Corporation. Once the required parameters have been entered, mouse click Generate KML File and the Path LOS buttons.

Transcription

1 Micropath Corporation P.O. Box Tel: Web: Golden, Colorado Fax: E Mail: support@micropath.com LOS 3D 12 FEB 2014 LOS 3D generates Google Earth (GE) KML / KMZ files for line of sight (LOS) paths between two geographic points. The latitude / longitude coordinates for the two points are manually entered for a single path or by using an Excel spreadsheet for batch processing of multiple LOS paths. When the KML file is viewed in GE, the LOS straight line is displayed as well as towers at each end point, and three Fresnel zones (under, left, and right of the LOS line). Display options are user controlled for a number of functions including colors, line widths, earth curvature (K), Fresnel zone, and GE Display and LookAt settings. System Requirements Windows 7/8 (x32 / x64), Windows Vista, Windows XP SP x 768 Screen Resolution Microsoft.NET 4.5 or higher Google Earth Plug in (free from Google) Basic Operation Parameters for each site are required to generate the KML file(s): 1. Geographic coordinates (latitude / longitude) of each site. Coordinates may entered in degrees (DEG), degree minutes (DM), or degree, minutes, seconds (DMS) 2. Ground Elevation AMSL (if known) 3. Antenna Height AGL 4. Tower Height AGL 5. Tower Base Height AGL 6. Frequency MHz 7. File name of the KML file to be created Once the required parameters have been entered, mouse click Generate KML File and the Path LOS buttons. Batch processing is supported using an Excel.XLS spreadsheet. A sample.xls spreadsheet can be found in the _Batch In XLS folder. Selecting the menu item Options / Settings Default Values provides for the end user to specify a Working Directory for the batch input (.XLS) and output (.KML.KMZ) data files. Additional features will be added to LOS 3D based upon your feedback. Below are LOS 3D and GE screen snapshots followed by a more in depth description of program functionality including read / write file locations. 1

2 LOS 3D Main Screen LOS Path Examples 2

3 3

4 Data Entries Manual and Batch Processing LOS 3D data entries are straight forward. Manual and batch processing entries are similar with the exception of some entries in the batch processing Excel spreadsheet. The batch processing Excel spreadsheet will be discussed in detail in the next topic. Coordinate entries for latitude and longitude are referenced to ground level. For example, if you are using Google Earth in 3D mode, the displayed GE coordinates at the top of a building or tower are not the same coordinates of the structure at ground level. Units are selectable for English or Metric. LOS 3D Main Screen Site A / B Name Name of each site or end points. Frequency (MHz) Used to calculate Fresnel zone Latitude Enter in DEG, DM, DMS. Longitude Enter in DEG, DM, DMS Elevation Ground elevation (AMSL) of each site. If an internet connection is available and the elevation is set to zero (0), LOS 3D will retrieve an elevation. Any other value other than zero will not be modified. Antenna (AGL) The height of the antenna above ground level. Tower Height The height of the tower / building / structure above ground level. Tower Base (AGL) The height of the tower / building / structure above ground level. If the tower is sitting at ground level, enter zero (0). If the antenna is mounted on a building that is 750 feet in height (AGL), has a 5 foot tower mounted at the top of the building, and the antenna is 752 feet AGL, the data entries would be: Antenna AGL: 752 Tower Height: 5 Tower Base: 750 These parameters allow for a tower to be displayed or drawn in GE KML / KMZ File Information File Name A user specified file name for the KML / KMZ file to be created. File Locations: The application data folders for LOS 3D read / write operations. Windows 7 8 / Vista : A user defined working directory (Options Default Settings) Windows XP SP3 : A user defined working directory (Options Default Settings) The actual folders for read / write are: Batch In XLS Folder for the batch.xls files Batch Out KML Folder for writing KML / KMZ files created by batch processing KML_KMZ Files Folder for the writing KML / KMZ file created by manually data entry. Control Panel The Control Panel for the most part is self explanatory. Generate KML File Mouse click to start KML / KMZ file generation for manual data entries. Then mouse click Path LOS. LOS 3D Settings These properties control a number of GE display functions related to the KML / KMZ file. There are color selections, earth curvature (K) and Fresnel (F) values, displaying labels and lines on / off, GE LookAt parameters and line widths. Data Entries Batch Processing Specific The batch processing.xls spreadsheet layout or format is comprehensive but should not be intimidating. The spreadsheet format used by LOS 3D has been designed in an effort to utilize the same format and parameters as with other Micropath software. For example: The Diversity Antenna Height entry is not used by LOS 3D at this time. The spreadsheet is divided into two parts: Left and Right. 4

5 The left side is Site Information. The right side are the LOS paths or links. Left Side Batch Processing Spreadsheet Right Side Batch Processing Spreadsheet 5

6 Batch Processing Getting Started The LOS 3D installation will copy two.xls files to the Batch in XLS folder: Sample.xls and Template.xls. It is recommended you use the template.xls spreadsheet to create your first and perhaps subsequent LOS 3D batch processing spreadsheets. Open template.xls in Excel, then Save As to a file name of your choice. Left Side: The information specific to each LOS path or site is contained on the left side of the spreadsheet. Rows 1 and 2 are LOS 3D specific and CANNOT be modified. Row 1, Column 1 MUST contain the text: [Micropath LOS 3D]. Row 2 is cosmetic and identifies column data entries. Site ID The name of the physical location of a tower, building or structure. For example, the site Bear Mtn. has multiple antennas but only one physical location. Thus, all antennas at this location have a Site ID of Bear Mtn. Site Name Each site name represents a unique antenna mounted on the structure at the Site ID. Latitude The latitude for the Site ID can be entered in DEG, DM, DMS. The latitude degree entry is always 2 digits. DEG: xx.xxxxx (North is positive, South is negative, West is negative, East is positive) DM: xx:xxxxxn or S DMS: xx:xx:xx.xxn or S Longitude The longitude for the Site ID can be entered in DEG, DM, DMS. The longitude degree entry is always 3 digits. DEG: xxx.xxxxx (North is positive, South is negative, West is negative, East is positive) DM: xxx:xxxxxw or E DMS: xxx:xx:xx.xxw or E Frequency (MHz) Enter in MHz. Used for Fresnel zone calculation. Elevation (AMSL) The Site ID elevation. A zero (0) entry will force LOS 3D via an internet connection to retrieve the ground elevation for the site. A non zero entry will not be modified. If an internet connection is not available, you MUST provide the elevation data entry. Primary Antenna (AGL) The height of the primary antenna above ground level. Diversity Antenna (AGL) (Not currently used in LOS 3D but may be in future releases of the program). The height of the diversity antenna above ground level. Tower Height The height of the tower / building / structure above ground level. Tower Base (AGL) The height of the tower / building / structure above ground level. If the tower is sitting at ground level, enter zero (0). If the antenna is mounted on a building that is 750 feet in height (AGL), has a 5 foot tower mounted at the top of the building, and the antenna is 752 feet AGL, the data entries would be: Antenna AGL: 752 Tower Height: 5 Tower Base: 750 These parameters allow for a tower to be displayed or drawn in GE Antenna Azimuth True north. (Not currently used in LOS 3D but may be in future releases of the program). For an omni directional antenna, enter

7 Sector Antenna Beamwidth (Not currently used in LOS 3D but may be in future releases of the program). The beamwidth for the coverage area of a sector or panel type antenna. For omnidirectional antenna, enter 360. Sector LOS Distance (Not currently used in LOS 3D but may be in future releases of the program). The distance of the sector antenna coverage in miles or kms. Right Side: The information specific to each link. These are the links for which a unique KML / KMZ file will be created. Site names in the From and To columns MUST be an exact match for Site Names on the left side of the spreadsheet. The [System] token in the From column allows you to categorize or separate LOS paths. The 1 st [System] is required, other [System] tokens are optional. The To column token is user defined to your requirements or name accordingly. Google Earth KML Document Name The KML / KMZ file name that will be created for the LOS path. Frequency (MHz) The LOS path frequency. Fresnel Zone Typical values are 1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.6. Units English / Metric Enter E for English, M for metric. Note: It is suggested you enter the left side information for 2 sites and create a single LOS path on the right side. Run LOS 3D and if the KML / KMZ file is created and is displayed as expected in GE, then continue on with additional spreadsheet site and LOS path entries. Generating KML / KMZ Files Once the manual / batch processing data entries are completed: Manual Data Entry Mouse click Generate KML Files / LOS Path. The KML / KMZ file will be written to the KML_KMZ Files folder. Batch Processing Mouse click File / File Open / Batch Processing.XLS File. A file selection dialogue will appear. Browse to the Batch In XLS folder and select the desired.xls file. The KML / KMZ files are written to the Batch Out KML folder. 7

8 View KML / KMZ Files Using Google Earth Plug in To immediately view single or multiple LOS 3D paths, select the Google Earth tab. Import multiple KML and/or KMZ files. The Reset Google Earth button will clear all paths from the Google Earth view. 8

9 Google Earth Operation Start Google Earth. On the GE menu bar, mouse click File / Open and select the desired KML / KMZ file to display. On the left sidebar under Layers, enable (check) 3D Buildings. Settings for various GE functions can be accessed from the GE menu bar Tools / Options dialogue. The picture below shows settings coordinate formats, display units, elevation exaggeration (normally set to 1), etc. Google Earth Tools / Options Screen 9

10 Frequently Asked Questions Excel Spreadsheets My Excel batch processing spreadsheet is not recognized or does not work. First, import the sample.xls spreadsheets into LOS 3D. If this works, then compare the format / correctness of your spreadsheet data entries with the data in the sample spreadsheet. Most likely, there is a typo in your spreadsheet. As a last resort, if your spreadsheet still cannot be imported, does not work or function correctly in LOS 3D, the.xls file to support@micropath.com. Please check your spreadsheet first before ing the.xls file. Suggestion: Start with a few sites and one LOS path. It s easier to trouble shoot / debug the correctness of your data entries. Once you are satisfied with your data entries, add more sites and LOS paths. Comments and Suggestions: Please your comments and suggestions to support@micropath.com. General Notes: 1. Address, city, placenames, placemarks, coordinates, and elevations returned or displayed by Google Maps and/or Google Earth may be approximate. 2. Displayed maps and results provided by the geocoding service may vary in detail and accuracy. 3. Micropath does not warrant, either expressed or implied, the functionality, accuracy or detail of any data provided or returned by USGS NED or NASA/JPL SRTM elevation data. 4. Micropath is not and does not make any representation to be a party to or involved in any manner with your use of the LOS 3D program and compliance with Google Maps / Google Earth Terms of Service (TOS). 5. It is Micropath s intention that Micropath software and web pages that utilize the Google Maps and Google Earth API s comply with Google Maps / Google Earth Terms of Service (TOS). Micropath web pages that display Google Maps / Earth functionality are open and viewable without any cost, fees, or conditions. 6. Los 3D and Visual Path Design are trademarks of Micropath Corporation. 7. Micropath and MapExplorer are registered trademarks of Micropath Corporation. 8. Google Maps and Google Earth are trademarks of Google. Copyright by Micropath Corporation. All rights reserved. 10