User guide

BISS Support
J.1 What this Annex Describes
This chapter describes the procedure for configuring nCompass Control (nCC)
v6.15.0.8524 (and above) with MX8400 multiplexers to support BISS Mode-1.
Cautions!
It is assumed that the compression system is fully working before BISS is
configured.
Check that all software versions are correct and compatible.
Note: At the time of publication, nCompass Control only supports BISS Mode-0
(no scrambling) and BISS Mode-1.
J.2 Overview
Basic Interoperable Scrambling System (BISS) is a non-proprietary encryption from
EBU (Tech3290).
BISS currently offers three modes of operation:
• Mode 0: No scrambling.
• Mode 1: All components are scrambled by a fixed Control Word (CW), derived
from a clear Session Word (SW).
• Mode E: All components are scrambled by a fixed CW, derived from an
encrypted session word (ESW).
BISS Modes 0 and 1 are supported in this release. BISS Mode E is NOT currently
supported.
The scrambling mechanism, as defined in the DVB-CSA specification, is applied at
the Transport level only. This is configured using nCompass Control.
The MX8400 accepts the session word is via an XML control interface configured by
nCC. Any invalid session words will be rejected (it must be a 12 character hex
string).
Scrambling is controlled on a component basis. Mixing BISS and Simulcrypt in a
service is not permitted. The session word is configured at a service level so all
components in the service are scrambled with the same BISS key.
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