3-D surface plots of theoretical NSA calculations by spreadsheet analysis

This paper presents an analysis methodology to calculate the exact theoretical normalized site attenuation (NSA) from the original 1982 model and graph the results in a three-dimensional surface plot - all by using only a standard electronic spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. Furthermore the 3-D surface plot can be rotated and viewed from any desired elevation or perspective, all within the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program. This spreadsheet analysis technique has several advantages: (1) the popularity of spreadsheets today provides an easy to use software platform that can be utilized to fully automate the complex theoretical NSA calculations; (2) the spreadsheet provides an open framework whereby all areas of the model are open for visual inspection; and (3) the spreadsheet model can be used for "what-if" scenarios whereby the test site input parameters are easily modified and the calculations re-run for new test site configurations.