EDX releases in-building RF planning tool

EUGENE, USA: EDX Wireless, a supplier of innovative RF planning solutions, announced the release of EDX Signal-IQ, a comprehensive software system for the design of in-building wireless networks, including Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), picocell, femtocell and 802.11 Access Point (AP) deployments.

Extending EDX SignalPro family of RF planning solutions, EDX Signal-IQ is a fully integrated standalone indoor RF design tool focused on the unique and evolving needs of in-building design. With support for advanced RF modeling based on EDX's 25 years of RF experience, Signal-IQ delivers rapid and accurate designs for indoor wireless networks.

"Signal-IQ extends the capabilities of our leading SignalPro family of products by adding significant new functionality specific for the design of in-building RF networks," said Steve Webster, director of Product Management at EDX. "SignalIQ builds on the EDX heritage, applying our extensive RF expertise to the emerging problems posed by in-building RF environment. In Signal-IQ we have created a comprehensive, yet cost-effective in-building RF design package."

Designed with simple operation, yet with accurate RF coverage predictions as its primary goals, Signal-IQ streamlines end-to-end design of in-building RF networks of all types. Due to its efficient calculation algorithms, Signal-IQ can show real-time predicted RF coverage as an antenna or Access Point is moved, allowing the engineer to optimize the coverage from each antenna or AP.

Signal-IQ streamlines the import of building floor plans, including DWG (AutoCAD) format or via a simple integrated bitmap to vector convertor. Signal-IQ also includes advanced wall sketching tools that allow the user to simply and quickly sketch floor plans on imported image files. RF properties can then be assigned to walls and other objects via simple pull down menus.

Areas of the floor plan with many features that have only a minor effect on radio propagation (such as rows of cubicles) can be rapidly grouped as an attenuation region instead of having to digitize and categorize all of the many elements within these areas, greatly simplifying initial set up.

Indoor RF network designs can be rapidly created by placing RF objects and connecting them with various placement tools including an automatic RF cable tool that allows a rapid and intuitive connection between RF objects. Cable lengths and RF losses are automatically calculated and stored in the Bill of Materials and RF link budget lists. Other features include a schematic view that allows the engineer to visualize the RF components and their interconnection.

With the schematic view, the RF engineer can easily see missing connections and RF connector gender mismatches.

With the RF design placed on the floor plan, Signal-IQ allows the user to simulate and display the coverage of the indoor wireless network via a wide range of available RF study options. Another innovation is the RF design optimization tool which calculates EiRP and predicted coverage in real time as the antenna is moved around the floor plan of the building. This innovative feature allows the user to rapidly try what-if scenarios and optimize the coverage of each antenna in a complex DAS system.

Additionally, Signal-IQ contains many advances in overall workflow and usability. Helpful features have been added to streamline complex processes which are easily accessible with a quick context sensitive menu.