IntermodExplorer
Frequency Coordination and Intermodulation Analysis for Wireless ProAudio
IntermodExplorer is an advanced, web-based software application designed for the wireless, professional audio industry. Its computational engine rapidly generates frequency sets of intermodulation distortion-free (IMD-free) radio frequencies -- applying user-defined stringencies, signal bandwidths and channel spacing. The resultant frequency sets are used for frequency coordination -- that is, assigning the most reliable channels to your wireless transmitters.
Proper wireless audio configuration requires an understanding of intermodulation distortion (IMD) and its potentially crippling effect on your live production. As RF environments have become spectrally congested, frequency coordination plays an essential role in avoiding potential RF interference. And as the number of transmitters grows with high channel counts, coordinating their co-existence becomes more challenging. Most would agree that radio frequency conflicts tend to be the root cause of many problems encountered by wireless microphone users.
Compared with other fine intermodulation analysis (IMA) tools such as IAS, Shure's WWB6, Sennheiser's WSM and ClearWaves, IntermodExplorer is much easier to use and includes innovative features not available in any other software, such as Smart Frequency Sets (patented), Dynamic Calibration and frequency ranking. In addition, since IntermodExplorer is web-based, that means it is available to you from any machine, running any operating system with an Internet connection and browser.
References:
1. All about wireless: Intermodulation Distortion
Basic and Advanced Services
IntermodExplorer is offered as a service that computes, calibrates and optimizes a set of frequencies that are free of interference and intermodulation distortion (IMD). Given an input of either Start and End frequencies, or a spectrum trace in *.CSV format plus threshold, an intermod-compatible frequency set is generated that can be used to assign frequencies to your wireless transmitters. The service comes in two flavors: Basic and Advanced. Both services are currently free, though in the future the Advanced service will transition to a monthly subscription of $10 USD / month. The monthly subscription can be cancelled and restarted as often as you wish or as needed.
IntermodExplorer is the first to introduce Smart Frequency Sets (patented) and Dynamic Calibration technologies. These frequency sets differ from the Basic one in the following ways:
Smart Frequency Sets (patented)
Not all frequencies are equally reliable -- Smart Frequency Sets rank frequencies according to their susceptibility to intermodulation interference. This allows you to prioritize channel assignments.
Dynamic Calibration
Automatically adjusts intermodulation (IM) stringency and bandwidth settings so the size of the resultant frequency set meets the required number of transmitters.
Additional Features
Channel Bands
Channel Bands allow you to organize the frequencies within a frequency set into different groups based on their frequency ranges. Channel Bands may overlap one another -- in which case certain frequencies may belong to more than one channel band.
Reserved Frequencies
A reserved frequency is one that will always be included in the resultant frequency set. Reserved frequencies provide a means for you to enter one or more frequencies into the coordination when a particular device is considered mandatory. For example, facilities or events often have a pool of existing equipment to which channels will need to be added.
Lockout Bands
This feature allows you to lockout frequency ranges of your choosing -- for example, it can be used to exclude DTV stations. Frequencies within the locked-out bands are removed from consideration as potential candidates for a frequency set.
Take the Guesswork Out of Frequency Coordination
Intermodulation interference is rarely desirable in wireless communication systems -- particularly in radio or audio processing. Unfortunately, it is not easily measured and avoided. However, the physical basis for intermodulation distortion (IMD) is well understood and the mathematical formulas used to describe it are relatively simple -- so, computational methods can be applied to generate frequency sets that are free of IMD and which mitigate its effect.
IntermodExplorer was designed with the wireless audio professional in mind and takes much of the guesswork out of frequency coordination. Dynamic Calibration and Smart Frequency Sets are unique and innovative technologies unavailable in any other software or product.