Direction Finding Systems
Communication Intelligence
Spectrum Monitoring & Management Systems
Broadcast & Communication Antennas

Engineering Analysis Tools

TCI integrates the use of specialized Engineering Analysis tools for signal coverage, interference resolution and link verifications, link performance, base station coverage and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) calculations.  The analysis tools and calculation algorithms/models are appropriate for specific bands and types of services required for license application, coordination requests and interference complaints. The results generated by these tools may be presented on digital maps using the ArcView GIS (Geographic Information System).  The TCI tools are also typically integrated with tools provided by other vendors.

The Engineering Analysis module uses propagation models recommended by the ITU to calculate propagation predictions in all frequency bands

 
 

 

Microwave Analysis Tools

The Microwave analysis tools compute propagation loss and field strength for signal up to 40 GHz using the Free Space or Smooth Earth propagation model and terrain integrated model. The free space calculations are based on the Single-Emitter Analysis Model (SEAM), which perform calculation to determine received signal level at specific propagation distances or the propagation distance at which specific signal levels can be received for point-to-point terrestrial microwave links. The terrain integrated model takes into account the terrain in between the path.

Spectrum Engineering Analyst Reports

The Spectrum Engineering analyst can access the TCI Management Spectrum Engineering module to analyze the electromagnetic environment and obtain reports. On selecting a required report, the system presents a screen where the operator enters all the necessary parameters and then may select the format of the report (tabular or graphic). The following reports are available from the system:

Link Analysis and Path Loss

The input for developing this report is the parameters of the transmitter and receiver and their geographic locations.

For LF/MF the output of this analysis is the path loss, which includes free space and ground loss, in dB, between transmitter and receiver antenna site.

For HF the output will display the propagation loss and the signal-to-noise-ratio at the receiver site.

For V/UHF the output will display the propagation mode, the propagation loss, and the link margin for the selected transmitter and receiver site

For Microwave the system will calculate the propagation mode, the path loss and the link margin in dB.
 

Propagation analysis

For given transmitter parameters, the propagation report will contains the field strength as a function of distance from the transmitter location in both table and graphical formats.

Field Strength Contour

Given the transmission site data, this analysis tool computes field strength at grid points using the following: the grid size, the number of grid points and the location of the transmitter. ArcView plots field strengths on the square grid with the transmitter at the center; it also reads these grid point field strengths and draws a contour of a preselected constant over the map.

Shadow Plot

Given the parameters of the transmitting site, this tool calculates and plots field strengths on a square grid with the transmitter at the center. The "Grid Size" defines the dimensions of the square in kilometers. The "Number of Grid Points" defines the granularity of the grid. The report gives the field strength at each individual grid cell and may be read by clicking the pointer on the cell.

 

Service Area Analysis 

This report is used to calculate Broadcast services areas. The service area contour is calculated for the minimum field strength value acceptable for the type of service in accordance with regulations for the specified transmitter.  

Terrain Profile Plot

The Terrain Profile Plot shows the elevation profile vs. distance for the path from the selected transmit site to the receive site. The tool indicates which portions of the path are visible to the receiver.
 

Intermodulation Analysis

This report computes the frequencies of harmonic and intermodulation products produced by two or three signals of 3rd, 5th and 7th order from transmitters located within the defined geographic area, centered at the selected receiver site.
 

Station Coverage Zone Prediction

The Management Application Software computes the coverage of base stations in broadcast, land mobile, the sensitivity of monitoring systems, and the area coverage and co-channel interference considerations of FM and TV stations, using Voacap, TIREM, Smooth Earth, Longley-Rice and SEAM, whichever is appropriate for the selected frequency.

 

Station Interference Zone Prediction

The TCI engineering analysis tools generate contours of constant interference field intensity from surrounding sites and is used to site new stations within minimum interference areas.

Antenna Height Analysis

This report is used for the analysis of the effect of antenna height upon the receiver signal to noise ratio in the Microwave band. It takes the effects of the Frenel zones into consideration.

  

Microwave Frequency Planning

Given the transmitter and receiver site parameters, the computer displays the receiver signal to noise ratios for a given frequency range. It is used for selecting the optimum frequency assignments.
 

Satellite Appendix 7 (former Appendix 28)

The R1448 analysis tool determines the coordination area around an earth station in according to Recommendation ITU-R SM. 1448 and Appendix 7 (WRC-2003).

 

Satellite Appendix 8 (former Appendix 29)

The GIBC (Graphical Interface for Batch Calculations) analysis tool provides users with the ability to carry out calculations on satellite networks relating to Power Flux Density (PFD) examinations and Appendix 8 (29).