Planning Software and Transmission Data Systems
FRANSY
FRANSY is a frequency-analysis software tool used in planning terrestrial transmitter networks for DVB-T, T-DAB, analogue TV and VHF/FM.
IRT developed this Java-based software in conjunction with its partner con terra and public broadcasters.
FRANSY facilitates the user-friendly creation of coverage predictions and compatibility analyses as per key coordination agreements. This software also makes it easy to calculate the geographic and demographic range of conventional Multi-Frequency Networks (MFNs) and digital single frequency networks (SFNs). Depending on the propagation model in question, either a quick overview of the field strength is compiled by means of standardised methods (ITU-R P.1546, ITU-R P.370), or a detailed and very realistic field-strength prediction is calculated by considering topographical and orographic data (IRT’s 2-D model, SWF model).
FRANSY’s numerous tools simplify the optimisation of network parameters. Thanks to the integrated GIS (Geographical Information System) with layer administration, FRANSY’s intuitive interface allows users to easily visualise result data – particularly in map mode. Some additional features include an integrated set of transmission data, transmission-data import, protection ratios, receive modes, terrain contours, scalability, demographic analysis and flexible post-processing.
German public broadcasters use FRANSY not only for transmitter-network planning purposes, but especially for the transition to digital television. FRANSY was also an indispensable tool prior to and during the Regional Radio Conference 2006 (RRC-06).
IRT is continuously enhancing FRANSY for all broadcast applications, but particularly with an eye on cutting-edge applications such as Mobile Broadcast Services (DMB, DVB-H).
SISY
A consistent and complete set of transmission data is one of the fundamental prerequisites for reliable and meaningful coverage predictions. This motivated IRT and Germany’s public broadcasters to set up SISY, a transmission-data system. SISY combines the strengths of a relational database management system with replication-based star network topology, the central server of which is housed at IRT. This system provides public broadcasters with shared access to current transmission data during distributed data processing. History functions between the transmission data enable frequency planners to generate various planning scenarios. The right transmission data can thus be retrieved depending on the requirements of a given planning task.
Wittsmoor
Since 2006, IRT has been maintaining the so-called Wittsmoor List, which summarises the transmission data of German radio stations and TV channels. Open to the public, this directory constitutes the most comprehensive list of terrestrial broadcast transmitters currently in operation. The Wittsmoor List is the definitive source of information for public broadcasters and anyone else interested in broadcasting issues. Download
DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale)
The transition to digital transmission (DRM) should be completed soon for long-wave and medium-wave bands, as well. It is in this framework that IRT offers a programme which calculates the likelihood of coverage not only of analogue and digital transmitters, but also of SFNs.
