SCTE to Standardize DOCSIS-HMS Communications

The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers said Monday that it has begun a project to standardize communications with remote cable-network devices employing the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification 1.1 and SCTE Hybrid Management Sublayer standards.

The SCTE said the HMS 147 standard will define the interface between the DOCSIS and HMS protocols and describe requirements for cable-network power-supply transponders, including interoperability, data security and environmental aspects.

AM Communications’ Robert Smith is leading the group charged with drafting the new standard, under the auspices of the SCTE HMS Engineering Subcommittee. Both vendors and users of HMS-compliant equipment are represented in the drafting group, which was established at a recent meeting in Denver.