Acrodyne Services has announced the supply of PROGIRA plan broadcast network planning software, with ATSC 3.0 and 1.0 options, to its first two US customers. Merrill Weiss of the Merrill Weiss Group and David Sanderford of MARSAND selected PROGIRA plan in preparation for the expected adoption of ATSC 3.0 by the FCC in the second half of 2017.

PROGIRA provides cost-effective network planning solutions and expertise to clients in more than 50 countries, including software as well as consulting services. By identifying actual client needs, PROGIRA can provide truly great solutions and real value to all clients.

PROGIRA plan is a module-based radio planning tool especially focused on solutions for broadcast and mobile TV networks. Applications range from microwave links and analog TV to digital broadcasting systems including DVB-T/T2, ISDB-T, ATSC 1.0, ATSC 3.0, DTMB, DTMB-A, CMMB, T-DAB/DAB+, T=DMB, DRM and DRM+.

It also includes specific functionality to resolve the Digital Dividend aspects of planning.

The tools are based on internationally agreed planning norms and methods and can be used to present, analyze and mitigate the impact wireless communications systems such as LTE will have on existing digital terrestrial TV networks when they are introduced on frequencies used for broadcasting.

It features advanced database capabilities and handling of the UTE, FCC, and CEPT data formats as well as several prediction models including CRC-Predict, IRT 2D/3D, Longley-Rice, ITP-RP.1812 and ITU-RP.1546.

PROGIRA is independent with main areas of expertise in Network Coverage, Infrastructure Investment Optimization, Digital Dividend Possibilities, Frequency Planning and Digital Cartography.

The PROGIRA plan consists of a Base module and four function-specific modules; Microwave Link Planning, Network Planning, Frequency Planning, and Network Verification.

PROGIRA plan uses ESRI ArcGIS, an open and widely used GIS platform that makes geographical presentations more user friendly and eases the addition of new presentation formats and GIS applications.

The software includes CRC-Predict and other propagation models, which have proven to be very effective in predicting true reception probabilities.

“We are delighted to have two such well-respected engineering companies select PROGIRA® plan for their ATSC 3.0 planning needs,” said Andy Whiteside, General Manager of Acrodyne Services and President of Dielectric. “They join Sinclair Broadcast Group in using this advanced planning and design tool for ATSC 3.0 deployment, with a particular interest in its application to the design of Single Frequency Networks.”

Acrodyne Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair, providing service and support for broadcast transmitters throughout the world.