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Thursday, May 15 2014

TVStudy 1.3.1 Announcement

OET just released version 1.3.1 of its TVStudy analysis software. This is a minor update, but users are advised to update from the prior version (v1.3.0) to ensure your results are the same as the FCC’s. For most users the update is just “drag and drop” of the new executable. Update instructions and a complete change list are in the Upgrade Guide (http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/OET-69/2014Apr_TVStudyInstallationGuide.pdf).

The new versions (Mac and Linux) of the software and updated Sample Output Files (including an updated xml scenario template) can be downloaded from the TVStudy website (http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/OET-69/).

Here is a summary of the changes:

  1. Fixes an issues in the XML Scenario import function, which could cause stations with edited (or user-entered) matrix antenna patterns to fail to import properly.
  2. Added additional error-checking to the CDBS database build code. Certain persistent duplicate records will now fail to import.
  3. Added dynamic load balancing for multi-processor systems for pair-study runs and improved time-to-complete estimate.
  4. The TVStudy Manual has returned as a separate download on the website in addition to being packaged with the software.

Many of these changes were implemented as a result of user input. As always, the FCC welcomes your questions and comments about TVStudy.

Friday, January 24 2014

TVStudy 1.3 Announcement

OET has released version 1.3 of its TVStudy analysis software. Users are advised to update from the prior version (v1.2.9) to ensure your results are the same as the FCC’s. For most users the update is just “drag and drop,” but a database upgrade will occur on first launch of the new version. Deletion of old cache files is recommended. Update instructions and a complete change list are in the Installation and Upgrade Guide.

The new versions (Mac and Linux) of the software and updated Sample Output Files (including an updated xml scenario template) can be downloaded from the TVStudy website.

Here is a summary of the major changes:

1. Mexican population data (beta release) is now included. We invite user feedback on this data since it is a new product for us.
2. Electrical beam tilt is preserved with replication.
3. Minimum ERP limits can be set for Class A and LPTV stations
4. DTS file structure updated to reflect changes in CDBS (announced previously on this list), including:

a. Maximum distance limit value specified in CDBS will be used, when present
b. Reference facility can be on a different channel from DTS operation
c. Improved support of DTS stations in XML scenario imports/exports
d. Maximum distance limit (circle) now included in shapefile output

5. Maximum number of iterations increased for equal-area replication
6. Password for MySQL login is now required
7. AMSL height can be calculated automatically from HAAT height using terrain database
8. Additional output file options, including:

a. Points file, listing all study points
b. Parameters file, listing detailed facility parameters

9. checkTerrain utility now integrated into “help” menu
10. Miscellaneous adjustments to improve usability and stability. See upgrade guide for a complete list.

Many of these changes were implemented as a result of user input. As always, the FCC welcomes your questions and comments about TVStudy.

Thursday, October 24 2013

TVStudy 1.2.9 Announcement

Yesterday afternoon, the FCC released TVStudy version 1.2.9. This release is a minor update, which adds new study options for calculating the protected coverage of DTS stations, customizes windows and shortcut keys for Linux vs. Mac, adds support for computers with large amounts of installed memory (such as the new Mac Pro), adds a “check for updates” function, and changes some of the default study parameters to better match the sample data that have been provided. A complete list of changes is on pages 12 and 13 of the version 1.2.9 Upgrade Guide.

The User Manual is now distributed in the ZIP files along with the source and executable code. The manual is no longer available as a standalone download. The manual is still in PDF but is now placed in the “help” directory.

The TVStudy sample results have been updated, but with minor exceptions, any changes are limited to DTS stations.

The FCC is also releasing a standalone utility (presently considered a “beta” release) to test and verify the various terrain databases used by TVStudy. Since the first release of TVStudy, our experience has been that most users were able to obtain precisely the same results as the FCC. When there were differences, however, they were generally due to issues with the terrain databases. In some cases, a terrain database was not accessible by TVStudy due to permissions problems; in other cases, a terrain database was missing or corrupt. This utility, checkTerrain, is a python script, which must be run from the command line. checkTerrain will determine whether TVStudy has permission to read the files in the various terrain databases and will verify that all of the files in the various terrain databases are installed and pass a verification (hash) test. Instructions for its use are in the README file.

We recommend installing the latest version of TVStudy and using the checkTerrain utility to confirm that all of the terrain databases are properly installed and accessible by the software.

As always, the FCC welcomes your questions and comments on TVStudy.

Wednesday, October 23 2013

TVStudy Content on RabbitEars!

Starting today, information and updates about the FCC's TVStudy software will be published on RabbitEars. As some of you may know, when I'm not pouring time into RabbitEars, I work for the FCC on the TVStudy software.

The content that will be posted in the new TVStudy section is all publicly available from the FCC either directly on the FCC website or on a mailing list frequented by FCC staff, consulting engineers, and journalists. The only exceptions are other little scripts produced outside of the FCC which are not considered to be "official."