78174 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

1For editorial reasons, upon codification in the 

U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. 

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Jessie F. Quichocho, 

Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office 

of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. 

[FR Doc. 2011–32389 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

10 CFR Part 430 

[Docket Number EERE–2011–BT–NOA– 

0067] 

RIN 1904–AC52 

Energy Conservation Program: Test 

Procedure and Energy Conservation 

Standard for Set-Top Boxes and 

Network Equipment 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Request for information (RFI) 

and request for comments; notice of 

public meeting. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking 

and data collection process to develop 

a potential test procedure and energy 

conservation standard for set-top boxes 

(STB) and network equipment. To 

facilitate this process, DOE has gathered 

data, identifying several issues 

associated with currently available 

industry test procedures, efficiency 

standards and energy use data for STBs 

on which DOE is particularly interested 

in receiving comment. DOE welcomes 

written comments from the public on 

any subject within the scope of this 

rulemaking (including topics not raised 

in this RFI). DOE will hold a public 

meeting as part of this RFI. 

DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting 

on January 26, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 

4 p.m. in Washington, DC. The meeting 

will also be broadcast as a webinar. See 

section III, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ for 

webinar information, participation 

instructions, and information about the 

capabilities available to webinar 

participants. 

DOE will accept comments, data, and 

information regarding the RFI before 

and after the public meeting, but no 

later than February 14, 2012. For details, 

see section III, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ of 

this RFI. 

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be 

held at the U.S. Department of Energy 

Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., Washington 

DC 20585. Please note that foreign 

nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are 

subject to advance security screening 

procedures. Any foreign national 

wishing to participate in the meeting 

should advise DOE as soon as possible 

by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at 

(202) 586–2945 to initiate the necessary 

procedures. 

Interested persons are encouraged to 

submit comments using the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Alternatively, interested persons may 

submit comments, identified by docket 

number EERE–2011–BT–NOA–0067, by 

any of the following methods: 

• Email: to STB–RFI–2011–NOA– 

0067@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2011– 

BT–NOA–0067 in the subject line of the 

message. 

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 

Request for Information for Set-top 

boxes and Network Equipment, EERE– 

2011–BT–NOA–0067, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585– 0121. Phone: 

(202) 586–2945. Please submit one 

signed paper original. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda 

Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 

Building Technologies Program, 6th 

Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., 

Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 

586–2945. Please submit one signed 

paper original. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

docket number or RIN for this 

rulemaking. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents, or 

comments received, go to the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Direct requests for additional 

information may be sent to: 

Mr. Jeremy Dommu, U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 586–9870. Email: 

Jeremy.Dommu@ee.doe.gov. 

In the office of the General Counsel, 

contact Ms. Celia Sher, U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 

GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue 

SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 287–6122. Email: 

Celia.Sher@hq.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents 

I. Introduction 

II. Discussion 

A. Energy Conservation Standard 

1. Product Classes 

2. Lower Power Sleep Mode 

3. Multi-Room Setups 

4. Typical User Profile 

5. Engineering Analysis 

6. Market Data 

B. Test Procedure 

1. Impact of Service Provider Software 

2. Live Network Testing 

3. Video Source 

4. Digital Video Recorder Testing 

5. Low-Noise Block Power Consumption 

III. Public Participation 

A. Attendance at Public Meeting 

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To 

Speak 

C. Conduct of the Public Meeting 

D. Submission of Comments 

I. Introduction 

Title III of the Energy Policy and 

Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended 

(42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), sets forth 

various provisions designed to improve 

energy efficiency. Part A of Title III of 

EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) established 

the Energy Conservation Program for 

Consumer Products Other Than 

Automobiles,’’ which covers consumer 

products and certain commercial 

products (referred to as ‘‘covered 

products’’).1 In addition to specifying a 

list of covered residential and 

commercial products, EPCA contains 

provisions that enable the Secretary of 

Energy to classify additional types of 

consumer products as covered products. 

DOE recently published a Notice of 

Proposed Determination (76 FR 34914, 

June 15, 2011) (hereafter referred to as 

‘‘proposed determination’’) that 

preliminarily determined that STBs and 

network equipment meet the criteria for 

covered products because classifying 

products of such type as covered 

products is necessary or appropriate to 

carry out the purposes of EPCA, and the 

average U.S. household energy use for 

STBs and network equipment is likely 

to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 

year. 

DOE may prescribe test procedures for 

any product it classifies as a ‘‘covered 

product.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)) Further, 

DOE may consider prescribing energy 

conservation standards for a type of 

consumer product it classifies as 

covered if the product meets certain 

additional criteria, such as ‘‘average per 

household energy use within the United 

States’’ in excess of 150 kWh and 

‘‘aggregate household energy use’’ in 

excess of 4.2 billion kWh, for any prior 

12-month period. (42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1)) 

DOE is initiating the rulemaking and 

data collection process for a test 

procedure and potential establishment 

of an energy conservation standard for 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 78175 

2ENERGY STAR Program Requirements Product 

Specification for Set-top Boxes: Test Method Rev. 

Jan–2011 (2011). 

3C380–08: Test Procedure for the Measurement of 

Energy Consumption of Set-Top Boxes (2008). 

4CEA–2013–A: Digital STB Background Power 

Consumption (2007). 

5CEA–2022: Digital STB Active Power 

Consumption Measurement (2007). 

6 IEC–62087: Methods of measurement for the 

power consumption of audio, video and related 

equipment. Edition 3 (2011) Section 8. 

7 DOE will also consider the National Cable & 

Telecommunications Association’s ‘‘CableLabs— 

Energy Lab’’ initiative, which was announced on 

November 18, 2011 but is as yet preliminary. 

8ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: Product 

Specification for Set-top Boxes Eligibility Criteria 

Version 3.0 (2011) Table 3. 

9ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: Product 

Specification for Set-top Boxes Eligibility Criteria 

Version 3.0 (2011) Sections 1.A and 1.B.2. 

STBs and network equipment with 

publication of this RFI. This process 

will analyze the technological, 

environmental, employment, and 

regulatory impact of a test procedure 

and standard on consumers, 

manufacturers, utilities, and the nation. 

During this analysis, DOE will 

determine the feasibility of establishing 

a standard that achieves the maximum 

improvement in energy efficiency that is 

technologically feasible and 

economically justified. To support this 

analysis, DOE will develop a test 

procedure to measure the energy 

efficiency of STBs and network 

equipment that reflects consumer use, 

ensures repeatability of results and is 

not unduly burdensome to conduct. 

DOE is asking interested parties for 

additional information that will assist 

DOE in performing its analysis and in 

developing a test procedure and energy 

conservation standard for STBs and 

network equipment. 

For reference, DOE has published a 

Market and Technology Assessment on 

the DOE Set-Top Box and Network 

Equipment Appliance Standards Web 

site, located at http:// 

www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ 

appliance_standards/residential/ 

set_top_boxes.html, that includes the 

data currently gathered on STBs. 

Note that any comments already 

provided in response to the proposed 

determination do not need to be 

resubmitted. DOE will formally respond 

to comments already submitted in a 

final determination for coverage of STBs 

and network equipment that will be 

issued at a later stage in the rulemaking 

process. 

II. Discussion 

DOE will review existing industry test 

procedures and standards to develop its 

own test procedure and efficiency 

standard for STBs and network 

equipment. Current industry test 

procedures and standards for STBs 

include the Environmental Protection 

Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR®

Program Requirements for Set-top Boxes 

Version 3.0,2 Canadian Standards 

Association’s (CSA) test procedure 

C380–08,3 and Consumer Electronics 

Association’s (CEA) industry standards 

CEA–2013 4 and CEA–2022.5

Additionally, DOE will evaluate the 

International Electrotechnical 

Commission’s (IEC) industry standard 

IEC–62087,6 which includes STBs in its 

scope. Notably, the ENERGY STAR 

program defines its own test method for 

STBs, but does reference the CSA test 

procedure for test setup and 

instrumentation. The CEA standards are 

similar to CSA’s test procedure, but they 

cover fewer functional features as 

compared to the ENERGY STAR 

method. These test procedures and 

industry standards were used as a basis 

for identifying the below issues for 

which DOE is specifically seeking 

feedback.7

A. Energy Conservation Standard 

1. Product Classes 

When necessary, DOE divides covered 

products into classes by the type of 

energy used, the capacity of the product, 

and any other performance-related 

feature that justifies different standard 

levels, such as features affecting 

consumer utility. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)) As 

part of this rulemaking proceeding, DOE 

will evaluate the market for STBs and 

potentially separate them into product 

classes based on the criteria outlined 

above. 

The current ENERGY STAR program 

separates STBs into different base 

functionalities: Cable, Satellite, Cable 

Digital Transport Adapter (DTA), 

Internet Protocol (IP), Terrestrial, and 

Thin Client/Remote.8 Each base 

functionality type has a different energy 

consumption allowance (i.e., a different 

efficiency level) for qualification with 

the ENERGY STAR specification. 

Differentiating products by 

functionalities recognizes the fact that 

different underlying technologies such 

as Cable and Satellite STBs may require 

more energy than Thin Clients or Cable 

DTA STBs. ENERGY STAR also 

provides for higher energy consumption 

allowances based on various additional 

features (e.g. Digital Video Recorder, 

High Definition Resolution). 

As part of DOE’s investigation of 

potential product classes for STBs and 

network equipment, DOE is considering 

investigating the definitions of STB base 

functionality types and the additional 

features currently employed by the 

ENERGY STAR program.9 In particular, 

DOE is considering defining a separate 

product class for each combination of 

functionality type and an additional 

feature or features. However, in order to 

make this determination, DOE will have 

to analyze whether each combination of 

functionality type and additional 

features meets DOE’s criteria for 

establishing product classes. Further 

details concerning the base functionality 

types and additional features used by 

the ENERGY STAR program are 

discussed below. 

Functionality Type 

• Cable: A STB whose primary 

function is to receive television signals 

from a broadband, hybrid fiber/coaxial, 

or community cable distribution system 

with conditional access and deliver 

them to a consumer display, thin-client/ 

remote STB, and/or recording device. 

• Satellite: A STB whose primary 

function is to receive television signals 

from satellites and deliver them to a 

consumer display, thin-client/remote 

STB, and/or recording device. 

• Cable Digital Transport Adapter 

(Cable DTA): A minimally-configured 

STB whose primary function is to 

receive television signals from a 

broadband, hybrid fiber/coaxial, or 

community cable distribution system 

and deliver them to a consumer display 

and/or recording device. 

• Internet Protocol Television (IPTV): 

A STB whose primary function is to 

receive television/video signals 

encapsulated in Internet Protocol 

packets and deliver them to a consumer 

display, thin-client/remote STB, and/or 

recording device. 

• Terrestrial: A STB whose primary 

function is to receive television signals 

over the air or via community cable 

distribution system without conditional 

access and deliver them to a consumer 

display, thin-client/remote STB, and/or 

recording device. 

• Thin-client/Remote: A STB that (1) 

is designed to interface between a multiroom STB and a TV (or other output 

device), (2) has no ability to directly 

interface with a Service Provider, and 

(3) relies solely on a multi-room STB for 

content. Any STB that meets the 

definition of a cable, satellite, IP, or 

terrestrial STB is not a thin-client/ 

remote STB. 

Additional Features 

• Advanced Video Processing (AVP): 

The capability to encode, decode, and/ 

or transcode audio/video signals in 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
78176 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

10ANSI/SCTE 28 2007 HOST–POD Interface 

Standard (2007) http://www.scte.org/standards/ 

Standards_Home.aspx. 

accordance with standards H.264/MPEG 

4 or SMPTE 421M. 

• CableCARD: The capability to 

decrypt premium audio/video content 

and services and provide other network 

control functions via a plug-in 

conditional access module that 

complies with the ANSI/SCTE 28 2007 

HOST–POD Interface Standard.10

• Digital Video Recorder (DVR): The 

capability to store video in a digital 

format to a rewritable disk drive or other 

non-volatile storage device integrated 

into a STB. This definition excludes 

video capture software for personal 

computers or server-based DVR 

capabilities. 

• DOCSIS: The capability to 

distribute data and audio/video content 

over cable television infrastructure in 

accordance with the CableLabs® Data 

Over Cable Service Interface 

Specification. 

• High Definition (HD) Resolution: 

The capability to transmit or display 

video signals with resolution greater 

than or equal to 720p. 

• Standard Definition (SD) 

Resolution: The capability to only 

transmit or display video signals with 

resolution less than 720p. 

• Home Network Interface (HNI): The 

capability to interface with external 

devices over a high bandwidth network 

(e.g., IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), MoCA, 

HPNA). For purposes of this 

specification, IEEE 802.3 wired Ethernet 

is not considered a Home Network 

Interface. 

• Multi-room (MR): The capability to 

provide independent audio/video 

content to multiple devices within a 

single family dwelling. This definition 

does not include the capability to 

manage gateway services for multisubscriber scenarios. 

• Multi-stream (MS): The capability 

to deliver two or more simultaneous 

audio/video streams to a consumer 

display, thin-client/remote STB, or 

recording device. The simultaneous 

streams may be delivered via a 

physically separate input or via the 

primary input. This definition does not 

include out-of-band tuners. 

• Removable Media Player: The 

capability to decode digitized audio/ 

video signals on DVD or Blu-ray Disc 

optical media. 

• Removable Media Player/Recorder: 

The capability to decode and record 

digitized audio/video signals on DVD or 

Blu-ray Disc optical media. 

DOE welcomes feedback on 

consideration of the ENERGY STAR®

program’s identification of base 

functionality types and additional 

features in DOE’s analysis of product 

classes for STBs and network 

equipment. DOE is also seeking 

feedback on potential methods to 

combine or reduce the number of 

product classes, the impact on energy 

consumption as a result of each of the 

functionality types and/or features, and 

market share data on the prevalence of 

these functionality types and/or features 

in STBs. Additionally, DOE seeks 

feedback from interested parties on the 

following questions: 

• Should Cable DTA be a factor in 

defining a product class? DOE believes 

this is used for older analog televisions 

(TVs), which are becoming less common 

as consumers switch to digital TVs. 

• How should tuner types be 

categorized? Are there significant energy 

differences between analog and digital 

tuners? 

• Should streaming STBs (e.g., 

streaming video from a web-based 

service) be distinguished from service 

provider IPTV STBs? What, if any, 

differences are there between those 

types of STBs? Is the term ‘‘video 

signals’’ sufficient for including 

streaming STBs in the potential IPTV 

product classes? 

• Should there be additional features 

defined due to significant differences in 

functionality (i.e., performance related 

feature) that affect energy consumption? 

Note that for ENERGY STAR, Cable 

DTA and Cable are two separate 

definitions despite the fact that they 

both use cable as the transmission 

medium. 

• Is the Cable STB definition 

sufficient to include stand-alone DVRs 

(which include a CableCARD slot to 

interface with an existing service 

provider) generally purchased through 

retail? Should a separate product class 

exist for stand-alone DVRs? 

• Should the Cable STB definition 

include CableCARD and DOCSIS 

functionality? Does CableCARD 

functionality consume energy when a 

CableCARD is installed but not used, or 

does it also have to be in use? DOE 

believes this feature only applies if it is 

actively decrypting video content 

during testing. 

• Should the Advanced Video 

Processing feature encompass both 

encoding and decoding of video 

content? Would encoding or transcoding 

require more hardware and energy 

consumption compared to decoding? 

Does the presence of Advanced Video 

Processing significantly affect power 

consumption when viewing MPEG–2 or 

analog video? 

• Can Advanced Video Processing 

and High Definition be combined into a 

single functionality? 

• Is it sufficient to define HD as any 

resolution greater than 720p? Should 

there be a separate definition for even 

higher video resolutions? 

• Does the capability for multi-room 

increase the energy consumption of the 

STB when only one output is 

connected? 

• Does the capability for multi-stream 

increase the energy consumption of the 

STB when only one stream is being 

accessed? 

• None of the currently qualified 

ENERGY STAR products take credit for 

Removable Media Player or Recording. 

Are there STBs that currently 

implement removable media support? 

Does the presence of this feature 

increase the energy consumption when 

not in use (e.g. when the STB is 

accessing live TV content)? 

• DOE further requests that interested 

parties comment on whether there are 

any features that would impact some 

potential product classes of STBs and 

network equipment differently than 

others? For example, would DVR 

functionality tend to increase the energy 

consumption of satellite STBs and cable 

STBs similarly? 

• Lastly, should DOE consider any 

other additional features that currently 

exist or are in development that would 

significantly affect consumer behavior 

and/or STB energy consumption (e.g., 

3D video processing, ultra high 

definition)? 

2. Lower Power Sleep Mode 

One potential energy savings feature 

of STBs is entering a lower power sleep 

mode when not performing a primary 

function (such as watching or recording 

a television program). Currently, many 

STBs consume nearly the same amount 

of energy regardless of whether the 

devices are performing a primary 

function. DOE realizes that service 

providers regularly communicate with 

deployed devices to maintain network 

and content security, and to ensure that 

program guides or on-demand offerings 

are updated. DOE also understands that 

some consumers may be opposed to 

long wake-up times when powering on 

their devices. Given the amount of 

potential energy savings, however, DOE 

is interested in methodologies that 

reduce energy consumption when the 

device is not in use while ensuring 

communication and wake-up times are 

minimally affected. DOE seeks feedback 

from interested parties on 

methodologies that reduce STB energy 

consumption when not performing a 

primary function. As an example, a STB 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 78177 

11ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: 

Product Specification for Set-top Boxes Eligibility 

Criteria Version 3.0 (2011) Section 3.3. 

12Set-Top Box Market and Technology 

Assessment Report, Section 3.1.5, December 2011. 

could enter a deep sleep mode during 

off-peak hours (such as the middle of 

the night) and automatically wake up 

once every 30 minutes to communicate 

with the service provider and check for 

updates. At other times, the device 

would remain in a light sleep mode 

when not in use and not require a long 

wake-up time. 

DOE seeks comments, data, and other 

input into technological, economic, and 

competitive impacts of using lower 

power light sleep and deep sleep modes 

for STBs. DOE also seeks feedback on 

any other issues related to lower power 

sleep modes. DOE is particularly 

interested in technological features that 

could significantly reduce energy 

consumption while providing for 

adequate communication with service 

providers and minimizing wake-up 

times when consumers power on their 

devices. 

DOE is also interested in other 

examples and data of energy-reducing 

technologies, configurations or product 

designs, other than sleep modes, that 

could help improve the efficiency of 

STBs (e.g., spinning down hard disks, 

multi-room deployments). 

3. Multi-Room Setups 

DOE is aware that some service 

providers offer the use of multi-room 

setups where a single STB (usually with 

DVR functionality) is connected to the 

service provider, and that primary 

device then feeds video signals to thinclients in the home through a network 

connection. This has the ability to save 

on total household energy consumption 

by using more efficient thin-clients 

instead of multiple devices. 

In order for DOE to better understand 

these setups, DOE is seeking more 

information from interested parties on 

this topic. In particular: 

• DOE is seeking market data on how 

prevalent multiple STBs are in current 

homes. For example, how many homes 

use two STBs? How many homes use 

three STBs? 

• How much more power does a 

multi-room STB use compared to a thinclient device? 

• How much more power does a 

multi-room STB use compared to a STB 

without multi-room capability? 

• Are generic thin-client STBs 

capable of connecting to any multi-room 

STB, or will only specific models of 

thin-clients work with a given multiroom STB? 

4. Typical User Profile 

In the development of potential 

energy conservation standards, it may 

become necessary to adopt standardized 

user profiles that estimate the average 

amount of time each day that STBs are 

in each of their functional modes (e.g. 

active, standby, and off). It may also 

become necessary to develop estimates 

of the amount of time STBs with DVR 

functionality are in record or playback 

modes. This usage profile could then be 

applied to measurements obtained from 

a test procedure to estimate the typical 

daily or annual energy consumption of 

STBs. The ENERGY STAR program uses 

this methodology in their program.11

DOE seeks feedback on whether it 

should adopt the ENERGY STAR usage 

profile or if an alternative methodology 

should be used when considering the 

metric for potential energy conservation 

standards, such as wattage requirements 

for each mode. A time-based metric, 

similar to the method used in ENERGY 

STAR, may be reasonable as many of the 

potential energy savings occur based on 

the time in each mode, and different 

product classes may have different 

opportunities for energy savings that 

could also help a product meet a 

standard. 

5. Engineering Analysis 

As part of analyzing potential energy 

conservation standards for STBs and 

network equipment, DOE will develop 

an engineering analysis, which will 

characterize the incremental 

manufacturing cost associated with 

increasing the efficiency of STBs. As 

part of this analysis, DOE plans to 

gather data regarding the efficiency of 

STBs, run tests on STBs, and perform 

physical teardowns of STBs. DOE 

recognizes that there are a variety of 

functionalities, features, and 

subscription services that may impact 

the efficiency of STBs. Therefore, DOE 

is strongly interested in collecting 

information from a wide variety of 

sources on the energy use of different 

types and configurations of STBs. As 

part of this analysis, DOE may be 

required to gain access to a subscription 

or head-end equipment similar to that of 

a consumer’s access in order to test the 

STB. DOE is hopeful to gain access to 

features such as electronic-programguides, video-on-demand, and pay-perview for testing. 

DOE understands that the nature of 

subscriptions and leasing agreements 

make it difficult for DOE to obtain 

equipment on the commercial market 

directly for purchase. Consequently, 

DOE will be reaching out to service 

providers and STB makers directly to 

inquire about obtaining the STBs for 

this analysis and any special equipment 

necessary for testing. 

6. Market Data 

DOE seeks additional data on STB 

markets and technologies, including 

updated National energy use data 12 on 

STBs by potential product class. These 

data include numbers of installed 

devices, unit energy consumption, 

efficiency ranges, and usage profiles. 

Projected energy use data include 

historical and projected annual 

shipments of STBs, projected unit 

energy consumption for future models 

of STBs, and projected usage profiles 

based on new studies on consumer 

behavior. 

B. Test Procedure 

The following discussion topics on 

testing primarily reference the ENERGY 

STAR program, but all of the previously 

referenced industry test procedures 

were used to help identify the following 

questions. 

1. Impact of Service Provider Software 

Service providers typically install 

software onto STBs rented to 

consumers. These STBs are programmed 

to have security features and constant 

communication with the service 

provider and allow customers to access 

specific content, such as video-ondemand or electronic program guides. 

Based on initial testing, DOE believes 

the service provider software can have 

an impact on the energy consumption of 

a STB. Thus, DOE is considering that 

STBs be tested with the appropriate 

software added. In the event that the 

same physical STB can be programmed 

by different service providers, each 

service provider configuration would be 

treated as a different device (i.e., a 

different basic model). DOE would 

therefore test STBs as deployed in 

consumers’ homes, rather than as 

shipped by the STB original equipment 

manufacturers to the service providers. 

In order to gain a better understanding 

of the issue, DOE requests feedback on 

the following: 

• What impact does the service 

provider software have on energy 

consumption? 

• How does service provider software 

impact idle or sleep behavior? 

• How does such software affect any 

other energy saving features? 

• For cable STBs, will there be 

different energy consumption of a 

generic STB with CableCARD accessing 

the digital programming of a service 

provider versus a programmed device 


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13CEA–2022: Digital STB Active Power 

Consumption Measurement (2007) Section 6.4.d. 

14ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: Test 

Method Rev. Jan-2011 (2011) Section 4.H. 

with full two-way communication with 

the service provider? 

2. Live Network Testing 

ENERGY STAR program 

specifications do not specify how the 

video source signal is to be delivered, 

and implicitly allow STBs to be tested 

either through a live network (via 

subscription service) or with a closed 

network. A closed network includes 

testing with head-end equipment 

provided by the service provider and/or 

manufacturer. Additionally, the CEA 

test procedures explicitly state that it is 

not expected that the STB would be 

connected to a live network.13

Subscription services (i.e., one type of 

live network) are more typical of how a 

consumer would be using the STB. 

Using a subscription would be simpler 

to setup for testing, and it would require 

little involvement by the service 

provider other than providing the 

subscription itself. However, DOE has 

concerns that subscriptions would not 

be available in all test areas, thus some 

labs would be physically incapable of 

testing certain STBs. Additionally, STB 

behavior may be impacted by 

geographic location, weather (for 

satellite connection), and time of day. 

Subscriptions themselves can vary 

depending on the type chosen for 

testing as service providers generally 

have different package choices that 

could be accessed by the same STB 

hardware. Finally, video format may not 

be as controllable through a 

subscription, which may be required for 

testing (see Section 0 of this document). 

Closed network testing can solve 

some of the repeatability issues for 

testing. However, it requires proprietary 

hardware and software from the service 

provider. This equipment can be large 

and costly to use, and may be very 

difficult to setup and configure. DOE 

also has concerns that the programmed 

head-end equipment and physical setup 

may not be realistic due to the lack of 

access to certain features, which may 

impact energy consumption of the STB. 

Because of the potential difficulties in 

using a closed network, DOE is 

considering that STBs be tested via 

subscription service only. DOE is also 

considering allowing closed network 

testing and may need to specify headend requirements in this case. DOE 

would like feedback from interested 

parties on these two methods. 

Specifically, 

• How will STB behavior compare 

between closed network testing and live 

network testing? 

• How will STBs with subscription 

service be affected by geographic 

location and time of day? 

• How will energy usage of the STB 

be affected by the subscription package 

selected? 

• Are there any obstacles with service 

providers providing head-end 

equipment to labs for testing STBs? 

• Are there any additional factors that 

should be considered when deciding 

between closed network and live 

network testing methods? 

• Are there other potential test setups 

that should be considered? 

3. Video Source 

The ENERGY STAR test procedure 

describes three reference channels to be 

used for testing STBs. They are as 

follows:14

(1) Reference Channel A: Network 

television channel, standard definition 

(SD) format, minimum 480i resolution. 

(2) Reference Channel B: Live or 

recorded sports channel; 

a. If the STB is HD-capable, this 

channel shall be in HD format, 

minimum 720p resolution. 

b. If the STB is not HD-capable, this 

channel shall be in SD format, 

minimum 480i resolution. 

(3) Reference Channel C: 24-hour 

news channel, standard definition (SD) 

format, minimum 480i resolution. 

DOE has initial concerns with the 

ENERGY STAR test procedure’s lack of 

a video signal standard for repeatability, 

as the video source may impact the STB 

energy consumption. However, a 

subscription based testing would not 

necessarily have control of the video 

content. Due to differences in video 

processing, DOE is also concerned that 

the chosen video format will have an 

impact on energy consumption of the 

STB, and that a minimum video 

resolution would not be sufficient to 

guarantee a repeatable test. For high 

definition format, one lab may test at 

720p, and another lab may use 1080p, 

which could result in different recorded 

energy consumptions. Additionally, 

some STBs may be preconfigured to 

output a set video resolution. Thus, any 

video input source that differed from 

the output resolution would require 

additional video processing. For 

example, using a 720p input signal may 

require more energy when converting to 

1080i compared to a native 1080i input 

signal. 

DOE is also concerned that there are 

additional parameters that may need to 

be specified if using a controlled test 

signal. Frame rate may also need to be 

specified as there could potentially be 

differences between 60 frames per 

second video sources versus 24 frames 

per second. Video bit rates may also 

need to be specified as lower bitrates 

would likely require less energy at the 

expense of lower quality video. Finally, 

the video codec should be specified for 

repeatability. MPEG–4 decoding may 

require additional hardware compared 

to MPEG–2. 

Because different service providers 

may provide different video formats to 

their customers, DOE is considering an 

alternative method where the tester can 

randomly choose a video source. The 

chosen channel and video specifications 

would need to be reported or measured, 

and energy consumption would be 

normalized to make different video 

formats comparable. For example, it is 

expected that a STB decoding video at 

5 megabits per second would use less 

energy than a STB decoding video at 

10 megabits per second. DOE would 

attempt to normalize out the bitrate 

aspect of energy consumption in setting 

standard levels. DOE is aware that this 

method may not be as repeatable as 

creating a specific test signal, but it will 

ensure some level of control for video 

content and source while still 

simulating the consumer experience. 

DOE is also considering specifying 

minimum requirements for video 

content for testing and/or using a 

standard test video source if it is 

technically feasible. DOE seeks feedback 

from interested parties on this subject. 

In particular: 

• How much modification do service 

providers make to content providers’ 

signals? Does a specific channel use 

similar frame rates, encoding, and bit 

rates across different service providers 

or locations? DOE does not wish for 

service providers to lower the quality of 

video in order to meet potential energy 

standards. 

• For a given service provider, are 

there any regional differences in video 

format? For example, would an HD 

broadcast of a specific channel be 

delivered at an identical video format 

across all geographic locations? 

• How much variance in energy 

consumption would be expected based 

on the video content? Would sports 

content (more dynamic) have significant 

differences in energy consumption 

compared to news content (more static)? 

• Is it possible to determine or 

measure the frame rate, bit rate, and 

video format being received by the STB? 

If so, how is this done? 

• If labs are able to test with a 

controlled video source, what 

parameters most impact energy 

consumption? DOE has identified 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 78179 

15ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: Test 

Method Rev. Jan-2011 (2011) Sections 7.2, 7.3. 

16ENERGY STAR Program Requirements: Test 

Method Rev. Jan-2011 (2011) Section 5.D. 

17CEA–2022: Digital STB Active Power 

Consumption Measurement (2007) Section 6.1.2.a. 

resolution, format, frame rate, and bit 

rate. Are these sufficient, or are there 

other parameters that should be 

specified? Are any of these parameters 

irrelevant to energy consumption? 

4. Digital Video Recorder Testing 

The ENERGY STAR test procedure 

includes testing DVR functionality.15

The DVR alters STB behavior and 

consumer behavior by allowing the 

consumer to record content, watch 

offline content, and pause/rewind/fastforward live broadcasts. This behavior is 

significantly different from a standard 

STB (also known as a receiver), which 

is primarily used to watch live video. 

The ENERGY STAR test procedure 

specifies that live TV testing includes 

pausing (5% of test time), fast forward 

(10% of test time), and rewind (10% of 

test time), and watching video for the 

remaining 75% of the time. It also 

specifies energy consumption for 

recording and playing back stored 

video. 

DOE believes that energy 

consumption may depend on the order 

that these operations are performed as 

well as the number of transitions 

between modes. Additionally, DVR 

STBs usually have multiple speeds for 

fast forwarding and rewinding that may 

impact energy usage. 

DOE is considering that each DVR 

operation mode be measured in a 

separate test for fixed test time 

durations. For example, the tester could 

measure power for 5 minutes while 

rewinding video, measure power for 

5 minutes while playing video, and 

measure power for 5 minutes while fastforwarding video. The weighting for 

energy consumption can be 

incorporated into the final efficiency 

metric. DOE is also considering 

including multiple speeds for fastforward and rewind for testing. DOE 

seeks feedback from interested parties 

on handling DVR testing. 

5. Low Noise Block Power Consumption 

A low noise block (LNB) is used in 

conjunction with a satellite STB to 

improve signal reception. It can have a 

separate power supply, but some LNBs 

draw power from the STB coaxial 

connection. The ENERGY STAR test 

procedure explicitly excludes the 

energy consumption of the LNB,16 as 

does the CEA test procedure.17

DOE is considering including LNB 

energy consumption for satellite STBs, 

as the LNB is providing required 

functionality, and would like to identify 

what factors impact LNB energy 

consumption and whether these factors 

can be controlled in a lab scenario. 

Accordingly, DOE seeks feedback from 

interested parties on this topic or any of 

the following questions: 

• How much power does the LNB 

consume compared to the STB? 

• Does LNB energy consumption vary 

significantly based on the received 

signal or noise? 

• Is it possible to test the STB with 

the LNB disabled or disconnected? 

• Are there any known methods for 

accurately measuring the LNB power to 

exclude it from the STB energy 

consumption? 

• What other factors influence the 

energy consumption of LNBs? 

• Can all satellite STBs use an 

independently powered LNB as a means 

to separate LNB power from the STB? 

III. Public Participation 

A. Attendance at Public Meeting 

The time, date, and location of the 

public meeting are listed in the DATES

and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning 

of this RFI. To attend the public 

meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda 

Edwards at (202) 586–2945. As 

explained in the ADDRESSES section, 

foreign nationals visiting DOE 

Headquarters are subject to advance 

security screening procedures. 

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To 

Speak 

Any person who has an interest in the 

topics addressed in this RFI, or who is 

a representative of a group or class of 

persons that has an interest in these 

issues, may request an opportunity to 

make an oral presentation at the public 

meeting. Requests should be emailed to 

Ms. Brenda Edwards at 

Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov. Persons 

who wish to speak should include their 

contact information and an attached file 

that describes the nature of their interest 

in this RFI and the topics they wish to 

discuss. DOE requests persons selected 

to make an oral presentation to submit 

an advance copy of their statements by 

January 19, 2011. DOE may permit 

persons who cannot supply an advance 

copy of their statement to participate, if 

those persons have made advance 

alternative arrangements with the 

Building Technologies Program. As 

necessary, requests to give an oral 

presentation should ask for such 

alternative arrangements. 

C. Conduct of the Public Meeting 

DOE will designate a DOE official to 

preside at the public meeting and may 

also use a professional facilitator to aid 

discussion. The meeting will not be a 

judicial or evidentiary-type public 

hearing, but DOE will conduct it in 

accordance with section 336 of EPCA 

(42 U.S.C. 6306). There shall not be 

discussion of proprietary information, 

costs or prices, market share, or other 

commercial matters regulated by U.S. 

anti-trust laws. A court reporter will be 

present to record the proceedings and 

prepare a transcript. The public meeting 

will be conducted in an informal, 

conference style. DOE reserves the right 

to schedule the order of presentations 

and to establish the procedures 

governing the conduct of the public 

meeting. DOE will present summaries of 

comments received before the public 

meeting, allow time for presentations by 

participants, and encourage all 

interested parties to share their views on 

issues affecting this RFI. Each 

participant will be allowed to make a 

prepared general statement (within time 

limits determined by DOE), before the 

discussion of specific topics. DOE will 

permit other participants to comment 

briefly on any general statements. 

At the end of all prepared statements 

on each specific topic, DOE will permit 

participants to clarify their statements 

briefly and comment on statements 

made by others. Participants should be 

prepared to answer DOE’s and other 

participants’ questions. DOE 

representatives may also ask 

participants about other matters relevant 

to this RFI. The official conducting the 

public meeting will accept additional 

comments or questions from those 

attending as time permits. The presiding 

official will announce any further 

procedural rules or modification of 

these procedures that may be needed for 

the proper conduct of the public 

meeting. After the public meeting, 

interested parties may submit further 

comments on the proceedings as well as 

on any aspect of the RFI until the end 

of the comment period. DOE will make 

the entire record of this proceeding, 

including the transcript from the public 

meeting, available on the DOE Web site. 

D. Submission of Comments 

DOE welcomes comments on all 

aspects of this RFI and on other relevant 

issues that participants believe would 

affect test procedures and energy 

conservation standards applicable to 

STBs and network equipment. 

After the close of the comment period, 

DOE will begin collecting data, 

conducting the analyses, and reviewing 

the public comments. These actions will 

be taken to aid in the development of a 

test procedure notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NOPR) and energy 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
78180 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

conservation standard NOPR for STBs 

and network equipment. 

DOE considers public participation to 

be a very important part of the process 

for developing test procedures and 

energy conservation standards. DOE 

actively encourages the participation 

and interaction of the public during the 

comment period in each stage of the 

rulemaking process. Interactions with 

and between members of the public 

provide a balanced discussion of the 

issues and assist DOE in the rulemaking 

process. Anyone who wishes to be 

added to the DOE mailing list to receive 

future notices and information about 

this rulemaking should contact Mr. 

Jeremy Dommu at (202) 586–9870, or 

via email at Jeremy.Dommu@ee.doe.gov. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 

12, 2011. 

Kathleen B. Hogan, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy 

Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2011–32325 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1313; Airspace 

Docket No. 11–AWP–17] 

Proposed Modification of Class E 

Airspace; Douglas, AZ 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

modify Class E airspace at Bisbee 

Douglas International Airport, Douglas, 

AZ. Decommissioning of the Cochise 

Very High Frequency Omni-Directional 

Radio Range Tactical Air Navigational 

Aid (VORTAC) has made this action 

necessary for the safety and 

management of aircraft operations at the 

airport. This action would also adjust 

the geographic coordinates of the 

airport. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before January 30, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 

telephone (202) 366–9826. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2011– 

1313; Airspace Docket No. 11–AWP–17, 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Western Service Center, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; 

telephone (425) 203–4537. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments, as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA 

2011–1313 and Airspace Docket No. 11– 

AWP–17) and be submitted in triplicate 

to the Docket Management System (see 

ADDRESSES section for address and 

phone number). You may also submit 

comments through the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this action must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2011–1313 and 

Airspace Docket No. 11–AWP–17’’. The 

postcard will be date/time stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

All communications received on or 

before the specified closing date for 

comments will be considered before 

taking action on the proposed rule. The 

proposal contained in this action may 

be changed in light of comments 

received. All comments submitted will 

be available for examination in the 

public docket both before and after the 

closing date for comments. A report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerned 

with this rulemaking will be filed in the 

docket. 

Availability of NPRMs 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

Recently published rulemaking 

documents can also be accessed through 

the FAA’s Web page at http:// 

www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/ 

air_traffic/publications/ 

airspace_amendments/. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office (see the 

ADDRESSES section for the address and 

phone number) between 9 a.m. and 

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

federal holidays. An informal docket 

may also be examined during normal 

business hours at the Northwest 

Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 

Aviation Administration, Air Traffic 

Organization, Western Service Center, 

Operations Support Group, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057. 

Persons interested in being placed on 

a mailing list for future NPRMs should 

contact the FAA’s Office of Rulemaking, 

(202) 267–9677, for a copy of Advisory 

Circular No. 11–2A, Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking Distribution System, which 

describes the application procedure. 

The Proposal 

The FAA is proposing an amendment 

to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR) Part 71 by modifying Class E 

surface airspace and Class E airspace 

extending upward from 700 feet above 

the surface at Douglas, AZ. Additional 

controlled airspace is necessary to 

accommodate aircraft using VHF OmniDirectional Radio Range/Distance 

Measuring Equipment VOR/DME Global 

Positioning System (GPS) standard 

instrument approach procedures at the 

Bisbee Douglas International Airport, 

Douglas, AZ. Decommissioning of the 

Cochise VORTAC has made this action 

necessary and would enhance the safety 

and management of aircraft operations 

at airport. The geographic coordinates of 

the airport would also be updated to 

coincide with the FAA’s aeronautical 

database. 

Class E airspace designations are 

published in paragraph 6002 and 6005, 

respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V, 

dated August 9, 2011, and effective 

September 15, 2011, which is 

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 

71.1. The Class E airspace designation 

listed in this document will be 

published subsequently in this Order. 

The FAA has determined this 

proposed regulation only involves an 

established body of technical 

regulations for which frequent and 

routine amendments are necessary to 

keep them operationally current. 

Therefore, this proposed regulation: (1) 

is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ 

under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not 

a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT 

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 

FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) 

does not warrant preparation of a 

regulatory evaluation as the anticipated 

impact is so minimal. Since this is a 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS