When viewing antenna patterns in .ADF format, or any format really, you will want to keep a close keep an eye out for where the important information is located within the file. Typically an antenna pattern file will contain a list of horizontal azimuths and , the associated horizontal gains, and it usually lists the vertical azimuths and associated vertical gains as well. The file could potentially can also contain all azimuths from 0 to 360 degrees for both horizontal and vertical, or it could also will list them in chunks where the gains for the missing portions are interpolated between the chunks. If the file contains some partial or all of this data, then you can potentially use this the data along with this linked article: Understanding EDX Format Antenna Pattern Files , to build your antenna pattern into in the proper EDX .pat format. Attached is
Please note: This will be on a case by case basis
Below we have provided a sample .ADF file for you to download and review for if you would like to practice on building an antenna patterns pattern file in EDX format.
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When looking at the .ADF pattern you can see the top of the file contains information relating the the name/manufacturer. As you scroll down the file you will a list of azimuths and their associated gains. You can infer that these azimuths and gains are associated to the horizontal plane as just above the list of values is the azimuth polarization identifier, which is highlighted below:
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Continuing to scroll down the file you will see several sections of azimuths and gains. Before each section there should be notation signifying whether the values are associated to horizontal or vertical planes. Some of the polarization identifiers are highlited in the image below:
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To begin building the pattern:
Open a spreadsheet in excel or sheets.
Place the header in the first row. This will be the antenna name in single quotations, the maximum gain of the antenna, and the value signifying whether the following tabulated pattern data is in relative field strength or relative dB.
Next, list in two columns all of the horizontal azimuths and their associated gains, either 0 to 360 degrees, or -180 to 180, with a maximum increment between azimuths of 45 degrees.
The next entry will be the code “999”.
Below that enter how many slices you have and the number of points or values within each slice.
Next, enter in the 0 degree azimuth
On the next line begin to list out the vertical slice. List all vertical azimuths and gains in each slice from -90 to 90. If only utilizing one slice, your pattern is complete. If you have 2 or more slices, you will need to list the value in degrees that each slice is based on. The more data you can include (ie; the more azimuths and gains) the more accurate your pattern should display and give results.
Below is a sample of the converted pattern from the linked sample .ADF file:
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NOTICE: the attached pattern is in .csv format. This will work for SignalPro, but our preferred format is .PAT. |
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It is imperative to understand the format required for EDX pattern. Please be sure to review the article linked above to understand the format. |
For any additional assistance converting or building antenna patterns in EDX format please create a support ticket: https://edxwireless.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2
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