Multiple Unit Coverage

I can be contacted at E-mail address:-

To demonstrate the case where multiple units are selected on the Cartesian Coverage pane, the 'Mobile' Unit from my Base network has been relocated and two additional 'Mobile 2' and 'Mobile 3' units have been positioned on the Base.net road map as below:

Next, the Cartesian Coverage pane is opened, where the three 'Mobile' Units are selected for the plot, using the Hand Held Unit as the mobile unit (to be used as the moved reference), and the Base Network selected. At this stage it is possible to select the Background colour to represent these fixed units (for Best Unit plots), which is also shown on their labels. The 'Save raster data to file (TXT)' and optionally 'Save raster data to file (SIG)' checkboxes have also been set to make the plot information available later without repeating the calculations, and 'Save coverage pictures in Frames directory' to save the individual coverage plots. The individual plots will be saved in bmp format unless the 'PNG' box is checked - this format is suitable for export to Google Earth from the klm file which is available in the Frames folder generated, as the white background is transparent.

By using the 'Save raster data to file (SIG)' option, a signal level matrix (*.sig) file will be generated during the plotting process. This file then provides a calculated signal level readout at the cursor location for the whole plot. The information location can be seen Here.

Clicking on Draw causes the three coverage plots to be drawn and saved, plus the 'Combined best signal available' plot which is held on screen and can be saved as a new picture. This prompts the saving of the Coverage Data file to a selected location. These coverage plots will have a *.sig file associated and saved with them if selected.

At any time during a plot, pressing the 'Space Bar' will pause the calculations, whilst pressing the 'S' key will change calculation rate to Slow, enabling the machine to perform other operations whilst plotting. Both these actions generate a message on the lower data bar. If the 'Completed.wav' box is checked, this will sound as a warning sound at the end of the plot.

The resulting plot is as below.

where the high local signal levels around all the Mobile Units can be clearly seen.

The individual plots for each Unit can be recovered Using 'File/Open Picture' (or the toolbar icon), and navigating to the latest numbered 'Frames' directory in the Network folder.

For the 'Mobile' Unit:

    Then by invoking 'Edit/Redraw last legend', the previous signal strength legend can be added to the plot if required and kept in picture. If the 'SIG' file option has been invoked, the actual signal level at any cursor location can be recalled. On changing plot windows the associated SIG matrix file has been registered and the actual signal level data at the cursor position will be shown.

For the 'Mobile 2' Unit, with legend added:

For the 'Mobile 3' Unit with legend added:

    For any area of interest on the Combined coverage picture, a click at the location generates the cursor cross wires, and by cycling though the coverage panes the best signal strength and Unit can be determined for this location.

Signal strength data at the cursor crosswire location is highlighted in the red box:

    The above process can also be carried out on a zoomed area of the map for a 'Detailed Area Coverage' plot.

To see how to relocate the signal strength legend click Here