TA 5 - Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services

IEC TR 60728-201:2024 describes the technical background of IPTV systems and commercially available products related to audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment to enable cable operators and customers to understand current IPTV systems that include application, middleware, network, equipment and terminal devices. This document is to encourage all TA5 experts to develop new IS related to IPTV system over optical broadcast network. This Technical Report examines the mechanisms of IPTV systems developed by major standards development organizations (SDOs) and known national regulations. This document concludes with observations and recommendations for the potential future technical standards development activities especially for TA5 under the scope of TC 100.
The purpose of this TR is to give cable operators an appropriate way how to adopt IPTV services with current FTTH system recognizing that optical system is the best solution for the effective transmission of 4K and 8K video signals. This TR gives an overall but essential information on current IPTV systems to cable operators; however, too much detailed information is omitted due to the limitation of document size. The author of this document recommends the cable operator who plans to develop IPTV services to study the original international standards shown in this document. It also describes a migration from the HFC to FTTH system for effective introduction to IPTV services.
DOCSIS 4.0 can be considered on HFC as an alternative way to provide 10Gbps service. If bandwidth and other constraints (without Amp, etc.) are cleared, the IPTV service described in this document can of course be provided.
In addition to present international standards and recommendations, this document describes some major technology supporting IPTV services such as unicast, multicast, ABR (Adapting Bit Rate) and MPEG-DASH. The experiment of 4K and 8K video transmission over IP, virtual STB are also described.

IEC 60728-101-1:2023 provides the requirements and describes the implementation guidelines of RF cabling for two-way home networks; it is applicable to any home network that distributes signals provided by CATV/MATV/SMATV cable networks (including individual receiving systems) having a coaxial cable output. It is also applicable to home networks where some part of the distribution network uses wireless links, for example in place of the receiver cord.
This part of IEC 60728 is therefore applicable to RF cabling for two-way home networks with wired cords or wireless links inside a room and primarily intended for television and sound signals operating between about 5 MHz and 3 300 MHz. The frequency range is extended to 6 000 MHz for distribution techniques that replace wired cords with a wireless two-way communication inside a room (or a small number of adjacent rooms) that uses the 5 GHz to 6 GHz band.
In a building divided into apartment blocks, the distribution of the signals inside the home starts from the home network interface (HNI) up to the system outlet or terminal input. The requirements at the system outlet are given in IEC 60728-101:2016, Clause 5 and the requirements at the HNI are given in IEC 60728-101:2016, Clause 7. In Clause 5 of this document, additional requirements are given.
This document deals with various possibilities to distribute signals in a home network, using coaxial cables, balanced pair cables, fibre optic cables (glass or plastic) and also wireless links inside a room (or a small number of adjacent rooms) to replace wired cords.
This document gives references to basic methods of measurement of the operational characteristics of the home cable network in order to assess its performance.
All requirements refer to the performance limits, which are obtained between the input(s) at the home network interface (HNI) and the output at any system outlet when terminated in a resistance equal to the nominal load impedance of the system, unless otherwise specified. Where system outlets are not used, the above applies to the terminal input.
The present document also provides limits for the accumulation of degradations if the home network is subdivided into a number of parts, using different transmission media (e.g. coaxial cabling, balanced cabling, optical cabling, wireless links).
Clause 5 defines the performance limits measured at system outlet or terminal input for an unimpaired (ideal) test signal applied at the HNI. Under normal operating conditions for any digital channel and meeting these limits, the cumulative effect of the impairment of any single parameter at the HNI and that due to the home network produces signals not worse than the requirements given in IEC 60728-101-2. For digitally modulated signals, the quality requirement is a QEF (quasi error-free) reception.
This document describes the physical layer connection for home networks. Description of protocols required for layer 2 and higher layers is out of the scope of this document. Logical connections between devices within the home network are therefore not always guaranteed.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60728-101:2016.

IEC 60728-101-2:2023 provides the minimum performance requirements to be fulfilled in operation at the system outlet or terminal input and describes the summation criteria for the impairments present in the received signals and those produced by the CATV/MATV/SMATV cable network, including individual receiving systems.
In a building divided into apartment blocks, the signals received by the antennas are distributed by the MATV/SMATV cable network up to the home network interface (HNI); the television signals are then distributed (inside the home) by home networks (HN) of various types up to the system outlet or terminal input. The cable network can support two-way operation, from the system outlet (or terminal input) towards the headend.
The home network can use coaxial cables, balanced pair cables, fibre optic cables (glass or plastic) and also wireless links inside a room (or a small number of adjacent rooms) to replace wired cords.
This part of IEC 60728 is limited to downstream TV broadcast signals received from antennas and is applicable to cable networks intended for television signals, sound signals and interactive services operating between about 5 MHz and 3 300 MHz. The frequency range is extended to 6 000 MHz for home distribution techniques that replace wired cords with a wireless two-way communication inside a room (or a small number of adjacent rooms) that uses the 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band.
The main sections of a general CATV/MATV/SMATV system, indicating the parts of the IEC 60728-101 series documents where the relevant performance requirements are indicated.
- The requirements for the signals received at the headend are given in IEC 60728-101:2016, Clause 6.
- The requirements for the CATV/MATV/SMATV cable network, assuming an unimpaired input signal at the input of the headend, up to the system outlet are given in IEC 60728‑101:2016, Clause 5.
- The requirements for the CATV/MATV/SMATV cable network up to the home network interface (HNI) are given in IEC 60728-101:2016, Clause 7, assuming an unimpaired input signal at the input of the headend.
- The specific requirements from HNI to the system outlet or terminal input are given in IEC 60728-101-1:2023, Clause 5, assuming an unimpaired input signal at the HNI.
- The requirements at the system outlet in operation are given in Clause 6 of this document.
The expression "in operation" means that the received signals, with their impairments, are applied to the headend input of the CATV/MATV/SMATV cable network. The requirements at the system outlet "in operation" are derived, therefore, by summing the impairments of the various cascaded parts of the system and of the input signal.
When a change of signal format from digital to digital (e.g. from QPSK to QAM) (e.g. as in ETSI EN 300 473) or from digital to analogue (e.g. from DVB-S/S2 to AM-VSB or DVB-T/T2 to AM-VSB) is made at the headend, the summation of the impairments that produce a relaxation of requirements at system outlet does not apply. Such a case will be the equivalence of unimpaired signals applied at the headend input. Therefore, the requirements at system outlet given in IEC 60728‑1 apply.
This document also provides references for the basic methods of measurement of the operational characteristics of the downstream cable network in order to assess its performance.
All requirements refer to the performance limits to be achieved in operation at any system outlet when terminated in a resistance equal to the nominal load impedance of the system, unless otherwise specified. Where system outlets are not used, the above applies to the terminal input.
The present document also provides limits for the accumulation of degradations if the home network is subdivided into a number of parts, using different transmission media (e.g. coaxial cabling, balanced cabling, optical cabling, wireless links).
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60728-101:2016.

IEC 60728-113:2023 is applicable to optical transmission systems for broadcast signal transmission that consist of headend equipment, optical transmission lines, in-house wirings and system outlets. These systems are primarily intended for television and sound signals using digital transmission technology. This document specifies the basic system parameters and methods of measurement for optical distribution systems between headend equipment and system outlets in order to assess the system performance and its performance limits.
In this document, the upper signal frequency is limited to about 3 300 MHz.
The purpose of this part of IEC 60728 is to describe the system specifications of FTTH (fibre to the home) networks for digitally modulated broadcast signal transmission. This document is also applicable to broadcast signal transmission using a telecommunication network if it satisfies the performance of the optical portion of the system defined in this document. This document describes RF transmission for fully digitalized broadcast and narrowcast (limited area distribution of broadcast) signals over FTTH, and introduces the xPON system as a physical layer media. The detailed description of the physical layer is out of scope of this document. The scope is limited to downstream RF video signal transmission over FTTH; IP transport technologies, such as IP Multicast and associate protocols, which require a two-way optical transmission system, are out of scope of this document.
Some interference effects occurring between the telecommunication system and the broadcast system are addressed in Clause 7.
IEC 60728-113:2023 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2018 and IEC 60728-13-1:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) IEC 60728-13-1, which deals with the bandwidth expansion for broadcast signal over FTTH systems, has been merged with this document;
b) a table containing the digital signal level at the system outlet has been added.

IEC 60728-106:2023 lays down the measuring methods, performance requirements and data publication requirements of optical equipment of cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services loaded with digital channels only.
This document
• applies to all optical transmitters, receivers, amplifiers, directional couplers, isolators, multiplexing devices, connectors and splices used in cable networks;
• covers the frequency range 5 MHz to 3 300 MHz;
• identifies guaranteed performance requirements for certain parameters;
• lays down data publication requirements with guaranteed performance;
• describes methods of measurement for compliance testing.
All requirements and published data relate to minimum performance levels within the specified frequency range and in well-matched conditions as might be applicable to cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services.

IEC 60728-11:2023 deals with the safety requirements applicable to fixed sited systems and equipment. As far as applicable, it is also valid for mobile and temporarily installed systems, for example, caravans. Additional requirements may be applied, for example, referring to:
- electrical installations of buildings and overhead lines,
- other telecommunication services distribution systems,
- water distribution systems,
- gas distribution systems,
- lightning systems.
This document is intended to provide requirements specifically for the safety of the system, personnel working on it, subscribers and subscriber equipment. It deals only with safety aspects and is not intended to define a standard for the protection of the equipment used in the system. IEC 60728-11:2023 cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2016. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition.
a) Replacement of references to IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1 with references to IEC 62368-1.
b) Addition of subclauses 4.4 to 4.6.
c) Revised definition of class I equipment, class II equipment, main earthing terminal, see 3.1.6, 3.1.8 and 3.1.31.
d) Addition of definitions for harm, hazard, ordinary person, instructed person, skilled person, see 3.1.22, 3.1.23, 3.1.39, 3.1.40 and 3.1.41.
e) Additional requirement to provide details on the equipment installed, see 4.1.
f) Additional mechanical, design and construction requirements, see 4.2.2.
g) Changes to the accessible part requirements, see 4.2.3.
h) The current carrying capacity and dielectric strength of components is now obligatory, see 8.1.3.
i) The assessment of the risk of lightning strike is now obligatory, see Figure 10.
j) Extension of remote feeding voltage on subscriber feeder, see Table 1.

IEC 60728-115:2022 is applicable to in-building optical transmission systems for broadcast signal transmission that consist of optical transmitters, optical amplifiers, splitters, V-ONUs, etc. These systems are primarily intended for television and sound signals using digital transmission technology. This document specifies the basic system parameters and methods of measurement for in-building optical distribution systems between building network interfaces (BNI) and home network interfaces (HNI) in order to assess the system's performance and its performance limits.
This document is also applicable to broadcast signal transmission using a telecommunication network if it satisfies the requirements of the optical portion of this document. This document describes RF transmission for fully digitalized broadcast and narrowcast (limited area distribution of broadcast) signals over an FTTH network and introduces the X-PON system as a physical layer media. The detailed description of the physical layer is out of the scope of this document. The scope is limited to RF signal transmission over optical networks; thus, it does not include IP transport technologies, such as IP multicast and associated protocols.
This document specifies the required system performance of all-optical building networks in order to establish connections with FTTH networks, which are defined by IEC 60728-113 and IEC 60728-13-1. Use of in-building optical networks is very effective for saving costs (installation and maintenance) and enabling future network upgrades, especially in huge apartment buildings.

IEC 60728-113:2018 is applicable to optical transmission systems for broadcast signal transmission that consist of headend equipment, optical transmission lines, in-house wirings and system outlets. These systems are primarily intended for television and sound signals using digital transmission technology. This document specifies the basic system parameters and methods of measurement for optical distribution systems between headend equipment and system outlets in order to assess the system performance and its performance limits.
In this document, the upper signal frequency is limited at about 1 000 MHz. For systems requiring more bandwidth, refer to IEC 60728-13-1.
The purpose of this part of IEC 60728 is to describe the system specifications of FTTH (fibre to the home) networks for digitally modulated broadcast signal transmission. This document is also applicable to broadcast signal transmission using a telecommunication network if it satisfies the optical portion of this document. This document describes RF transmission for fully digitalized broadcast and narrowcast (limited area distribution of broadcast) signals over FTTH, and introduces xPON system as a physical layer media. The detailed description of the physical layer is out of the scope of this document. The scope is limited to RF signal transmission over FTTH, thus, it does not include IP transport technologies, such as IP Multicast and associate protocols.
Some interference descriptions between the telecommunication system and the broadcast system are addressed in Clause 7.

IEC 60728-2:2018(E) applies to the radiation characteristics and immunity to electromagnetic disturbance of EM active equipment (active and passive equipment) for the reception, processing and distribution of television, sound and interactive multimedia signals as dealt with in IEC 60728-3, IEC 60728-4, IEC 60728-5 and IEC 60728-6.
This document covers the following frequency ranges:
- disturbance voltage injected into the mains: 150 kHz to 30 MHz;
- radiation from active equipment: 5 MHz to 25 GHz;
- immunity of active equipment: 150 kHz to 25 GHz;
- screening effectiveness of passive equipment: 5 MHz to 3,5 GHz.
This document specifies requirements for maximum allowed radiation, minimum immunity and minimum screening effectiveness and describes test methods for conformance testing.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Frequency extensions:
a.1) The upper frequency limit of conventional cable network equipment was extended from 862 MHz to 1 000 MHz due to market demands.
a.2) The first intermediate frequency range (1st IF range) for satellite signal transmission was extended to cover now frequencies from 950 MHz up to 3 500 MHz.
a.3) The methods of measurement and the EMC requirements in the overlapping frequency range from 950 MHz to 1 000 MHz were allocated in relation to the upper frequency limit, 1 000 MHz, and the lower frequency limit, 950 MHz, of the relevant equipment under test.
b) New EMC environment in the 800 MHz band:
b.1) The European Commission has requested CENELEC and ETSI to draft immunity requirements for equipment, to protect against disturbance from the new wireless service in the 790 MHz to 862 MHz band.
b.2) A CENELEC/ETSI Joint Working Group “Digital Dividend” was formed to describe the new EMC environment and to advise on appropriate test methods and limits.
b.3) IEC 60728-2 is the document specifying immunity requirements for active and passive cable network equipment.
b.4) The method of measurement and the requirements for in-band immunity were extended taking into account this new EMC environment due to the allocation of broadband wireless services in the frequency band 694 MHz to 862 MHz. As a consequence, the limits of in-band immunity were specified for analogue and additionally for digital signals in this frequency range.
b.5) Consequently it is recommended, that, where cable networks and wireless networks coexist, only the transmission of digitally modulated signals should be used in the frequency range 694 MHz to 862 MHz.
b.6) For passive equipment, Class A and Class B specifications were kept in the standard but a note was added recommending that only Class A equipment should be used in the planning and implementation of new networks.
c) The methods of measurement for all kinds of indoor antennas were combined in the new 4.9.
d) A Bibliography has been added at the end of the document referencing, for example, CEPT Report 30 on “The identification of common and minimal (least restrictive) technical conditions for 790-862 MHz for the digital dividend in the European Union”.

IEC 60728-3:2017 specifies the measuring methods, performance requirements and data publication requirements for active wideband equipment of cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) extension of upper frequency range limit for cable network equipment in the forward path from 1000 MHz to 1218 MHz (optional up to 1794 MHz);
b) extension of upper frequency range limit for cable network equipment in the return path from 85 MHz to 204 MHz;
c) integration and update of IEC 60728-3-1 content;
d) integration and update of the Technical Specification CLC/TS 50083-3-3 content;
e) deletion of specifications and test methods for obsolete analogue parameters;
f) additional normative references;
g) additional terms and definitions and abbreviations.

IEC 60728-12:2017(E) applies to the radiation characteristics and immunity to electromagnetic disturbance of cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services and covers the frequency range 0,15 MHz to 3,5 GHz. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2001. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) IEC 60728-12 with its methods of measurement and EMC performance requirements is explicitly dedicated to “under operating conditions (in situ)” to ensure the ongoing EMC integrity of cable networks.
b) The first intermediate frequency range (1st IF range) for satellite signal transmission was extended to cover now frequencies from 950 MHz up to 3 500 MHz.
c) The method of measurement and the requirements for in-band immunity were extended taking into account the new EMC environment due to the allocation of broadband wireless services in the frequency band 694 MHz to 862 MHz. As a consequence, the limits of in-band immunity were specified for analogue and additionally for digital signals in this frequency range.
d) The substitution method of measurement (power method) was deleted.
e) EMC measurements below 30 MHz were deleted.
f) New Annex D “Measurements at other distances than the standard distance of 3 m”.
g) New Annex E “GPS based leakage detection system for cable networks”.

IEC 60728-1:2014 is applicable to any cable network (including individual receiving systems) having in the forward path a coaxial cable output and primarily intended for television and sound signals operating between about 30 MHz and 3 000 MHz. It specifies the basic methods of measurement of the operational characteristics of cable network having coaxial cable outputs in order to assess the performance of these systems and their performance limits. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2007 and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following changes:
- redrafting of measurement procedure and updating of performance requirements to include DVB-T2 signals;
- reference to IEC 60728-1-1 for home networks;
- reference to IEC 60728-1-2 for performance requirements at system outlet in operation.

IEC 60728-10:2014 specifies the transparent return path of cable networks operated in the frequency range between 5 MHz and 85 MHz or parts thereof. The upper frequency limit of the return path is reduced to 65 MHz where FM radio signals are transmitted in a cable network. Higher frequencies may be used in fibre based networks. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005 and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following changes:
- update on the state-of-the-art of return path transmission in cable networks;
- provisions for DOCSIS 3.0 and EuroDOCSIS 3.0 transmission standards;
- revision of subclause 4.3 on measurement of channel level;
- new subclause 4.12 for method of measurement of noise power ratio (NPR) on return paths;
- new subclause 4.13 for 10-tone measurements;
- new subclause 4.14 for method of measurement of modulation error ratio (MER);
- revision of subclause 5.2 on analogue parameters influencing system performance.

IEC 60728-1-1:2014 is applicable to RF cabling for two-way home networks with wired cords or wireless links inside a room and primarily intended for television and sound signals operating between about 5 MHz and 3 000 MHz. The frequency range is extended to 6 000 MHz for distribution techniques that replace wired cords with a wireless two-way communication. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2010, and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following changes: update of performance requirements in Clause 5 to include those for DVB-T2 signals.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60728-1:2007.

IEC 60728-1-2:2014 provides the minimum performance requirements to be fulfilled in operation at the system outlet or terminal input and describes the summation criteria for the impairments present in the received signals and those produced by the CATV/MATV/SMATV cable network, including individual receiving systems. It is applicable to cable networks intended for television signals, sound signals and interactive services operating between about 5 MHz and 3 000 MHz. The frequency range is extended to 6 000 MHz for home distribution techniques that replace wired cords with a wireless two way communication inside a room (or a small number of adjacent rooms) that uses the 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009, and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following technical: update of performance requirements in Clause 7 to include those for DVB-T2 signals.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60728-1:2007.

IEC 60728-6:2011 lays down the measuring methods, performance requirements and data publication requirements of optical equipment of cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2003 of which it constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- The normative references were updated.
- The methods of measurement for optical power and return loss were substituted by references to other standards.
- The method of measurement for polarization dependent loss was deleted.
- A method of measurement for carrier-to-crosstalk ratio (CCR) was added.
- The methods of measurement for CSO and CTB of optical amplifiers were substituted by a method of measurement for microscopic gain tilt of optical amplifiers.
This parameter can be used for calculating the second order distortion of optical amplifiers according to the method described in the new Annex B. New classes for optical transmitters and receivers have been defined.

IEC/TR 62540:2009(E) applies to all stationary lead-acid cells and monobloc batteries for float charge applications (i.e. permanently connected to a load and to a d.c. power supply), in a static location (i.e. not generally intended to be moved from place to place) and incorporated into stationary equipment or installed in battery rooms for use in telecom, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), utility switching, emergency power or similar applications. These batteries are covered by IEC 60896-11, IEC 60896-21 and IEC 60896-22.

IEC 60728-7-1:2003 specifies requirements for The Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) Outside Plant (OSP) Physical (PHY) Layer Specification and is part of the series of specifications developed by the Hybrid Management Sub-Layer (HMS) subcommittee under the SCTE. It describes the PHY layer requirements that must be implemented by all Type 2 and Type 3 compliant OSP HMS transponders on the HFC plant and the controlling equipment in the head-end. Any exceptions to compliance with this standard will be specifically noted herein as necessary. Refer to Table 1 for a full definition of the type classifications. This bilingual version (2012-08) corresponds to the monolingual English version, published in 2003-10.

IEC 60728-13-1:2017 is the precise description of an FTTH (fibre to the home) system for expanding broadband broadcast signal transmission from CATV services only, towards CATV plus broadcast satellite (BS) plus communication satellite (CS) services, additionally to other various signals such as data services.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition.
- Transmission frequency was expanded in order to achieve satellite signal for 4 K video service. The transmission frequency over FTTH would be 3 300 MHz.
- High signal modulation case like 16 APSK and 32 APSK was added in order to correspond to transmission for 4 K video service.
The contents of the corrigendum of September 2017 have been included in this copy.