DVS-168
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
DVS-168 Digital EAS Protocol used for Scientific-Atlanta's DNCS Server
The DVS-168 protocol for digital EAS communications between the Emergency Alert System and the DNCS server was developed in 1998 by Trilithic, Inc. and Scientific-Atlanta and offered to the SCTE in August of that year. Although never adopted as general standard, DVS-168 stands as a de facto standard for the transfer of EAS files and information onto Scientific-Atlanta's DNCS server. The connections and setup are simple. Your Emergency Alert System must utilize a network card (Ethernet) to transfer two files, a .Wav and a .Txt file to the DNCS for further processing, preparation, and spooling to the S-A, Pioneer, or equivalent set-top box. In addition to the FTP file transfer, a socket is open on port 4098 and a descriptor is sent informing the DNCS of the current EAS transaction sitting in its queue. See diagrams below showing approximately, the apparatus involved:
Trilithic's legacy EASyNT software program running on its PSC-902 rack mount PC computer integrated both analog and digital EAS via Microsoft's Windows NT operating system and network client services. In 2004, Trilithic converted the DVS-168 E.A.S. application used for the Scientific-Atlanta DNCS from its EASyNT package over to the newest EASyPLUS Encoder / Decoder system. The EASyPLUS is a complete and self-contained EAS system in a 2U rack mount container, including two (2) radios. The EASyPLUS will handle all of the functionality of the PSC-902 system and more. Additions to the EASyPLUS include direct control over the SM-16/32 Trunk Multiplexer for E.A.S. county routing of messages on the analog plant, and an EASy-NIC1 network interface card (Ethernet) on-board. EASyNIC has the primary function of serving up digital E.A.S. messages for both the DNCS as well as in-band EAS messaging per the SCTE 18 (formerly DVS-208) for POD (the CableCard TM) and POD-less hosts.
EASyNIC will provide new functionality to digital DNCS EAS messaging in that now the "tune-to" capability will be available for crawl messages on digital channels. Telephone dial-in support is now available for force-tuning digital channels on the DNCS to an analog community-access emergency message.
EASyNIC will also act as a WEB Server for remotely configuring your EASyPLUS Encoder / Decoder via your network or via logging onto your EASyPLUS through your Internet gateway. It will allow Ethernet/Internet based use of the EASyNET Compliance Assistant program and will have the capability of running an email client so that EAS alerts and FCC compliance issues can be emailed directly to your technical staff as they occur.
Call Trilithic's technical support in North Carolina at (888) 344-3406 for further information, or to order call our Syracuse office at (888) 344-6838.
EASyNIC specifications subject to change without notice.
1 EASyNIC network interface card is scheduled for delivery approximately the first quarter of
2005. Delivery date subject to change without notice.
