By Ron D. Katznelson, Ph.D., Multichannel Communication Sciences, Inc.
Digital Broadband Descrambling ("DBD ") is a newly developed digital technology for simultaneous onchannel processing of a large number of 1V signals. It utilizes advanced Digital Signal Processing ("DSP") methods for effecting low cost broadband access control signal security compatible with most addressable converters in use today and thus will provide economically viable option for cable system operators to provide their subscribers with a truly "subscriber friendly" cable service while distributing scrambled video signals on the cable plant and avoiding the need for set-top descramblers.
Unlike existing "single-channel-at-a-time" descrambling technologies, the DBD technology simultaneously descrambles and provides all authorized channels in the clear by broadband selective coherent injection at RF and thus enables subscribers to enjoy all the features of their cable ready 1Vs and VCRs in a whole-house service, including built-in VCR programming functions, remote controls, watching and recording from different scrambled channels simultaneously or consecutively, and viewing multiple channels at once (picture-in-picture). Furthermore, the DBD devices will pass into the home all other unprocessed channels including digital compression signals, thereby allowing compatibility with future digital transmission.