What is it?

For more than 15 years, the CRC has been developing CRC-COVLAB, a software package for modelling all aspects of a system's communication links, as well as comparing broadcast simulation results with experimental data. This product emerged to meet the needs of research work, based on a mandate to continue enhancing the capabilities of digital broadcasting systems. With open architecture and server capabilities, CRC-COVLAB dramatically simplifies the task of assessing receivers, channels, terrain elevation, land cover, and signal propagation and variability. Models based on any of these characteristics can be generated with standard plug-ins, which can be dynamically linked to the software's open framework. In addition, this capability can be further expanded with tools created through server scripting, which is possible with any language supporting COM automation, such as Visual Basic.

Why is it important?

CRC-COVLAB has introduced new concepts in the field of coverage prediction and software engineering, featuring code with a high degree of modularity and reusability. Any object in CRC-COVLAB remains independent, so that it can be replaced by another object without the need to adjust surrounding elements. In this way, data from a broadcast system's actual performance can be incorporated into a coverage model, which can then be regularly updated or expanded. CRC-COVLAB also integrates seamlessly with popular applications such as Microsoft Office, through solutions ranging from simple clipboard copying to support for such widely used protocols as OLE, COM, ActiveX, and DCOM. Finally, any project can be defined with its own GIS environment, with options for different types of coordinate systems, projection, and topographical elevation or land cover, as well as tools for importing or exporting map data.

Who uses it?

Since 1993, CRC-COVLAB has been licenced to more than 60 clients in North, Central, and South America, as well as Europe and Asia, generating more than $733,000 in revenues. Major broadcasters such as CBC Radio-Canada regard this software as a vital part of their ability to plan new stations and assess the latest technologies, including digital television, digital audio broadcasting, and satellite digital audio radio service. CRC recently licenced CRC-COVLAB to two major Canadian firms, transmitter manufacturer LARCAN and digital television distributor Look Communications Inc. In addition, the CRC donated a license of CRC-COVLITE, a simplified version of CRC-COVLAB, for use in the Broadcast Technology program at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

How can we help you?

CRC offers licenses for CRC-COVLAB, along with a two-day training program. More information can be found on-line at http://www.crc.gc.ca/covlab.

The output of COVLAB can be tailored to suit your needs, with features such as the Population Estimation Tool for evaluating coverage in terms of population reached. This tool is currently compatible with the highest resolution data available from Statistics Canada. Other tools can analyze a path between any emission point and any reception point, display the areas which are in line of sight with the transmitter, or reveal elevation data and the signal level along a specified path.

CRC also offers access to broadcast consultants working with CRC-COVLAB, who can help with various coverage issues, such as designing or optimizing a network of transmitters, generating high accuracy service coverage, evaluating interference from self and from neighbouring systems, exploring new coverage scenarios, and diagnosing difficult coverage situations. A good starting point is the free online prediction service, available at http://lrcov.crc.ca/