Pathloss Radio and Antenna Data Files

This documentation describes the radio and antenna data ASCII file formats used in Pathloss version 5 program.
These ASCII files can be created programmatically, or individually with a text editor. A stand alone utility program
ant_rad.exe is supplied to create and edit these files. This utility also converts the ASCII files to the binary format
required for the Pathloss program.

All version 4.0 radio and antenna files can be used unchanged with the version 5 program. The version 5 format of-
fers more flexibility for new data files and is required for adaptive modulation and land mobile radio data files. The
ant_rad utility can be used to convert version 4 files to the version 5 format.

Version 5 Radio Data Files

The Pathloss version 5 program uses a proprietary ASCII radio data file format for conventional microwave, adaptive
modulation and land mobile radio applications. Version 4 radio data files are only applicable to conventional micro-
wave radio. These files can be used in version 5 microwave applications without modification.

The ASCII files can be created programmatically, or individually with a text editor. A stand alone utility program An-
tRad is available to create and edit these files. This utility also converts the ASCII files to the binary format required
for the Pathloss program.

File naming convention

The radio data file name without the extension is used as a key field in a lookup table. Therefore, file names must be
unique. The maximum radio file name length is 47 characters. File naming strategy becomes an important issue in
this arrangement. A suggested format is given by the example ACMELINK-6GHz-16E1-QPSK. This name consists
of a manufacturer - model, frequency band, capacity and modulation.

The radio data file name is also used as an identifier for T to I and IRF curves. For example, an IRF curve could be
identified as follows:

IRF_same 24 File_name1, File_name2, File_name3

This means this IRF curve is applicable to an interfering radio with the same file name as the radio being defined. In
addition the curve is applicable to radios with file names File_name1, File_name2 and File_name3. The number 24
is the number of points in the curve.

File Formats
The first line in the file is PL50_ASCII_RADIO_SPEC_04. This is used as the file identifier and the revision number
for the specific file format. Each successive line begins with a descriptive mnemonic followed by a semicolon and
one or more data fields separated by a comma. A single data entry does not have any commas. Comments are de-
noted by a double forward slash //. All text after the // on the same line is ignored. A description of each mnemonic
follows.

Fields designated as information only can be used for any specific purpose. All information in the radio data file ex-
cept the curve data is also saved in the individual PL5 files

General Information
MANUFACTURER: radio equipment manufacturer
text - 47 characters - required field

MODEL: radio model

text - 47 characters - required field
RELEASE_DATE: original radio data release date
text 23 characters - information only

REVISION_NUM: radio data revision number

text 35 characters - information only

REVISION_DATE: radio data revision date

text 23 characters - information only

RADIO_ID: manufacturers radio identification

text 47 characters - information only

PL50_RADIO_CODE: the file name of the radio data file less the extension
file name 47 characters - this field is automatically created in the AntRad program using the file name

APPLICATION_TYPE: the type of application

integer 1 - microwave 2 - adaptive modulation 3 - land mobile - required field

RADIO_TYPE: radio type description e.g SDH, PDH, Digital Video

text 23 characters - information only

FREQUENCY_RANGE: low frequency in MHz, high frequency in MHz

real number, real number - required fields

EMISSION_DESIGNATOR: radio equipment emission designator

text 23 characters - used for default radio data files in interference calculations using the MDB

TXDATA_RATE_MBS: payload data rate in Mbits/second

real number - required field

RXDATA_RATE_MBS: payload data rate in Mbits/second

real number - required field

RADIO_CAPACITY: number of lines, signal standard e.g. 4, E1

text 15 characters - required field

MODULATION: modulation type e.g. 128TCM

text 15 characters - required field

BANDWIDTH_FCC_MHZ:- Bandwidth used to calculate the FCC spectrum mask in MHz

real number - information only

BANDWIDTH_99PC_MHZ: Bandwidth containing 99% of the transmitter power

real number - information only

BANDWIDTH_3DB_TX_MHZ: 3 dB transmit power bandwidth

real number - required field - used to calculate the default transmitter emission mask for interference calculations

BANDWIDTH_3DB_RX_MHZ: 3 dB receiver selectivity bandwidth

real number - required field - used to calculate the default receiver selectivity mask for interference calculations

BANDWIDTH_CHANNEL_MHZ: the assigned channel bandwidth in MHz

real number - information only

Transmitter Specifications
The specifications described in this section only apply to conventional microwave and land mobile applications.
Adaptive modulation applications are separate and require specifications for each modulation state.
A total of 5 transmitter power options can be specified. This applies to discreet power options. Each option consists
of the following parameters:
option name
maximum transmit power
minimum transmit power
automatic transmit power control range
The order must be the same on each line. The first option is the default TX power option.

TX_POWER_OPTIONS_NAME:
text 15 characters for each option - A maximum of 5 options can be specified on a single line separated by a single
comma. e.g. Standard, Low, High, ,

The same power option names are used for all radio types: conventional microwave, adaptive modulation and land
mobile

TX_POWER_OPTIONS_DBM:
real numbers - discreet transmit power options in dBm separated by commas. This is the maximum power for the
specific option. At least one value of transmit power is required unless TX_POWER_RANGE_DBM is used.

TX_POWER_MIN_OPTIONS_DBM:
real numbers - This is the corresponding minimum TX power to the above maximum values

ATPC_OPTIONS_DB:
real numbers - This is the fixed ATPC values corresponding maximum and minimum TX powers above

An example of the 5 transmit power options format is given below

TX_POWER_OPTIONS_NAME : Hi, Std, Lo, Extra Hi, Extra Lo

TX_POWER_OPTIONS_DBM : 32.00, 30.00, 28.00, 34.00, 26.00
TX_POWER_MIN_OPTIONS_DBM: 25.00, 24.00, 23.00, 22.00, 21.00
ATPC_OPTIONS_DB : 15.00, 14.00, 13.00, 12.00, 11.00

TX_POWER_RANGE_DBM: This option is used for radios with a single adjustable transmit power range
real numbers - low power and high power in dBm separated by a comma - required field unless
TX_POWER_OPTIONS_DBM is used - This is not used in adaptive modulation applications

ATPC_RANGE_DB:
real number - ATPC value corresponding the TX_POWER_RANGE_DBM above

ATPC_STEP_SIZE_DB:
real number - information only

REQUIRED_RXSIGNAL_DBM:
real number - All ATPC specifications presented above represent a fixed transmit power reduction, which will be ap-
plied in an interference calculation. The resultant power level cannot be less than the minimum power specified. In
the case of the REQUIRED_RXSIGNAL option, the transmit power of the associated transmitter will automatically
be reduced to meet the specified RX signal level. This option is only active if a value is specified for this option.

TX_STABILITY_PERCENT: transmitter frequency stability in percent

real number - information only
Receiver Specifications
Receiver specifications are keyed to a specific bit error rate. Provision for four bit error rates are available. These are
operated by commas on the same line. The default BER values are 10-3, 10-6, the residual BER and the special SES
BER used in SDH radio performance calculations.

These receiver specifications are not used in adaptive modulation applications; however, some noise floor calcula-
tion methods require the RX threshold level

RX_THRESHOLD_DESCRIPTION: a description of the receiver threshold e.g. BER 1E-3, 12 dB SINAD...

text 15 characters - used in some reports

RX_THRESHOLD_BER: the numerical value of the BER e.g 1.0E-3

real number - required for some ITU availability algorithms

RX_THRESHOLD_DBM: the receiver threshold level in dBm corresponding to the above threshold description
real number - required for microwave and land mobile applications

MAXIMUM_RXSIGNAL: the maximum receive signal level in dBm corresponding to the above thresh-
old description
real number - optional field

DISPERSIVE_FM: dispersive fade margin in dB corresponding to the above threshold description

real number - required field for selective fade calculations using the dispersive fade margin

SIGNATURE_DELAY_NS: signature delay in nanoseconds corresponding to the above threshold description

real number - required field for selective fade calculations using the equipment signature method

SIGNATURE_WIDTH_MHZ: signature width in MHz

real number - required field for selective fade calculations using the equipment signature method

SIGNATURE_MINPHASE_DB: signature null depth in dB in the minimum phase condition

real number - required field for selective fade calculations using the equipment signature method

SIGNATURE_NONMINPHASE_DB: signature null depth in dB in the non-minimum phase condition

real number - required field for selective fade calculations using the equipment signature method

Specifications used for Noise Floor calculations

Calculating threshold degradation due to interference requires the receiver noise floor level. This parameter can be
specified directly or calculated from several parameters. The noise floor is used for all radio types.

NOISE FIGURE_DB: receiver noise figure in dB

real number - The BANDWIDTH_3DB_RX_MHZ must be specified

TtoI_RATIO C/I for a 1 dB degradation to the 10-6 BER RX threshold

real number - the RX_THRESHOLD_DBM field must include a value for the 10-6 BER

CtoI_RATIO_BER10-6_3DB: C/I for a 3 dB degradation to the 10-6 BER RX threshold

real number - the RX_THRESHOLD_DBM field must include a value for the 10-6 BER

CtoI_RATIO_BER10-3_3DB: C/I for a 3 dB degradation to the 10-3 BER RX threshold

real number - the RX_THRESHOLD_DBM field must include a value for the 10-3 BER

See the section Noise Floor Calculations for specific details

Miscellaneous Specifications
SIMULCAST_CAPTURE_RANGE: receiver simulcast capture range in dB
real number - required for simulcast delay calculations in land mobile applications - the default value is 15 dB.

BITS_BLOCK: bits per block in an SDH radio

integer - required for BBER and ESR in SDH radio systems

BLOCKS_SEC: blocks per second in SDH radio

integer - required for BBER and ESR in SDH radio systems

ALPHA_VALUES: parameters describing the number of errors per burst in a an SDH radio
3 integer values separated by commas where:

a1 - number of errors per burst for a BER in the range 10-3 to the SES BER - typical values 10 to 30
a2 - number of errors per burst for a BER in the range from the SES BER to the residual BER - typical values are
1 to 10
a3 - number of errors per burst for a BER lower than the residual BER - a typical value is 1

COCHANNEL_OPERATION: enables or disables cochannel operation

integer 0 - disable cochannel operation, 1 - enable cochannel operation

COCHANNEL_XPIF: cochannel improvement factor

real number - applicable only if the radio is equipped with a cochannel improvement device

COCHANNEL_XPD_XPI: cross polarized discrimination of the cochannel improvement device

real number - applicable if the cochannel improvement device is a hardware implementation.

SELECTIVE_FADING: sets the selective fading calculation method

integer 0 use dispersive fade margin, 1 use equipment signature, 2 do not calculate selective fading

Space Diversity Improvement Parameters

SPACE_DIV_OPERATION: sets space diversity operation to either baseband switching or IF combining
integer 0 baseband switching, 1 IF combining

GAIN_WIDTH-DEPTH three parameters used in space diversity using IF combining. The improvement to the selec-
tive fading can only be evaluated when the equipment signature is used.

gain - default value is 2.6 dB. The gain is added to the thermal fade margin
width factor - the signature width is multiplied by the width factor
depth factor - both the signature minimum phase and non-minimum phase null depth are multiplied by this factor

Minimum Frequency Separation

T-T_FREQ_SEP_1ANT_CPOL: minimum transmitter to transmitter spacing using 1 antenna same polarization
real number - optional - information only

T-T_FREQ_SEP_1ANT_XPOL: minimum transmitter to transmitter spacing using 1 antenna cross polarized

real number - optional - information only

T-T_FREQ_SEP_2ANT_CPOL: minimum transmitter to transmitter spacing using 2 antenna same polarization

real number - optional - information only

T-T_FREQ_SEP_2ANT_XPOL: minimum transmitter to transmitter spacing using 2 antennas cross polarized

real number - optional - information only

T-R_FREQ_SEP_1ANT_CPOL: minimum transmitter to receiver spacing using 1 antenna same polarization

real number - optional - information only
T-R_FREQ_SEP_1ANT_XPOL: minimum transmitter to receiver spacing using 1 antenna cross polarized
real number - optional - information only

T-R_FREQ_SEP_2ANT_CPOL: minimum transmitter to receiver spacing using 2 antennas same polarization

real number - optional - information only

T-R_FREQ_SEP_2ANT_XPOL - minimum transmitter to receiver spacing using 2 antennas cross polarized

real number - optional - information only

T-R_FIXED: fixed transmitter to receiver spacing

real number - optional - information only

Adaptive Modulation Specifications

Effective Threshold Concept

Adaptive modulation specifications use the
concept of dynamic switching thresholds illus-


trated in the diagram on the right.















Suppose the system is in the 1024QAM state
and begins to fade. At what signal level will the
radio switch down to 512QAM? If the switch 6WHS8S
does not occur until the signal level reaches
the 1024QAM threshold level, errors will occur 6WHS'RZQ
during the transition. Therefore there must be
5;7KUHVKROG%(5
some margin which will depend on the fade
rate and the modulation state switching time. (IIHFWLYH5;7KUHVKROG
$YHUDJHRI6WHSXS
The green line shows the transition between DQG6WHSGRZQ
states as the signal level continues to fade.

When the system recovers from the fade, the

reverse situation occurs. At what signal level
6LJQDO/HYHO

would a signal in the 512QAM state switch to

the 1024 state. If the switch occurred at the
1024QAM threshold level, errors would occur
and again a similar margin is necessary. This
is referred to the switch up level. The red line
shows the transition states as the signal re-
turns to its unfaded state.

Note that the signal can never reach its 10-6

BER RX threshold except at the lowest modu-
lation state (32 QAM) in the diagram.

For all other states, it is necessary to define an

effective threshold as the average of the step
down level of a modulation and the step up lev-
el of the next lower modulation state. These
are the thresholds used in all performance cal-
culations

0RGXODWLRQ6WDWHV
 Step Down Step Up Effective RX
10-6 BER RX threshold
Modulation Level Level Threshold
level dBm
dBm dBm dBm

1024QAM -62 -59 -59.5

512QAM -65 -62 -62.5
256QAM -68 -65 -63 -65.5
128QAM -71 -68 -66 -68.5
64QAM -74 -71 -69 -71.5
32QAM -77 -72 -77

In addition to the RX threshold level, the selective fading parameters (dispersive fade margin, and equipment signa-
ture are also affected by this margin. Provision has been made to provide specifications at both the 10-6 BER and
the step levels.

Adaptive Modulation File Format

The adaptive modulation starts with the mnemonic

NUM_ACM_STATES: the number of adaptive modulation states

integer -there is no limit to the number of modulation states

The data is organized in three sections using the labels ADMOD_A, ADMOD_B and ADMOD_C. Each section must
have the specified number of ACM states. Lines within a section are labelled with sequential numbering e.g
ADMOD_A01, ADMOD_A02, ADMOD_A03

ADMOD_A
Modulation - description e.g. 128 QAM - text 15 characters

RSEC (Radio spectrum efficiency class -ETSI requirement) - text 15 characters

RX Threshold - 10_6 BER - real number dBm

Step up level - real number - dBm

Step down level - real number - dBm

Minimum carrier to Interference - real number - this term is not used

Throughput description - text 15 characters

// ADMOD_A: Mod, RSEC, BER10-6, SwUp, SwDown, Min C/I, Capacity

ADMOD_A01: 128QAM, 5B, -65, -55, -61, , 154

ADMOD_B

Dispersive fade margin -10_6 BER threshold - dB

Dispersive fade margin - step level - dB

Signature width - real number - MHz

Signature delay - real number - nanoseconds

Signature depth minimum phase -10_6 BER threshold - real number - dB

Signature depth non-minimum phase -10_6 BER threshold - dB

Signature depth minimum phase - step level - dB

Signature depth non-minimum phase - step level - dB

Maximum RX signal real number - dBm

XPIF - dB Cross polarized improvement factor

// ADMOD_B:dfm10_6, dfm_step, sig_del, width, minph10_6, nminph10_6,

ADMOD_B01: 45, 48, 6.3, 28, 25, 24,

minph_step, nminph_step, max_rxsig, XPIF

28, 27, -16, 12

ADMOD_C

Five transmit power options can be assigned to each modulation state Each power option consists of a maximum
and minimum transmit power, and the top level ATPC.

// ADMOD_C: TXmax, TXmin, ATPC top, , , , , , , , , , , ,

ADMOD_C01: 30, 20, 10, 25, 15, 10, 32, 10, 10, , , , , ,

Radio Configuration and Antenna Coupling Unit

This section specifies the available radio configurations (e.g. monitored hot stand-by, space diversity..) and the as-
sociated antenna type and antenna coupling unit losses. Any number of configurations can be specified. There is no
fixed limit.

Each configuration consists of a description, the antenna type (TR, TD, TH, TX and RX, and the associated losses
in dB separated by commas. This information is used as a radio configuration lookup table in the transmission anal-
ysis section. For microwave and adaptive modulation applications the loss coding is as follows:

CRC: Circulator branching loss

TXS: TX switch loss
TXF: TX filter loss
RXH: RX hybrid loss
RXF: RX filter loss
DRC: Diversity RX circulator loss

For land mobile applications the loss coding is as follows:

CRC: Duplexer loss

TXS: TX combiner loss
TXF: TX filter loss
RXH: RX multicoupler loss (use negative values for gain)
RXF: RX filter loss
configuration text 31 characters - real numbers representing loss values separated by commas

NUM_ACU_CONFIG:
//ACU: Configuration, ANT, CRC, TXS, TXF, RXH, RXF, DRC
ACU_CNFG_01: Unprotected, TR, 1.10, , 1.20, , 1.30,
ACU_CNFG_02: Hot Standby, TR, 1.10, 1.20, 1.30, 1.40, 1.50,

Miscellaneous:
COMMENT_1 - 6 general comments
text 47 characters - information only

Interference Curves - Conventional Microwave Radio

If the bandwidth or frequency of an interfering signal is different than the victim receiver, the filter improvement factor
must be calculated. Two types of curves can be used to handle the case of different frequencies with the same band-
width:

TtoI curves - threshold to interference

IRF curves - Interference reduction factor
Either format can be used. The curves can be single sided (0 to f_max) or double sided (f_min to f_max).

The general formats are as follows:

The interfering radio is the same as the radio specified in this file
TtoI_Same
IRF_Same

Suppose this same curve is valid for other several other radios

TtoI_Same other_radio_file1, other_radio_file2, . . .

IRF_Same other_radio_file1, other_radio_file2, . . .

where the names other_radio_file1 and other_radio_file2 are the interfering radio data file names i.e. the binary file
names less extension of the interfering radio data files.

Suppose curves are required for several other different radios interfering with the radio specified in this
file
TtoI_Other other_radio_file1, other_radio_file2, . . .
IFR Other other_radio_file1, other_radio_file2, . . .

In the case of bandwidth, a wide band transmitter interfering with a narrow band receiver is different than a narrow
band transmitter interfering with a wide band receiver even if the frequencies are the same

The file format starts with a mnemonic (TtoI_Same, IRF_Same, TtoI_Other or IRF_Other) followed a colon and the
number of points in the curve on the same line. If this curve is applicable to other radios, then list these on the same
line separated by a comma. The data points follow with the frequency and the response in dB separated by a comma.
Partial examples of a T to I curve and an IRF curve are given below:

TtoI_Same: 45, optional_other_filename1, optional_other_filename2

0.0, 28.0
0.5, 28.0
1.0, 28.0
2.0, 26.0
3.0, 23.0
4.0, 17.9
5.0, -7.1
10.0, -19.5

IRF_Same: 81, optional_other_filename1, optional_other_filename2

0.00, 0.00
1.00, -0.03
2.00, -0.11
3.00, -0.24
4.00, -0.42
5.00, -0.64
6.00, -0.91
7.00, -1.21
8.00, -1.56

The main advantage of TtoI and IRF curves is the speed of calculating the filter improvement as this can be read
directly from the curve. The disadvantage is the large number of curves required for an interference calculation in a
large network.

Transmitter Emission and Receiver Selectivity Curves

Any combination of bandwidth, modulation and frequency difference can be calculated with these two curves. The
calculation is more complex; however with new computers, the time difference is not significant. Transmitter emission

The file format is the mnemonic TX_EMISSION followed by a colon and the number of points in the curve. The TX
emission curve will be normalized for a total power of one watt based on a measurement bandwidth of 4 kHz.

The file format is the mnemonic RX_SELECTIVITY followed by a colon and the number of points in the curve. The
RX selectivity curve represents the composite receiver selectivity including RF, IF and baseband filtering

Examples of the file format for these curves are given below.

TX_EMISSION: 52
0.0, -3.9
11.1, -3.9
11.3, -4.5
11.8, -5.6
.
.
34.9, -63.5
35.2, -64.6
35.5, -65.8
36.0, -66.0
120.0, -66.0

RX_SELECTIVITY: 95
0.0, -1.9
11.9, -1.9
12.0, -1.2
12.7, 0.0
.
.
24.4, -78.4
24.5, -80.0
25.4, -79.0
25.8, -80.0
120.0, -80.0

Default TX Emission and RX Selectivity Masks

Default TX emission and RX selectivity masks are automatically generated when the ASCII file is saved in the binary
format. There must be values specified in the BANDWIDTH_3DB_TX_MHZ and BANDWIDTH_3DB_RX_MHZ fields
respectively.

CW Interfering Signal
A special T to I curve format is used for the case of an unmodulated carrier wave interfering signal. This curve is used
for an analog interfering signal. In addition, this curve provides an approximation to the receiver selectivity and is
used for this curve as a default. The format is:

TtoI_CW: 36

Transmit and receive filter characteristics

These curves are for information purposes and are not used in the program. The file format is the mnemonic followed
by a colon and the number of data points in the curve

RX_FILTER: 32
TX_FILTER: 24
Interference Curves for Adaptive Modulation Radios
TtoI and IRF curves are not used
in adaptive modulation radio files.
Transmit spectrum and receiver
selectivity curves are required for
these applications.

The diagram at the right shows the

TX emission curves for several dif-
ferent modulation states in an
adaptive modulation radio.

The differences between the

curves start below the 25 dB point
and the effects of

Noise floor calculations

The radio noise floor level is re-
quired to calculate receiver thresh-
old degradation due to
interference or cochannel opera-
tion. This is required for all applica-
tions - microwave, adaptive
modulation and land mobile.

Provision is made for direct entry

of the receiver noise floor. This is
the preferred method. The noise
floor can also be calculated indi-
rectly using the receiver threshold
and the corresponding CtoI ratio. In practice, these calculations result in slightly different values for each modulation
state.
The following noise floor calculation methods are used in the program

Threshold to Interference ratio:

A modulated test signal is connected to the receiver and its level is adjusted to produce a BER of 1.0E-6. Denote this
signal level as T dBm. Increase this level by 1 dB. An interfering signal using the same modulation and frequency is
injected into the system and the level is adjusted so that the BER returns to 1.0E-6. Denote this interfering signal
level as I dBm. The T/I ratio is then given by T - I.

The noise floor can be calculated as T - T/I + 5.886 dBm

Carrier to interference ratio for a 3 dB degradation to the 10-6 BER receiver threshold:
A modulated test signal is connected to the receiver and its level is adjusted to produce a BER of 1.0E-6. Denote this
signal level as T dBm. Increase this level by 3 dB. An interfering signal using the same modulation and frequency is
injected into the system and the level is adjusted so that the BER returns to 1.0E-6. Denote this interfering signal
level as I dBm. The C/I ratio is then given by T - I.

The noise floor can be calculated as T - C/I dBm

Carrier to interference ratio for a 3 dB degradation to the 10-3 BER receiver threshold:
A modulated test signal is connected to the receiver and its level is adjusted to produce a BER of 1.0E-3. Denote this
signal level as T dBm. Increase this level by 3 dB. An interfering signal using the same modulation and frequency is
injected into the system and the level is adjusted so that the BER returns to 1.0E-3. Denote this interfering signal
level as I dBm. The C/I ratio is then given by T - I.

The noise floor can be calculated as T - C/I dBm

Noise Figure:
The noise floor can be calculated from the noise figure using the relationship KTBF where:

K is Boltzmans constant, T is the absolute temperature in degrees Kelvin, B is the 3 dB bandwidth in Hertz and F is
the noise figure expressed as a ratio
AntRad Utility
The AntRad utility is used to create and edit
radio data files. The main data entry form uses
the same mnemonics as the ASCII text file de-
scribed above. Lines with multiple entries
have column separators.

The Files-Open menu selection will open all

radio file versions including:

version 4 ASCII raf files

version 5 ASCII raf files
version 4 binary mrs microwave radio files
version 5 binary rsd radio files
Separate file save menu items are provided
for ASCII and binary formats. Both of these
use the version 5 formats.

To save in version 4 formats, use the Equip-

ment type - Version 4 Radio data files menu
item.

Access to the adaptive modulation and anten-

na configuration unit data entry forms is by
clicking the appropriate buttons as shown in
the diagram below.
Radio Curves

Select the Curves menu item to create or edit curves. The first step is to specify the specific type of curve. Click the
new button, select the curve type and click the OK button.
If a TtoI_Other or IRF_Other curve has been specified, then enter the
name of the corresponding radio data file name. Multiple file names
can be entered separated by a comma.

Editing Version 4.0 Interference curves

Version 4.0 used the concept of a traffic code to identify interference
curves. This consisted of a concatenation of the channel capacity and
the modulation e.g. 8E1-QPSK. The TtoI curve of this radio would be
coded as TtoI_8E1-QPSK.

When a version 4.0 file is loaded into the AntRad program, a traffic
code will be generated using the channel capacity and the modulation
specified in the file. This will be compared to the coding on the TtoI
curves. If the TtoI curve is coded with the same traffic code, the curve
will be interpreted as a TtoI_Same curve.

If the T to I curve coding does not match the traffic code, the curve will
be interpreted as a TtoI_Other curve.

Consider the example of a version 4 radio with a 8E1 capacity and

QPSK modulation. The resulting traffic code is 8E1-QPSK. The data
file has the following TtoI curves:

TtoI_8E1-QPSK - interfering radio has the same channel capacity and

modulation. This curve will be coded as TtoI_Same

TtoI_4E1-QPSK - interfering radio has a different channel capacity or modulation. This curve will initially be coded
as TtoI_Other 4E1-QPSK. The user must change the other code designation of 4E1-QPSK to the corresponding ra-
dio code i.e. the name of the binary file less suffix of the 4E1-QPSK radio.

The above step must be carried out for each TtoI_Other or IRF_Other curve. Select the curve in the drop down list
and change the corresponding other codes in the edit control below the drop down list. The names in the drop down
list will not change until the Create - edit radio curve dialog is closed and re-opened

Radio data file locking

The AntRad program can open and edit binary and ASCII files. Provi-
sion has been made to inhibit opening and editing of binary files. In
this case the master data record must be an ASCII file.

Select the Files - Lock binary rsd files menu selection. Click the Lock
binary rsd files box and then click OK. When the binary file is saved,
a file locked message will be present on the windows save file dia-
log.

Using Radio Data Files in the Pathloss Program

The first step is to add the converted binary radio data files into
the Radio File Index. This index can be accessed from any ra-
dio data entry form in the program. The file index is used for all
application types (conventional microwave, adaptive modula-
tion and land mobile)

Click the Import Radio Index button and follow the procedures
to create an index for the selected. Creating an index is a necessary step for adap-
tive modulation radios. If a radio lookup table is required, the table must be popu-
lated using the Radio File Index as it is not possible to enter the specifications
manually in the lookup table.

Once the radio data files have been indexed, these can be loaded into the pro-
gram from any radio data entry form in the program. Click +1 /+2/ or +12 to add the radio file
to site 1, site 2, or both sites respectively. Note that the main application must be set to that
of the radio data file. For example if the program application type is set to Adaptive modula-
tion, only adaptive modulation radio data files can be loaded.

A secondary window will appear depending on the application type

For adaptive modulation, the user must select / set the following parameters to be used in the calculation:

Modulation / throughput SEC states. Note that the selection is not necessarily contiguous
Reference state. This must be set to an active modulation state
Transmit power option
Antenna coupling unit (radio configuration)
ANSI / ETSI calculation method
For both ANSI and ETSI, the reference state determines the parameters to be used in an interference calculation
and the state to be used for the detailed display format. In the summary display for all modulation states, the refer-
ence state is hilighted.

In the ETSI method, the reference state determines the maximum transmit power for all modulation states. For ex-
ample, if the reference state is set to 128 QAM, the maximum power for this state becomes the maximum power for
all modulation states. This power level is strictly enforced. In the ANSI method, there are no restrictions on the trans-
mit powers

In the adaptive modulation summary display, using total time below level calculation option, the annual results are 2
way for the ANSI option and 1 way for the ETSI option

For conventional microwave and land mobile applications, the user must select / set the following parameters to be
used in the calculation

Transmit power option - if the radio data file includes a transmit power range specification, the user will enter the
specific transmit power
Receive threshold option
Antenna coupling unit (radio configuration)

Version 4 Radio Data Files

This section describes the Pathloss version 4 ASCII file format. These files use the suffix raf and must be converted
to a binary format to used in the program. The file suffix of the binary file is always mrs. The conversion can be
carried out in the Pathloss version 4 program or with the ANT_RAD program.

The ASCII file consists or a Mnemonic and a value separated by a space or tab. The file format is given in the fol-
lowing table.

Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

PLW40_RADIOSPECS * raf file identifier

MANUFACT * char[35] radio manufacturer Acme Radio
MODEL * char[23] radio model ASDH-64
 Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

COMMENT_1 char[35] optional comment

COMMENT_2 char[35] optional comment
COMMENT_3 char[35] optional comment
COMMENT_4 char[35] optional comment
COMMENT_5 char[35] optional comment
EMDESIG char[23] emission designator 2M50D7W
RADIO_ID char[23] optional radio identifier ACM-64-01
MODULATION * char[23] modulation - see below 64TCM
CAPACITY * char[23] channel capacity STM1
DATA_RATE numeric data rate 155.52
STABILITY_PRC numeric frequency stability in per-
cent
STABILITY_PPM numeric frequency stability in 5
parts per million
SPECTRMBW_MHZ * numeric spectrum 3db bandwidth 18
in MHz used to create
default TX emission and
RX sensitivity masks
CHANNELBW_MHZ numeric channel bandwidth in 20
MHz
MAXRXSIG_10-3 numeric maximum receive signal -12
at BER 10-3
MAXRXSIG_10-6 numeric maximum receive signal -10
at BER 10-6
TtoI_COCHAN_LIKE ** numeric threshold to interference 26.8
ratio like modulation (dB)
TtoI_COCHAN_CW numeric threshold to interference 25.0
ratio CW modulation (dB)
TXPOWER_DBM * numeric transmit power (dBm) 30.0
FREQ_LO_MHZ * numeric lower frequency limit 5900
(MHz)
 Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

FREQ_HI_MHZ * numeric upper frequency limit 6400

(MHz)
ATPC_RANGE numeric automatic TX power con- 10
trol range (dB)
NUM_ATPCSTEPS numeric number of steps in the 5
ATPC range
DIGRADIO_TYPE PDH, SDH digital radio type -PDH, SDH
or SDH or narrow band dig-
NB_DIGIT ital
AL default is PDH
SD_OPERATION BBS or IFC space diversity type base- IFC
band switching or IF com-
bining
default is BBS
COCHANNEL_OPERATION YES or NO calculate using cochannel YES
operation - default is NO
USE_SIGNATURE YES or NO use signature (YES) or YES
dispersive fade margin
(NO) to calculate the
selective outage
default is NO
XPIF numeric the XPD improvement 17.0
factor of the XPIC device
in cochannel operation
XPD_XPI numeric the residual XPD of the 42.0
XPIC device in cochan-
nel operation
IF_COMB_GAIN numeric the thermal fade margin 3.0
improvement in dB pro-
duced by IF combining in
space diversity
LCOMB_FACTOR numeric the selective outage 10.0
improvement factor pro-
duced by IF combining in
space diversity
 Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

BITS_BLOCK *** bits per block (SDH) 19940

numeric
BLOCKS_SEC *** blocks per second (SDH) 8000
numeric
ALPHA1 *** errors per burst in the 10 to 30
numeric BER range from 10-3 to 20 typical
BERSES (SDH)

ALPHA2 *** errors per burst in the 1 to 10

numeric BER range from BERSES 5 typical
to the residual bit error
rate (SDH)
ALPHA3 *** errors per burst below the 1
numeric residual bit error rate
(SDH)
SIGNATURE_DELAY_10-3 numeric signature echo delay in 6.3
nanoseconds for a 10-3
BER
SIGNATURE_WIDTH_10-3 numeric signature bandwidth 28.0
width in MHz for a 10-3
BER
SIGNATURE_MINPH_10-3 numeric signature null depth for a 23.4
minimum phase echo at
10-3 BER
SIGNATURE_NONMINPH_1 numeric signature null depth for a 23.4
0-3 nonminimum phase echo
at 10-3 BER
SIGNATURE_DELAY_10-6 numeric signature echo delay in 6.3
nanoseconds for a 10-6
BER
SIGNATURE_WIDTH_10-6 numeric signature bandwidth 28.3
width in MHz for a 10-6
BER
 Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

SIGNATURE_MINPH_10-6 numeric signature null depth for a 21.7

minimum phase echo at
10-6 BER
SIGNATURE_NONMINPH_1 numeric signature null depth for a 21.7
0-6 nonminimum phase echo
at 10-6 BER
SIGNATURE_DELAY_RBER numeric signature echo delay in 6.3
nanoseconds for the resid-
ual BER
SIGNATURE_WIDTH_RBER numeric signature bandwidth 28.7
width in MHz for the
residual BER
SIGNATURE_MINPH_RBER numeric signature null depth for a 19.5
minimum phase echo at
the residual BER
SIGNATURE_NONMINPH_R numeric signature null depth for a 19.5
BER nonminimum phase echo
at the residual BER
SIGNATURE_DELAY_SES numeric signature echo delay in 6.3
nanoseconds for the SES
BER
SIGNATURE_WIDTH_SES numeric signature bandwidth 28.0
width in MHz for the SES
BER
SIGNATURE_MINPH_SES numeric signature null depth for a 23.4
minimum phase echo at
the SES BER
SIGNATURE_NONMINPH_S numeric signature null depth for a 23.4
ES nonminimum phase echo
at the SES BER
DISPFM_10-3 numeric dispersive fade margin for 48
the 10-3 BER
DISPFM_10-6 numeric dispersive fade margin for 45
the 10-6 BER
 Table 1: Version 4 Radio Data File Format

Mnemonic Size Description Example

DISPFM_SES numeric dispersive fade margin for 46.2

the SES BER
DISPFM_RBER numeric dispersive fade margin for 43
the residual BER
RXTHRESH_10-3 * numeric receive threshold level -73.5
(dBm) at the 10-3 BER
RXTHRESH_10-6 * numeric receive threshold level -70.0
(dBm) at the 10-6 BER
RESIDUAL_BER *** residual bit error rate 1.0E-10
numeric
RXTHRESH_RBER *** receive threshold level -66.0
numeric (dBm) at the residual BER
SES_BER *** SES bit error rate 4.6E-4
numeric
RXTHRESH_SES_BER *** receive threshold level -73.1
numeric (dBm) at the SES BER
TtoI_ data threshold to interference
curve
TX_EMISSION data transmit emission curve
RX_SELECTIVITY data receive selectivity curve
RX_FILTER data receive filter curve
information only
TX_FILTER data transmit filter curve
informtion only
IRF_ data interference reduction fac-
tor curve. Use either T to I
or IRF

Several equipment / calculation options are included in the radio data file:

DIGRADIO_TYPE SDH - Permissible values are PDH, SDH or NB_DIGITAL( narrow band digital). These options
only affect the formatting of the data entry forms in the microwave worksheet. For example, signature data or the
dispersive fade margin cannot be accessed with the NB_DIGITAL radio type set.
SD_OPERATION - Permissible values are IFC for IF combining and BBS for baseband switching. This option auto-
matically set the space diversity improvement calculation to IF combining or baseband switching. The default value
is baseband switching.

COCHANNEL_OPERATION - Permissible values are YES or NO. This sets the Cochannel operation option in the
Reliability Options dialog box. The default value is NO.

USE_SIGNATURE - Permissible options are YES for selective fading calculations using the equipment signature or
NO to use the dispersive fade margin and dispersive fade occurrence factor. Note that this options has the effect of
calculating diversity improvement is strict accordance with P.530.

The ASCII file is created by adding the entry or value after the mnemonic. Leave at least one space between the
mnemonic and the entry.

The mnemonic lines can be in any order and blank lines are allowed in the file; however the file identifier
"PLW40_RADIOSPECS" must be the first entry in the file.
If there is no entry after the mnemonic, the line is ignored. Therefore, it is not necessary to erase any unused
entries.
If a duplicate mnemonic line exists, the value of the last one in the file will be used. Frequency stability can be
expressed as either a percent or in parts per million. The value used will be the last one in the file.

Modulation
The modulation is used to determine default threshold to interference curves. The format must be as follows:

[number of levels][modulation type] e.g. 64QAM

No spaces or dashes are allowed. The modulation type must be one of the following:

FSK frequency shift keying

CPSK coherent demodulation phase shift keying

DPSK differential demodulation phase shift keying

QAM quadrature amplitude modulation

QPR quadrature partial response

TCM trellis code modulation - this is interpreted as QAM

QPSK quadrature phase shift keying - this is interpreted as 4DPSK

MSK minimum shift keying - this is interpreted as 2FSK

Channel Capacity
Channel capacity is expressed in terms of the digital hierarchy, (e.g. 1DS3, 8E1).

Traffic Code
The channel capacity and modulation are combined to form a unique radio descriptor using the following format:

[channel capacity]-[modulation] e.g. 1DS3-64QAM

This identifier is used to compare the characteristics of an interfering transmitter with the receiver.

The traffic code does not appear in the radio data file as a unique entry. It is derived from the channel capacity and
modulation.
In the case of analog radios, the traffic code must be specified using the format below:

[CAPACITY]-ANALOG e.g. 600CH-ANALOG

The capacity prefix (600CH) is not used.

Threshold to Interference Curves

The mnemonic ToI_ indicates that T to I data follows. There can be any number of T to I curves in a radio data file.
Each curve can represent the interfering effects of different transmitter modulations and channel capacities. In order
to differentiate between these curves, the TtoI_ mnemonic is followed by the traffic code of the interfering transmitter.

For the special case of a T to I curve for a carrier wave interfering transmitter, the traffic code must be CW.

The number of points of data follows the mnemonic - traffic code combination. The data must be in ascending order
of frequency and there must not be any duplicate frequencies or blank lines. Each line contains a frequency followed
by the T to I value. The frequency must be relative to the operating frequency. The data can be symmetrical or asym-
metrical. The following is an example of the data entry format of an 8DS1 receiver using 128TCM modulation inter-
fered with by a similar radio.

TtoI_8DS1-128TCM 171
-125.000 -143.6
-123.000 -142.8
-121.000 -141.0
....
-1.000 30.0
-.800 34.0
-.600 35.0
-.400 34.3
-.200 32.4
0.000 34.0
.200 33.0
.400 35.5
.600 35.5
.800 33.0
1.000 33.0
....
121.000 -142.9
123.000 -143.8
125.000 -145.1

The first line "TtoI_8DS1-128TCM 171" indicates that this is a T to I curve of 171 points. The interfering transmitter
has the same modulation and channel capacity as the receiver.

Interference Reduction Factor Curves

The mnemonic IRF_ indicates that interference reduction factor (IRF) data follows. There can be any number of IRF
curves in a radio data file. Each curve can represent the interfering effects of different transmitter modulations and
channel capacities. In order to differentiate between these curves, the IRF mnemonic is followed by the traffic code
of the interfering transmitter.
The number of points of data follows the mnemonic - traffic code combination. The data must be in ascending order
of frequency and there must not be any duplicate frequencies or blank lines. Each line contains a frequency followed
by the IFR value. The frequency must be relative to the operating frequency. The data can be symmetrical or asym-
metrical. The following is an example of the data entry format for a 8E1 4PSK receiver (8E1-4PSK) interfered with
similar modulation:

IRF_8E1-4PSK 61

0.0 0.00
1.0 -0.11
2.0 -0.42
.....
58.0 -78.55
59.0 -79.70
60.0 -80.90

The first line "IRF_8E1-4PSK 61 indi-

cates that this is an IRF curve of 33
points. The interfering transmitter has
the same modulation and channel ca-
pacity as the receiver.

Transmitter Emission Data

The mnemonic TX_EMISSION indi-
cates that the data for the transmitter
emission spectrum follows. The abso-
lute values of the power density or the
measurement bandwidth are not im-
portant. The file conversion process
will normalize the data such that the
total power over the frequency band is equal to unity. The chart display of the spectrum is based on a total power of
one watt and a measurement bandwidth of 4 KHz. This means that the data values in the ASCII file may not be the
same as the displayed values.

The number of points follows the mnemonic TX_EMISSION on the same line. The data must be in ascending order
of frequency and there must not be any duplicate frequencies or blank lines. Each line contains a frequency followed
by the emission level. The frequency must be relative to the operating frequency. The data can be symmetrical or
asymmetrical.

Receiver Selectivity
The mnemonic RX_SELECTIVITY indicates that the receiver selectivity data follows. This is the composite receiver
selectivity including RF, IF and Nyquist filtering. Do not use RF or IF filtering alone.

The number of points follows the mnemonic RX_SELECTIVITY on the same line. The data must be in ascending
order of frequency and there must not be any duplicate frequencies or blank lines. Each line contains a frequency
followed by the selectivity expressed in dB. The frequency must be relative to the operating frequency. The data can
be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Default Interference Parameters
In many cases, the required T to I and TX emission curves will not be available. This section describes the techniques
used to handle these situations. The analysis uses the 3 dB bandwidth of the transmit spectrum and the type of mod-
ulation. Both of these must be specified in the radio data file.

When a radio data file is generated from the user's ASCII text file, a default transmit emission mask and a default
receiver selectivity mask is always created in accordance with Annex B of TIA /EIA Telecommunications Systems
Bulletin TSB-10G (Interference Criteria for Microwave Systems). These masks are based on the FCC Rules and
Regulations, 101.111 - emission limitations for digital fixed point to point operation below 15 GHz as stated below:

For operating frequencies below 15 GHz, in any 4 KHz band, the center frequency of which is removed from the as-
signed frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: As specified
by the following equation but in no event less than 50 decibels: (Attenuation greater than 80 decibels is not required.)

A = 35 + 0.8 ( P 50 ) + 10 log 10 ( B ) (1)

where:

A = Attenuation (in~ decibels) below the mean output power level

P = Percent removed from the carrier frequency

B = Authorized bandwidth in MHz

Default TX Emission Mask

In place of the authorized bandwidth
(channel bandwidth), the 3 dB band-
width of the transmit spectrum is
used. For frequencies from 50 per-
cent to 250 percent removed from the
carrier frequency, the power spectral
density of the interference follows the
FCC Mask. In other words, each 4
KHz of spectrum contains -A dBW of
power. To complete the definition of
the default TX emission mask, the fol-
lowing assumptions are made:

emission is -80 dBW/4kHz for fre-

quencies from 250 percent to 500
percent removed from the carrier
frequency
the emission is zero for frequen-
cies more than 500 percent
removed from the carrier fre-
quency,
for frequencies from 0 to 50 per-
cent removed from the carrier fre-
quency, each 4 kHz of spectrum contains an equal amount of power such that the total power in the signal (from
0 to 500 percent removed from the carrier frequency) is 1 Watt.
The mask is generated from the following break points:
 bp 1 = 50
bp 2 = 68.75 12.5 log 10 ( bw )
bp 3 = 106.25 12.5 log 10 ( bw )
bp4 = 500 (2)
where
bw = transmit spectrum 3 dB bandwidth in MHz
and the equations below:

if ( P bp 1 )

A = 10 log 10 -------------
0.004
bw

if ( P > bp 1 )and ( P bp 2 )

A = 50
(3)

if ( P > bp 2 )and ( P bp 3 )

A = 35 0.8 ( P 50 ) 10 log 10 ( bw )

if ( P > bp 3 )and ( P bp 4 )

A = 80
Default Receiver Selectivity
Mask
The default receiver selectivity
mask has the identical shape as the
default TX emission mask. Howev-
er, it is shifted so that for frequen-
cies from 0 to 50 percent removed
from the carrier frequency, the filter
attenuation is zero.
Using the ANT_RAD Utility to create Version 4 Radio Data Files

The ANT_RAD utility is used to create and edit Version 4 and 5 radio data files. Select the Equipment type - Version
4 radio data files menu item. The data entry form uses the same mnemonics as the ASCII text file described above.
A third column is provided for additional information.

A single data entry per line is used. The Files-Open menu selection will open all radio file versions including:

version 4 ASCII raf files

version 5 ASCII raf files
version 4 binary mrs microwave radio files
version 5 binary rsd radio files
Separate file save menu items are provided for ASCII and binary formats. Both of these use the version 4 formats.
Radio Curves
Select the Curves menu item to create or edit curves. The first step is to specify the specific type of curve. Click the
new button, select the curve type and click the OK button.
If a TtoI_Other or IRF_Other curve has been specified, then enter the name
of the corresponding radio data file name. Multiple file names can be entered
separated by a comma.

TtoI and IRF Interference curves

A traffic code is used to identify the characteristics of the interfering transmit-
ter. This consists of a concatenation of the channel capacity and the modu-
lation e.g. 8E1-QPSK. The TtoI curve of this radio would be coded as
TtoI_8E1-QPSK.

Antenna Data Files

Antenna data files use and industry standard NSMA - TIA standard for ASCII
antenna data files. This is the same format used in Pathloss version 4.0 for
microwave and VHF-UHF antennas. Version 5.0 uses a single binary format
for all application types.

File naming convention

The antenna data file name without the extension is referred to as an antenna code. This code is used as a key field
in a lookup table which implies that the file names must be unique. The maximum antenna code name length is 47
characters.

File Formats
Antenna data files use the industry standard format defined by:

National Spectrum Managers Association (NSMA)

Antenna Systems
Standard Format for Digitized Antenna Patterns
Recommendation WG16.99.050

and

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Terrestrial Land Mobile Radio ---
Antenna Systems ---
Standard Format for Digitized Antenna Patterns
TIA-804-A

The two documents are essentially the same and copies of these are provided in the Pathloss program directory un-
der Equipmnt \ Asd \ nsma wg16_99_050.pdf and tia 804-a.pdf

In addition the program also supports the older NSMA "Standard Format for Electronic Transfer of Terrestrial Anten-
na Pattern Data", details of which are provided later in this section.

The antenna data files must be converted to a binary format to be used in the Pathloss program. This operation is
carried out in the ant_rad.exe utility program. The file name less the suffix is used as a unique identifier or key field
in the antenna index utility. Therefore all antenna data files must have a unique file name. The maximum file name
length not including the suffix is 48 characters. Antenna files with the same name but located in different directories
cannot be used.

Version 4.0 used different binary file formats for microwave and VHF-UHF antenna data files with the file suffixes
mas and vas respectively. Version 5.0 uses a single binary file for all antennas with the suffix ads. To accomplish
this, one of the reserved for future use fields FIELD5 is used for the antenna technology. These technologies are
loosely defined as aperture (parabolic) and dipole. The difference between the two definitions is in the antenna ori-
entation. Aperture antennas are assumed to be oriented in both azimuth and elevation which results in zero orienta-
tion loss as the default. Dipole antenna are assumed to be oriented in azimuth only with the elevation in a horizontal
plane. The program calculates the orientation loss using the vertical antenna pattern and the actual vertical angle of
the signal.

All existing version 4.0 binary antenna data files can be used in the version 5.0 program without modification.

Alternate NSMA Antenna Data File Format

The file consists of ten header lines followed by the data for the various polarization combinations. There must be
exactly ten lines as a blank line is interpreted as "no entry" for that field.

Line Description Size

1 Antenna manufacturer[30]
2 Model number [30]
3 Comment [30]
4 FCC ID number [16]
5 Reverse pattern m number[16]
6 Date of data [16]
7 Manufacturer ID number[16]
8 Frequency range [16]
9 Mid-band gain [16]
10 Half-power beam width[16]
The header information is followed by the polarization combination and the number of data points. This is followed
by the data expressed as the angle and response. The following polarization designators are used:

HH, HV, VV, VH in the horizontal plane

ELHH, ELHV, ELVV, ELVH in the vertical plane
The antenna response is listed as dB below the main lobe response and is a negative value. A partial example of an
the antenna pattern file is shown below:

MARK ANTENNA PRODUCTS Inc.

MHP-100A120D
(none)
M15028
M15027
11-25-85
NONE
10700-11700 MHZ
48.4 dB
0.6 Deg
HH 39
-180 -88
-160 -88

0 0

160 -88
180 -88
HV 33
-180 -89
-170 -89

0 -36

170 -89
180 -89
VV 39
-180 -88
-160 -88

0 0

160 -88
180 -88
VH 33
-180 -89
-170 -89

0 -36

170 -89
180 -89
ELHH 7
-4 -36

0 0

4 -36
ELHV 11
-4.5 -63.4

0 -36

4.5 -63.4
ELVV 7
-4 -36

Using the Ant_Rad Utility to create Antenna Data Files

A separate utility program ant_rad.exe is used to edit, create and convert antenna data files. The program starts in
the radio data files screen. Select File type - Antenna data files from the menu bar. There are several points to note
in this data entry form:

The description of the entry is used instead of the mnemonic. For example Low-band Gain is used instead of
LWGAIN and Azimuth Beam width (deg) is used instead of AZWIDT. The mnemonics are used in the ASCII
files.
The Revision number field (REVNUM) and the Revision date field (REVDAT) refer to revisions to the standard
format. These are not used and serve only as file type identifiers
The fields associated with antenna discrimination curves are not included in these forms. These are created -
edited under the Curves section
The Files - Open menu item opens all antenna file formats. These include the ASCII standard and the old ASCII
standard, the version 4.0 binary mas and vas files and the version 5.0 asd files.
The binary antenna data files do not contain all of the information in the ASCII file. Only the following items are
included in the binary file.
manufacturer, model, description antenna technology, feed horn orientation and the date of the data file
mid band gain, diameter, 3 dB beam widths, electrical downtilt, radome loss, frequency range
the type of antenna pattern (typical or envelope) and all azimuth and elevation pattern data

Files can be saved in the version 5.0 asd binary format or the ASCII standard format. Only the binary version can
be used with the Pathloss program.
Create - Edit Antenna Pattern Data

Select Curves on the Antenna data files menu bar. The drop down list
contains the names of the antenna patterns using the following nam-
ing convention:

H/H - Horizontal polarized port response to a horizontally polar-

ized signal
H/V Horizontal polarized port response to a vertically polarized
signal
V/V Vertical polarized port response to a vertically polarized sig-
nal
V/H Vertical polarized port response to a horizontally polarized
signal
The above designations can be used in either the horizontal or vertical
planes
The data is presented in two columns: angle followed by the antenna
response.

In the horizontal plane, the angle starts from -180 (defined as the left
side of the antenna) and increases to 0 on the antenna boresight. The angle then increases to +180, thereby cov-
ering the full 360 of the antenna pattern.
In the vertical plane, the angle starts at some negative value defined as the antenna response below the antenna
boresight and increases to 0 on the antenna boresight. The angle then increases to some positive value which is
above the antenna boresight. For microwave antennas the range is typically between -5 to +5 which results in a
10 range centered about the main beam. For dipole antennas, the elevation data is presented over -180 to +180
range.

The antenna response is listed as dB below the main lobe response and must be entered as a negative value.

To create a new curve, click the New button and define the type of curve. The curve data can be imported from a text
file, Click the Import button and load the text file. The procedure uses the standard text import utility defined in the
section on general program operation.

Note that the associated mnemonics are not used to create the antenna pattern curve. These are written to the stand-
ard ASCII file.

File Conversion ASCII ADF to binary ASD

In most cases, antenna manufacturers will supply the data
files in the standard ASCII format and the ant_rad utility pro-
gram will only be used to convert the files to the binary asd
format.

In the case of a single file, the procedure is to open the ASCII

file (Files - Open) and review the data for completeness. In
particular, ensure that the antenna technology field is set and
in the case of microwave antennas the antenna diameter has
been entered in either the antenna width or height field.

For batch conversions, select the Convert menu item. A

standard windows multi select file open dialog is used to se-
lect the required files. When the Open button is clicked a file
save dialog appears. This allows the user to specify the directory to save the binary files in. The default is save the
binary files in the same directory as the ASCII files. The file name in this dialog is not used. The binary file names
will always be the same as the ASCII file names with the extension in a batch conversion.

If the antenna technology is not specified, the dialog on the left will appear prompting for the technology and to use
this technology for all files in the conversion.