SETUP OF ELEMENTS

After the creation and the loading of a project, elements may be installed.

In ICS-telecom different types of static elements may be installed:

- Transmitter / Receiver (Tx/Rx)
- Direction Finder (DF)
- Radar
- Microwave links (MW)

THE ELEMENTS
- Transmitter / Receiver satellite station (Satellite): a specific setting is dedicated to this type of object. The
satellite is treated like a Tx/Rx element
- Subscriber: this element is treated like a Tx/Rx element
- User: this element is treated like a Tx/Rx element

For Transmitter/Receiver and Direction finder types, 2 groups are offered, A or B, allowing the user to
differentiate according to need, the element icons by a different colour: group A icons are green; group B
icons are blue. In this way, the user may, for example, indicate the existing elements of a network in green
and indicate the new elements under study by a blue colour. Aside from the differentiation in colour, both
element groups are treated in the same manner.

ICS-telecom offers a default icon codification (colour, shapes and classification), and also allows the user to
create or import 16-colours icons in a Icon database (Icon button of the Tx/Rx parameters box). The element
may be then identified by a user-defined icon.

A mobile element may be also installed. It is represented by a path trajectory drawn on the terrain. A Path
trajectory is composed of segments separated by nodes called Way Points. The user may trace a Path on the
terrain containing up to a maximum of 49 nodes. Only one Path trajectory can be drawn on the terrain.
The trajectory can represent either the movement of a mobile com element (Tx/Rx A or B, DF A or B, Radar).

The Point mode is the installation tool used for static elements (Tx/Rx, DF and Radars), while the MW mode
is dedicated to install Microwave links on the terrain, and the Path mode is used to set up a mobile element
and to draw its path trajectory on the terrain.

For static element, the installation of elements is done at the location designated by the cursor. The location
may be indicated in visual using the mouse or the cursor keys; or the user may enter manually X, Y and Z
coordinates.

Once the location of the element is designated, the parametering of the element must be done.

1. STATIC ELEMENTS: THE POINT MODE

1.1 INSTALLATION OF AN ELEMENT BY USING THE MOUSE

1/ Keep the Soton Project loaded. The Image file is displayed on screen
2/ Activate (8 left button) the Point mode
3/ Position the cursor on the terrain at the site where installation of the element is desired
4/ Confirm the position of the cursor on the terrain (8 left button)
5/ From the popup menu, choose (8 left button) the Add TX/RX option
6/ The Tx/Rx parameters box will be open; choose the type of element to be installed (Tx/Rx A or B, DF A or
B, Radar...), enter the technical characteristics and administrative information, and define antenna diagrams
7/ Confirm the parameters and close the Tx/Rx parameters box via the Close button (8 left button)
8/ Upon closing the box, the element icon will appear on the terrain.

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1.2 INSTALLATION OF AN ELEMENT BY ENTERING MANUALLY THE COORDINATES

1/ Keep the Soton Project loaded. The Image file is displayed on screen
2/ Activate (8 left button) the Point mode
3/ Position the cursor on the terrain at any point
4/ Press P key (small caps); The Site coordinates box is open
5/ Enter the coordinates X and Y in the corresponding fields;
for our example, type for X: 447700 and for Y: 110900
Click (8 left button) over the Preview button; the Image at the (X,Y) point is displayed in a vignette. The
user may verify the altitude found by the system according to the coordinates.

THE ELEMENTS
6/ Confirm the coordinates and close the Site coordinates box via the OK button
7/ The Tx/Rx parameters box will be open; choose the type of element to be installed (Tx/Rx A or B, DF A or
B, Radar...), enter the technical characteristics and administrative information, and define antenna diagrams
8/ Validate the parameters and close the Tx/Rx parameters box via the Close button (8 left button)
9/ Upon closing the box, the element icon will appear on the terrain at the precise location.

2. MICROWAVE LINKS ELEMENTS: THE MW MODE

The Microwave links element installed via the MW mode is made up of two sites (Site A and Site B) and a
connection that linked the two sites.
To install Microwave links, the user have to designate the Site A and the Site B on the terrain.

2.1 INSTALLATION OF A MICROWAVE LINKS BY USING THE MOUSE

1/ Keep the Soton Project loaded. The Image file is displayed on screen
2/ Activate (8 left button) the MW mode
3/ Click (8 left button) over the point on the terrain where the Site A of the link is to be
4/ Click (8 left button) over the point on the terrain where the Site B of the link is to be
5/ The Microwave link box will appear on screen. In this box, the user may input either technical information
or purely administrative information, the user may also model the transmitter and receiver antenna-ray diagrams
and determine if the connection is unidirectional or bidirectional.
6/ After the input of data, confirm and close the Microwave link box via the Close button (8 left button)
7/ The Site A, the Site B, and the connection are installed and displayed on the terrain
8/ Other connections may be installed on the terrain following the above steps

2.2 INSTALLATION OF A MICROWAVE LINK BY ENTERING MANUALLY THE COORDINATES

OF THE TWO SITES

1/ Keep the Soton Project loaded. The Image file is displayed on screen
2/ Activate (8 left button) the MW mode
3/ Position the cursor on the terrain at any point
4/ Press P key (small caps)
5/ The Microwave link box will appear on screen.
In this box, click (8 left button) over the Coordinates button of Site A:

The Site Coordinates box is open. Enter X and Y coordinates and altitude if needed of Site A, and control the
location via the Preview button.
Close the Site coordinates box via the OK button.
Click (8 left button) over the Coordinates button of Site B. Enter in the Site coordinates box the X and Y
coordinates and altitude if needed of Site B, and control the location via the Preview button
Close the Site coordinates box via the OK button.
Input either technical information or purely administrative information, model the transmitter and receiver
antenna-ray diagrams and determine if the connection is unidirectional or bidirectional.
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6/ Confirm the coordinates and close the Microwave link box via the Close button
7/ Upon closing the box, the microwave link will appear on the terrain at the precise locations

3. MOBILE ELEMENT: THE PATH MODE

3.1 DRAWING A PATH TRAJECTORY

THE ELEMENTS
1/ Activate the Path mode (8 left button)
2/ Choose a point of origin for the trajectory; click over this point with the mouse. This point is node 0
Note: Way Point 0 is meant only as a reference point for the element trajectory. It does not figure into
simulation calculations.
3/ Release the mouse button and click (8 left button) at the desired site for the 1st nodal point or Way point.
This point is node 1
4/ Repeat steps 2 and 3 to place other Way points and to construct the trajectory
5/ The path trajectory is created. Now the user has to input the parameters of the mobile

3.2 PARAMETERING OF THE MOBILE ALONG THE PATH TRAJECTORY

1/ The Path mode must be activated (8 left button)

2/ Click (8 left button) over Way Point 0 of the Path
3/ The Mobile report box is open. Select (8 left button) the Parameters button
4/ The element's Tx/Rx parameters box is open. Choose the type of element to be simulated (element:
Tx/Rx, DF and its group: A or B, or Radar) and input the different data linked to each element: technical
characteristics, administrative information, antenna diagrams
5/ If necessary, define variable power and altitude values for the mobile element:
a. Variable Power
A different power intensity can be defined for each nodal point
a1. Select (8 left button) the option variable power of the Tx/Rx parameters box
A graph is drawn along the Path length

Shown on this graph are: terrain relief in white, the different nodal points that make up the trajectory in
yellow, and an indication of their respective power. The position of the cursor is indicated in red.
a2. Use the keys to position the cursor on the nodal point whose power is to be modified
a3. Use the +- keys to increase or decrease power intensity (in increments of 5 Watts)
a4. Validate the modification by pressing the key
The i key prints the graph (Print setup box).
The s key saves the graph and all its characteristics in a .trk file
a5. Close the graph by pressing the key

b. Variable Altitude
A different altitude can be defined for each nodal point along the trajectory
b1. Select (8 left button) the Elevation variable option of the Tx/Rx parameters box
A graph is drawn along the Path length

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 Shown on this graph are: terrain relief in white, the different nodal points that make up the trajectory in
yellow, and an indication of their respective altitude. The height is equal to the antenna height + the
terrain altitude adjusted by 30 m to avoid obstacles encountered between two nodal points. The position

THE ELEMENTS
of the cursor is indicated in red
b2. Use the keys to position the cursor on the nodal point whose altitude is to be modified
b3. Use the +- keys to increase or decrease altitude (in increments of 5 metres)
b4. Validate the modification by pressing the key
The i key prints the graph (Print setup box)
The s key saves the graph and all its characteristics in a .trk file.
b5. Close the graph by pressing the key
6/ Validate the element parameters via the Close button of the Tx/Rx parameters box. The parameters can be
modified at any time if necessary.

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MANAGEMENT OF ELEMENTS
Up to 999 static elements and a Path trajectory of maximum 49 Way Points, may be installed on the terrain.
The number of static elements includes the communications elements installed using the Point mode + the
microwave links installed using the MW mode.
Note: In this calculation, the system considers that 1 'MW' element is equivalent to 2 Point elements.

One location site of the terrain may lodge several elements of any types.
By default, a standard iconography displays the elements icons differently according to their type and their

THE ELEMENTS
status.
The shape and colour of the icon indicates the type and group of the communications element:
POINT Elements
Transmitter/Receiver (Tx/Rx)

A: B: subscriber: satellite: user: Deactivate:

Direction Finder (DF)

A: B: Deactivate:

Radar

Deactivate (dormant):
MW Elements
unidirectional link

bidirectional link

unidirectional link with margin < to 2

bidirectional link with margin < to 2

unidirectional link with threshold impairment

bidirectional link with threshold impairment

Mobile Elements

Mobile Transmitter Receiver (Tx/Rx A) Mobile Direction finder (DF A)

Mobile Radar
One element installed may be moved of place, deactivate and reactivate, isolate, delete, its parameters may
be modified. Several options and procedure may be used according to the type of elements and the modes
used.
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1. STATIC ELEMENTS

1.1 MANAGING ELEMENTS VIA THE SITE SELECTION TABLE

All static elements present on the terrain are grouped together in the Site selection table accessible by pressing
the TAB key:

THE ELEMENTS
In this table, all elements present on the terrain are represented, whether active or dormant (coloured icon:
active element, black icon: dormant element).
The user may alter the state of an element through this table.
Click left mouse button: activates or deactivates the selected element
Click right mouse button: opens the Parameters box linked to the selected element. The user may modify
any of the parameters.
The key closes the table and returns to the main screen.

1.2 MANAGING ELEMENTS VIA THE OBJECTS LISTS

All elements installed on the terrain are automatically stored in a temporary list updated in real time according
to the modification made on the elements.
The objects lists are of two types:
- The Station list that stores the Point elements and MW base stations, that is accessible via the Objects lists
tool,
- The Microwave link list that stores the microwave links installed, that is accessible via the Objects lists tool.
These lists offer several options to manage the elements:
- within a popup menu that can be opened by a mouse click:

Station list Microwave link list Microwave link list

Left double-click left then right click Left double-click

Parameters: access to the selected element Parameters box for modification....

Duplicate: creates a new element from the selected element
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 Activate: reactivates the selected element from a deactivated state
Deactivate: deactivates the selected element from an active state
Isolate: isolates the selected element, all other elements on the terrain are deactivated
Delete: definitively deletes the selected element
XLS user report: creates a .csv file containing the characteristics of the selected element, and loads it in the
MS Excel application.
Profile: calculates the terrain profile for the selected microwave link
Threshold impairment options: calculates the threshold impairment for the selected microwave link

THE ELEMENTS
Continue: closes the popup menu
These options manage element individually.
- buttons of the dialogue box:
In the Station list and in the Microwave link list, the Isolate button allows to isolate a group of elements that
have been selected in the list, and the Mask button, on the contrary allows to deactivate the group of selected
elements.

1.3 MANAGING ELEMENTS BY USING THE SELECTION TOOLS

The principle of the Area selection tool and of the Polygon selection tool is to draw a rectangular or a
polygonal zone on the cartographic file displayed, including a certain number of elements, and to apply
managing options to these elements. In particular, the elements selected may be moved, deactivated, reactivated,
isolated or delete.

To draw a rectangular zone on the terrain and to access the managing options
1/ Select and activate the Area selection tool
2/ With the mouse, trace out the zone that is to be selected over the displayed cartographic file:
a

b
a. Click (8 left button) over the top left corner (a) of the Rectangular zone that is to be defined.
b. Release the mouse button.
c. Click (8 left button) over the bottom right corner (b) of the Rectangular zone that is to be defined.
d. Release the mouse button.
OR
Press A key to select the entire geographic area contained in the project.
3/ A popup menu will appear on screen.
The following options of the popup menu concern the management of elements:
Generate site: allows to create new elements in the defined area. The number of element, the azimuth
spacing between elements, the spacing in X and Y between site, and the settings of the new elements are
defined by the user.
Deactivate site: deactivates all elements included in the rectangular zone. All the icons are coloured in
black
Activate: reactivates the selected elements from a deactivated status
Isolate: isolates the selected elements, all other elements on the terrain are deactivated
Delete: definitively deletes the elements contained in the rectangular zone
Move Tx/Rx site(s): moves all the elements included in the rectangular zone to another and single location
site
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 Tx/Rx site(s): lists all elements identification codes included in the rectangular zone
4/ Select (8 left button) one option of the popup menu and follow the procedure, or close the popup menu by
pressing the Esc key or by selecting the Continue option.

To draw a polygonal zone on the terrain and to access the managing options
1/ Select and activate the Polygon selection tool
2/ Click (8 left button) over any point on the terrain
3/ A first popup menu will appear and propose various options:

THE ELEMENTS
option draw mask is used to define the polygonal zone on the terrain
option load mask is used to load a polygonal zone previously created and saved in a .plg file. In the Files
box that appears, indicate the name and file path of the .plg file that is to be loaded
option import polygon allows to import an ascii file containing polygons. The ascii file (.txt or .csv file)
must be of format: gridcode,X,Y <CR>. Simply designate the .txt or the .csv file containing the polygon and
confirm
option Continue cancels the procedure
4/ If option Draw mask has been selected, draw the Polygon on the terrain:
1
2
5

4
3
a. Click (8 left button) on the first point of the polygon on the terrain (1)
b. Release the mouse button
c. Click (8 left button) on the second point of the polygon on the terrain (2)
d. Proceed in the same manner for all other points of the Polygon (3, 4 and 5)
e. To indicate the end of the zone, click (8 right button) over any point on terrain
f. The system automatically closes the shape. The zone is drawn and coloured in the defined Color
tool.
5/ A second popup menu is opened:

option Draw mask allows to draw another shape on the terrain. For this choice, draw the polygonal shape in
the same manner as indicated above.
option Save mask allows to save the drawn shape in a .plg file. In the Files box that appears, indicate the
name and file path of the .plg file that is to be saved
option Load mask allows to load a polygonal zone previously created and saved in a .plg file. In the Files
box that appears, indicate the name and file path of the .plg file that is to be loaded
option Continue allows to carry on with the procedure
6/ The last popup menu will appear on screen containing the element managing options:
Deactivate site: deactivates all elements included in the polygonal zone. All the icons are coloured in black
Activate: reactivates the elements contained in the polygonal zone from a deactivated status
Isolate: isolates the elements contained in the polygonal zone, all other elements on the terrain are deactivated
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 Delete: definitively deletes the elements contained in the polygonal zone
Move Tx/Rx site(s): moves all the elements included in the polygonal zone to another and single location
site
7/ Select (8 left button) one option of the popup menu and follow the procedure, or close the popup menu by
pressing the Esc key or by selecting the Continue option.

1.4 MANAGING ELEMENTS BY USING THE POINT MODE

The Point mode not only enables the user to install elements on the terrain, but offers also various options to

THE ELEMENTS
manage the elements.
Selecting the elements installed on the terrain using the left-click of the mouse, allows the access to a popup
menu containing various options.

Options are available or masked depending of the type of element selected.

Move: to move the selected element to another site
Duplicate: to create an element identical to the selected element
Parameters: to access the Tx/Rx Parameters box of the selected element
Constraints: to parameter the constraints area of the selected element
De-activate / activate: to deactivate or activate the selected element
Isolate: to isolate the selected element from the other elements
Set as reference: to set the selected element as the reference point for the distance calculation by using the
mouse (same as F2 function)
Add TX/RX: to add a new element on the site designated by the cursor
Add jammer: to add a new jammer element on the site designated by the cursor
Bearing: to parameter and add a bearing to the selected direction finder
Database search: to verify the presence of the selected element in the Station database
Database export: to export the selected element in the Station database
Add Coverage: to associate the coverage present in memory to the selected element
Profile to: to calculate the profile from the selected element to another element present on the terrain
Profile from: to calculate the profile to the selected element from another element present on the terrain
Report: Horizon tour and Effective height reports established for the selected element
Point to point: point to point calculation options: Threshold impairment, I/N, Receiving, Signal from mobile
and Signal to mobile.
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 Coverage: Interference and assignment calculation options
DELETE: to definitively delete the selected element

1/ Activate (8 left button) the Point mode

2/ Select the icon of the element concerned with the mouse; the cursor will become a hand
3/ In the popup menu that appears, designate (8 left button) the element concerned
4/ Select (8 left button) one option of the popup menu and follow the procedure, or close the popup menu by
pressing the Esc key

THE ELEMENTS
1.5 MANAGING ELEMENTS BY USING THE OBJECTS MENU

The Object menu offers various managing options:

Delete: allows the deletion of objects (i.e. elements).
Different choices are offered:
- Deletion of all types of objects
- Deletion of one type of object (path, Tx/Rx, links, icons, or deactivated objects)
Note on the deletion of objects:
All objects that the user has installed on the terrain may be deleted. The deletion of an object by the options
described below are irreversible and may not be cancelled. In case of error, the user must reinstall the deleted
objects. The objects deleted from the screen and from the current memory do not affect the .ewf Objects files.
If the user has saved the objects configuration in .ewf Objects file, the user may reload this file (Files Menu,
Load Function, Option Load network file (.EWF).
Activate: allows to activate the laid dormant (deactivated) elements.
Different choices are offered:
- All: Activation of all elements present on the terrain
- Select: Activation of elements according to precise sort criteria defined by the user. The sort criteria
concern the frequency (minimum and maximum) and the effective radiated power (ERP) (minimum and
maximum). The elements corresponding to the defined sort criteria are activated. The elements not
corresponding to these criteria are deactivated and will be ignored for future simulations
Mask: this option masks the elements present and active according to precise sort criteria defined by the
user. The sort criteria concern the frequency (minimum and maximum) and the effective radiated power
(ERP) (minimum and maximum). The elements corresponding to the defined sort criteria are masked, that is
to say, they have been deactivated and will not be considered in future simulations. The elements not
corresponding to these criteria will not be modified.
Isolate: contrary to the Mask option, this option activates the elements corresponding to the criteria defined
by the user. The criteria are defined through the Selection box and concern the radiated power, the frequency,
the type of object, the call sign, the database keys, the Address and Info 1 text information, and the presence
or not of an associated coverage. The elements that do not correspond to the criteria are masked, i.e. deactivated
and ignored during calculations.

1.6 SAVING ELEMENTS

All elements present on the terrain may be saved in a .ewf network file.

1/ Select (8 left button) function Files / Save / Save network file (.EWF)
2/ Select a name and disk file path in the file box for the current network file
3/ The network file having been saved may be viewed again superimposed over the cartographic file via the
Files / Load / Load network file (.EWF) option
The objects file may also be linked to the Project via the Project manager box: enter the name of the .ewf file
in the Objects space in the box and then save the modified Project via option SAVE or SAVE AS.

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1.7 EXPORT / IMPORT OF ELEMENTS IN THE DATA BASES

In ICS-telecom, the Station database and the Microwave link database are used to store up to 32 000 elements
each. The elements inserted may be generated by ICS-telecom (Point or MW elements), or may come from
other compatible databases (EXCEL, ACCESS, ORACLE...).
An unlimited number of databases may be created on the disk.
The Station database stores static communication elements (Tx/Rx, DF, Radar, Microwave bases), while the
Microwave link database stores the entire microwave links.
Elements inserted in these databases may be managed (delete, sorted according to various criteria).

THE ELEMENTS
The Database menu offers various function to exchange elements between ICS-telecom databases and other
compatible databases:
- Option Database / Station Database / Export Activated Elements allows to insert the elements present and
active into the Station database
- Options Database / Station Database / Import / ... allow the insertion of elements that are stored in .txt ascii
files into the Station database
- Option Database / Microwave link Database / Export Activated Microwave links allows to insert the microwave
links present and active into the Microwave link database
- Function Database / ODBC offers the options to import or to export elements using an ODBC or a DAO link

Into the Databases boxes, the user will find also an ODBC button allowing connections with compatible
databases.

2. MOBILE ELEMENTS

The management of the mobile element trajectory is done via the Path mode.

2.1 MOVING A WAY POINT (OR NODAL POINT) OF A PATH

1/ Activate (8 left button) the Path mode

2/ Click over the Way Point in question (8 right button)
3/ Click over the new site (8 right button)
4/ The Way Point is moved to the new site.

2.2 DELETING A WAY POINT OF A PATH

1/ Activate (8 left button) the Path mode

2/ Click over the unwanted Way Point (8 left button)
3/ The Way Point is definitively deleted. The numbering of the other nodal points is automatically modified.

2.3 ADDITION OF WAY POINTS ON A PATH

1/ Activate (8 left button) the Path mode

2/ On the terrain, click (8 left button) over the sites where Way Points are desired
3/ The Way Point is added and takes the next sequential number available.

2.4 COMPLETELY DELETING THE PATH

1/ Activate (8 left button) the Path mode

2/ Click over Way Point 0 of the Path (8 left button)
3/ In the popup menu, choose (8 left button) option Delete Path
4/ The system deletes the Path from the terrain.

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The suppression of a path trajectory may be also done using the option Objects / Delete / Path.

2.5 SAVING THE PATH

The path trajectory is saved in a .ewf network file.

1/ Select (8 left button) function Files / Save / Save networf file (.EWF).
2/ Select a name and disk file path in the file box for the current network file
3/ The network file having been saved may be viewed again superimposed over the cartographic file via the

THE ELEMENTS
Files / Load / Load network file (.EWF) option
The network file may also be linked to the Project via the Project manager box: enter the name of the .ewf file
in the Objects space in the box and then save the modified project via commands SAVE or SAVE AS.

2.6 DIRECT ACCESS TO THE PARAMETERS OF THE PATH

The Objects lists tool gives a direct access to the Mobile report box containing the settings of the path and of
the mobile.

1/ Select (8 left button) the Objects lists tool

2/ Choose (8 left button) Way point list
3/ The Mobile report box is open. Proceed to the modifications of the mobile parameters.

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