Terrain Analysis Package (TAP) Radio Propagation Software

Conventional VHF/UHF Analog Trunking and Traditional Two-way Radio

The most foundational level of understanding lies in mastering wireless rf coverage prediction for conventional VHF and UHF analog trunking, which as been the the basis for virtually all other types of coverage modeling world-wide. For this application one must identify the precise proposed or existing facilities that are being deployed both at the repeater or transmitter site as well as the technical specifications for the mobile transceiver. One must make precise determinations of the antenna geographic coordinates, the antenna patterns, antenna mounting positions on the tower, antenna heights above ground and also identify the received signal level that the user requires both at the repeater location and at the portable or mobile location in order to have reliable radio service. You will have to rely upon manufacturer reported specifications for much of the technical information, but the more accurately you provide all of these details to the predictive software, the more closely your prediction will predict the actual received signal level when the project is completed.

Many of our customers chose two or more predictive models (propagation modules) and will run both predictive tools in order to increase their level of confidence in what rf levels will be present. We have provided an article on the comparison of many different rf propagation models can be found on this page. For this type of land-mobile application most customers start with either (or both) Longley-Rice or Bullington as their predictive modeling tool. For additional confidence they can supplement with Okumura, Rounded Obstacle, Hata-Davidson, and/or Egli.

The following links to pages on our web site will provide additional information on how the TAP software can be used to predict this type of coverage. We do not provide specific threshold specifications or establish the optimum settings for predicting rf level for your specific projects, but we do provide templates for establishing many of these parameters as a starting point. However, we strongly advise you to make wise adjustments in the many parameters that can be adjusted to fine-tune the modeling to your particular terrain and environmental conditions.

Terrain Analysis Package Brochure

Typical TAP Module Configurations

Back to Type of Coverage Predictions Page