Communications, Radar & Electronic Warfare (201.. - Index of

...Planning Radio Networks for Coverage233tf'J Z"_.\.:- '::::-;\Ir/Figure 13.4Compoite radar network coverage for target at a given minimum height above ground.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributor&, CC-BY-SA.• As we will see in Chapter 15, coverage predictions are also instrumental in mobileinterference predictions.13.2 Optimisation of Radio NetworksCoverage plots are more than just a method of displaying predicted coverage fromfixed station locations. They are also the primary means of optimising the coveragefrom such stations, and by extension from entire networks. Optimisation is the processof improving the wanted characteristics of a radio network and reducing the unwantedeffects. Note that this is not always a desire to maximise coverage; often it is moreimportant to attempt to match the coverage to some wanted metric which may or maynot be related to making signals go as far as possible. Some typical design metrics arelisted below.• Coverage maximisation may be a wanted characteristic in some cases.• Coverage maximisation in a particular direction or arc of angle may be important.• Coverage of a specific target area is often a key design metric for communicationsand especially communications electronic warfare.