Emergency Alert System Emergency Alert System RequirementsRequirements
UpdateUpdate
Steven C. JohnsonSteven C. JohnsonJohnson Telecom, LLCJohnson Telecom, LLC
www.JohnsonTelecom.comwww.JohnsonTelecom.comSteve@[email protected]
704-968-7031704-968-7031
EAS ObjectiveEAS Objective
Provide Communications from the Provide Communications from the President in case of National President in case of National EmergencyEmergency• MandatoryMandatory
Secondarily, Provide Communications Secondarily, Provide Communications for Local Emergenciesfor Local Emergencies• Optional except where required by Optional except where required by
franchisefranchise
What is Required Now?What is Required Now?
Purchase and install equipment Purchase and install equipment Be prepared to carry Presidential Be prepared to carry Presidential
AlertsAlerts Forward Required Monthly Tests Forward Required Monthly Tests
(within 15 minutes of reception)(within 15 minutes of reception) Forward or Create Required Weekly Forward or Create Required Weekly
TestsTests On All Downstream Video On All Downstream Video
Programming – digital and analogProgramming – digital and analog
Event Codes -- MandatoryEvent Codes -- Mandatory
• Emergency Action Notification EANEmergency Action Notification EAN• Required Monthly Test RMTRequired Monthly Test RMT• Required Weekly Test RWTRequired Weekly Test RWT
Digital EAS v Analog EASDigital EAS v Analog EAS
Analog – EAS channelized at Analog – EAS channelized at HeadendHeadend
Digital – EAS message built in STBDigital – EAS message built in STB• Vendor Proprietary Vendor Proprietary • SCTE 18SCTE 18
SCTE 18SCTE 18
Cable Card products required to Cable Card products required to support SCTE 18support SCTE 18
QAM tuners w/o Cable Card not QAM tuners w/o Cable Card not required to support SCTE 18required to support SCTE 18
How Do We Support EAS on Clear How Do We Support EAS on Clear QAM?QAM?• BroadcastBroadcast• PEGPEG• TiersTiers
Common Alerting ProtocolCommon Alerting Protocol
Supports more detail than the EAS Supports more detail than the EAS protocolprotocol
180 days after FEMA approves 180 days after FEMA approves standardstandard
Status with FEMA?Status with FEMA? Mandatory override for Governor’s Mandatory override for Governor’s
messages (180 days after CAP messages (180 days after CAP standards approval)standards approval)
CAP ProblemsCAP Problems
CAP to EAS converterCAP to EAS converter CAP SupportCAP Support
• OriginationOrigination• ReceptionReception
8VSB Passthrough8VSB Passthrough
Non-Override agreementNon-Override agreement
Future ConsiderationsFuture Considerations
Home Networking Home Networking Support EAS to video displaysSupport EAS to video displays Cable Labs ongoing workCable Labs ongoing work
Future RequirementsFuture Requirements
FCC asked for more input onFCC asked for more input on• Multiple LanguageMultiple Language• Local GovernmentLocal Government
DocumentationDocumentation
Cable EAS Handbook with EAS Cable EAS Handbook with EAS equipment (Headend)equipment (Headend)
FCC Part 11 and 76 – on FileFCC Part 11 and 76 – on File LoggingLogging State PlanState Plan
References References State PlanState Plan FCC Part 11FCC Part 11 FCC EAS Cable HandbookFCC EAS Cable Handbook FCC EAS Event Code listFCC EAS Event Code list FCC 2FCC 2ndnd R&O R&O SCTE 18SCTE 18 Non-Override AgreementNon-Override Agreement GAO Report on EASGAO Report on EAS RGB infoRGB info SA DNCS referenceSA DNCS reference
Emergency Alert System Emergency Alert System RequirementsRequirements
UpdateUpdate
Steven C. JohnsonSteven C. JohnsonJohnson Telecom, LLCJohnson Telecom, LLC
www.JohnsonTelecom.comwww.JohnsonTelecom.comSteve@[email protected]
704-968-7031704-968-7031
Background MaterialBackground Material
EAS ProtocolEAS Protocol
Packet Header repeated 3 timesPacket Header repeated 3 times Attention Signal – 8 to 25 secondsAttention Signal – 8 to 25 seconds Audio message up to 2 minutes Audio message up to 2 minutes
(unlimited time on EAN)(unlimited time on EAN) Packet End of Message (EOM) Packet End of Message (EOM)
repeated 3 timesrepeated 3 times
Targeting Alerts -- FIPS CodeTargeting Alerts -- FIPS Code Federal Information Processing StandardFederal Information Processing Standard
PSSCCCPSSCCC P = County P = County
Subdivision 0-9Subdivision 0-9• 0 = all, 1 = NW, 2 = 0 = all, 1 = NW, 2 =
N, 3 = NE, 4 = W, N, 3 = NE, 4 = W, etcetc
SS = State SS = State designationdesignation
CCC = County CCC = County designationdesignation
11 22 33
44 55 66
77 88 99
Targeting AlertsTargeting Alerts
Targeted to hub through DNCSTargeted to hub through DNCS
OverridesOverrides
All Downstream Video ProgrammingAll Downstream Video Programming Not Required on Not Required on
• Music ServicesMusic Services• Graphics Generated in STBGraphics Generated in STB• TelephoneTelephone• Cable Modem Cable Modem
EAS ProtocolEAS Protocol
Required to be followed on all Required to be followed on all required alertsrequired alerts• National Alerts and testsNational Alerts and tests
EAN (Emergency Action Notification--EAN (Emergency Action Notification--Presidential), Presidential),
RWT (Required Weekly Test), RWT (Required Weekly Test), RMT (Required Monthly Test) – within 60 RMT (Required Monthly Test) – within 60
minutes of receiptminutes of receipt
• Video and AudioVideo and Audio
EAS HeaderEAS Header
[PREAMBLE] [PREAMBLE] ZCZC ZCZC ORG ORG EEE EEE PSSCCC PSSCCC TTTT TTTT JJJHHMM JJJHHMM LLLLLLLL LLLLLLLL
PreamblePreamble
10101011 sent to 10101011 sent to clear the system, clear the system, set AGC and set AGC and set asynchronous decoder clocking set asynchronous decoder clocking
cycles. cycles.
The preamble must be transmitted The preamble must be transmitted before each header and End Of Message before each header and End Of Message code.code.
EAS HeaderEAS Header
[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLLPSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL
ZCZC = Identifier, sent as ASCII ZCZC = Identifier, sent as ASCII characters ZCZC to indicate the start characters ZCZC to indicate the start of ASCII codeof ASCII code
ORG = Originator of messageORG = Originator of message
ORGORG
EAS ParticipantEAS Participant EASEAS Civil authoritiesCivil authorities CIVCIV National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service WXRWXR Primary Entry Point SystemPrimary Entry Point System PEPPEP
EAS HeaderEAS Header
[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLLPSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL
EEE = Event CodeEEE = Event Code PSSCCC = PSSCCC = Location code -- Federal Location code -- Federal
Information Processing Standard Information Processing Standard (FIPS) (FIPS)
EAS ProtocolEAS Protocol
[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLLPSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL
TTTT = Event Duration in 15 minute TTTT = Event Duration in 15 minute incrementsincrements• Not to be confused with override time of Not to be confused with override time of
2 minutes max, except for Presidential 2 minutes max, except for Presidential alertalert
EAS ProtocolEAS Protocol
[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-[PREAMBLE]ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLLPSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL
JJJHHMMJJJHHMM• JJJ = day (0 to 365)JJJ = day (0 to 365)• HHMM = time in UTCHHMM = time in UTC
LLLLLLLL = ID Code of participant LLLLLLLL = ID Code of participant transmitting or retransmitting messagetransmitting or retransmitting message• Cable System name or CUID (Community Unit Cable System name or CUID (Community Unit
ID)ID)
EAS EOMEAS EOM
[PREAMBLE]NNNN[PREAMBLE]NNNN
NNNN = End of MessageNNNN = End of Message
13941394
Inconsistent implementation by CEInconsistent implementation by CE Few TVs supportingFew TVs supporting Motorola – OKMotorola – OK SA – Does not support EAS graphics SA – Does not support EAS graphics
via 1394 portvia 1394 port Optional input selectionOptional input selection Component connections required w/ Component connections required w/
input selectorinput selector
Event Codes -- OptionalEvent Codes -- Optional Administrative Message ADRAdministrative Message ADR Avalanche Warning AVWAvalanche Warning AVW Avalanche Watch AVAAvalanche Watch AVA Blizzard Warning BZWBlizzard Warning BZW Child Abduction Emergency CAEChild Abduction Emergency CAE Civil Danger Warning CDWCivil Danger Warning CDW Civil Emergency Message CEMCivil Emergency Message CEM Coastal Flood Warning CFWCoastal Flood Warning CFW Coastal Flood Watch CFACoastal Flood Watch CFA Dust Storm Warning DSWDust Storm Warning DSW Earthquake Warning EQWEarthquake Warning EQW Evacuation Immediate EVIEvacuation Immediate EVI Fire Warning FRWFire Warning FRW Flash Flood Warning FFWFlash Flood Warning FFW Flash Flood Watch FFAFlash Flood Watch FFA Flash Flood Statement FFSFlash Flood Statement FFS Flood Warning FLWFlood Warning FLW Flood Watch FLAFlood Watch FLA Flood Statement FLSFlood Statement FLS Haz Mat Warning HMWHaz Mat Warning HMW High Wind Warning HWWHigh Wind Warning HWW High Wind Watch HWAHigh Wind Watch HWA Hurricane Warning HUWHurricane Warning HUW Hurricane Watch HUAHurricane Watch HUA Hurricane Statement HLSHurricane Statement HLS
Event Codes -- OptionalEvent Codes -- Optional Law Enforcement Warning LEWLaw Enforcement Warning LEW Local Area Emergency LAELocal Area Emergency LAE Network Message Notification NMNNetwork Message Notification NMN 911 Tele Outage Emerg 911 Tele Outage Emerg
TOETOE Nuclear Pwr Plant Warning NUWNuclear Pwr Plant Warning NUW Practice/Demo Warning Practice/Demo Warning
DMODMO Radiological Hazard Warning RHWRadiological Hazard Warning RHW Severe T-storm Warning Severe T-storm Warning
SVRSVR Severe Thunderstorm Watch SVASevere Thunderstorm Watch SVA Severe Weather Stmt SVSSevere Weather Stmt SVS Shelter in Place Warning SPWShelter in Place Warning SPW Special Marine Warning SMWSpecial Marine Warning SMW Special Weather Statement SPSSpecial Weather Statement SPSTornado Warning TORTornado Warning TOR Tornado Watch TOATornado Watch TOA Tropical Storm Warning Tropical Storm Warning
TRWTRW Tropical Storm Watch TRATropical Storm Watch TRA Tsunami Warning TSWTsunami Warning TSW Tsunami Watch TSATsunami Watch TSA Volcano Warning VOWVolcano Warning VOW Winter Storm Warning WSWWinter Storm Warning WSW Winter Storm Watch WSAWinter Storm Watch WSA
RecommendedRecommended
CAE – Child Abduction Emergency CAE – Child Abduction Emergency (AMBER)(AMBER)
Tornado Warning, where appropriateTornado Warning, where appropriate
Should participate in some voluntary Should participate in some voluntary alerts to avoid the risk of becoming alerts to avoid the risk of becoming mandatorymandatory
AMBERAMBER
Difficult to do in an automated formDifficult to do in an automated form EAS Protocol does not support the EAS Protocol does not support the
details necessarydetails necessary• Description of suspectDescription of suspect• Description of vehicleDescription of vehicle• Description of victimDescription of victim• Location last seenLocation last seen• etcetc
Override LengthOverride Length
2 minute max except for Presidential 2 minute max except for Presidential alertalert
Controlled by audio packet header Controlled by audio packet header and encoder/decoderand encoder/decoder
Override ends when decoder hears Override ends when decoder hears EOM or 2 minutes has elapsedEOM or 2 minutes has elapsed
Override Time vs Event DurationOverride Time vs Event Duration
Override TimeOverride Time• 2 minute time out or at EOM2 minute time out or at EOM• Except for Presidential Alert – EANExcept for Presidential Alert – EAN
Event DurationEvent Duration• Length of time that event is a threatLength of time that event is a threat• For example, a tornado warning from 8 For example, a tornado warning from 8
PM to 10 PM – 2 hoursPM to 10 PM – 2 hours Override time does not = Event Override time does not = Event
DurationDuration
Decision Tree for DecoderDecision Tree for Decoder
National Alert? -- override until National Alert? -- override until completedcompleted
My Area? – if No, then StopMy Area? – if No, then Stop
Test? – overrideTest? – override
Programmed event code? -- overrideProgrammed event code? -- override
Repetition of AlertsRepetition of Alerts
Not RequiredNot Required Optional repeat overrides may be Optional repeat overrides may be
done during the eventdone during the event• Get message to those just tuning inGet message to those just tuning in
Details ChannelDetails Channel
AKA Tune to ChannelAKA Tune to Channel Optional, not requiredOptional, not required ““For More information, tune to For More information, tune to
channel XYZ”channel XYZ” Tune to Channel may be the override Tune to Channel may be the override
method used (Force Tune)method used (Force Tune)
Force TuneForce Tune
National Alert (EAN)National Alert (EAN) MotorolaMotorola Cable Card (if audio required)Cable Card (if audio required) Franchise required alert (maybe)Franchise required alert (maybe)
Analog Override TechniquesAnalog Override Techniques
Baseband SwitchingBaseband Switching IF SwitchingIF Switching Crawl and optional Audio substitutionCrawl and optional Audio substitution Comb Generator Comb Generator Edge Device such as RGBEdge Device such as RGB
Digital Override TechniquesDigital Override Techniques
Force Tune Force Tune • MotorolaMotorola• PresidentialPresidential
Out of Band SignalingOut of Band Signaling• Scientific AtlantaScientific Atlanta• Data sent to STB to create bannerData sent to STB to create banner• Audio file optionally sent to STBAudio file optionally sent to STB
CAP Tests in WisconsinCAP Tests in Wisconsin
Summer 2006 to December 2007Summer 2006 to December 2007 CAP Transport to FacilityCAP Transport to Facility Emergency Communications Emergency Communications web site web site Creates CAP messageCreates CAP message Delivered to appropriate locations via Delivered to appropriate locations via
internetinternet Translated to EAS protocol and Translated to EAS protocol and
delivered to viewersdelivered to viewers