RF-vu - User's Manual

In-Building
Wireless
Design Software
User’s Manual
Version 2.1.1
Copyright 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions. All Rights Reserved
iBwave Solutions - Confidential

The information contained herein is the property of iBwave Solutions and is strictly confidential. Except as expressly
authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, the holder shall keep all information confidential, shall disclose it only to its
employees with a need to know, and shall protect it, in whole or in part, from disclosure and dissemination to third
parties with the same degree of care protect its own confidential information, but with no less than reasonable care.
Except as expressly authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, the holder is granted no rights to use the information
herein. Information is subject to change without notice. iBwave Solutions reserves the right to make changes in design
or components as progress in engineering and manufacturing may warrant RF-vu Software Manual Version 2.1.1.
USER’S MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1
Table of Content
About this document........................................................................................................................................4
0.1. Revision history...............................................................................................................................4
1. Introduction to RF-vu ..............................................................................................................................4
1.1. Launch RF-vu ..................................................................................................................................4
1.2. Workspace Configuration................................................................................................................5
1.3. Tools Options ..................................................................................................................................7
1.3.1. General ....................................................................................................................................7
1.3.2. Database synchronization ........................................................................................................8
1.3.3. Preferred Parts .........................................................................................................................8
1.3.4. Image compression ..................................................................................................................9
2. Design Plan..............................................................................................................................................9
2.1. Create a new project ........................................................................................................................9
2.1.1. Project Properties...................................................................................................................10
2.1.2. Security..................................................................................................................................11
2.1.3. Settings ..................................................................................................................................11
2.1.4. Units ......................................................................................................................................12
2.1.5. Calculations ...........................................................................................................................13
2.1.6. CDMA Technology ...............................................................................................................13
2.1.7. Part ID ...................................................................................................................................14
2.1.8. Back-off factors .....................................................................................................................17
2.1.9. Mobile Signal ........................................................................................................................17
2.2. Add Systems..................................................................................................................................19
2.2.1. Base Station ...........................................................................................................................19
2.2.2. Off-Air Repeater with donor base station..............................................................................21
2.2.3. Off-Air Repeater with measured RSSI at the donor antenna.................................................26
2.2.4. Wi-Fi source ..........................................................................................................................28
2.3. Remove a System ..........................................................................................................................30
2.4. Add Components and interconnect them.......................................................................................31
2.4.1. Shape Cables..........................................................................................................................34
2.4.2. Add Shapes, Lines, Text Boxes.............................................................................................34
2.4.3. Inverse through / tap splitter ports .........................................................................................36
2.4.4. Rotate a component ...............................................................................................................36
2.5. Data View Filter window...............................................................................................................37
2.5.1. Data View Filter definition....................................................................................................38
2.6. Show / Hide calculation and cable length labels ...........................................................................39
2.7. Part Info window ...........................................................................................................................40
2.8. Debug Message List window.........................................................................................................41
3. Layout Plans ..........................................................................................................................................42
3.1. Import a layout plan.......................................................................................................................42
3.1.1. Layout plan file – (*.dwg) .....................................................................................................43
3.1.2. Layout plan file – image type ................................................................................................44
3.2. Configure Scale on a Layout Plan .................................................................................................45
3.2.1. Same Horizontal & Vertical Scale.........................................................................................46
3.2.2. Different Horizontal & Vertical Scale ...................................................................................47
3.3. Add components onto a Layout Plan.............................................................................................48
3.3.1. Push components from Design Plan to Layout Plan..............................................................48
3.3.2. Pull components from Design Plan onto Layout Plan ...........................................................49
3.4. Position components onto Layout Plan .........................................................................................50
3.5. Display information onto Layout Plan...........................................................................................51
3.5.1. Show / Hide cable length labels.............................................................................................51
3.6. Show Design / Layout sibling........................................................................................................52
3.7. Design on Layout Plans.................................................................................................................53
© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 2

3.7.1. Add a System.........................................................................................................................53

3.7.2. Remove a System ..................................................................................................................53
3.7.3. Add components and interconnect them................................................................................54
3.7.4. Remove or delete a component..............................................................................................54
3.7.5. Shape Cables..........................................................................................................................55
3.7.6. Add shapes, lines, text boxes.................................................................................................55
3.7.7. Inverse through / tap splitter ports .........................................................................................56
3.7.8. Data View Filters...................................................................................................................56
3.7.9. Show predicted antenna contour............................................................................................57
3.7.10. Via and cable length calculations ..........................................................................................57
3.7.11. Add a Via...............................................................................................................................58
3.8. Measurement tools.........................................................................................................................59
3.8.1. Ruler ......................................................................................................................................59
3.8.2. Area calculator.......................................................................................................................60
4. Picture Plans ..........................................................................................................................................62
4.1. Overlay components on a Picture Plan ..........................................................................................62
4.2. Pull components from Design Plan onto Picture Plan ...................................................................64
4.3. Display information on Picture Plan..............................................................................................65
5. Add legends to Design, Layout and Picture Plans.................................................................................65
6. Reports...................................................................................................................................................66
6.1. Equipment List ..............................................................................................................................66
6.2. Cost Details ...................................................................................................................................67
6.3. Cable Routing Report ....................................................................................................................69
6.4. Cross-Reference Report.................................................................................................................70
7. Printing ..................................................................................................................................................71
7.1. Page setup ......................................................................................................................................71
7.2. Print preview .................................................................................................................................73
7.3. Print Current page..........................................................................................................................74
7.4. Print Project ...................................................................................................................................74
7.5. Print Selection ...............................................................................................................................75
7.6. Insert reports into a PDF file .........................................................................................................76
7.7. Export to Image .............................................................................................................................76
8. Database of components........................................................................................................................77
9. Tricks and shortcuts...............................................................................................................................77
9.1. Toggle between Selector Cursor and Pan Cursor ..........................................................................77
9.2. Shortcut Key..................................................................................................................................77

About this document
0.1. Revision history

Issue Date Justification
1.2 2004-06-16 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 1.2
2.0 (pre) 2004-10-16 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 2.0 – Pre-release
2.0 2004-11-01 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 2.0 – Official release
2.1 (pre) 2005-02-22 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 2.1 – Pre-release
2.1 2005-03-30 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 2.1 – Official release
2.1.1 2005-06-07 RF-vu – User’s Manual - Version 2.1.1 – Official release
1. Introduction to RF-vu
Basic operation of RF-vu software is covered in this chapter. Refer to
appropriate chapters in the Help File for in depth information.
1.1. Launch RF-vu

Double-click on RF-vu’s icon on the desktop
Or
Select Start -> All Programs –> iBwave Solutions –> RF-vu to launch the
application.

1.2. Workspace Configuration
Toggle windows
On / Off
Open / Close / Lock Window
1. Place cursor on the window tab to make it

appear
2. Remove cursor from that window to make
it disappear
3. Pin the window to lock it on the
workspace

To superpose 2 windows or more,
1. Pin the desired windows

2. Drag one of the windows on top
of the other one until a grey
rectangle appears
3. Release mouse button
To toggle between 2 windows or more,
1. Pin the desired windows

2. Drag one of the windows on the
window name until a grey
rectangle appears
3. Release mouse button
4. Toggle between windows with
the tabs

1.3. Tools Options
1.3.1. General
From 0 to 6
decimals
Saves program
environment
settings (tool bars
configuration and
placement)

1.3.2. Database synchronization
Configure the Shared database

synchronization parameters.
Refer to DB Editor – User’s
Manual for more details.
1.3.3. Preferred Parts

Available Shortcut Keys are Add a new part
from CTRL+0 to CTRL+9 entry (will launch
DB part selector
window)
Delete part
entry
Change
order of an
entry from
the list
Preferred Parts toolbar is populated

as per the information contained in
Tools -> Options -> Preferred Parts
Enter a number
from 0 to 9 and
press Change
When designing in RF-vu, preferred parts can be dropped on the Design

Plan or Layout Plans by pressing the Shortcut Key (CTRL+ 0 to 9) or
simply by selecting the associated button from the preferred parts toolbar.

1.3.4. Image compression
Additional image compression settings can be configured to keep project

file size to a minimum.
2. Design Plan
2.1. Create a new project

2.1.1. Project Properties
Fill in project
information fields and
load your company
logo if desired
Project information
appears on every
project plan
© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

10
2.1.2. Security
Ability to set a
password protection
Ability to prevent RF- to open and/or modify
vu Field users from the project file
modifying the
dataview filter
2.1.3. Settings
Project settings can be exchanged amongst

users and are found under C:\Program
Files\iBwave\RF-vu\Project Settings
To configure the font size

and color of Part ID, Part
model and Calculation

11
2.1.4. Units
Units can be
selected on a
per project
basis and
modified at any
time

12
2.1.5. Calculations
Ability to select if the Composite

output power is being calculated
on a Per band basis or Equally
shared between systems operating
on the same band of frequencies
2.1.6. CDMA Technology
Percentage of power Ability to select how

allocated for Walsh Mobile Signal Range
Codes can I settable and Mobile Signal
and will be taken into RSSI calculations are
account in calculations performed

13
2.1.7. Part ID
Generation options:
Auto-generate IDs for all parts: this mode generates part IDs
automatically without offering the ability to manually modify an ID
when desired;
Generate IDs for new parts only: this mode generates part IDs
automatically for new components added to the design. It allows the
user to manually modify a part ID, as long as it is unique.
Font: ability to customize the look and size of the font used for part IDs.
Template: this section depicts what part IDs are to be composed of.
Sample: shows an example of a part ID as per the formula entered

in the Value text box
Value: is a string of characters corresponding to a combination of

variables, characters and numbers. Below, find some of the conventions
to be used when editing the value field:

14
# : Represents a one-digit numbering index. RF-vu

automatically increments that number;
## : Represents a two-digit numbering index. RF-vu
automatically increments that number and applies as many
digits as there are # symbols. Zero’s will be used to fill in
the numbering index when necessary.
\ : RF-vu expects to see a variable name following a back
slash symbol. Otherwise, the back slash symbol will be
part of the global part ID as a free text character;
Any character or string of characters not mentioned above
or not a variable will appear as a string of characters as
part of the part ID;
Variables:
\ID: ID from tab (refer to next section)
\LPNAME: Layout Plan Name is the name assigned to
the Layout Plan
\LPCODE: Layout Plan Code specified on each Layout
Plan properties window (see image below)
\BNAME: Building Name specified on each Layout Plan
properties window (see image below)
\BCODE: Building Code specified on each Layout Plan
properties window (see image below)
To select a part ID formula, simply click on it from the list and it will appear
in the value field. To add a new formula template, simply press and
enter the formula string into the value text box. To delete an entry from the
list existing formulae, simply select the formula and press .

15
Preset ID acronyms
specific to each
type of component.
Used in the
template TAB.
Part numbering
start index
Ability to reset the part

numbering index on each
Layout Plan

16
2.1.8. Back-off factors
Back-off factor are applied to the 1 dB Compression point

value of active components that do not have technology output
power per channel rating based specified in the database
Select the
technology, enter
de back-off factor
value and press
change
2.1.9. Mobile Signal

Propagation models are used for Mobile Signal Range and Mobile Signal
Expected RSSI calculations. Also, these models are used for the Antenna
Contour shown on scaled Layout Plans. Currently, the user can choose between
2 propagation models:
Free Space Path Loss (also called Friis equation)
Path Loss Exponent
Free Space Path Loss model takes into account body, fading and building
material losses. While Path Loss Exponent model considers the n exponent
factor and the variance ( ). Propagation parameters can be set per band of
frequencies.

17

18
2.2. Add Systems
A system is an RF source defined per frequency band, technology

and number of channels. The user can add as many systems as
needed and there’s no limitation. This functionality is suitable for
multi-carrier, multi-technology projects.
There are three different types of sources:

- Base Station
- Off-Air Repeater with donor base station
- Off-Air Repeater with measured RSSI at the donor antenna
2.2.1. Base Station
2. Select Base
Station Sector
1. System Info
window, select
Add System
3. Configure frequency 4. Fill out Site
band, technology, number information
of channels, etc details 5. Select Next to
continue in the
system wizard

19
6. Fill out the 7. Fill out the 8. Select Finish to go

Uplink path Downlink path back to the Design Plan
9. Position the Base Station on

the Design Plan
* Base Station info is always in
System Info window

20
2.2.2. Off-Air Repeater with donor base station
2. Select Off-Air
Source
4. Fill out Site

information
details
1. System Info
window, select
Add System
3. Configure frequency
band, technology, number 5. Select
Theoretical Path 6. Select Next to
of channels, etc continue in the
system wizard
9. Select Next to
7. Fill out the 8. Fill out the continue in the wizard
donor site donor site
Uplink path Downlink path

21
11. Fill out the distance

between the donor site and
the off-air repeater
12. Add any other

13. Select the loss than free space
10. Fill out the donor antenna (trees, buildings, etc)
donor tower info
14. Select the

antenna
manufacturer
15. Select the

antenna model
16. Select Ok to
go back to the
wizard

22
17. Select Finish to go back

to the Design Plan
18. Position the Donor base

station on the Design Plan
* System info is always in
System Info window

23
19. Select
Repeater
category
20. Select the

repeater
manufacturer
21. Select the

repeater model
22. Select Ok to
go back to the
wizard
24. Select Cable

category
23. Position
repeater on the
design page

24
25. Select the

cable
manufacturer
26. Select the

cable model
27. Enter cable

length
28. Select Ok to
go back to the
design page
29. Place the cursor on one

connector until the red dot
flashes
30. Drag the cable to the
other connector until the red
dot flashes
31. Release the mouse
button
32. Shape the cable
* Since there’s connection

validation, it’s important to
connect output to input or
else the connection won’t be
made

25
2.2.3. Off-Air Repeater with measured RSSI at the donor

antenna
2. Select Off-Air
Source
4. Fill out Site

information
details
1. System Info
window, select
Add System
3. Configure frequency
band, technology, number 5. Select
Measured RSSI 6. Select Next to
of channels, etc continue in the
system wizard
7. Enter the
measured RSSI
8. Select the
donor antenna

26
9. Select the
antenna
manufacturer
10. Select the

antenna model
11. Select Ok to
go back to the
wizard
12. Select Finish to go back to

the Design Plan

27
13. Position the system on the

Design Plan
* Donor Base Station info is
always in System Info
window
14. See how to bring and

connect the off-air repeater
in section 2.2.2
2.2.4. Wi-Fi source

Another type of system is a Wi-Fi (802.11x) access point. One or
many access points will form a new System under the System Info
window. To delete a Wi-Fi system, all access points must be deleted.
1. Select the Wi-Fi

source button from
the Parts tool bar
2. Select the Wi-Fi

source from the part
selector window.
Output power can be
set on the Access Point

28
5. Available Data View

3. Add Wi-Fi sources filters for Wi-Fi system
on the Design plan (composed of SRC0
and SRC1)
4. Interconnect with
other components
6. Wi-Fi System Info (cannot

click on properties button)

29
2.3. Remove a System

2. Select
Remove System
1. Select the
system to be
removed

30
2.4. Add Components and interconnect them
To access the components database, select the type of component

required in the Parts Window and select the component by
Manufacturer and Model.
- Cable
- Coax
- Optical Antenna
- Twisted Pair
BDA
- Splitter
- Directional Coupler
- Hybrid Combiner Filter
- Duplexer
- Diplexer
Repeater
Attenuator Fiber BDA Hub
Fiber BDA Fiber Repeater Hub
Fiber Repeater Power Supply
Miscellaneous
Wi-Fi source
Manufacturer
Toggle between
Uplink and
Model
Downlink Spec.
RF Spec. &
Adjustment
Component
Description
Component Spec
- Electrical
- Generic
Component image
- Mechanical

31
2. Place as many
1. Position the
components of the
selected
same type or Right
component Click to come back to
the regular cursor
4. Select Cable
category 3. Position
components on
Design Plan

32
5. Select the
cable
manufacturer
6. Select the
cable model
7. Adjust cable
length
8. Select Ok to
go back to the
Design Plan
9. Place the cursor on one

connector until the red dot
flashes
10. Drag the cable to the
other connector until the red
dot flashes
11. Release the mouse
button
12. Shape the cable
* Since there’s connection

validation, it’s important to
connect output to input or
else the connection won’t be
made

33
2.4.1. Shape Cables
1. Click on the cable

you wish to reshape
2. Click and drag an

intersection dot to
shape the cable
2.4.2. Add Shapes, Lines, Text Boxes
1. Select Line, Shape or

Text Box
2. Draw an area
where to place the
selected object
3. Right Click on
the object just
created and select
Properties

34
4. Modify the 5. Modify Color, 6. Modify Color

shape and Width and Style and Font if text
background of contour is required
color
7. Use “Bring to
Front” or “Send 8. When writing
to Back” for into a text box,
ordering content “CTRL-ENTER”
acts as a line feed
Use the following tool bar

to align text Vertically
and Horizontally

35
2.4.3. Inverse through / tap splitter ports
1. Select component
2. Right-click
3.
1. Inverse Tap/Through
2.4.4. Rotate a component
2. Press Rotate Left or Rotate

Right button
3. Rotation is in 90°
increment
1. Select component

36
2.5. Data View Filter window
The Data View Filter window is used to display all kinds of information on
the design diagram. Check the box related to the desired view to see the
information. As many boxes as required can be checked simultaneously.
The configuration of
some calculations can
be set under
The color of the Tools/Options (See
readings fits with the section 1.3 of this
system color document)
represented in the
Data View Filter
window and the
System Info window
Detailed
calculations legend
Refresh updates all

calculations when pressed
Clear all disables all
check-boxes
Auto-update continuously
refreshes all calculations

37
2.5.1. Data View Filter definition

Filter Description
Component identifier
Parts ID
(Prefix + Number)
Parts Model Component’s model
Cable Length Cable Length
Cable Loss Cable Loss for each section
Output power per channel for a specific
Power / Channel
source at a specific node
Total output power for a specific source at a
Composite Power
specific node. Sum of all channels.
Absolute Gain / Loss Node gain or loss
CDMA pilot power based on user defined
Pilot Power parameters under Tools/Options
(See section 1.3)
CDMA Pilot, Paging, Sync power based on
CDMA Overhead user defined parameters under Tools/Options
(See section 1.3)
Expected Mobile RSSI at each antenna based
MS RSSI on user defined parameters under
Tools/Options (See section 1.3)
Expected Mobile range at each antenna
MS Signal Range based on user defined parameters under
Tools/Options (See section 1.3)
Noise / Channel Uplink noise power
Expected Mobile signal level at each node
based on user defined parameters (MS
Mobile Signal & C / N RSSI or MS Signal Range)
Carrier-to-Noise ratio (Mobile Signal /
(Noise / Channel))

38
2.6. Show / Hide calculation and cable length labels

When too many calculation labels or cable lengths are shown, it is possible
to hide some labels at one specific connector of a component, for an entire
component or simply hide a cable length. Inversely, hidden labels can be
re-activated as well.
Right-click on a
Right-click on a connector node and
calculation label select select Show connector
Hide connector calculation
calculation
Right-click on a cable and

select Show cable
Right-click on a cable
length/loss
length label and select
Hide cable length/loss
Right-click on a
component and select Right-click on a
Hide part calculations component and select
Show part calculations

39
2.7. Part Info window
Part Info window gives

information related to the
component where the
mouse cursor is pointing

40
2.8. Debug Message List window
Information:
AGC is active for the specified part
Warning:
A maximum value was exceeded (e.g.: Optical budget, Input Power, etc)
Some values different than zero are showing zero because of the limited
amount of displayed decimal digits.
Saturated output
Error:
Frequency-wise compatibility between part and system signal source
Cable does not support system signal source frequency
A property used by RF-vu is not defined for a part
A property used by RF-vu has an invalid value for a part
Fiber hub and remote unit are not compatible (not from same family)
Invalid formula between two connectors of a part

41
3. Layout Plans
3.1. Import a layout plan
1. Open Plans Info
window
2. Select New
Layout Plan
3. Enter plan name

4. Locate a Layout
Plan file
5. Select your plan file

(Any type of image file
or DWG)

42
3.1.1. Layout plan file – (*.dwg)
RF-vu supports (*.dwg) file type for Layout Plan. It imports the (*.dwg) file
and converts it to (*.png) format (W3C Portable Network Graphics format).
During this conversion process, the user can select which layers are to be
imported by selecting or un-selecting from the converted layers window.
Also, the user has the option to save the converted (*.dwg) file as a
separate (*.png) file using the optional Output file section at the bottom of
the window:
1. Select layers to
import
2. Specify the conversion quality
3. (Opt.) - Save the converted file

as a PNG image
4. Start the conversion process

43
3.1.2. Layout plan file – image type
RF-vu supports numerous types of image file format as a Layout Plan:

Bitmap format (*.bmp)
Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif)
Joint Photographic Expert Group format (*.jpeg, *.jpg)
W3C Portable Network Graphics format (*.png)
Tag Image File Format (*.tiff)
2. Select New
Layout Plan 1. Open Plans
Info window
3. Enter plan name
4. Locate a Layout
Plan file
5. Select your plan

file (Any type of
imageimage
file file or
or *.dwg)
AutoCAD DWG)

44
3.2. Configure Scale on a Layout Plan

A scale must be set on each layout plan in order to use RF-vu’s Automatic
Cable Length calculation feature.
1. Select a Layout Plan
and click Plan
Properties
2. Set a scale on a
Layout Plan
3. Allow a Layout Plan

size & position to be
locked on the screen
5. Accounts for vertical
4. Automatic (requires and horizontal drops for
a scale to be set) or cable going through
Manual cable length several Layout Plans (can
calculation modes be confirmed for each
individual cable as well)
It is also possible to lock the Picture Plan’s siez and position on the
screen by doing a right-click from the context when the cursor is
positioned over the Layout Plan:

45
Once the user has pressed the “Configure scale” button, these steps
must be followed:
3.2.1. Same Horizontal & Vertical Scale
1. Select Same
Horizontal &
Vertical
2. If you do not see

a blue vector, press
Locate Vector
3. If you wish to
reset you vector
position
4. Zoom-in each
vector end 6. Specify the vector’s
length
5. Select and move

1.
each vector end to
its desired location
7. Click Ok to confirm
scale settings

46
3.2.2. Different Horizontal & Vertical Scale
1. Position Horizontal and

Vertical vectors to desired
locations (refer to
procedure in section 3.2.1)
2. Specify Horizontal
and Vertical vector
lengths
3. Confirm resulting
scale by pressing Ok
4. Resize the image to fit the

page. (use zoom option to
see the full page)

47
3.3. Add components onto a Layout Plan
3.3.1. Push components from Design Plan to Layout Plan
1. Select Design Plan tab
Technique
#1
2. Select one or multiple
components and right click
3. Assign selected
components to the desired
Layout Plan
1. Select Design Plan tab
3. Assign selected components

to the desired Layout Plan with
the drop down menu
Technique
#2
2. Select one or
multiple components

48
3.3.2. Pull components from Design Plan onto Layout Plan
1. Select the desired

Layout Plan
2. Right Click and

select Pull from
Design Plan
3. Select the
components that
need to be on the
Layout Plan
Components already
assigned to other
Layout Plans

49
3.4. Position components onto Layout Plan
1. Select the component to be positioned

2. Move the component to its location
3. Shape the cable to show where it runs (see
section 2.4.1 to view how to shape a cable)
Shows where the other end of a cable is

located and which component it is
attached to

50
3.5. Display information onto Layout Plan

3. Select Line,
Shape or Text Box
to add more info
(see section 2.4.2)
1. Select the Data

View Filter window
to display the desired
information
2. Select the label and

move it to the desired
location
3.5.1. Show / Hide cable length labels
Right-click on a
cable and select
Show cable
length
Right-click on a
cable length label
and select Hide
cable length
Adding a
system in Layout Plan mode is no different than adding it in Design Plan

51
mode. Refer to section 2.2 for complete instructions onto adding a system
in Layout Plan mode. System are represented by the following symbols in
Layout Plan mode:
3.6. Show Design / Layout sibling
From a Layout Plan,

right-clik on a
From a Design Plan, right- component and select
click on a component and Show design sibling to
select Show layout sibling
locate it on a Design Plan
to locate it on a Layout
Plan

52
3.7. Design on Layout Plans

It should be noted that a component added onto any layout plan will be
automatically added onto the Design Plan.
It is possible to design a system on layout plans instead of using the

Design Plan mode. Although, there is a very limited number of Data View
filters available in Layout Plan mode in the current product release.
All components on a Layout Plan are represented by a pre-defined symbol

instead of on image as per the database of components.
3.7.1. Add a System

Adding a system in Layout Plan mode is no different than adding it in
Design Plan mode. Refer to section 2.2 for complete instructions onto
adding a system in Layout Plan mode. System are represented by the
following symbols in Layout Plan mode:
Base Station
Off-Air System (with donor antenna)
3.7.2. Remove a System

There are 2 variances of removing a system from a Layout Plan. The first
one consist of removing a system from one Layout Plan whitout removing it
from the Design Plan.
1. Right-click on the
System’s symbol
2. Pull part to
3. None

53
The second variance consists of deleting system from both the Layout and
Design Plans. This can be done by clicking on the system symbol with the
mouse and using the delete key from the keyboard. Also, the user can
follow the procedure as per section 2.3.
3.7.3. Add components and interconnect them

Other than the fact the all components of the same family are represented
by the same pictogram in Layout Plan mode, adding component on a
Design Plan requires to follow the same procedure as per section 2.4.
Below, find a list legend of component symbols seen on a layout plan:
3.7.4. Remove or delete a component

The same variances and methodologies apply for removing components
as decribed in section 3.7.2.

54
3.7.5. Shape Cables

Shaping cables in Layout Plan mode is almost the same as in Design Plan
mode(refer to section 2.4.1). Although, it is possible to shape a cable in
other angles than vertically or horizontally.
3. New snap
1. Select a points are added
cable to shape as you move one
2. Move a snap
point to its
desired location
4. Right-click on
a snap point to
delete it
3.7.6. Add shapes, lines, text boxes

Adding shapes, lines or text boxes on a Layout Plan consists of the
methodology as described in section 2.4.2.

55
3.7.7. Inverse through / tap splitter ports

1. Select component
2. Right-click
3. Inverse Tap/Through
3.7.8. Data View Filters

There are only 3 filters made available when designing in Layout Plan
mode. Those are:
The current software release does not allow enabling as many filters in
Layout Plan mode as it is possible in Design Mode.

56
3.7.9. Show predicted antenna contour

Based on the selected propagation model, it is now possible to show a
predicted antenna contours for each system.
2. The 3 dB HBW is
shown for directional
antenna
3. Change the azimuth by
moving the red square
around the center of
the antenna
1. Enable Antenna
Contour dataview filter
The current software release does not allow to enable as many filters in
Layout Plan mode as it is possible in Design Mode.
3.7.10. Via and cable length calculations

When two components connected to each other through a cable are
located on separate Layout Plans, a virtual component called “VIA” is
placed on each Layout Plan. The “VIA” represents a break point for the
cable going from one Layout Plan onto another. A distance can be user-
defined for each pair of VIA or set to a standard value for the entire Layout
Plan. This distance is being taken into account when automatic cable
length calculation mode is enabled for cables.
Below, find a matrix to depict different scenarios and how a cable length is
being calculated:

57
Design
Scenario Layout Plan
Plan
Distance Length
Layout Plan Cable Length on
between on Plan
# mode Length Plan A
VIA B
Plan A Plan B LC LA V LB
User
1 Auto Auto LA + V + LB Auto
defined
Auto
User User
2-a Auto Manual LA + V + LB Auto
defined defined
User
2-b Auto Manual User defined Auto
defined
LC – LA - V
User User User
3-a Manual Manual LA + V + LB
defined defined defined
User User
3-b Manual Manual User defined
defined defined
LC – LA - V
User User
3-c Manual Manual User defined L C – LB - V
defined defined
3.7.11. Add a Via

If designing in Layout Plan mode, when 2 components
interconnected together are located on different Layout Plans, the
user must add a pair of Via to make a physical connection.
2- Place the VIA on the
Layout Plan by clicking on it
1- When in Layout Plan mode, 3- Select from the list the

click on the VIA button from Layout Plan on which the
the Parts tool bar other end of the VIA is
located and enter the distance
between both VIA

58
3.8. Measurement tools
3.8.1. Ruler
To estimate lengths, ruler vector can be traced on scaled floor plans.
1. Select Ruler from

the tool bar
2. Click on one end of

the ruler vector
4. Right-click to modify
vector properties 3. Drag the mouse
cursor to the
other end

59
3.8.2. Area calculator

Rectangle and Ellipse shapes can be overlaid on scaled layout plans
to estimate an area in square feet or square meters.
3. Select Rectangle
area from the
tool bar
4. Draw an shape
an ellipse on the
layout plan
2. Draw and shape
a rectangle on the
layout plan
5. Right-click to
modify Rectangle
or Ellipse
properties

60
1. Right-click Show
Properties to configure the
shape’s parameters
2. Shape’s
dimensions can
be configured in
each axis
3. Various
shape/display
parameters are
settable

61
4. Picture Plans
4.1. Overlay components on a Picture Plan
1. Open Plans Info

window
3. Enter picture plan name
2. Select New
Picture
4. Open Page Setup
5. Define Page Size

and Orientation

62
6. Select Image option
7. Choose file location
8. Open the file
9. Resize the image to fit the

page. (use zoom option to
see the full page)

63
4.2. Pull components from Design Plan onto Picture Plan
1. Select the desired

Picture Plan
2. Right Click and

select Pull from
Design Plan
4. Rotate component
image if needed
3. Resize component
image in proportion with
the picture

64
4.3. Display information on Picture Plan
1. Select the Data

View Filter window
to display the desired
3. Select Line, information
Shape or Text Box
to add more info
(see section 2.4.2)
2. Select the label and

move it to the desired
location
5. Add legends to Design, Layout and Picture Plans
Calculations Cables Systems Pictograms

Legend Legend Legend Legend
Design Plan Available Available Available Not Available
Layout Plans Not Available Available Available Available
Picture Plans Not Available Not Available Available Not Available

65
6. Reports
Reports can be generated from the Tool Bar or through the Reports menu.
6.1. Equipment List

The Equipment List report consists of an inventory of all the components
present on the Design and Layout Plans.
A safety margin cable

Fill in the Report’s be applied on any
Options window prior cable length
to generate the report

66
6.2. Cost Details

The Cost Details report consists of an inventory of all the components
including pricing information (Construction & Unit costs).
Mark-up values can

be added on top of
the Equipment and
Construction costs
independently
Additional line items

can be added to the
Cost Details report

67
Project cost is broken

down in 2 (Equipment
& Construction costs)

68
6.3. Cable Routing Report

The Cable Routing Report consists of an inventory of each Cable run
including details associated to components it connects to.

69
6.4. Cross-Reference Report

The Cross-Reference Report consists of an inventory of each component
with its Part ID, part model and part description along with where it is being
installed.

70
7. Printing
7.1. Page setup
The following procedure is valid for configuring the page setup of all type of
report or plan that can be printed using RF-vu:
Design Plan
Layout Plan
Picture Plan
Equipment List Report
Cost Details Report
1. Configure Print Setup

(printer paper)
3. Use the drop down to resize

2. Define printer info to be printed (ability to
page Size and print on multiple pages)
Orientation
4. Select Fit to printer

paper to automatically
resize the information to
be printed

71
5. Configure Page Setup

(on-screen display)
6. Define displayed
page Size and
Orientation
7. Configure Title Border

(page border and project
information)
8. Toggle border On/Off
9. Toggle Project info

and Company logo
(see section 2.1.1 on how
to insert logo)

72
7.2. Print preview
1. Select Print Preview

option
2. Select number of pages to

preview
3. Print

73
7.3. Print Current page

Any report, plan or entire project printed will use the Print Setup
configuration as defined in section 7.1.
Will print only the active

report or plan
7.4. Print Project

This function prints all plans as per their respective print setup properties.
Selecting the print project function will print all plans in the following order:
Design Plan
Layout Plans NOTA: Print Project function does
Picture Plans not print any report
(Equipment List nor Cost Details)
Plans will be printed as per the
Plans Info tree structure
Prints all Design, Layout

and Picture Plans

74
7.5. Print Selection

This function offers the flexibility to customize which plans are to be printed
and in what order.
NOTA: Reports must be printed seperately (Equipment List and Cost Details)
1. Click on Selection on
than click on
2. List of available
documents to add to the
Documents selection list
3. Ordered list of
documents to print
LEGEND
Add one document to the selection
Add all documents to the selection
Remove selected document from the selection
Remove all documents from the selection
Move up selected document
Move down selected document

75
7.6. Insert reports into a PDF file

The current product release does not allow printing Reports as part
of the Print Project or Print Selection functions. To do so, follow this
procedure:
Print your project or selection in a PDF file by selecting Acrobat
DistillerTM as your printer;
Print the report(s) using Acrobat DistillerTM as your printer;
With Adobe AcrobatTM, open your project or selection PDF file.
Using the Insert Pages function from the Document menu,
select the report(s) PDF file(s) to insert and provide required
information onto where to insert the report file(s);
Save the project or selection PDF file.
7.7. Export to Image

It is also possible to save the active Design, Layout or Picture Plan as
an image file. The page setup configuration is used to determine the
area to save as part of the image.
1. Plans menu
2. Export to image
3. File name is entered

automatically
4. Specify file type
(BMP, GIF, JPG,
PNG)

76
8. Database of components
Please, refer to DB Editor – User’s Manual.
9. Tricks and shortcuts

9.1. Toggle between Selector Cursor and Pan Cursor
When on a Design, Layout or Picture Plan, simply press the SPACE bar from the
keyboard to change the mouse Selector cursor to the Pan cursor. Press the
SPACE bar again to change from the Pan cursor to the Selector cursor.
9.2. Shortcut Key

There are two types of shortcut keys that can be used in RF-vu. The first one is
commonly seen within any other application and typically uses the format
CTRL+X (X being a letter). The second type represents a list of shortcut keys
specific to RF-vu application and uses CTRL+SHIFT+Y format (Y being a letter
or number).
Shortcut Key Description
CTRL + A Select All
CTRL + C Copy
CTRL + N New Project
CTRL + O Open Project
CTRL + P Print Project
CTRL + S Save Project
CTRL + V Paste
CTRL + X Cut
F6 Zoom Fit
CTRL + SHIFT + I New Picture Plan

CTRL + SHIFT + L New Layout Plan
CTRL + SHIFT + O Tools Options
CTRL + SHIFT + P Project Properties
CTRL + 0 Preferred Part #0

… …
CTRL + 9 Preferred Part #9
77

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In-Building

Copyright 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions. All Rights Reserved

iBwave Solutions - Confidential

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 2

3.7.1. Add a System.........................................................................................................................53

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 3

About this document

0.1. Revision history

1.1. Launch RF-vu

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 4

1.2. Workspace Configuration

Open / Close / Lock Window

1. Place cursor on the window tab to make it

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 5

To superpose 2 windows or more,

1. Pin the desired windows

To toggle between 2 windows or more,

1. Pin the desired windows

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 6

1.3. Tools Options

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 7

1.3.2. Database synchronization

Configure the Shared database

1.3.3. Preferred Parts

Preferred Parts toolbar is populated

When designing in RF-vu, preferred parts can be dropped on the Design

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 8

1.3.4. Image compression

Additional image compression settings can be configured to keep project

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved 9

2.1.1. Project Properties

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Project settings can be exchanged amongst

To configure the font size

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

Ability to select if the Composite

2.1.6. CDMA Technology

Percentage of power Ability to select how

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

Sample: shows an example of a part ID as per the formula entered

Value: is a string of characters corresponding to a combination of

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

# : Represents a one-digit numbering index. RF-vu

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

Ability to reset the part

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

2.1.8. Back-off factors

Back-off factor are applied to the 1 dB Compression point

2.1.9. Mobile Signal

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

2.2. Add Systems

A system is an RF source defined per frequency band, technology

There are three different types of sources:

2.2.1. Base Station

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

6. Fill out the 7. Fill out the 8. Select Finish to go

9. Position the Base Station on

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

2.2.2. Off-Air Repeater with donor base station

4. Fill out Site

© 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions inc. All rights reserved

11. Fill out the distance

RF-vu - User's Manual

RF-vu - User's Manual