RF-vu - User's Manual

In-Building
Wireless
Design Software
Users 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.
USERS 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

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.
Issue
1.2
2.0 (pre)
2.0
2.1 (pre)
2.1
2.1.1
Revision history
Date
2004-06-16
2004-10-16
2004-11-01
2005-02-22
2005-03-30
2005-06-07
Justification
RF-vu Users Manual - Version 1.2
RF-vu Users Manual - Version 2.0 Pre-release
RF-vu Users Manual - Version 2.0 Official release
RF-vu Users Manual - Version 2.1 Pre-release
RF-vu Users Manual - Version 2.1 Official release
RF-vu Users 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.
Launch RF-vu
1.1.
Double-click on RF-vus 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

Tools Options
1.3.
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 Users
Manual for more details.
1.3.3.
Preferred Parts
Available Shortcut Keys are
from CTRL+0 to CTRL+9
Add a new part

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

10

2.1.2.
Security
Ability to set a
password protection
to open and/or modify
the project file
Ability to prevent RFvu Field users from

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
allocated for Walsh
Codes can I settable
and will be taken into
account in calculations
Ability to select how

Mobile Signal Range
and Mobile Signal
RSSI calculations are
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. Zeros 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 theres 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
3. Configure frequency
band, technology, number
of channels, etc
4. Fill out Site

information
details
1. System Info
window, select
Add System
5. Select Next to
continue in the
system wizard

19
6. Fill out the

Uplink path
7. Fill out the

Downlink path
8. Select Finish to go
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
of channels, etc
7. Fill out the

donor site
Uplink path
5. Select
Theoretical Path
8. Fill out the

donor site
Downlink path
6. Select Next to
continue in the
system wizard
9. Select Next to
continue in the wizard

21

11. Fill out the distance
between the donor site and
the off-air repeater
10. Fill out the

donor tower info
13. Select the

donor antenna
12. Add any other

loss than free space
(trees, buildings, etc)
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 theres connection
validation, its important to
connect output to input or
else the connection wont 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
of channels, etc
5. Select
Measured RSSI
6. Select Next to
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
3. Add Wi-Fi sources

on the Design plan
5. Available Data View

filters for Wi-Fi system
(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
- Twisted Pair
Antenna
BDA
- Splitter
- Directional Coupler
- Hybrid Combiner
Repeater
Attenuator
Filter
- Duplexer
- Diplexer
Fiber BDA Hub
Fiber BDA
Fiber Repeater Hub
Fiber Repeater
Power Supply
Miscellaneous
Wi-Fi source
Manufacturer
Toggle between
Uplink and
Downlink Spec.
Model
RF Spec. &
Adjustment
Component
Description
Component Spec
- Electrical
- Generic
- Mechanical
Component image

31
2. Place as many
components of the
same type or Right
Click to come back to
the regular cursor
1. Position the
selected
component
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 theres connection
validation, its important to
connect output to input or
else the connection wont 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
shape and
background
color
5. Modify Color,
Width and Style
of contour
7. Use Bring to
Front or Send
to Back for
ordering content
6. Modify Color
and Font if text
is required
8. When writing
into a text box,
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.
2.
3.
1.
2.4.4.
Select component
Right-click
Inverse Tap/Through
Rotate a component
2.
3.
1.
Press Rotate Left or Rotate

Right button
Rotation is in 90
increment
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
Tools/Options (See
section 1.3 of this
document)
The color of the

readings fits with the
system color
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
Parts ID
Parts Model
Cable Length
Cable Loss
Power / Channel
Composite Power
Absolute Gain / Loss
Pilot Power
CDMA Overhead
MS RSSI
MS Signal Range
Noise / Channel
Mobile Signal & C / N
Component identifier
(Prefix + Number)
Components model
Cable Length
Cable Loss for each section
Output power per channel for a specific
source at a specific node
Total output power for a specific source at a
specific node. Sum of all channels.
Node gain or loss
CDMA pilot power based on user defined
parameters under Tools/Options
(See section 1.3)
CDMA Pilot, Paging, Sync power based on
user defined parameters under Tools/Options
(See section 1.3)
Expected Mobile RSSI at each antenna based
on user defined parameters under
Tools/Options (See section 1.3)
Expected Mobile range at each antenna
based on user defined parameters under
Tools/Options (See section 1.3)
Uplink noise power
Expected Mobile signal level at each node
based on user defined parameters (MS
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
calculation label select
Hide connector
calculation
Right-click on a cable
length label and select
Hide cable length/loss
Right-click on a
component and select
Hide part calculations
Right-click on a
connector node and
select Show connector
calculation
Right-click on a cable and

select Show cable
length/loss
Right-click on a
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
image
or
image
file file
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-vus 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
4. Automatic (requires
a scale to be set) or
Manual cable length
calculation modes
5. Accounts for vertical

and horizontal drops for
cable going through
several Layout Plans (can
be confirmed for each
individual cable as well)
It is also possible to lock the Picture Plans 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 vectors

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 Design Plan, rightclick on a component and

select Show layout sibling
to locate it on a Layout
Plan
From a Layout Plan,

right-clik on a
Show design sibling to
locate it on a Design 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
Systems 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
points are added
as you move one
1. Select a
cable to shape
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.
2.
3.
Select component
Right-click
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.
3.
The 3 dB HBW is
shown for directional
antenna
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 userdefined 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
Plan
Scenario
Layout Plan
Layout Plan
mode
Cable
Length
Length on
Plan A
Plan A Plan B
LC
LA
Auto
Auto
LA + V + LB
Auto
2-a
Auto
Manual
LA + V + LB
Auto
2-b
Auto
Manual
User defined
Auto
3-a
Manual
Manual
LA + V + LB
3-b
Manual
Manual
User defined
3-c
Manual
Manual
User defined
User
defined
User
defined
LC LB - V
Distance
between
VIA
V
User
defined
User
defined
User
defined
User
defined
User
defined
User
defined
Length
on Plan
B
LB
Auto
User
defined
LC L A - V
User
defined
LC L A - V
User
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,

click on the VIA button from
the Parts tool bar
3- Select from the list the

Layout Plan on which the
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.
4.
Right-click to modify
vector properties
3.
Click on one end of

the ruler vector
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.
4.
Select Rectangle
area from the
tool bar
Draw an shape
an ellipse on the
layout plan
2.
5.
Draw and shape

a rectangle on the
layout plan
Right-click to
modify Rectangle
or Ellipse
properties

60
1. Right-click Show
Properties to configure the
shapes parameters
2. Shapes
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
information
3. Select Line,
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
Design Plan
Layout Plans
Picture Plans
Calculations
Legend
Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cables
Legend
Available
Available
Not Available
Systems
Legend
Available
Available
Available
Pictograms
Legend
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.
Fill in the Reports

Options window prior
to generate the report
A safety margin cable

be applied on any
cable length

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

info to be printed (ability to
print on multiple pages)
2. Define printer
page Size and
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
NOTA: Print Project function does
Layout Plans
not print any report
Picture Plans
(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 Users 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
CTRL + C
CTRL + N
CTRL + O
CTRL + P
CTRL + S
CTRL + V
CTRL + X
Select All
Copy
New Project
Open Project
Print Project
Save Project
Paste
Cut
F6
Zoom Fit
CTRL + SHIFT + I
CTRL + SHIFT + L
CTRL + SHIFT + O
CTRL + SHIFT + P
New Picture Plan

New Layout Plan
Tools Options
Project Properties
CTRL + 0
CTRL + 9
Preferred Part #0
Preferred Part #9

77

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In-Building

Copyright 2003-2005 iBwave Solutions. All Rights Reserved

USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Open / Close / Lock Window

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To superpose 2 windows or more,

To toggle between 2 windows or more,

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Configure the Shared database

Add a new part

Preferred Parts toolbar is populated

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

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Additional image compression settings can be configured to keep project

Create a new project

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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Ability to prevent RFvu Field users from

To configure the font size

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Ability to select if the Composite

Ability to select how

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Ability to reset the part

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

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

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

4. Fill out Site

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

6. Fill out the

7. Fill out the

9. Position the Base Station on

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USERS MANUAL - VERSION 2.1.1

Off-Air Repeater with donor base station

7. Fill out the

8. Fill out the

RF-vu - User's Manual

RF-vu - User's Manual