RFAnalystÔ
RFAnalystÔ is an extension to the world’s leading geographic information system package, ESRI’s ArcViewÒ . It extends the power of GIS spatial analysis to radio propagation modeling, allowing geographic and demographic analyses impossible with more traditional RF design tools.
RFAnalyst combines modifications to the ArcView 3.x graphical user interface with embedded AvenueÔ scripts to access a library of native Intel 32-bit routines in a WindowsÔ dynamic link library (DLL). GUI tools provide "point and click" access to location coordinates in degrees-minutes-seconds, terrain elevation values, height above average terrain (HAAT) values, and modeling. The dynamic link library provides necessary speed for the computationally heavy demands of electromagnetic radiation modeling.
Site coverage is represented by signal loss contours in native ArcView shapefile format; no exporting nor importing of data is required. Antenna patterns are maintained in a simple, flexible text format compatible with open standards used in the industry. Modeling parameters are passed to library routines through a "catalyst" text file which is retained with studies and provides a ready source of model documentation. This manner of communications also allows a command-line version of the library routines to be available for batch processing of sites outside of the GUI environment.
Terrain data is maintained in a specially tiled and compressed format to speed propagation modeling. Its source is typically USGS 3" DEM data and is provided at the cost of production or reproduction, if the desired area has already been converted. Terrain data can additionally be provided in ESRI GridÔ format, which requires ArcView’s Spatial AnalystÔ for display and use. No royalties or license fees are charged for terrain data.
Propagation modeling is conducted using a "rough earth" model appropriate for VHF and UHF frequencies. Paths away from the transmitter site may be incremented in fractions of degrees and sample points separated by as little as one meter and as much as one kilometer. Path length is currently limited to 200 kilometers, but can be customized based on user requirements.
RFAnalyst is licensed per seat at $495 for the first and on a sliding schedule thereafter. Terrain data for modeling is provided at $5/square-degree, with large portions of California, Alaska, and Montana available at a nominal reproduction cost.
Recent enhancements include a command-line option which produces signal loss values in a binary raster format, complete with an extent header file, suitable for direct import into ArcView.
For further further information, please contact GeoSpectrum, Inc., at 406.443.0139.