Scientific Atlanta 8500 SERIES User manual

Cable Operator's Manual
SERIES 8500
SET-TOP TERMINAL
Data, drawings, and other material
contained herein are
proprietary to
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., and may
not
be reproduced or duplicated in any
form without the
prior permission
of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
When ordering parts from Scientific-
Atlanta, Inc., be sure to include the
equipment model number, equipment
serial number, and a description of
the part.
In all correspondence with Scientific-Atlanta,
Inc., regarding this publication, please
refer to
33T056C
First Edition, August 1983, Revised March 1984
Additional copies available at $25.00
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
United States: Box 105027, Atlanta, Georgia 30348; Telephone [phone]; TWX 810-766-4912; Telex 0542898
Canada: 1640 Bonhill Road, Unit
6, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1C8, Canada; Telephone [phone]; Telex 06983600
Europe: Horton Manor, Stanwell Road, Horton, Slough SL3 9PA, England; Telephone Colnbrook (02812) 3211;
Telex 849406
Printed in_U.S.A. © Scientific-Atlanta, lnc.1984
S-A Part Number 289088

Limited Warranty
Scientific-Atlanta (S-A) warrants that the delivered products will be free
from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service
S-A's obligations under this Warranty are limited to replacing. repairing
or giving credit for, at its option, any of said products which shall,
within 2 years after shipment. be received by an authorized service center.
transportation charges prepaid, and which are. after examination, disclosed
to S-A's satisfaction to be not operative for practical use. THIS WARRANTY
IS EXPRESSED IN LIEU OF (i) ALL OTHER WARRANTIES. EXPRESS STATUTORY, OR
IMPLIED. INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AND (ii) ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON S-A'S
PART.. This Warranty shall not apply to any of such products which s 11
have been repaired or altered, except under S-A's written consent, or which
shall have been subjected to misuse. negligence, accident, or act-of
(i.e .. lightning. flood, etc ..... ) •
When Scientific-Atlanta products require repairs that necessitate factory
return, the following action should be taken.
• Notify Scientific-Atlanta giving full details of the difficulty, and
include model and serial numbers. Call 800-241-1966. In
Georgia, call 404-925-5300. Ask specifically for Subscriber
Products Factory Service. Servicing or shipping instructions
will be returned promptly.
NOTE
See exceptions on page iii.
ii 33T056C

EXCEPTIONS TO SERIES 8500 SET-TOP TERMINA I WARRANTY
The following is a list of defects not covered by warranty, even if the units
in question are still within the published warranty period.
1. Tampering or Misuse - Any units received in misused or
tampered condition will void all warranty until such charge-
able repairs can be made to bring it back to Scientific-
Atlanta acceptable standards.
2. Modified Units - Units modified by the customer in any way
will void all warranty unless approved in writing, in advance
by Scientific-Atlanta.
3. No Problem Found -A standard labor fee will be charged to
cover the cost of diagnostic inspection and handling for each
unit with no symptom or defect found. Units which do not
work properly due to a defective or improperly programmed
PROM, are also in this category.
4. Cosmetic Repairs - Discoloration, scratches, cracks, or
abrasions are not considered warranty failures.
5. Freight Damages - All damages caused by freight carriers
should be reported to the carrier.
6. Acts of God - Defects caused by lightning, fire, flood, etc.,
are not covered by warranty.
7. Customer Attempted Repair, Not Adeguately Completed -
Scientific-Atlanta is responsible for its own material and
workmanship only.
33T056Z
111

iv
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
1. All the safety and operating instructions should be read carefully
before the set-top terminal is operated. These safety instructions
and the operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
2. All operating and use instructions should be followed. Heed all
warnings and cautions in the instructions and on the tern1inal.
3. Before cleaning, unplug the terminal from the wall outlet. Do not
use liquid cleansers or aerosol cleaners. Use a darnp cloth for
cleaning.
4. Do not use the terminal near water or expose the terminal to rain.
5. Slots and openings on the terminal are provided for ventilation and
to ensure reliable operation of the terrninal. To prevent over heating
these openings n1ust not be blocked or covered. The openings should
never be blocked by placing the terminal on a bed, sofa, rug, or other
similar surface. The tern1inal should never be placed near or over a
radiator or heat register. The terminal should not be placed in a
built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ven-
tilation is provided.
6. This terminal should be operated only from a 120V, 60 Hz outlet.
Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result
in a risk of fire or electric shock.
7. This terminal is equipped with a polarized plug (a plug having one
blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet
only one way. This is a safety feature. 1£ you are unable to insert
the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug
should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
plug.
8. The power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely
to be walked on or hed by iterr1s placed upon a r against them,
paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience recep-
tacles, and the point where they exit from the terminal.
33T056Z

9. For added protection of the terminal against lightning during a storm,
unplug it from the wall outlet and dis connect the cable system input
wire. Also do this if the terminal will be left unattended or unused
for a long period of time. This will prevent possible damage to the
terminal from lightning and power-line surges. Your cable system
should be grounded to provide some protection against voltage sur-
ges and built-up static charges. If you have questions about this,
ask your cable operator.
10. Never push objects of any kind into the terminal through openings as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or shortcut parts that could
result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on
the terminal.
11. Do not attempt to service this terminal yourself as opening or re-
moving covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
12. Damage requiring service- Unplug the terminal from the wall outlet
and refer servicing to your cable operator under the following con-
ditions:
a. When the power- supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the
terminal.
c. If the terminal has been exposed to rain or water.
d. If the terminal does not operate normally or exhibits a dis-
tinct change in performance, this may indicate a need for
service. First however, unplug the unit from the wall outlet.
Wait 30 seconds and plug the terminal back into the outlet.
Check the unit's performance. If the unit still exhibits poor
performance, call your cable operator.
e. If the terminal has been dropped or the enclosure has been
damaged.
13. Upon completion of any service or repairs to the terminal, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the
terminal is in proper operating conditions.
33T056Z
v

Paragraph
Vl
l. l
1. 2
1. 3
1. 4
1. 5
1. 6
l. 7
2. 1
2.2
2.3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF MANU~A.L
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATIO:N
PURPOSE OF EQUIPMENT
FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
MODEL NUMBER DIFFERENCES AND SERIAL
NUMBER TRACKING
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
L 7. 1
General
L 7. 2
Basic
A
1. 7. 3
Basic
B
l. 7. 4 Basic c
Configuration
Configuration
Configa ration
SECTION 2
INSTALLATION
INTRODUCTION
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
2. 2. l General
2. 2. 2 Concealed Loss or Damage
2. 2. 3 Visible Loss or Damage
2. 2. 4 Equipment Inventory
2. 2. 5 Equipment Returns
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
2. 3. l Space and Physical Arrangement
2. 3. 2 Cooling Requirements
2. 3. 3 Cabling
1-1
1-2
1-2
1- 2
1-5
1-7
1-8
1-8
1-9
1-9
1-10
Z-1
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-2
2-2
2-2
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
33T056Z

Paragraph
2.4
2. 5
2.6
3. l
3. 2
3.3
4. l
4.2
33T056Z
TABLE OF CONTENTS - continued
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
INITIAL CHECK-OUT AT SUBSCRIBER'S
HOME
SUBSCRIBER SAFEGUARDS
SECTION 3
OPERATION
INTRODUCTION
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
3. 2. l Set-Top Terminal
3. 2. 2 Remote Control Unit
IMPORTANT RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
SECTION 4
THEORY OF OPERATION
INTRODUCTION
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DESCRIPTION
4. 2. l General
4. 2. 2 Power Supply
4.2.3 Up/Down Converter
4.2.4 Control Board
4.2.5
Remote Control Transmitter
4.2.6 Descrambler
4.2. 7
Addressability
2-3
2-4
2-5
3-1
3-1
3-l
3-3
3-5
4-l
4-l
4-l
4-l
4-2
4-3
4-3
4-4
4-4
Vl l

Paragraph
TABLE OF CONTENTS - continued
SECTION 5
TROUBLESHOOTING
5.1 INTRODUCTION 5-1
5. 2 FACTORY REPAIR 5-1
5. 3 FIELD REPAIR 5-2
5. 3.1 Special Tools and Test Equipment 5-2
5. 3. 2 Module Removal and Replacement 5-4
5. 4 TROUBLESHOOTING TB.E BASIC A CONFIGURATION 5-20
5.4.l General Symptom 1: (Terminal will not come on.) 5-20
5. 4. 2 General Symptom 2: (No. rf output, low gain,
or distorted picture.)
5. 4. 3 General Syn1ptom 3: (No ac present at connector
receptacle.)
5. 4. 4 General Symptom 4: (Certain buttons on keyboard
or remote control do not work or are slow in
5-25
5-27
reacting.) 5- 28
5. 4. 5 General Symptom 5: (Unit's LED displays three
digits when only two digits are requested by PROM
tiering.) 5-29
5. 5 TROUBLESHOOTING THE BASIC B CONFIGURATION 5-29
5. 5.1 Gene Symptom l: (Terminal will not come on,) 5-30
5. 5. 2 General Symptom 2: (Terminal has no rf output,
low gain, or distorted picture,) 5- 30
5. 5. 3 General Symptom 3: (Terminal will not descramble
on certain or all channels.) 5-32
5. 6 TROUBLESHOOTING THE BASIC C CONFIGURATION 5-33
5. 6. 1 General Symptom 1: (Terminal will not come on.) 5-34
5. 6. 2 General Symptom 2: (Terminal will not authorize,
update, or receive addressable comn1ands.) 5-35
viii
33T056A

Paragraph
6.1
6.2
603
Table
1-1
1-2
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-10
5-11
33T056A
TABLE OF CONTENTS - continued
SECTION 6
PARTS LIST AND DRAWINGS
INTRODUCTION
PARTS LIST
DRAWINGS
LIST OF TABLES
Title
Series 8500 Feature Summary
Series 8500 Specifications
Set-Top Terminal Channel Plan
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step l of
Paragraph 5.4. l
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 4 of
Paragraph 5. 4.1
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 5 of
Paragraph 5. 4.1
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 3 of
Paragraph 5. 4. 2
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 1 of
Paragraph 5. 4. 3
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 2 of
Paragraph 5. 4. 3
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 2 of
Paragraph 5. 4. 4
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 2 of
Paragraph 5.5.1
Conditions a.nd Corrective Action for Step 2d of
Paragraph 5. 5. 2
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 2 of
Paragraph 5. 5. 3
6-1
6-1
6-1
1-3
1-3
5-3
5-21
5-21
5-23
5-26
5-27
5-28
5-29
5-30
5-32
5-33
ix

Table
5-12
5-13
6-1
x
LIST OF TABLES - continued
Title
Conditions and Corrective Action for Step 2
of Paragraph 5. 6.1
Conditions and Corrective Action Step 2 of
Paragraph 5. 6. 2
8500 Parts List
5-34
5-36
6-1
33T056A

Figure
1-1
1-2
1-3
LIST OF ILL UST RA TIO NS
Title Page
Series 8500 Set-Top Terminal with Remote Control
Transmitter 1-1
8500 Outline Drawing 1-5
Series 8500 Internal View Showing Modules (Addressable
Model) 1-6
1-4 Simplified Block Diagram Showing the Three Configurations
2-1
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
of the 8500 1-11
8500 Check-Out Procedure and Fault Finder
8500 Controls and Indicators
Removing the Remote Control Units Battery Cover
Installing Batteries in the Remote Control Unit
Replacing the Remote Control Units Battery Cover
2-7
3-1
3-4
3-4
3-4
4-1 8500 Functional Block Diagram Showing all Configurations 4- 7
5-1 8500 Bottem View 5-6
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-10
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-6
33T056Z
Plastic Shield Removal
Address Receiver Removal
Address Decoder Removal
Remote Control Receiver Removal
Up/Down Converter Removal
Descrambler Removal
Control Board Removal
Power Tranformer Removal
Keypad Circuit Board Removal
Block Diagram, Basic A Configuration
Wiring Diagram, Basic A Configuration
Block Diagram, Basic B Configuration
Wiring Diagram, Basic B Configuration
Block Diagram, Basic C Configuration
Wiring Diagram, Basic C Configuration
5-7
5-9
5-10
5-12
5-13
5-15
5-16
5-18
5-19
6-5
6-7
6-9
6-11
6-13
6-15
xi-xii

l. 1
SECTION l
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
SCOPE A ND PURPOSE OF MA NUA I
This manual describes Scientific-Atlanta
1s
Series 8500 Set-Top Terminal
and Remote Control Transmitter shown in figure 1-L This manual is in-
tended for use by a cable company's installation and repair technician. The
contents of this manual are d~vided into six sections. This section gives you
an overview of the 8500, its purpose, features, specifications, and physical
and functional description. Section 2 describes unpacking and installation
procedures. Section 3 covers operation of the 8500, which is a duplication
of the instructions given in the Subscriber
1s
Guide. Section 4 gives the
theory of operation. Section 5 covers troubleshooting and repair, and sect-
ion 6 contains parts lists and drawings.
33T056Z
Figure 1-1. Series 8500 Set-Top Terminal
with Remote Control Transmitter
P14565
1-1

1. 2 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION
Because the addressable 8500 is driven by signals from your headend
addressable transmitter (ATX), you may need to occasionally refer to its
user's manual.
1. 3 PURPOSE OF EQUIPMENT
The 8500 series is an interface between the cable television system's trans-
mission line and the user's (subscriber) television receiver. It allows the
subscriber to tune to any one of the cable television system's channels, which
it then converts to a channel that can be received by a conventional television
receiver. Its purpose is twofold: for the cable operator, the 8500 provides
security by allowing only the tuning of service for which the user pays. For
the user, the 8500 provides interference-free television reception, a wide
choice of programming, and the provision of user security for channels where
pa rental control is des ired.
1. 4 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
There are three unique set-top terminal models within the 8500 series. All
offer full electronic, microprocessor-based control, and operate at frequen-
cies up to 440 MHz and can deliver 128 channels in a dual cable system. The
three models are as follows:
1-2
The Series 8500 Programmable. This model includes a long
list of standard product line features, includ;ng programmable
frequency allocation and a built-in remote control receiver.
The Series 8500 Programmable with Descrambling. This model
uses dynamic switched sync supression for signal security.
The Series 8500 Addressable. This model is an advanced
electronic set-top terminal providing headend control for
service level authorizations and pay-per-view events. Table
1-1 summarizes the features offered for each model, and
table 1-2 lists the overall 8500 specifications.
33T056Z

Table 1-l. Series 8500 Feature Summary
Programmable
w[th
Feature
Programmable
Descrambling Addressable
Programmable Frequency Allocation
x x
Unauthorized Channel Default to Barker
x x
Parental Control Function
x x
Automatic Dual Cable Switching
x x
Increment /Dec re me nt
x x
Favorite Channel Memory
x x
Remote Control Receiver
x x
Switched AC to TV
x x
Dynamic Switched Sync Suppression Scrambling
x
Central Control of Authorizations
Central Execution of Pay-Per-View Functions
Global Authorization and Deauthorization
Pay-Per- View Preview
Advance Pay-Per-View Program Load
Nonvolatile Memory
System Security /Legal Terminal Test
System Security/Refresh Timer Signal
Table 1-2. Series 8500 Specifications
Parameter Specification
Environmental
Tempera tu re
Relative Humidity
Electrical
Bandwidth
Number of Channels
33T056Z
continu,c.d on next page
0 - 45° c
5 - 95%
54 to 440 MHz
64 (single cable)
128 (dual cable)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1-3
I
I
I

Table 1-2. Series 8500 Specifications
Parameter Specification
0----------------------+--------·-------------·--l
Output Channels
Flatness (over channel bandwidth)
Gain
Noise Figure
Return loss
Output
Isolation Input /Output
Spurious
Input
Output
Frequency Accuracy
Frequency Stability
Input Voltage Range
Power Consurnption
Power Supply Surge Protection
Distortion at + 15 dBm V:
60 Channel Load Flat Input
Second Order
Cross Modulation
Composite Triple Beat
Input Level
M.echanical
1-4
Dimensions
Weight
Keyboard Type
Display Type
3 or 4
±2 dB
0 to 9 dB
13 dB, typical
8 dB minimurn on
tuned channel
12 dB rninirnum_
60 dB
-37 dBmV (up to 470
MHz)
-57 dBmV
±100 kHz
(0° - 50°) ±100 kHz
115 V ac ±10%
20 watts 1naxirnun1
Yes
-57 dB
-57 dB
- ~; 7 dB
- 7 to +20 dBmV
10. 4
11
x 8" x 2. l"
5. 5 pounds
16 position, X-Y matrix
LED, 0.5" x 0.26'1
33T056Z

l. 5 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The small size of the 8500 makes it suitable for placement on top of most
subscribers television receiver, or for small portable receivers, the 8500
can be placed alongside the television. Figure 1-2 is an outline drawing of
the 8500 showing overall dimensions. Dimensions of the remote control
transmitter are also given.
The 8500 is completely modular as shown by figure 1-3. This figure shows
the addressable model, which contains a full complement of seven modules.
Replacement procedure is given in section 5.
0 D
D 0
0 D
0 D
0 D
0 D
10.4"
D D
------~ -8"-----1~1
T ~..._,....,.._-----.......---.......~
~+ __ Q 0
T
Cl D D Cl
D D CJ CJ
4.2"
JD D D
CJ
D D
CJ CJ
~2.35"-1
J_
Tl._ _ __.
1.6"
REMOTE CONTROL
0
8500 SET-TOP TERMINAi,
Figure 1-2. 8500 Outline Drawing
0
A0683-18
33T056Z 1- 5

F re
ries 8SOO lnte:rnal View
(.Address
1-6
KEYBOARD
/ ADDRESS
DECODER
DESCRAMBLER
(UNDER ADDRESS
DECODER)
33T056Z

l. 6 MODEL NUMBER DIFFERENCES AND SERIAL NUMBEl~ TRACKING
The model number and serial number is printed on a label affixed to the
underside of the 8500's chassis. The model number is seven digits, the
last three of which indicate specific model differences: the breakdown is as
follows:
OUTPUT
CHANNEL 1---.--1
3 OR 4
0
=NOT ADDRESSABLE I
1=108.2 MHz DATA CARRIER l
2 = 106. 2 MHz DATA CARRIER I
8500 XY Z
I BAsiCSERrESl j L_1_0_-:_No niscRAM-BLER ___ I
l = S-A DESCRAMBLER I
----- - ______________ ]
The complete serial number is 16-digits which are divided into six categories
. as shown below:
!DESIGN-h
I VERSION ' j
A J
lM_O_N_T_H_i-- __ j
IA - JAN
I THROUGH
LL - DEC
33T056Z
I [YEAR J c---l~~p=~~l
22 00115 'o0017CA
lI J SERIAL No. j
I
I
'-
-
MODEL NO.
l __
0 = 300
l = 310
2 = 311
3 = 312
4 = N/A
5 = 400
I
6 = 410
7 = 411 :1
8 = 412 __J
1-7

Printed on the label just below the 16-digit serial number is a bar-code
representation of the serial number. This bar-code facilitates use of auto-
matic scanners. The last 12-digits of the serial number are also printed in
bar-code on a label affixed to the microprocessor chip on the address de-
coder module on addressable terminals; this is to assure a correct match.
If the address decoder module is ever replaced, the new
module is supplied with a new chassis label that indicates
the serial number and address of the replacement module.
Be sure to affix the new label over the old chassis label
so that the new, correct address is indicated.
With this unique serial number you will be able to keep track of each terminal.
Furthermore, Scientific-Atlanta maintains its warranty and repair records
with the same inforn1ation. In this way we will accumulate a complete his-
tory file of repair work and problems encountered on each terminal.
l. 7 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
l. 7. l General
The 8500 1s available in what we refer to as three basic configurations.
• Basic A, Programmable
o Basic B, Programmable with Descrambling
e Basic C, Addressable.
Figure 1-4 is a simplified block diagram showing the configurations n1en-
tioned above. The solid lines on the diagram indicate modules and signal
paths used by all three configurations. And the dashed lines indicate the
additional modules and signal paths used by basic B and basic C configura-
tions.
1-8
33T056Z