CRC-COVLAB Key Features

The COVLAB application has a number of capabilities and features that enable the user to use graphical displays and analysis tools that makes the design and analysis more user friendly.

The following are examples of some of the tools and features.

Digital Elevation Model

The Ottawa, Canada, area is shown with land cover information (using 500 m resolution) overlaid on top of a digital elevation model (DEM). The location of the transmitter is being edited with the tool that allows a high level of precision in comparing location with height retrieved from the DEM.

Line of Sight Tool

The line of sight tool displays the areas which are in line of sight with the transmitter.

This project shows regions which are in line of sight from a transmitter located near Quebec City, Canada, assuming a receiver height of 1.5 meters (yellow) and 10 meters (green).

The Path Interrogator Tool

The Path Interrogator tool allows the user to interrogate the software about the elevation data and the signal level along a specified path (along a specific highway for example).

The Point-to-Point Link Tool

The Point-to-Point Link tool allows the user to analyze a path between an emission point (transmitter) and a reception point.

In this example, a DTED database provides terrain elevation information while CRC (500 m) land cover database provides clutter data. The black dotted line represents the line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, the yellow hyperbolic line represents the first Fresnel zone while the pink line shows the signal degradation.

CRC-COVLAB Point-to-Point Link Tool Image

The Statistical Analysis Tool

The Statistical Analysis tool allows to retreive data statistics of a coverage result. This provides a detailed analysis of the coverage extent and strenght. This tool is usefull when doing a communication system design.

CRC-COVLAB Statistical Analysis Tool Image

The Power Delay Profile Tool

The Power Delay Profile tool allows the user to get a graphical representation of the received signals at any given location, defined by the mouse position.

The Station Search and Import Tool

The Station Search and Import Tool allows to search and import broadcast stations (FM and TV) from the Industry Canada, the American FCC and the Mexican databases. The search can be made from call-sign, frequency range, station size, location and/or SQL clause. Other broadcast database can be added.

The Interference Analysis Tool

The Interference Analysis Tool allows detection and a thorough analysis of potential FM and TV interference situations between stations (shortspace, second harmonic, FM vs TV channel 6, conflicts with off-air feeds). It is currently implemented according to the Canadian Broadcast Procedures and Rules and compatible with the Canadian station database.

The Population Estimation Tool

The Population Estimation Tool allows to conduct demographic study, to evaluate the coverage in terms of population reached. The tool is currently compatible with the highest resolution data available from Statistics Canada. Compatibility with other demographic databases can be added.

The Measurement Comparison Tool

The Measurement Comparison Tool allows for a detailed analysis of measurements vs simulations as well as a flexible display of colour coded measurements according to signal level for a comparison with simulation.

CRC-COVLAB Measurement Comparison with Simulation Image

Sample Images

CRC-COVLAB DTV Coverage Prediction in Tokyo Image

Coverage prediction using high-resolution DEM (50m) and land cover (250m) around the Tokyo area in Japan (the urban area shown in red). The DTV transmitter (QPSK COFDM) operates at 1 kW EIRP with a directional (120°) antenna pointed in the direction of Tokyo (330° azimuth).

CRC-COVLAB DAB Coverage Prediction in Canada Image

Coverage prediction of a DAB single frequency network (SFN) at L-band mode IV in Ottawa, Canada.

Image of ATSC M/H SFN Coverage Design in Los Angeles using CRC-COVLAB

Coverage prediction of ATSC M/H Single Frequency Network (SFN) design in Los Angeles. The prediction is done using the COVLAB ATSC M/H equalizer model designed based on our laboratory measurements.

Purple: fixed reception;
Orange: mobile reception;
Red: indoor reception.

Image of a simulation of a DAB system in Mexico City using CRC-COVLAB

Coverage prediction of an experimental DAB system in Mexico City. 3 transmitters are synchronized in a Single Frequency Network (SFN). The coverage is exported to Google Earth.

Image of DAB Mode II Simulation in Greater Toronto Area using CRC-COVLAB

Coverage prediction of a DAB mode II network of 23 transmitters operating in a Single Frequency Network (SFN) covering the greater Toronto area, Canada.

Coverage prediction of AM radio station near Washington, United-States. COVLAB offers various background display options, from a derivative display of the terrain topography (above), a detailed world map (below left), to an export to Google Earth (below right).

Image of AM Coverage near Washington using CRC-COVLAB

Coverage prediction and measurement comparison of FM IBOC HD radio operating in North Highlands, California, USA. This simulation is done using the CRC-PREDICT propagation model and considers interference from neighbouring 1st, 2nd and 3rd adjacent FM station. Our FM IBOC model is designed based on CRC's extensive laboratory measurements of FM IBOC system and receiver performance. The coverage is exported to Google Earth.

Image of FM IBOC Measurement Comparison with Simulation using CRC-COVLAB

3D representations of a volcano made using a 50m resolution DEM. The right one is using true scale while the left one is using a 5 times factor for the elevation.