Training on Using TAP Increases Confidence in RF
System Design
The Terrain Analysis Package Software (TAP)tm is a great set
of RF system design tools. Like many important software packages
used in our operations, one generally purchases it because it is
needed for a specific reason. If it is reasonably user friendly, we
can then do the basic tasks for which the software was purchased.
However, TAP just like Microsoft Word (tm) or Excel (tm), has
built-in tools that help meet the rf link or coverage system needs
that are often not utilized because the user was able to get the
program up and running and get their initial crisis project design
completed. A recent seminar attendee wrote us saying, "The training
was the key to our success."
We now offer training in our offices at four seminars per year.
At almost every one of these seminars, we hear customers comment, "I
never knew I could do THAT with TAP." Our seminar content is
designed to help you go through the many steps of solving radio link
and coverage problems in a systematic way.
All of TAP is written to assist you toward that end. Seeing it
operated by those who write the software and having personal
interaction with the ones who provide your support, will provide you
with considerable momentum in learning about the many nuances of
problem-solving within rf systems.
We have provided training for engineers from the US Department of
State, Border Patrol, Forest Service, Russian Navy, other military
operations around the world, oil companies, cell-phone companies, as
well as many small two-way radio shop owners. With proper education
in the use of the TAP tools, you will increase your effectiveness
and productivity in ensuring a reliable radio system. If you wish to
have training in how to use TAP, travel to Denver for one of our
Quarterly TAP Engineering Seminars held at the SoftWright Conference
Center. The next scheduled dates are June 7-8, 2004.
Register for upcoming
Seminar
training
|
| |
Greetings from SoftWright!
|
|
|
|
|
Africa and Middle East Topography Now
Available |
| |
SoftWright is pleased to announce that we now have
available newly prepared digital elevation files for all of
Africa and missing areas in the Middle East. We can provide
these data for Europe, Asia, Africa as well as North and South
America. They were prepared from data taken by the US Space
Shuttle with a specialized radar technology.
These 3 arc-second files are substantially more accurate
than the previously available 30-second files. Because they
provide a much greater detail in the topography, they also
provide a much more reliable modeling of rf area coverage and
link reliability. They are ready for immediate shipment. If
you would like a quotation for purchase, please contact
SoftWright.
Click
here to check for your region...
|
|
|
Use ESRI Shape Files with TAP |
| |
The defacto file format standard for GIS mapping is the
ESRI Shape File. These are vector graphic files that can
contain a great deal of information such as municipal
boundaries, utility distribution systems, transportation
routing and many other types of geographically-based details.
For those TAP customers who have a Maintenance Subscription
date of 1/31/04 or later, these high-resolution graphic files
may be directly imported into TAP and plotted as BNA files in
the map window.
You may also now export calculated coverage files from TAP
to the ESRI Shape File format directly and then plot coverage
in all the many other applications used within your company
that employ Shape Files. This means that if you should wish to
do so, your TAP radio coverage can actually become additional
geo- referenced field strength databases that can be accessed
within your operations by persons familiar GIS based software,
without them having to be familiar with the operation of the
TAP software directly.
|
|
|
Comparison of CDMA and TDMA |
| |
We are often asked to explain emerging technical terms
to those using our software. Although not at all new, CDMA and
TDMA remain a source of great confusion in the rf industry. We
have crafted a brief explaination that will help clear up some
of the questions.
For
more details about using TAP with TDMA and CDMA ...
|
|
|
Which Propagation Model Is Best? |
| |
A better question to ask is what are the strengths and
weaknesses of each of the available propagation models within
the TAP software. Some have antenna height limitations, some
have frequency constraints. Some do a great job of free space,
but don't work well through rough terrain. Some are
statistically based and are not based on localized blockage by
terrain.
For
more details click here...
|
|
|
3348 New Directional Antenna Patterns now being
distributed |
| |
The TAP software now has a newly designed Directional
Antenna pattern look-up window. This makes selection of a
desired pattern much easier. 3348 new antenna patterns are now
available for use in TAP. They include: Celwave Base Station
800-900, Celwave Base Station Maximizer, Celwave Base Station
Microtenna, Celwave Base Station PCS, Celwave Base Station
Penetrator, Celwave Base Station VHF-UHF, Celwave Microwave
Grid, Celwave Microwave LMDS WLL, Celwave Microwave Solid
Parabolic, Scala 2000 - 2700, Scala Cellular, Scala Misc,
Scala Omni, Scala PCS, Decibel 746-806, Decibel 806-869,
Decibel 806-960, Decibel 824-896, Decibel 870-960, Decibel
1710-1880, Decibel 1710-2170, Decibel 1850-1990, Decibel
1900-2170.
These patterns can be used with all version of TAP version
4.0 or later. However, the full capacity of the previewing and
filtering and selection by frequency, sorting and many other
features are available for those customers who have downloaded
and installed release 978 and whose software maintenance
subscription date is April 30, 2004 or later.
For
details about the new antenna pattern editor and selection
screen click here...
|
| |
