World Headquarters, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Our businessOur business
Design and Manufacture of RF Design and Manufacture of RF coverage measurement and mapping coverage measurement and mapping instrumentationinstrumentation
Emphasis on digital and analog Emphasis on digital and analog television coverage measurementtelevision coverage measurement
Specific expertise in automated RF Specific expertise in automated RF measurement and analysis of DTV measurement and analysis of DTV quality of servicequality of service
Our television customersOur television customers
Transitioning to 8VSB digital serviceTransitioning to 8VSB digital service Operating analog and digital plantsOperating analog and digital plants
• New transmission formatsNew transmission formats• New power levelsNew power levels• New channel assignmentsNew channel assignments• New antenna locationsNew antenna locations• New government regulationsNew government regulations
Cost and people constrainedCost and people constrained
Antenna PatternsAntenna Patterns
Not always as you would expectNot always as you would expect
Horizontal Gain Vertical Angle Gain
Oded Bendov / Krishna Praba, Television Engineering Handbook, Jerry Whitaker
6.5 miles from 1000’ AAT
Z Technology measurement systemsZ Technology measurement systems
Address specific measurement needsAddress specific measurement needs
• documentationdocumentation• identificationidentification• acceptanceacceptance• confirmationconfirmation• resolutionresolution
DSS5800 DTV measurement systemDSS5800 DTV measurement system
DSS5800 DTV measurement systemDSS5800 DTV measurement system
Programmable field strength meter
8VSB data demodulator
Laptop Windowstm PC
GPS Receiver
Power and Distribution
AC DC
DSS5800 DTV measurement systemDSS5800 DTV measurement system
Programmable field strength meter
8VSB data demodulator
Laptop Windowstm PC
GPS Receiver
Power and Distribution
AC DC
DSS5800 DTV measurement systemDSS5800 DTV measurement system
Programmable field strength meter
8VSB data demodulator
Laptop Windowstm PC
GPS Receiver
Power and Distribution
AC DC
DSS5800 DTV measurement systemDSS5800 DTV measurement system
Programmable field strength meter
8VSB data demodulator
Laptop Windowstm PC
GPS Receiver
Power and Distribution
AC DC
Three measurement techniquesThree measurement techniques
1.1. Drive testing Drive testing• rapid accumulation of datarapid accumulation of data• identification of problem coverage areasidentification of problem coverage areas
2.2. Calibrated testing Calibrated testing• used to validate more general dataused to validate more general data• communicates very specific valuescommunicates very specific values
3.3. On-site testing On-site testing• detailed evaluation of local conditionsdetailed evaluation of local conditions
Drive TestingDrive Testing
Rapid accumulation of coverage dataRapid accumulation of coverage data• Calibrated measurement equipmentCalibrated measurement equipment• 7 ft. antenna height, on roads7 ft. antenna height, on roads• Automatic capture and recordingAutomatic capture and recording
Identification of problem areasIdentification of problem areas• Relative to previous runsRelative to previous runs• Poor signal coveragePoor signal coverage• Changes in coverageChanges in coverage
Drive Test ConsiderationsDrive Test Considerations
Equipment configurationEquipment configuration• Antenna, Power, Mounting, CalibrationAntenna, Power, Mounting, Calibration• Convenience and SafetyConvenience and Safety
EnvironmentEnvironment• Location, Obstructions, ReflectionsLocation, Obstructions, Reflections
Operator interfaceOperator interface• Driver Distraction, Information DisplaysDriver Distraction, Information Displays• Setup & Automatic Collection of DataSetup & Automatic Collection of Data
Mobile Test AntennasMobile Test Antennas Horizontal dipoleHorizontal dipole
• General direction towards General direction towards transmitter transmitter• Magnet mount, ~24” above roof surfaceMagnet mount, ~24” above roof surface• Calibrated; antenna factors for dBuV/mCalibrated; antenna factors for dBuV/m
Vertical sampling antennaVertical sampling antenna• Mag mount 1/4 wave vertical antennaMag mount 1/4 wave vertical antenna• Not true to horizontal componentNot true to horizontal component• CharacterizedCharacterized
Mobile Test AntennasMobile Test Antennas
Omnidirectional antennasOmnidirectional antennas• Generally lower gain, uncalibratedGenerally lower gain, uncalibrated• Subject to multipath distortionsSubject to multipath distortions
RotatorsRotators• Dipoles are broad patternDipoles are broad pattern• Just need a general directionJust need a general direction• Beware of distracting driverBeware of distracting driver
Antenna Correction FactorsAntenna Correction Factors
Measured correction factors supplied by antenna Measured correction factors supplied by antenna manufacturermanufacturer
Add antenna factor plus cable loss to receiver Add antenna factor plus cable loss to receiver reading in dBuV to convert to field intensity in reading in dBuV to convert to field intensity in dBuV/Meter. dBuV/Meter.
Example:Example:• Antenna Correction FactorAntenna Correction Factor 16.0 dB/m 16.0 dB/m• Cable lossCable loss .9 dB .9 dB• Meter ReadingMeter Reading 44.0 dBuV 44.0 dBuV• Field IntensityField Intensity 60.9 dBuV/meter 60.9 dBuV/meter
Calibrate Antenna SetupCalibrate Antenna Setup
Mount antenna and adjust element length for Mount antenna and adjust element length for frequency as indicated in manufacturer’s tablefrequency as indicated in manufacturer’s table
Connect to measurement equipment with calibrated Connect to measurement equipment with calibrated cablecable
Add antenna correction factor for operating frequency Add antenna correction factor for operating frequency and calibrated lossesand calibrated losses
Enter system correction factor into meter or PC Enter system correction factor into meter or PC application software application software
Meter or application will read field intensity in dBuV/mMeter or application will read field intensity in dBuV/m
Multiple Frequency TestingMultiple Frequency Testing
Same band, one antennaSame band, one antenna• Factory antenna factorsFactory antenna factors• Element length vs. frequency vs. factorElement length vs. frequency vs. factor• Characterizing for multiple frequenciesCharacterizing for multiple frequencies
Multiple AntennasMultiple Antennas• Power combinersPower combiners• FiltersFilters• System characterizationSystem characterization
Multiple AntennasMultiple Antennas
HP Filter
LP Filter PowerCombiner dBuV/m
VHF
UHF
VHF ant correction factor - cable loss - LPF loss - Combiner loss - cable loss = VHF Antenna Factor (sys)
UHF ant correction factor - cable loss - HPF loss - Combiner loss - cable loss = UHF Antenna Factor (sys)
Add antenna factor plus cable loss to receiver reading in dBuV to convert to field intensity in dBuV/Meter.
Calibration ProceduresCalibration Procedures
Equipment certificationEquipment certification• NIST traceable antennas, cables, field NIST traceable antennas, cables, field
strength meterstrength meter• Secondary referenceSecondary reference
Equipment setupEquipment setup• 30 ft. antenna height vs. vehicle rooftop30 ft. antenna height vs. vehicle rooftop• Antenna factors recorded with dataAntenna factors recorded with data
Drive Test ProcedureDrive Test Procedure
Set up jobSet up job• FrequenciesFrequencies• Antenna factorsAntenna factors• Signal types Signal types
Adjust antenna directionAdjust antenna direction• Spectrum displaySpectrum display• Sample measurementSample measurement
Start Drive TestStart Drive Test• Hit recordHit record• Drive the routeDrive the route
DVB-T Spectrum & data displayDVB-T Spectrum & data display
8VSB Spectrum & data display8VSB Spectrum & data display
3 uS(time) 38% of Main Tap Energy
(voltage)
Main Tap normalized To 100%
0.33 MHz (freq)
20 Log(.38)=8.4 dB
8.8 dB
Example Case: One major reflection at 3 uScauses a .33 Mhz ripple on the Spectrum Display
Percent Reflection (Voltage)At Cursor position(Delay)
Signal Level(voltage)
At Cursor Position(frequency)
Operational PrecautionsOperational Precautions
Do not operate Do not operate while drivingwhile driving
Be aware of Be aware of antenna orientationantenna orientation
Stop and enter Stop and enter comments where comments where appropriateappropriate
Analyze recorded Analyze recorded data laterdata later
The Drive TestThe Drive Test
Set up the “job” for signal types and Set up the “job” for signal types and frequenciesfrequencies
Click F1 “Sample” to check the receptionClick F1 “Sample” to check the reception Click F3 “Record Continuous”Click F3 “Record Continuous” Drive until direction changes more than Drive until direction changes more than
~30 degrees; stop and adjust antenna ~30 degrees; stop and adjust antenna directiondirection
Click F4 “Stop Measurements”Click F4 “Stop Measurements” Take a break and look at the dataTake a break and look at the data
Automatic data recordingAutomatic data recording
Analog: records all setups, time, location, Analog: records all setups, time, location, direction of travel, peak power, antenna direction of travel, peak power, antenna factors, frequencies, etc.factors, frequencies, etc.
Digital: adds wideband parameters; Digital: adds wideband parameters; integrated power, etc.integrated power, etc.
DTV systems add data from the digital DTV systems add data from the digital decoder; sync/eq locks, tap values, etc.decoder; sync/eq locks, tap values, etc.
Clear text data files are easy to read and Clear text data files are easy to read and export to other applicationsexport to other applications
Clear-text Data FileClear-text Data File
Analyzing the dataAnalyzing the data
Real-time map Real-time map plottingplotting• Colored trail of dots Colored trail of dots
for any parameterfor any parameter• Plots value as a Plots value as a
color for each GPS color for each GPS location measuredlocation measured
• Color may be Color may be automatically or automatically or manually scaledmanually scaled
Analyzing the dataAnalyzing the data
Map oriented dataMap oriented data• Colored trail of dots Colored trail of dots
for any parameterfor any parameter• Tool-tip displays Tool-tip displays
selected value for selected value for selected locationselected location
• Right-click for all Right-click for all data taken at that data taken at that locationlocation
DVB-T data parametersDVB-T data parameters
8VSB data parameters8VSB data parameters
On-Site TestingOn-Site Testing
Problem resolutionProblem resolution Difficult locations Difficult locations Sniff out problemsSniff out problems Using customer Using customer
antennasantennas Site suitabilitySite suitability
RF signal measurement productsRF signal measurement products
Systems designed to meet Systems designed to meet specific industry needsspecific industry needs• digital and analog RF field digital and analog RF field
strength measurementsstrength measurements• automatic signal coverage automatic signal coverage
mappingmapping• 8VSB/DVB-T demodulated 8VSB/DVB-T demodulated
data analysis data analysis
Our missionOur mission
Address the RF measurement needs of our Address the RF measurement needs of our customerscustomers
Provide economical, real-time assistance Provide economical, real-time assistance and solutionsand solutions
Increase the confidence level of the Increase the confidence level of the technical operatortechnical operator
Enable the gathering of historical data for Enable the gathering of historical data for reference as conditions changereference as conditions change
Learn more about our systemsLearn more about our systems
Z Technology, Inc.Z Technology, Inc.1815 NW 169th Place, Suite 30701815 NW 169th Place, Suite 3070Beaverton, Oregon 97006 USABeaverton, Oregon 97006 USA
Tel: 503.614.9800 Fax: 503.614.9898Tel: 503.614.9800 Fax: 503.614.9898www.ztechnology.comwww.ztechnology.comsales@[email protected]
Factory Contacts: Factory Contacts: Guy Lewis, John Purdy, Jim ZookGuy Lewis, John Purdy, Jim Zook