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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ASlgcXiZTYMjFai0Pzqp0d/eOM80CDSHmU6481wgottJPz2b0lgB2RDPf2lYeZri
 cNsOKeGz+n8hjB3LtsikSQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001313146-05-000084.txt : 20051020
<SEC-HEADER>0001313146-05-000084.hdr.sgml : 20051020
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051020091021
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001313146-05-000084
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051019
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051020
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051020

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:			KASSLING WILLIAM E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001016648
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05517
		FILM NUMBER:		051146319

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PARKER HANNIFAN
		STREET 2:		6035 PARKLAND BLVD
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44124
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2168962420

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O WASTEC
		STREET 2:		10001 AIR BREAK AVE
		CITY:			WILMERDING
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15148
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-10-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000087777</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001016648</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KASSLING WILLIAM E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1001 AIR BRAKE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILMERDING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15148</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-10-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.375</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>92102</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option - Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.375</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-10-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-11-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-11-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Exercisable 25% per year beginning 11/08/1996.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JoAnn B. Buck, pursuant to a Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-10-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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