A three-dimensional representation of RF signal transmissions that displays accumulated RF energy as a function of frequency. The power of the signal strength in dBm is shown across the frequency span. A signal strength that appears with a relatively low occurrence is ‘blueish’ in color, whereas increasingly brighter colors are used for signal strengths that occur more frequently. Signal strengths that occur most often are ‘reddish’ in color. Another way of stating this would be to say the Density Map uses color to mark the rate of occurrence (i.e. how often) a particular signal strength occurs.
Over time, the Density Chart will approximate the steady-state RF energy signature of the current environment, giving the user a better, more general idea of the environment. This is because the Density Map deemphasizes outliers such as intermittent or random signals while at the same time emphasizing signal transmissions that occur more frequently.
Whitespaces And Intermod-Compatible Frequencies
Clear Waves can be used for locating open frequency space in crowded RF environments PLUS frequency coordination — that is, assigning channels that are both free of RF interference and intermodulation distortion. The ability to generate and display a set of intermodulation-compatible frequencies that is uniquely suited to the RF energy and transmitted signals in your environment is one of the software’s more powerful features. Clear Waves can compute a list of frequencies (i.e. a frequency set) that are both free of RF interference and intermodulation distortion. In the Control Panel a user specifies a signal strength to be used as the ‘White Space Threshold’ — frequencies that fall below this threshold are considered open and available and will be included in the intermodulation analysis (i.e. are considered candidates for inclusion in the final frequency set).
The White Space Threshold setting is used to specify the threshold signal strength (in dBm) below which is considered ‘White Space’. When you adjust this control you’ll also see the horizontal, white line in the Spectrum Trace view move up and down accordingly. Along those frequency spans where the white line is solid and not interrupted by a peak, then this would be considered a White Space region. It is up to the user to determine what is an appropriate threshold for this control — it depends on the environment you are working in and what level of background RF energy you feel can be safely tolerated. As with most things, there are trade-offs. The lower (more strict) the threshold, the less white space and fewer intermod-compatible channel assignments available. The higher (more lenient) the threshold, the more white space and more intermod-compatible channel assignments will be available.
The measurements for White Space regions are used for locating open frequency space in crowded RF environments and are applied to the intermodulation analysis. The computed results show the best channel assignments for setting-up multiple transmitters — as shown in the Intermods & Whitespace view. These channel assignments are free of RF interference and intermodulation distortion. This is most helpful when frequency coordination and RF interference are factors that need to be taken into account when selecting which frequencies or channels to use.
Waterfall History
A 3-dimensional representation of the RF energy data (i.e. signal transmissions), where the X-axis is the frequency scale, the Y-axis is a time scale, and the “Z-axis” is the color scale. Each horizontal line in the Waterfall chart displays the signal strength (as a color) as a function of frequency as measured over the time period of one scan. That is, with each scan (or sweep) a new row is added at the bottom of the Waterfall chart. Stronger signals will appear red and weaker signals will appear blue.
RF Spectrum Trace
Continuously scans and samples the signal strength (dBm) of RF transmissions within the specified frequency range. By default 3 traces are displayed — Current (green), Maxima (red) and Active (gray). The Current trace displays the signal strength data from the most recent scan, the Maxima trace displays the maximum signal strength for each frequency since the scan session began (similar to a ‘Peak and Hold’ function), and the Active trace displays real-time data as the RF Explorer device is actively scanning.
Introduction
RF Spectrum Analyzer and Frequency Coordination Software
Clear Waves is a diagnostic tool specifically designed for the wireless professional audio and video industries. It is the industry’s first, PC-based tool to offer RF spectrum analysis, intermodulation analysis and automatic charting of open white space (open RF frequency) for use with wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, remote control, security, access control, etc — all built into a single product. Clear Waves’ unique combination of features — RF spectrum analysis plus intermodulation analysis — make it an extremely versatile and powerful tool, one that extends beyond the bounds of traditional RF analyzers.
Clear Waves can use either the RF Explorer or RF Viewer spectrum analyzer for data acquisition. It turns data collected from these analyzers into graphical charts, displays in real time and performs intermodulation analysis — enabling users to more readily visualize the RF environment, coordinate channel assignments for wireless transmitters, monitor RF signals, troubleshoot RF issues, and detect sources of RF interference.
Clear Waves’ features include the following:
Feature | Comment |
---|---|
RF Explorer | All Models Supported |
RF Viewer Wireless USB Dongle | Supported |
Simulation (Demo) Mode | Yes |
Export Traces in CSV Format | Yes |
Generate PDF Reports | Yes |
Intermodulation Analysis | Yes |
Monitored Frequencies Mode | Yes (Maximum 60 monitored frequencies) |
Diagnostic Charts | Spectrum Trace, Waterfall, Density, Delta, Intermods |
RF Spectrum Trace
Waterfall History / Heatmap
Density Chart
Delta Trace
White Spaces and Intermod-Compatible Frequencies
Monitored Frequencies
Intermodulation Analysis