Release Notes

Copyright 2010 SoftWright LLC

This document describes changes and corrections to the SoftWright software.  Enhancements that are described in Maintenance Subscription features are not included in this listing.  For a more complete description of SoftWright products, see Radio Engineering Software Products.  Please send questions to support@softwright.com

 Date

Build

Function

Comments

20100525  2340    
    Antenna Elevation Add better descriptive labels on Antenna Elevation Form
20100510  2339    
    HDPath Google Earth
HDMapper Google Earth
Fix problem writing KML file with international regional settings
20100423  2338    
    HDPath Link Budget Insert additional error checking for problem on spreadsheet
20100408  2337    
    HDPath Microwave Enable TPO and other Fixed Facility fields for microwave link even if no prop models are licensed
20100310 2336    
    HDPath Fix problem with distance labels on paths shorter than 1km or 1mi
20100303 2335    
    HDAutoPath Add "silent" mode to suppress warning messages about topo data
    HDAutoPath Fix problem with writing correct ERP for autopath file with directional antennas
    Fixed Facility Import Update site elevation for CALC import field
20100208 2333    
    Transmission Line Loss Fix problem not updating when frequency changed
20100127 2332    
    HDMapper KML Export On KML export, turn off lat-lon tic marks
Restore only layers that were previously visible
    HDCoverage
HDAutoPath
HDSpectrum
Be sure previous Task ID values are not re-used when Task is deleted
    HDPath Antenna Elev Clarify labeling on results form
    HDPath Microwave Fix problem for high rain rates in CCIR rain attenuation model
20100107 2330    
    TAP6 menu add Map-Image Viewer menu
    HDMapper add test for world file when loading image file
    Microwave QuickLink fix error if null entry in transmission line database
    TopoScript update script for .BIL format to comply with USGS
"Zunits = NO" defaults to meters
    HDCoverage improved speed and precision selecting map to display based on facility coordinates
20091204 2328    
    TAP6 menu Allow buttons enabled if only using shadow module and not other propagation models
    TAP6 menu fix configuration problem not defaulting to use Global Land Cover data
    HDPath fix scaling problem when using "Bend LOS" option
    HDPath fix problem with antennas specified MSL
    HDPath fix "type mismatch" error if frequency was blank
20091030 2327    
    HDPath microwave Fix problem with space diversity ratio
20091014 2325    
    Intermod Fix problem with divide by zero for small intermod studies
    HDPath GoogleEarth Validate site elevations not blank
20090928 2323    
    Topo Utilities Test input coordinates for valid values
20090915 2321    
    HDMapper Fix problem with lat-lon tic marks in different Windows Regional Settings
    TopoScript Add ability to read recently changed USGS BIL file format
20090824 2317    
    Utilities Talk-Back Margin Fix problem in Talk-Back Margin utility; was not automatically recomputing when values were changed
    Transmission Line Editor Fix problem changing from one library file to another in the same session
20090815 2315    
    HDMapper Fix timing intermittent  issue that was causing "Serious Error" when loading or manipulating map, such as using scroll bars on map
20090718 2314    
     Utilities TalkBack Margin calculation Fix non-functioning utility (was loading wrong form)
    HDSpectrum Fix error if filter option checked but no filter specified
    HDCoverage Fix error trying to run Locked Task
    Topo Index Fix problem opening table to view index
    HDPath Remove extraneous box drawn on profile in BoxZoom mode if profile was double-clicked
20090702 2313    
    Topo Utilities Convert DEM to BIL format;  "Use datum for all files" option
20090627 2312    
    Topo Utilities Convert DEM to BIL format; allow manual entry of coordinate datum for older format files that did not contain datum in header
    HDPath Show Fixed Facility info in bold
20090608 2310    
    Composite Study Fix problem if some component studies deleted
    HDMapper Test layer extents to protect against trying to load invalid map layers (UTM coordinates, etc)
    HDMapper Color selection form - set size based on the number of colors boxes to set (some boxes were off bottom of form)
20090513 2309    
    HDSpectrum Copy source file when copying Task
20090504 2308    
    Utilities Menu Update functions to fix problem with 64-bit systems:

Line Editor

20090427 2306    
    Utilities Menu Update functions to fix problem with 64-bit systems:

HAAT Calculation
Line Loss Calculation
TPO-ERP Calculation
Required Field Calculation
Rain Rate Calculation
Free Space Calculations
Parabolic Gain Calculations

    Microwave QuickLink Fix confusion between "m" and "m  " for meters
    HDPath Microwave Link Fix problem when form was minimized
20090416 2305    
    Intermod Fix problem with text buffers in intermod report; was not clearing previous results
20090409 2303    
    Print Preview Print full datum description instead of abbreviation (such as NAD83 instead of LL83
20090408 2302    
    Print Preview Suppress printing of blank Fixed Facility Fields
20090407 2301    
    Print Preview Fix problem creating folder for first page layout template
20090407 2301    
    Fixed Facility database Add export to .CSV comma delimited files
20090407 2301    
    HDPath Fix problem with "Show field at mouse" if Mouse Location window was not open
20090321 2299    
    TopoScript Fix problem  reading older .BIL files with different "void" value
20090318 2297    
    HDSpectrum "Show Text" menu option for displaying results
20090304 2295    
    Antenna import Fix problem with import files mixing tabs and spaces
20090203 2290    
    HDSpectrum import Check for multiple sheet names in CSV files
20091217 2278    
    HDPath Fix LOS color setting with "Bend LOS" option
20081216 2277    
    Print Preview Check for valid printer setting
20081210 2274    
    Print Preview Fix problem reading page layout templates
20081202 2272    
    HDPath Print Preview Fix error on LU Legend if LU not included
20081128 2271    
    TalkBack Exclude shadow studies from calculation
20081112 2270    
    TAP6 Menu Fix "Subscript out of range" error when adding items
20081105 2269    
    AutoPath Add test for valid file names to save text and image
20081029 2266    
    HDMapper Export Grid to Shapefile Fix problem not allowing new filename
    HDCoverage Fix problem with duplicated target coordinates
    HDPath Reflection Points Fix "CLEAR" and "BLOCKED" label problem
Add CLEAR and BLOCKED info to print function
20081014  2265    
    Fixed Facility Import Verify coordinate datum before importing
20081008 2263    
    Print preview Fix problem saving font names
20081007 2262    
    HDPath Fix path distance not labeled on expanded graphic
20081002 2261    
    HDPath Fix "Element not found" error with "Bend LOS" option
20081001 2260    
    Open/Save dialog box Fix problem not displaying dialog box
20080920 2259    
    Microwave Reliability Add "Lenkurt Limit" option checkbox
    HDPath Add more information for excessive point count / long path warning
20080828 2257    
    TalkBack and Composite Studies Fix problem writing invalid symbol types for map
    HDPath Fix problem with box-zoom cancel with right-click
20080820 2256    
    Field Recalc function Fix missing file for running field strength recalc from TAP6 menu
20080820 2254    
    Contour from Radial Study Fix problem interpolating contours from previous radial studies;
Display previous contour studies to use as well as radial studies
20080817 2253    
    HDSpectrum fix problem with invalid file names for Print Report function
20080813 2252    
    HDAntenna default to last used library and ID
20080811 2251    
    HDSpectrum add Print Report to Report Menu
20080810  2250    
    HDSpectrum verify valid frequencies even if "Use TX" and "Use RX" boxes are checked.  if all were blank or null entries an error resulted
    HDPath Fix box zoom error
20080809  2249    
    HDPath Print Preview add reverse azimuth value
    Print Preview Templates allow leading spaces on labels to give more control over spacing in layout
    HDAntenna disable plot buttons if no pattern is loaded
    HDAntenna set min plot for dB patterns to -30 to better match view of manufacturers' published patterns
20080729  2248    
    HDAntenna fix incorrect mouse tip gain values on pattern plot
20080728  2247    
    HDPath expanded graphic fix problem saving zoom values
20080725 2246    
    Coordinate entry with international Regional Settings Fixed problem entering Lat-Lon under non-US settings using "," for decimal and "." for thousands separator. 
20080724 2245    
    HDCoverage Bounded Tile Study Setup Fix problem selecting boundary after changing maps; was keeping reference to previous map layer, which caused error if new map did not contain that layer
    Antenna import Add NSMA import filter
    Fixed Facility Interface Fix problem with disabled sections becoming enabled on Edit
    HDMapper Plot dBm levels Fix problem switching to dBm for radial studies
20080714 2244    
    HDCoverage Select Default Template Fix problem with wrong map template type (filled or points)
20080630 2242    
    Composite Study Setup Check for minimum step value to ensure it is greater than smallest component study step value
20080602 2238    
    HDCoverage Field Preview Right-click to remove preview points on map
    HDPath Improved message top identify missing NED elevation files for gaps in path profile
20080424 2236    
    Export Coverage to Grid Fix default output file extent to .GRD
    HDPath Fix error opening saved path from TAP6Menu Recent Paths list
20080416 2234    
    Export Coverage to Grid Fix error exporting Tile to Grid file
    Fixed Facility Interface On TX to RX copy function, compute RX required field
    HDCoverage Check for valid TX antenna height (MSL not below site MSL)
20080314 2228    
    HDMapper Fix error drawing Land Use layer
20080310 2227    
    HDCoverage Warning if no map layers found for Fixed Facility site
    AutoPath Fix error if "Use Surface Features" with no files

20080220

2226

   
    TaskZIP Utility

Additional files for support diagnostics

20080226

2225

   
    TAP6 Installation

New function to copy FAQ files

20080226

2224

   
    TAP6 Menu

Add startup test for SWDataSm configuration version

20080225

2223

   
    HDPath

Fix problem with Basic Mapping only system if coordinate datum is left blank (force to WGS84)

20080223

2222

   
    TaskZIP utility

Add TaskZIP to TAP Configuration menu

20080221

2221

   
    Antenna Editor

Fix import problem in Generic filter with files containing both tabs and spaces as field separators

20080220

2219

   
    HDCoverage; Foreign Task Import

Force option to save Fixed Facility and Mobile Facility on ReConnect to database

20080216

2218

   
    HDCoverage; Use Global Land Cover files outside of US

Add patch to use Global Land Cover data; fixed problem finding some GLC files. "Land Use files not found" message is still displayed (to be corrected) but GLC effects are automatically applied after the study is run

    HDPath; compute path by specifying Azimuth and Distance Change the description of the Receiver Fixed Facility that is created when the target coordinates are computed. Put the Transmit Facility description first, such as "My Site Az 90, 20km"  This will display the site alphabetically with the source site in the Facility pulldown list.

200802

2217

   
    AutoPath; Fixed Facility to AutoPath file function

Fix "Run" button to load AutoPath function instead of HDPath.  This enables editing of AutoPath study before launching

    Antenna Lookup When antenna is retrieved from library (using the "..." lookup button) lock the major lobe gain value; editing the value (e.g., in HDCoverage) will cause confusion since the manually changed gain value will not match the major lobe gain value in the manufacturer's library

When changing antenna orientation or tilt, do not clear gain and description value.

200802

2216

   
    AutoPath

Fix versioning problem.  On some systems, new version was not being installed and older version was remaining.

200802

2215

   
    HDPath Microwave Link Budget

Correct equation for Frequency Diversity Improvement Factor;

Don't print empty "diversity improvement" info for non-diversity system

Show reliability and outage time for Frequency Diversity systems

20080205

2214

   
   

HDPath; Link Budget antenna orientation validation

Eliminated superfluous "0dB down from major lobe" message

20080204

2213

   
   

HDPath; click to zoom

Add clear profile graphic and add hourglass; on long paths that took several seconds to draw it appeared nothing was happening

 

 

HDPath; Reverse Path button

Fixed problem that Reverse Path did not work after "Long Path" warning message

 

 

HDPath; check valid elevation point

Fixed validation when bending LOS down instead of terrain up; skipping validation when bending LOS down resulted in vertical lines under profile especially with missing 30-meter .DTA file points

20080201

2212

   
   

HDPath; Link Budget antenna orientation validation

Add calculation of how many dB down from major lobe gain results from antenna orientation off path azimuth

20080131

2211

   
   

HDPath Link Budget

Add warning for link budget if antenna model and ID is present but orientation does not match path azimuth

20080130

2210

   
   

Area Coverage Field Recalculation studies

Exclude shadow studies, which would be meaningless when using power and gain changes to re-compute field strength values

 

 

Fixed Facility Antenna Lookup

On clear antenna pattern ("X" button) disable antenna mounting (orientation, tilt) since these are not used if no antenna directional pattern is specified

 

 

Area Coverage Field Recalculation studies

Allow recalculated study results to be used as source for another recalculation

 

 

Area Coverage Field Recalculation studies

Allow recalculated study to be loaded into HDCoverage, but with Fixed Facility interface disconnected from database, since changes for recalculation (antenna, orientation, ERP) no longer match Fixed Facility record from the original source study

 

 

HDMapper export for Google Earth

Use full bitmap file name instead of "shortname" to correct problem with Google Earth not finding image file

20080121

2209

   

HDPath

Set better default size for initial loading of HDPath

 

 

Antenna Editor Import

Be sure imported Generic (Planet) patterns have gain referenced to major lobe

Antenna Editor Import

Update dialog box for opening multiple files for import

 

 

Antenna Editor

Fix "No Current Record" error opening new antenna with no elevation pattern

 

 

HDMapper Mouse Tips

Depress Mouse Tips button, click another layer to turn off Mouse Tips

 

 

HDMapper Add Level for Coverage Layer

Set default value for level to maximum field strength value in results file;  old way (split the difference between maximum level and maximum value in file was too confusing)

 

 

HDPath; load saved profile

Hide profile graphic to avoid "flashing" during loading different parts of saved profile

 

 

HDMapper Coverage Layer Set Level

update Mobile Lookup to HDMobile TAP6 lookup interface

20080117

2208

   

HDAutoPath

Fix problem loading AutoPath function

20080103

2207

   
   

HDPath Microwave Link Budget Rain Attenuation

Add better error handling for Rain Attenuation lookup functions

20071231

2206

   
   

HDCoverage, create ShapeFile for HDMapper

Display only file name, not complete path, to fit on progress form label

20071207

2004

 

 

Land Use

Search sub-folders for Global Land Cover files

20071205

2203

   

Propagation Models HDPath, HDCoverage

Add Specialized Mobile Radio to model selection list

20071113

2202

   

TAP6 Menu

Add warning message when clicking tree headers (Recent Coverage, etc.) when nothing has been added.

HDSpectrum

Fix problem with spectrum analyzer size on initial display, problem resizing frames on HDSpectrum form

Earlier Release Notes

 

Search SoftWright Website