-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 UOnqUgxt/teks7TMHHeVCQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001244490-03-000035.txt : 20030724
<SEC-HEADER>0001244490-03-000035.hdr.sgml : 20030724
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724100824
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001244490-03-000035
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030722
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030724

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000087777
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				580612397
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30044
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7709035000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30044

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19671024

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCKETT JOHN A II
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232612

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05517
		FILM NUMBER:		03799634

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 465447
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30042
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7702365660

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 465447
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30042
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-07-22</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000087777</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232612</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUCKETT JOHN A II</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Corporate Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>12000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>23.3125</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>14422</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>8750</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>22.10</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>23172</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>20750</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>30.15</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>2422</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>STOCK OPTION - RIGHT TO BUY</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>22</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>8750</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>2002-02-16</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2012-02-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>8750</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>8750</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>STOCK OPTION - RIGHT TO BUY</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>23</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>12000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1999-08-18</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2009-08-18</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>12000</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>0</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">The shares were sold at a weighted average price of 30.15, at prices ranging from 30.10 to 30.27.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">Indirectly holds 1,244 shares in Company's 401(k) plan based on June 30, 2003 statement and includes Company matches in the Scientific-Atlanta stock fund as of such date.  The number of shares may fluctuate up or down depending on the performance of the Scientific-Atlanta stock fund in the 401(k) plan.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F3">Exercisable 25% per year beginning 2/16/02.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F4">Exercisable 25% per year beginning 8/18/1999.</footnote>
</footnotes>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>John A Buckett II</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>P Van Gorder, by Power of Atty</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----