Maximum server analysis

In this document, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) provides the methodology of the generation of maps to be produced under section 3.2(2) of the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference from Transmitters—700 MHz Band) 2012. The ACMA now provides the section 3.2(2) coverage maps as a Google Earth KMZ file. These maps, alongwith further information on their development, are intendedto give readers a clearer understanding of the coverage areas resulting from the proposed methodology.

Alternative services provide much higher field strengths

This section explains some of the claims under the ‘maximum server analysis’ section in the consultation Methodology for the definition of DTV service coverage areas.

In that consultation, it states that “in many cases where the predicted Block E service coverage area is significantly larger than the ‘maximum server’ area, alternative services are predicted to provide tens of dB higher field strength than the Block E service in much of the predicted coverage area”. Upper Hunter and Nowra North provide examples of such Block E services. Figures 1 and 2 show that Newcastle and Illawarra are predicted to provide alternative coverage with signal field strengths that are at least 20 dB higher than the respective Upper Hunter and Nowra North Block E services in populated areas.

Aggregation of adjoining population centres

This section explains how “urban centres and localities (UCLs) will be aggregated to the Block E maximum server coverage area”, as mentioned under the ‘maximum server analysis’ section in Methodology for the definition of DTV service coverage areas.

Figure 2 shows how the ‘maximum server’ area of Nowra North cuts through the urban centre of Nowra-Bomaderry, and shows the aggregation of the Nowra-Bomaderry UCL to the coverage area for Nowra North.

A typical example of how a population centre is aggregated to the ‘maximum server’ area is provided for Nanango in Figure 3

The ACMA has undertaken a site-by-site analysis and there are a number of areas where aggregation of population centres to the maximum server coverage would be needed.

In the cases of Atherton, Cardwell, Mount Morgan, Agnes Water, Nanango, Ocean Shores, Boambee/Sawtell, Lithgow, Bowral/Mittagong, Mudgee Town, Wellington, Bungendore, Learmonth, Inverloch, Churchill, Boolarra, Clare, Port Lincoln, Gumeracha, Queenstown/Zeehan, Toodyay, Kojonup, Narrogin, Northam, only the population centre—thatthe repeater site is intended to cover—is aggregated to the maximum server coverage area.

In the cases of Redlynch, Moranbah, Gympie Town, Toowoomba, Maclean/Ashby, SW Slopes/E Riverina, Nowra North, Narooma, Eden, Geelong, Murray Valley, Colac, Warrnambool, Broadford, Alexandra, Mansfield, Lakes Entrance, Waikerie, King Island, Burnie and Swansea, the proposal to aggregate population centres amounts to a relatively small increase in the size of the larger ‘maximum server’ areas.

In the cases of the larger population areas, where the relevant UCLs are much larger than the expected coverage areas, State Suburbs (SSCs) have been used instead. Surrounding SSCs have been aggregated to the ‘maximum server’ areas for Currumbin, Gold Coast SouthernHinterland, Hobart, Perth City, Perth Coastal, Sunshine Coast North and Townsville North. Larger population areas were also aggregated for Gladstone West and Mission Beach.

Figure 1—Locations where Upper Hunter coverage exceeds minimum median-field strength. The ‘maximum server’ area is shown in green. Outside the maximum server region, the warm colours show the difference between the predicted field strengths of signals transmitted from Mt Sugarloaf (Newcastle) and Rossgole Lookout (Upper Hunter), overlaid on a population map layer.

Figure 2—Locations where Nowra North coverage exceeds minimum median-field strength. The ‘maximum server’ area is shown in green. Outside the maximum server region the warm colours show the difference between the predicted field strengths of signals transmitted from Knights Hill (Illawarra) and Cambewarra Lookout (Nowra North), overlaid on a population map layer. The edge of the aggregated ‘maximum server’ and adjoining UCL areas is outlined in black. Note the addition of the Nowra-Bomaderry, Berry, Gerroa and Gerringong UCLs (outlined in blue) to the coverage area.

Figure 3—Aggregation of the Nanango UCL (outlined in blue) with the ‘maximum server’ area for Nanango (shown in green). This aggregated coverage area (outlined in black) has been overlaid on a population map layer.

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