Batboard

I heard a rumour that Motorola has some development software that runs on a PC and interfaces with an Astro Spectra with SmartZone. It would allow you to drive around in a SmartZone system and watch what the radio sees, overhead messaging, adjacent control channel list, hex RSSI values, etc. Last I heard was that this was not being made public. Anyone have additional info on this?

There are also the hex RSSI thresholds in the Spectra that can be modified to change the radio performance... again.. no real insight from M, just the usual "don't touch it" attitude. When pressed, you can't find anyone that can discuss this with any detail. Makes it difficult to optimize without the above tool. Our LOW TECH method for figuring out the Spectra's mind involves repeatedly pressing the SITE button to find out current affiliation... or using an RF alarm to hear when the radio transmits it's affiliation. Low Tech, bench technician stuff for what is supposed to be engineered and proven public safety performance.... Any insight from the BORG?

RF Dude, I believe what you are talking about is the tool they were using up here, I probably only saw a small part of how it works. The Motorola people did refer to it as "Factware" though. Special software & hardware interface, almost has to be.
I believe the reason they won't make it public is so they can use it as a bargain chip, and force the customers into letting Motorola do the engineering (money, money, money!) and/or optimizing when problems occur afterwards on systems they didn't engineer. Sounds like the "M" mentality, doesn't it?

Todd

Two different things here.

My sources tell me that RF dude is correct that there is a program which works with a Smartzone radio to verify that the preferred site algorithms etc. are working correctly. Not sure of the name but it may be "Tracker" or something like that.

Motorola does have at least one and possibly more internal 'White Papers' that are available to the ST (System Technologist) and Project Managers who are implementing Smartzone systems. These discuss how to set the RSSI thresholds etc. in the mobile and portable radios to insure optimum affiliation behavior.

The other software that wavetar is refering to, FACTWARE (derived from Fully Automatic Coverage Test softWARE) is used as part of the CATP (Coverage Acceptance Test Plan). It works in conjunction with a GPS receiver to record the coverage verification (pass/fail) in a statistically selected number of grid squares. This program was developed internally by Motorola as part of their Smartools engineering software. It complements the MOZAIK coverage prediction system.

Might be a part of the System watch program, system watch can be used with any MTS or Spectra with modem capabilities.

Just a thought
10-95

system watch is no more... not "Y2K" compliant it seems (at least that's what they say)

the new one is "SITELENS"... same stuff, different operator interface


doug