The IPS Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System (ASAPS) allows the prediction of Sky Wave communication conditions in the HF (High Frequency) and low VHF (Very High Frequency) radio spectrum or Short Wave Band (1 to 45 MHz). It is based on an Ionospheric model, developed by IPS Radio and Space Services of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and ITU-R / CCIR models (Rec. ITU-R P.533-10, Rec. ITU-R P.372-10 and CCIR Re port 322).

New features in ASAPS Version 6.0 are summarized as follows:

• The option to activate real-time propagation predictions based upon T-index updates accessed from the IPS FTP server. These T-index updates are issued with a cadence of 20 minutes and are estimated from observed ionospheric support during the preceding 1-2 h ours.
• Digital HF area predictions of dominant mode, frequency of dominant mode, frequency with interference, main interfering mode, multipath interference, basic reception reliability and overall reception reliability.
• User-selectable digital HF multipath tolerances within the Station Configuration dialogue. Tolerances which can be changed include the signal interference ratio, the delay spread, and the frequency spread.
• GRAFEX-style predictions of digital HF parameters for base-to-base circuits.
• Export of area prediction results in KMZ file format for importing as an information layer within Google Earth\256.
• Improved base-to-base and area prediction input dialogues including more user selectable regional geographic maps.
• Up to 200 x 200 grid cells within the user selectable area of interest provides spatial resolution exceeding that required for most area prediction scenarios.
• New high spatial resolution land mass outlines within the area prediction charts.
• Great circle paths connecting the Tx and Rx in the base-to-base prediction dialogue.
• The option to overlay range markers (circles) at preset intervals from the Tx in area prediction charts.
• The option to overlay the dusk and dawn twilight regions in the area prediction charts.
• Latest ITU-R recommended method for calculating the total noise by combining atmospheric, galactic and man-made noise levels.
• Implementation of a faster multi-surface algorithm in the surface-wave prediction module.
• All the familiar features of ASAPS 5.4, including GRAFEX-style daily prediction plans remain in ASAPS 6.0.
• Revised HTML User Guide.