CAI Certification Schemes, previously known as Benchmarking Schemes 

These lay down the minimum standards of product performance based on specified parameters for satisfactory signal reception and network distribution. The testing and certification does not cover the standard of construction and durability. 

These factors are left to individual manufacturer warranty descriptions.

There are two CAI certification schemes - LTE aerials and coaxial cables – and one joint CAI & DTG Scheme - the European IRS Certification Scheme.

The specifications for all three have been compiled by industry-wide consultation and are monitored and market tested via both the CAI Technical Committee and the CAI Assessment Executive. Applicants and holders of all CAI product certifications are bound by legal binding contracts that secure adherence to all aspects of the certification. Sample testing of products sold to the trade or in the open market ensures ongoing conformity.

All three schemes are voluntary for manufacturers wishing to take part, but many tenders and specifications insist that CAI Certified products are used, as do many other bodies including government departments, broadcasters and platform operators. Certified products should always be used in conjunction with the installation practice laid down in CAI's Codes of Practice and the recommendations in DTG R Books.

Each certified product will display a CAI Certification Scheme logo representing the test standard. To view the CAI Certification logo's view our Help & Advice section.

The European IRS Certification Scheme (EICS) is an industry-led initiative designed to ensure the compatibility and interoperability of satellite and terrestrial television reception equipment within Integrated Reception Systems (IRS). Developed through collaboration among satellite and DTT platforms, major equipment manufacturers, and industry associations such as the Digital TV Group (DTG) and the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI), the EICS aims to establish a standardized benchmark for equipment performance and reliability.

The European IRS Certification Scheme (EICS) outlines a set of tests to verify the efficient use of spectrum by dSCRs and multiswitches as well as interoperability with satellite and DTT receivers, providing an industry agreed test regime for these types of equipment. Currently there are no harmonised standards for satellite launch amplifiers, dSCRs and multiswitches to demonstrate compliance to Radio Equipment Directive meaning there is no industry-wide specification to test how spectrally efficient their performance is. Spectral efficiency is a key aspect of a performance and criteria such as isolation, dynamic range, interference rejection, and gain control, all indicate whether a product can perform well in today’s environment where multiple technologies are expected to work in adjacent spectrum bands without causing interference to one another.

Similarly, interoperability between receivers and switching equipment is essential to support platform delivery as well has having industry-agreed requirements and independent verification of properties such as signalling and power levels being sent between receivers and switches.

Therefore the EICS gives installers, specifiers, distributors & retailers, manufacturers, broadcasters and platform operators confidence that products will perform as intended and are compatible with platform requirements, providing system integrity.

EICS approved distribution scheme test specification