /N .72
b 0
Fgure 36 – Example of BER measurement versus C/N .72
Figure 37 – Test set-up for modulation error ratio (MER) measurement and phase
jitter measurement .75
Figure 38 – Example of constellation diagram for a 64 QAM modulation format .76
Figure 39 – Example of constellation diagram for a 64 QAM modulation format with
arc sections due to phase jitter .78
Figure 40 – Test set-up for phase noise measurement.79
Figure 41 – Example of mask for phase noise measurements: PSK, APSK and QAM
formats .81
Figure 42 – Example of mask for phase noise measurements: OFDM format .81
Figure 43 – Home network types used to define the requirements at HNIi (coaxial).105
Figure A.1 – Calibration of modulation depth .120
Figure F.1 – Noise correction factor CF versus measured level difference D.126

60728-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 7 –
Figure J.1 – Mask group delay characteristic for PAL signals with FM-FM sound
(Netherlands).135
Figure J.2 – Single-frequency interference (VSB-AM NTSC) (Japan) . 136
Figure J.3 – Single-frequency interference (VSB-AM HDTV) (Japan) . 137
Figure J.4 – Single-frequency interference (64 QAM digital) (Japan). 137
Figure J.5 – Requirement for echo loss in relation to the time delay of the reflected
signal (Netherlands).138
Figure J.6 – Echoes (VSB-AM NTSC) (Japan) .139
Figure J.7 – Echoes (FM NTSC) (Japan) .139
Figure J.8 – Echoes (FM HDTV) (Japan) .140
Figure J.9 – Echoes (VSB-AM HDTV) (Japan) .140
Figure J.10 – Echoes (64 QAM digital) (Japan) .141
Figure K.1 – Examples of HNI.145

Table 1 – Application of the methods of measurement .33
Table 2 – Residual carrier reduction factors .50
Table 3 – Frequency distance f .81
m
Table 4 – Carrier signal levels at any system outlet .83
Table 5 – Maximum level differences at any system outlet between distributed
television channels .84
Table 6 – Mutual isolation .85
Table 7 – Residual carrier level at television or FM radio output within the same outlet
or between two different outlets .86
Table 8 – Amplitude response variation .86
Table 9 – Group delay variation .87
Table 10 – Maximum deviation of conversion frequency for digitally modulated DVB
signals .88
Table 11 – Carrier-to-noise ratios at system outlet (television) .88
Table 12 – Carrier-to-noise ratios at system outlet (radio).89
Table 13 – Differential gain and phase in television channels .91
Table 14 – Modulation error ratio MER of a DVB signal .93
Table 15 – Phase jitter of a DVB signal.93
Table 16 – Phase noise of a DVB signal (PSK, APSK and QAM) .94
Table 17 – Phase noise of a DVB-T signal (COFDM) .94
Table 18 – Minimum field strength levels recommended by ITU-R.99
Table 19 – Minimum field strength levels recommended by CEPT [3].99
Table 20 – Minimum signal level at the headend input for the reception of analogue
sound broadcasting.100
Table 21 – Minimum signal level at the headend input for the reception of analogue
television broadcasting .100
Table 22 – Minimum signal level at the headend input for the reception of DAB signals
-4
at an error ratio of 1 ⋅ 10 and code rate 1/2.101
Table 23 – Minimum signal level and RF signal-to-noise ratio at the headend input for
stationary reception .101
Table 24 – Minimum signal level and carrier-to-noise ratio at the headend input for the
reception of FM modulated satellite signals.102

– 8 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
Table 25 – Minimum RF signal-to-noise ratio at the headend input for the reception of
DVB-S or DVB-S2 satellite signals .102
Table 26 – Minimum values for signal-to-disturbance ratio.103
Table 27 – Minimum values for signal-to-echo ratio .103
Table 28 – Signal level at HNI1.107
Table 29 – Maximum level differences at HNI1 .108
Table 30 – Mutual isolation between two HNI1.109
Table 31 – Amplitude response variation at HNI1. 109
Table 32 – Group delay variation at HNI1 .110
Table 33 – Signal level at HNI2.112
Table 34 – Maximum level differences at HNI2 .113
Table 35 – Amplitude response variation at HNI2. 114
Table 36 – Group delay variation at HNI2 .114
Table 37 – Carrier-to-noise ratios at HNI2 (television). 115
Table 38 – Carrier-to-noise ratios at HNI2 (radio) . 116
Table 39 – Minimum signal level at coaxial terminal input (case A) or at coaxial
system outlet (case B) .118
Table F.1 – Noise correction factor .125
Table G.1 – Null transport stream packet definition.128
Table H.1 – Examples of bandwidths for digital modulation techniques .131
Table K.1 – Example of home network with coaxial cabling (passive) from HNI1 to SO . 149
Table K.2 – Example of home network with coaxial cabling (active) from HNI2 to SO. 149
Table K.3 – Example of home network with balanced pair cables (active) from HNI3 to
coaxial terminal input (case A) .150
Table K.4 – Example of home network with balanced pair cables (active) from HNI3 to
coaxial SO (case B) .150

60728-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 9 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
______________
CABLE NETWORKS FOR TELEVISION SIGNALS,
SOUND SIGNALS AND INTERACTIVE SERVICES –

Part 1: System performance of forward paths

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
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5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60728-1 has been prepared by technical area 5: Cable networks
for television signals, sound signals and interactive services, of IEC technical committee 100:
Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2001, of which it
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
• redrafting of introduction and scope to reflect the current scope of IEC TC 100/TA 5;
• redrafting of measurement procedure for bit error ratio (BER);
• updating of performance requirements in Clause 5;
• inclusion of new Clause 6;
• inclusion of new Clause 7;
– 10 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
• inclusion of new Annex K.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
100/1242/FDIS 100/1274/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The list of all the parts of the IEC 60728 series, under the general title Cable networks for
television signals, sound signals and interactive services, can be found on the IEC website.
For the differences in some countries, see Annex J.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

60728-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 11 –
INTRODUCTION
Standards of the IEC 60728 series deal with cable networks including equipment and
associated methods of measurement for headend reception, processing and distribution of
television signals, sound signals and their associated data signals and for processing,
interfacing and transmitting all kinds of signals for interactive services using all applicable
transmission media.
This includes
• CATV -networks;
• MATV-networks and SMATV-networks;
• individual receiving networks;
and all kinds of equipment, systems and installations installed in such networks.
The extent of this standardization work is from the antennas and/or special signal source
inputs to the headend or other interface points to the network up to the terminal input.
The standardization of any user terminals (i.e., tuners, receivers, decoders, multimedia
terminals, etc.) as well as of any coaxial, balanced and optical cables and accessories thereof
is excluded.
The reception of television signals inside a building requires an outdoor antenna and a
distribution network to convey the signal to the TV receivers.
The installation of an outdoor antenna for each TV receiver should be avoided for several
obvious technical, economical and practical reasons.
In a building divided into apartment blocks, the installation of a master antenna television
system for terrestrial (MATV) and/or satellite (SMATV) reception, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5, describing as an example the various parts of the system is usual. Most of the terms
used in the IEC 60728 series can be referred to these figures.
When signals to be conveyed to the TV receivers are picked up far away, for geographical
reasons, and the number of users (subscribers) is very high, the installation of a cable
network using coaxial cables and/or fibre optic cables is used, as indicated in Figure 4,
describing as an example the various parts of the system.
A system model of a cable network is shown in Figure 5, where the main parts of the systems
are indicated, as defined in Clause 3.
—————————
This word encompasses the HFC networks used nowadays to provide telecommunications services, voice,

data, audio and video both broadcast and narrowcast.

– 12 – 60728-1 © IEC:2007(E)
Receiving antenna system
terrestrial
Antenna amplifier
Amplifier
f
f
Frequency converter
f
f
Combiner
Headend
Network interface
Amplifier
Splitter (3 outputs)
Distribution Distribution
amplifier amplifier
Splitter
Branch feeders
(2 outputs)
System outlets
HNI
Subscriber's taps
HNI
Subscriber's feeders
Spur feeders
HNI
HNI
Matching load
IEC  1407/07
...