About frequency coordination software， As the times are changing, portability is the primary concern of every person. People need such devices that they can use without even getting near them. They have been using microwaves and radio frequencies for years to maintain the connection.
However, so many other signals are traveling in our environment with our concerned waves. If they cross each other’s paths, they can distort each other and cause a lot of information loss along with the go. Moreover, sometimes the signals get entirely lost in the air, and you may face problems.
To cater for that, you have to train the transmitters to catch the exact frequency range so that other signals do not distract the wireless microphones or other devices. For that, you can use RF coordination software.
Table of Contents
- What is RF Coordination?
- Applications of RF Coordination
- Role of an RF Coordination Software
- Which Frequency Coordination Software Should I Choose?
- Using an Frequency Coordination Software
- Conclusion
Caption: IMD analysis
What is RF Coordination?
RF coordination of Wireless frequency coordination comprises selecting the frequency band and calculating the distortion so that you can set the transmitters according to them. Here, you have to keep in mind that such environments can be dynamic to change with time. So, it would help if you prepared on time.
You can do it via monitoring the signals and then updating the compatible frequency readings over time so that the transmitter can catch the accurate signals from wireless devices. It is critical, yet most people ignore its importance. That is why such systems fail to use the RF coordination to its full potential.
RF noises can come from many sources. These third-party interference sources can be television stations, wireless audio systems, and radio systems. Hence, you need to ensure that you cut off the extra waves properly. Also, observe that the transmitter is not emitting high-level intermodulation distortion.
However, the RF coordination mechanism may not become handy if a strong signal affects your concerned wave. For example, the most robust sound overcomes every other sign at a funfair or expo. In this situation, no transmitter can pick up the correct signal. Hence, you need to re-plan the frequencies and purchase reliable wireless equipment.
Applications of RF Coordination
As white space devices become popular, the environment gets packed with many signals. Here are some significant applications of the frequency coordination method.
Frequency Coordination Software:Avoiding Intermodulation Distortion
Now you may think that what causes intermodulation. The answer is simple. As the wireless transmitters interact when placed closely, their signals can intermix. This mixing of frequencies results in new signs at defined intervals. As you coordinate the transmitters on specific frequencies, you can avoid intermodulation.
Hence, you need to coordinate the transmitters so that at the receiving end, you may avoid additional frequencies. For example, consider having two signal transmitters of frequencies 522 MHz and 523 MHz, and the spacing is 1 MHz. In such a case, the intermodal products will be between 521 MHz to 524 MHz. The resulting pattern is as follows.
Caption: Intermod Analyzation of two transmitters
TV Stations
The TV stations have been set on some specific frequencies in every country. So, if you choose these frequencies and send your information with their help, the transmitters may not catch your signal.
Thus, it is essential to avoid UHF TV bands. That way, you will keep operating your system on legal bandwidths and will not have signal dropout issues. It would be best to keep in mind that the signal repacking process continues after some time nationwide. Thus, it would help if you looked out for the changing process and not emit signals on the same frequencies over a long time.
Multiple Spectrum Stakeholders
It is essential to coordinate as you enter a place where different parties bring their transmitters. That way, you can avoid potential interference in each other’s system.
To decide, you can hold a pre-arrival meeting with all the stakeholders and discuss this very cause. That way, you can share coordination frequency files or assign a person the duty of keeping all the frequencies in their place.
Furthermore, you also need to update all the sharing contestants about any changes to your frequency in such cases. That way, you can hold a fair share of the environment without disturbing the other signals.
Role of an RF Coordination Software
For the past years, wireless system manufacturers have tended to provide all the channels with multiple frequency settings. While it is simple to calculate the intermodal frequencies and generate a list of safe frequencies, you can tune in without hesitation. However, the calculations become complex as you do it for the more extensive system.
Hence, you can switch to standalone software to help coordinate large systems on the same frequency set. Here, you need to enter your location and the type of wireless system you want to use. Then, the system will decide which TV channels to avoid using the site.
It also calculates the frequency readings for all the gears you have added. Moreover, some application software also tends to scan the local RF spectrum on an interval basis. That way, they can have the latest information and do not rely on the formerly calculated only.
Caption: Main Spectrum view on a software
Which Frequency Coordination Software Should I Choose?
There are two leading candidates that thousands of users recommend in frequency coordination. These are Intermodal Analysis System (IAS) from Professional Wireless and the Wireless Workbench (WWB) by Shure Wireless.
Frequency Coordination Software:Intermod Analysis System (IAS)
The first on the list, Intermod Analysis System (IAS), has been a popular choice of users for many years. IAS is the first coordination software that helped organize large wireless systems quickly. With the help of this software, you can download FCC data from TV stations. Also, you can hold a database of a large number of wireless products from different manufacturers.
However, the system is not cheap as it retails for $550 if you want to switch to the professional version. Still, for many years, every professional event has been incomplete without the IAS coordination system.
Frequency Coordination Software:Wireless Workbench (WWB)
In all these years, the only software that came up to the standards set by IAS is the Shure’s Wireless Workbench (WWB). This software first started as a customized tool for only the Shure wireless products. However, as Shure began developing more and more products, it continuously updated the software.
The WWB has recently added the coordination to other manufacturers’ products to its features and gained a lot of hype. Now, you can use the WWB for significant events over multiple stages without the need for a Shure wireless gear.
There is some other software that you can use for coordination. Nevertheless, the only thing that makes them not competitive is that they cannot coordinate over many devices. So, you can choose between the above two, IAS for more professional usage and WWB, if you are short on the budget.
Using an Frequency Coordination Software
As you are starting up with the coordination system, there are some pre-steps that you have to perform. First, you need to know all the existing frequencies and the equipment you need to use. This information is based on every detail, such as model number, year of making, etc. It includes all the TV frequencies as well. Also, you will find out about the third-party interference devices that may cause disturbance to the system.
Once you have all the information gathered, you can select the RF coordination software and start doing the calculations. As a result, you will get a list of safe frequencies free from interference.
Next, you will do the frequency scan of the place with an RF spectrum analyzer to capture wideband data and import it into the software. In the end, you will use a wargaming process to ensure that the coordination is getting all the signals to their full potential.
In wargaming, you will apply rigorous testing methods to increase the reliability of the frequencies. It is a popular method to test that the professional coordinator use. Hence, they can point out all the wrong frequencies even as little they are.
Conclusion
RF coordination is an essential step in working in a noisy environment. You can easily transmit your whole signal without interruption by coordinating the frequencies. In the case of significant events, you cannot use manual calculations to check the clean frequencies. Thus, RF coordination software has to come into the scenario.
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