ProAnt is a software tool for the design and analysis of TV/SAT headends and distribution networks with up to 20 lines from headend to distributions and unlimited number of outlets. ProANt is available with an optional module for the design of the mast.

To meet the different needs of our users, ProAnt is available in the Light and Professional editions and in two languages: Italian and English. These features and the continuing improvements that we introduce based on the comments of our users make of ProAnt a leading tool in the market.

The graphic interface of ProAnt is studied to simplify and speed up the design phase of a project: the components of a drawing can be picked up from a tool bar and placed on the drawing with a mouse click. The technical and commercial data of the components can be described quickly thanks to the availability of powerful copy and paste functions and the availability of several libraries of the most known companies. The users can create new personalized libraries as well.

ProAnt computes all the signals that reach each point of a network and verifies conformance with the european regulations. Then, it is possible to print all the required documentation, including schemas, list of materials, list of distributed channels with signals and C/N ratios for each outlet. Once a design is completed, ProAnt compiles automatically an estimate of expenditures that includes labor.

The interface of the mast module consists of a unique screen that contains all the relevant data. The user modifies the design with simple clicks of the mouse and the verification process, including the results of the calculi, is carried out in real-time. The mast can be designed automatically by ProAnt once the design of the headend is completed.

Key Features of ProAnt

• Possibility to create distributions with up to 20 lines from headend to distribution.
• Possibility to color the cbles (up to 9 colors) to distinguish better between different lines.
• Automatic managment of crossing cables, useful for large projects.
• Possibility to insert text and graphics in the drawings.
• Possibility to print codes, attenuations and other technical data near each component.
• Possibility to cancel several past operations, fundamental tp avoid restarting from scratch at every error.
• Powerful copy and paste operations to speed up the design of parts that are similar to each other.
• Availability of several components, including splitters and taps up to 10 outputs, multiswitch up to 10 lines and 20 outputs, mix up to 10 inputs and demix up to 10 outputs, L.B. amplifiers, active filters, modulators, converters channel/channel, IF/IF, IF/S, 4QPSK/64QAM, etc...
• Availability of several libraries with the technical and commercial data of the components.
• Possibility to create personalized libraries.
• Automatic design of passive distribution networks.
• Project wizards to create automatically entire plants, headends and distributions, with terrestrial and/or satellite signals, single cables or multiswitches or radial multiswitches.
• Automatic creation of estimates that include an estimate of labor. The estimates can be adjusted bu the user.
• Possibility to associate auxiliary articles to the components of a design (e.g., connectors, screws, ...). The auxiliary articles are included automatically in the estimates.
• Powerful computing functionalities that permit to identify design errors quickly.
• Dynamic test pointing. By pointing the cursor in any point of the drawings, it is posible to view the results of the calculi relative to the selected point.
• Wide range of managed frequencies: from 5 to 2400 Mhz.
• Managment of the return channel.
• Possibility to print drawings, lists of materials, itemized lists of materials, results of computations, and estimates of expenditures.
• Possibility to print on any format.

Main features of the mast module

• Single screen to view all design information at any time.
• No need to open additional windows to change the design or view the results of the computations..
• Real-time computations. AT each instant of time the user can see the results of the design choices. Among the advantages the possibility to verify instantly what variations can lead to improvments.
• Placement and replacement of antennas with a simple click of the mouse.
• Possibility to modify the joint length on telescopic segments.
• Automatic design of a self-supporting mast based on the design of an headend.
• Automatic placement of antennas at minimum required distance.

Differences Between the Light and Professional Editions

ProAnt is available in the Light and Professional editions. The light edition is oriented to users that are interested in the design of a distribution network with a limited number of lines and that are interested only in the graphical design of the headend; the professional edition is oriented to users that are interested in the design of large networks and/or want to give a more professional touch to their projects. We now illustrate the main differences between the two editions of ProAnt.

Maximum number of lines: maximum number of cables for the interface between headend and distribution network.

Multiple currencies: ProAnt can manage prices in several currencies and to convert prices automatically between currencies.

International canalizations: ProAnt cantains data about international canalizations. Thus, the user can specify channels by selecting the canalization of the country in which the design is implemented.

Automatic design of passive networks: ProAnt can choose automatically the components whose technical data suits best for a passive network. The components are chosen from a library. The criterion used by ProAnt is to ensure that all outlets are served with homogeneous signals by requiring the minimum possible signal from the headend.

Automatic design of masts: the professional edition of ProAnt, if associated with the mast module, permits to design automatically a mast for the antennas that appear in the design of the headend. Alternatively, the user can place several antennas on a mast and use the functionalities of ProAnt to build automatically a self-supporting mast for the chosen antennas.

Text and graphics: the professional edition of ProAnt permits to insert text and graphic elements in the drawings. Such functionalities are an excellent instrument to give clear information about the position of each component within a building.

Auxiliary articles: the professional edition of ProAnt permits to associate auxiliary articles with the components of a design. For example, it is possible to state that a tap requires additionally 6 connectors and 4 screws. The auxiliary articles are included automatically in the estimates of expenditures.

Calculations of distributed channels: the professional edition of ProAnt computes all the channel that reach each outled together with their levels and C/N ratios. In case of problems or non conformance with the eurpoean regulations, appropriate error messages are shown.

Print of covers and grouped documents: the professional edition permits to print covers to be used in the preparation of the documentation of a project. In addition it is possible to print all the documentation with a single command.

Print of components codes: the professional edition of ProAnt permits to print the code of each component next to its symbol. This functionality is useful for a designer who demands the implementation of the design to a third party.

Print of headend and network on the same frawing: the professional edition permits to print headend and distribution on the same drawing. In the light edition headend and distribution are always printed separately.

Orientable print: the professional edition of ProAnt permits to print drawings in an orientation chosen by the user. In the light edition the orientations are chosen by ProAnt.

Print on formats either than A4: the professional edition permits to print drawing on any paper format compatibly with the capabilities of the printer. The light edition prints only on the A4 format.