Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Module 10 - GPS with Trimble: Getting started

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Utilize Trimble software and hardware to collect GPS data
  2. Discuss GPS Pathfinder Office utilities
  3. Build a Data Dictionary in GPS Pathfinder Office
  4. Perform mission planning for GPS data collection
  5. Describe the rigorous data collection parameters utilized in TerraSync to ensure sub-meter (sub-foot) accuracy.
  6. Set up data collection parameters in TerraSync
  7. Differentially correct GPS data using Pathfinder Office
  8. Convert GPS data to shapefile format

TERMS TO KNOW

  • MS Active Sync
  • .ssf
  • .cor
  • Differential Correction
  • WAAS
  • Post-process
  • TerraSync
  • GPS Pathfinder Office
  • Multipath
  • PDOP
  • SNR
  • Elevation mask
DISCUSSION


ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

STEPS TO A TRIMBLE GPS FIELD SURVEY PROJECT

  1. Project setup (Pathfinder Office)
  2. Database design / Field Reconnaissance (Pathfinder Office)
  3. Project / Database transfer to TerraSync
  4. TerraSync settings and set-up
  5. Field data collection
  6. Post-process differential correction
  7. Export to GIS

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Steps 1 and 2 - Project set-up, designing your database, and buidling a data dictionary

Steps 3, 4 and 5 - Tranfering Data, Mission Planning and more ...

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES

HOMEWORK

TerraSync Evaluation Demo for your desktop PC

Follow this Evaluation Guide using the Demo above loaded on your desktop

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Module 9: GPS: The Global Positioning System

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Identify the 3 segments of GPS
  2. List the acceptable number of satellites (SV's - space vehicles) for an accurate 3D position
  3. List and explain sources of error in the GPS system
  4. Explain why satellites are provide a good system for located positions on the earth
  5. Define trilateration
  6. Discuss how the distance from the satellite to the GPS receiver is determined.
  7. Describe the almanac and what it is used for
  8. Define ephemeris information and what it is used for
  9. Define autonomous GPS
  10. Describe differential GPS (SBAS, Post-processing)
  11. Describe the critical software settings in Trimble TerraSync
GENERAL GPS TERMS TO KNOW
  • GPS - Global Positioning System
  • NAVSTAR - Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging
  • Almanc
  • Ephemeris
  • Accuracy
  • DGPS - Differential GPS
  • SBAS - Satellite Based Augmentation System
  • WAAS - Wide Area Augmentation System
  • Selective availability
  • Mulitpath
  • Obstructions
  • Atmospheric Delay
RECREATION GRADE GPS TERMS TO KNOW
  • tracks
  • waypoints
  • gpx
  • kml
  • Garmin MapSource
  • GPSUtility
  • GPS Babel
  • GPS Visualizer - website based on GPS Babel
  • DNR Garmin
DISCUSSION

GPS PowerPoint Supplement

- refresh the page if the file does not download

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Utilize Garmin recreation grade GPS to collect waypoints and tracks around campus. Incorporate this data into Google Earth (KML) and ArcGIS (shapefile).

more ...

more Module 9 - GPS - Recreation Grade Lab

INTRODUCTION

'Recreation grade' GPS receivers provide accurate data collection tools for a fraction of the cost of 'Professional grade' GPS tools. We will look at several Garmin GPS receivers during this class. There are many other manufacturers of recreation grade GPS units like Magellan that have similar functionality but we will stick to Garmins since that is what we have a school.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Describe the GPX format
  2. Utilize the main pages on a 'recreation' grade GPS unit (one of the school Garmins or your own)
    • Satellite page
    • Map page
    • Compass page
    • Main menu
  3. Define waypoint
  4. Define track
  5. Modify GPS settings through setup menu
    • Set coordinate system
    • Activate WAAS
  6. Create waypoints
  7. Save tracks
  8. View map
  9. View satellites
  10. Navigate to waypoint
  11. Connect to GPS using several FREE utitities
  12. Utilize GPSUtility and Garmin MapSource to transfer GPS data to desktop computer
  13. Display GPS data in Google Earth and ArcMap
LEARNING RESOURCES

GENERAL GPS



HOMEWORK

Recreation-grade GPS assignment