We are pleased to announce today that we have released Terrain Analysis Package (TAP™) 7.1.  This is the first major update to the all-new TAP 7 application that we introduced in October of 2018.  TAP 7.1 includes three more legacy modules that have been transitioned from the TAP 6 software plus several valuable new features.

The three legacy modules that are now incorporated into TAP 7.1, which are available to TAP licensees with maintenance dates of Feb 1, 2019 or later, follow:

• Intermodulation: The Intermodulation Products module is used to compute intermodulation products as a function of frequencies and other transmitter and receiver specifications.  Users can now create Intermod studies alongside Path and Coverage studies within TAP 7 Projects.
• Antenna Elevation: The Antenna Elevation module will calculate a suitable antenna elevation above ground level for both transmit and receive antennas for a fixed point radio link using user-specified criteria at both ends and along the path.
• Carey (FCC Part 22) Propagation:  The Carey module uses topographic elevation information to compute height above average terrain (HAATs) from a specified site. This information is used to compute service contours for Cellular Geographic Service Area (CGSA) as well as the calculations described in FCC Report and Order 94-201.

Highlights of the other new features available in TAP 7.1 include:

• Batch Runs: Rather than launch individual studies sequentially, create any number of coverage studies or intermod studies and run them all with a single button click.
• Feature Targets: Automatically create equidistant coverage study target points along a road, power line, railroad, or any other line type shapefile feature.
• Coverage Preview: Get a quick view of coverage study results from within the main TAP 7 application without having to launch TAP Mapper.
• Path Study Lock: Users now have the option to lock a path study to preserve settings.  This saves the transmitter and receiver parameters, as well as the path profile settings, so that the user can return to the same link configuration at a later date.
• Improved Graphic for Path Study Reports: The graphic that appears in path study reports has been improved.
• Improved Mapper Shape File Load: The shape file loading process within Mapper has been streamlined, allowing for faster coverage study result loading.

Intermodulation Products MOdule

The Intermodulation Module is one of our most popular modules.  Rather than the standalone TAP 6 calculator, implemented through multiple windows, intermod functionality is now tightly integrated with the TAP 7 project model.  A TAP 7 project can include Path, Coverage, and Intermodulation studies.

The intermodulation products may be viewed all on one plot or by individual receiver using the improved, tabbed graphic.

antenna elevation module

The Antenna Elevation module calculates a suitable antenna elevation above ground level for both transmit and receive antennas for a fixed point radio link using user-specified criteria at both ends and along the path; this is an upgrade over TAP 6, which only calculated receiver heights. The design accommodates the specified clearance of any ratio of any Fresnel zone plus an additional specified clearance, if desired. It is common to fix the transmit end and then calculate the minimum receive antenna height. It is also possible to define a range of transmit antenna heights and calculate the resulting receiver heights. The user may select a particular combination of antenna heights and then the selected combination of antenna heights is plotted on the path profile.

For more information on the new TAP 7.1 or how to update a TAP™ maintenance plan, please call (800) 728-4033 x1 or email sales@softwright.com.