An apparatus and method thereof for providing a secure path for a digital
signal in an intelligent transceiver such as a bi-directional set-top
box. A digital signal (e.g., a broadcast signal or a signal received via
a cable modem) is received by the intelligent transceiver at a front-end
device (comprising, for example, a tuner). The digital signal is
descrambled (if it is scrambled) and encrypted (if it is not encrypted)
by a first functional block (e.g., an interface card or point of
deployment) coupled to the front-end device. Coupled to the front-end
device via the first functional block is a second functional block for
processing (e.g., decoding) audio and/or visual content within the
digital signal. Integrated into the second functional block is a
decryption engine for decrypting encrypted signals. Signals from the
front-end device are received via the first functional block by the
decryption engine integral to the second functional block. There are no
points between the first functional block and the decryption engine and
between the decryption engine and the second functional block at which a
descrambled and decrypted signal can be intercepted, thus providing a
secure interface between the front-end device and the second functional
block.