AutoPath Summary Spreadsheet

AutoPath Summary Spreadsheet
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Q: How can I see a summary of the results of my AutoPath study in TAP? How can I use those results in my own program?

A: With TAP6.0.2335 or later and the AutoPath module, and a Maintenance Subscription date of March 31, 2010, or later, the AutoPath function creates a comma-delimited (.CSV) with one record for each path.

With TAP6.0.2412 or later and a Maintenance Subscription date of September 30, 2011, or later, the .CSV file includes the computed loss value due to terrain, surface features, etc. (This loss value is in addition to the free space loss for the path.)

Note that all values in this example are for demonstration purposes only. You should determine appropriate settings for your application.

The AutoPath function enables a TAP user to define path parameters in a database file, and then use the database to launch the HDPath function in TAP to draw path profiles and compute field strength values for that path. You have the option to print and/or save disk copies of the profile and field strength calculations.

With the release numbers and Maintenance Subscription dates listed above the AutoPath function also creates a comma-delimited (.CSV) file that can be opened with other applications (such as Microsoft Excel, or a user-written program) to inspect the values for each path:

The .CSV file contains the following data fields describing the path as set up in the AutoPath Program:

· TX_DESC: Description of the transmitter facility for the path

· TX_LAT: Latitude (in decimal degrees) for the transmitter location

· TX_LON Longitude (in decimal degrees) for the transmitter location

· TX_FREQ: Frequency for the field strength calculation (in MHz)

· TX_ERP: Transmitter Effective Radiated Power

· TX_ERP_UN: Units for the transmitter ERP

· RX_DESC: Description of the receiver facility for the path

· RX_LAT: Latitude (in decimal degrees) for the receiver location

· RX_LON Longitude (in decimal degrees) for the receiver location

· RX_SENS: Manufacturer’s specification for the required input (power or Voltage) for the receiver

· RX_SENS_UNIT: RX sensitivity units (such as dBm or uV)

The .CSV file also contains fields describing the computed results of the AutoPath function:

· PATH_CLEAR: Status (CLEAR or BLOCKED) for the line of sight from the transmitter antenna center to the receiver antenna center

· RX_RSL: Received Signal Level to the receiver input (including the units specified for the receiver sensitivity)

· RX_MARGIN: Margin between the required RX Sensitivity and the available received signal level (in dB)

· PATH_LOSS: Attenuation due to terrain, surface features, etc., in dB. (This loss value is in addition to free-space loss computed for the path).

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