Version 6.00.17

Update to Antenna Discrimination Algorithm

Pathloss 6 now fully implements the final algorithm as described in TIA-10: Section 4.16 Calculating Antenna Discrimination.

This method was originally added to Pathloss 6 in Version 6.00.10 - Pre-release. Azimuth and elevation radiation patterns are both considered when determining discrimination. Azimuth, elevation and receiver tilt angles are used to calculate the discrimination.

The algorithms were updated slightly from the earlier revision. 

In addition, Pathloss 6 now follows the recommendation for allowing azimuth patterns to be used as an estimation of elevation patterns if the elevation pattern is not available or the required angle is out of range. The antenna file must have the Technology field set to "Aperture" for the azimuth patterns to be used as estimates for elevation patterns. If the azimuth pattern being used as an estimate is asymmetrical, it is tested on either side and the lowest discrimination value is used. ("The shadowing effect of the antenna construction that causes asymmetry of the azimuth cut pattern may not affect the elevation pattern.")

This method of using the azimuth pattern to estimate the elevation pattern is used for PTP and PTMP link orientation loss, and for Local Studies. It is not currently used for interference. In order for the interference calculation to use the 3D antenna discrimination algorithm, all 8 antenna patterns must be defined. Otherwise, the interference calculation uses strict 2D azimuth discrimination. This requirement will be relaxed in a future update allowing the interference to use the estimated curves. This could provide increased discrimination, especially on short interfering paths with a large vertical angle.

You can see in the contrived example below how the vertical angle pattern is combined with the azimuth pattern in front of the antenna where valid. The azimuth pattern is used where there is no vertical pattern data (sides and behind the antenna in this case because the vertical pattern is only defined for the negative angles in front of the antenna.)

 

Tweaks And Fixes

  • ITU 530-8 dN/dh now defaults to worst month when selecting manually.
  • Fixed crash when generating a CSV Link Report which includes channel table entries.
  • Fixed crash when selecting multipath algorithm options.