Case #10182

CRC-COVLAB is a software to design, predict and analyse coverage of broadcast, point to multi-point, point-to-point and mobile communication services. Its open architecture and server capabilities make it suitable for easy customization and enterprise-wide Windows NT/2000/XP-based solutions.

FEATURES

• Propagation models: CRC-Predict v.3.21, v.2.08r2, v.2.07, Okumura-Hata, ITU-R Rec. 370-7, ITU-R Rec. 1146, ITU-R Rec. 1546, ITU-R Rec. 368-8, ITU-R Rec. 1147, Egli, TIREM, Longley-Rice v.1.2.2, FCC point-to-point, F(50,50) curves and free-space. New propagation models can be included.
• Receiver models: COFDM receiver, single carrier receiver with adaptive equalizer, generic analogue receiver, FM-IBOC COFDM receiver and RF field strength meter. All receivers can be used for fixed or mobile reception.
• Signal combination models: Monte-Carlo, statistical and power summation.
• Results types: C/(N+I) (dB), operating margin (dB), service reliability (%), network gain (dB), efficiency (%), margin loss (dB), C/N (dB), C/I (dB), I/N (dB), Iself/Iext (dB), field strength (dBµV/m), power flux density (dBW/m2) and received power (dBm).
• Transmitter models: main transmitter with signal generation, repeater fed with a direct link and off-air on-channel repeater.
• System modelling: an unlimited number of transmitters and receivers can be used simultaneously in a given project. Any receiver/transmitter pair can be computed with any propagation model, channel model, signal variability model and terrain model.
• Digital elevation models: support for standard formats such as DTED, USGS, CDED, Computamaps, SRTM1 and SRTM3 (NASA), CRC (500 m) and CRC-COV native format. Other DEMs can be supported by the means of add-ins or format translators. Optionally, a generic ASCII-to-raster converter can be used to create a DEM compatible.
• Land cover models: support for DTED, Computamaps, CRC (500 m) and CRC-COV native format. Other land cover models can be supported by the means of add-ins or format translators. CRC-COVLAB uses ITU-R Rec. 1058 for land cover definition along with the possibility of extending it with custom terrain codes.
• Ground conductivity models: support for FCC and ITU ground conductivity formats.
  GIS System: each CRC-COVLAB project operates in its own Geographic Information System (GIS) context with support for multiple projections and coordinate systems.
• Import/Export/Printing: import/export vector data in the MapInfo interchange file format (*.MIF) with its associated data files (*.MID), import/export bitmaps overlays in the *.BMP format, import measurements from text file (*.TXT), import/export transmitter and receiver parameters in text form (*.XML) and exports in a Google Earth format (*.KLM). Prints project display and parameters to any Windows compatible.
• User interface: easy-to-use Windows style user interface with pull-down menus, floating toolbars and contextual right click mouse support.
• Tools: Line-of-sight, Power delay profile analysis, Point-to-point analysis, Digital elevation model and coverage real-time interrogator, Precise transmitter positioning using terrain elevation, Layer editor, Custom antenna editor, Custom text overlay, Path interrogator, Statistical analysis for service coverage, Service polygon creator, Mathematical expression evaluator, Population study, Radio and TV station search, Interference analysis and Intra-SFN zone indicator.
• Maps/Database display: display of detailed world maps (state and country boundaries, rivers and coastal boundaries), MapInfo layers, Bitmap overlays, detailed display of topographic and land cover databases.
• Grid: Meridians and Parallels, Distance, Radial, and UTM.
• Coordinate Systems: Latitude/Longitude, MGRS and UTM.
• Result display methods: Contour lines, Surface fill, Derivative display and Surface gradient. Options of solid or semi-transparent colours, legend display and 3-D view.
• Server services: Possibility to access some of CRC-COVLAB‘s most useful functionalities from an external programs. Functionalities can be accessed from any programming language supporting COM automation such as Visual Basic.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

• DAB, DMB
• DVB-T, DVB-H
• ATSC, MMDS
• NTSC, AM, FM
• IBOC
• DRM
• Point to point, Point to multi-point
• Mobile communications
• Hybrid systems

DELIVERABLES

CRC-COVLAB will be delivered on CD-ROM for suitable PCs running on Win NT/2000/XP. The software will be protected and controlled by a security key to prevent multi-computer use. The software will only be released upon execution of a computer user license.

PROTECTION

Copyright; Know-how

CONTACTS

Doris Camiré
Senior Research Engineer
Tel. (613) 990-8359
Fax. (613) 993-9950
E-mail: doris.camire@crc.gc.ca
crc-covlab@crc.gc.ca

Jeet Hothi
Director, Technology Transfer Office
Tel: (613) 990-2089
Fax: (613) 990-7671
E-mail: jeet.hothi@crc.gc.ca

For more information on CRC-COVLAB software, please visit
www.crc.gc.ca/covlab.