Professional Wireless eases RF coordination with IAS

Professional Wireless Systems is making its Intermodulation Analysis Systems (IAS) available to the public after years of development and proprietary use. The system makes use of GPS coordinates and FCC databases to make it easier than ever for professional wireless frequency coordinators to get the job done.

“People have seen this system in use for years and have been asking us for copies so we’re now making it available as a useful product that can help anyone co-ordinate wireless RF frequencies,” says Carl Cordes, PWS general manager.
IAS 4.4 system enables RF technicians to combine a database of wireless performance equipment from any manufacturer and also builds in custom frequency spacing parameters for each wireless system model and comprehensive group and channel assignments for any given piece of equipment. More importantly, the system eliminates the need to carry frequency reference charts for individual wireless system models.

In developing IAS PWS Wireless Specialist Jason Eskew has coordinated a number of events at large convention centers that include up to 400 frequencies. One feature in the professional version of the system is the ability to create different zones within a large facility like an arena or stadium. “The ability to define different zones of a building or venue enables us to make the most efficient use of RF spectrum per coordination,” he says.
Eskew was inspired to develop the program after spending hours constructing a large coordination using old software. Arriving on-site he learned he d been provided with inaccurate information and had to re-do the entire coordination. After experimenting with early versions of the program for several years he began sharing the system with his Professional Wireless System associates. Positive feedback was instantaneous.

How does it work? IAS integrates an FCC Data Search that remains available on local hard drives even while off line. Data can be queried using Latitude and Longitude and the program also integrates a list of 42,000+ US Zip Codes with Lat/Long data. Users simply enter a zip code to find the Lat/Long for a given area, select stations to import and bring them directly into the program.
To acquire a hard copy frequency list in the past, a computer needed to be connected directly to a printer, highly impractical on a show-site. The IAS tool outputs frequency coordination reports in several formats as .html pages. By saving these reports to a USB memory stick, any local computer printer can be used to print hard copy reports.

IAS also features a graph displaying selected TV stations, frequencies, candidate “freqs” available for selection and IMD products designed to ease the coordination task. The graph simplifies the process of finding ‘holes’ in the spectrum where additional systems might be added. IAS is also useful when explaining why clients can t add more wireless in a given area because of RF congestion.
IAS requires Microsoft Windows 2000 or higher, Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0, and 30 MB of hard drive space. An Internet connection is required for license activation and occasional FCC data download (PWS says an Internet connection is not required to use the system).
There are two versions of the software: a basic version, priced at $350 and a professional version for $850 (if two or more copies are purchased the price drops to $699). Cordes says the basic version is ideal for small AV companies that don t need to co-ordinate more than 30 frequencies. The pro version adds features like unlimited frequencies and zones.

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