SBCA Conditional Access & Encryption 2

Question 1

What is a Conditional Access Module (CAM) used for in a DVB receiver with a Common Interface (CI) slot?

Accepted Answer

To house the CAS-specific decryption logic and smart card for a particular operator

Answer

To amplify the received satellite signal before it reaches the tuner

Answer

To convert the HDMI output signal to coaxial RF for older televisions

Answer

To store the electronic program guide (EPG) data for offline browsing

Question 2

In a SimulCrypt environment, what does the headend broadcast?

Accepted Answer

The same content scrambled with multiple CAS systems simultaneously

Answer

Multiple versions of the same program at different bit rates for adaptive streaming

Answer

Separate transponders for each authorized subscriber group

Answer

Duplicate ECMs on redundant frequencies to improve reliability

Question 3

What does the term 'pairing' refer to in a satellite CAS security context?

Accepted Answer

Cryptographically binding a smart card to a specific receiver to prevent card sharing

Answer

Connecting two satellite dishes to a single receiver for diversity reception

Answer

Linking a subscriber's account to a specific satellite orbital position

Answer

Aligning the dish polarization angle with the satellite's linear polarization

Question 4

What is 'card sharing' (also called IKS – Internet Key Sharing) and why is it considered illegal?

Accepted Answer

Sharing decrypted Control Words over the internet so unauthorized receivers can descramble pay-TV content

Answer

Distributing firmware updates to multiple smart cards simultaneously via satellite

Answer

The practice of recycling old smart cards for use in new subscriber packages

Answer

Broadcasting duplicate ECMs for the same channel on multiple transponders

Question 5

Which encryption standard is used in the BISS (Basic Interoperable Scrambling System) protocol common in satellite contribution feeds?

Accepted Answer

DVB-CSA with a manually configured static session word

Answer

RSA-2048 public-key encryption

Answer

AES-256 in CBC mode with rotating keys

Answer

DES with a 56-bit hardware key stored in the IRD

Question 6

What is 'over-the-air (OTA) entitlement' management in a satellite CAS?

Accepted Answer

Sending EMMs through the satellite broadcast stream to update smart card authorizations without physical card replacement

Answer

Downloading software updates to the IRD via terrestrial internet connection

Answer

Using LTE mobile networks to authenticate subscribers in remote areas

Answer

Remotely adjusting the satellite dish pointing angle via a wireless command link

Question 7

What is the key difference between a Free-to-Air (FTA) signal and an encrypted pay-TV signal on a satellite transponder?

Accepted Answer

FTA signals are not scrambled and any compliant receiver can decode them; pay-TV signals require a valid CAS authorization to descramble

Answer

FTA signals use a higher modulation order (e.g., 32-APSK) while pay-TV uses QPSK

Answer

FTA signals are transmitted at higher power levels to reach a wider audience without dishes

Answer

FTA signals use a wider transponder bandwidth to accommodate more channels per carrier