Specifications
Web GUI Monitoring & Control 
4.7.8.5  Internal Ref. Source 
The Internal timing can either be free running or aligned to a stored frequency which was 
derived from an external reference and then stored via the store frequency button. 
4.8  BISS Encryption 
Basic Interoperable Scrambling System (BISS) is a satellite signal scrambling system developed by 
the European Broadcasting Union and a consortium of hardware manufacturers. 
When using BISS the transmission is protected by a 12 digit "session word" that is agreed by the 
transmitting and receiving parties prior to transmission. The key is entered into both the encoder 
and decoder, this key then forms part of the encryption of the digital TV signal and only receivers 
with the correct key will decrypt the signal. 
The rapid increase in the use of Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) technology resulted in 
the availability of digital codec equipment from a number of vendors. At the same time, the 
absence of standard methods for the securing and scrambling of DSNG broadcasts spawned 
the development of several different proprietary security mechanisms. The widespread 
acceptance of DVB standards made it possible to propose and provide a security mechanism 
that offered interoperability between the equipment of different DSNG vendors. This enabled 
broadcasters to combine equipment from several vendors, while making systems more future-
proof. 
BISS is based on the DVB-CSA specification, and the use of fixed clear keys called Session Words 
(SWs). BISS specification Mode 1 is used for DSNG. BISS specification Mode E (BISS with Encrypted 
keys – referred to as BISS-E) introduces an additional mechanism to accept the insertion of 
Encrypted Session Words (ESWs) while, at the same time, conserving interoperability. This 
mechanism is backward compatible with BISS specification Mode 1. 
The BISS option will appear on the tabs if the feature key is installed and may be viewed by 
selecting the BISS tab. A window similar to the shown in Figure 4.20 is displayed. The BISS window 
can be split into 3. The top is for selecting the BISS mode, the middle is a status view and the 
bottom is an application for generating Encrypted Session words. 
SBM75e Series Modulator Installation and Operation Manual 
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