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

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Module 8 - Database design and Final Project



Review this supplemental document on geodatabase design as well as looking back over your lecture notes and the PowerPoint from our geodatabase design discussion.

Begin to explore this Final Project for this class.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Module 7 - LiDAR

Lidar 101


Another Lidar 101


ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

LiDAR in ArcMap - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddh8bbwd_925h6bz6chc&hl=en


LIDAR RESOURCES

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Back to the Campus Geodatabase Project

Continue with steps 6-9 of the Campus Geodatabase Project.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Topology in ArcGIS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Define topology
  2. Describe map topology
  3. Describe geodatabase topology
  4. Describe coincidence
  5. Explain how topology helps with analysis and data integrity
  6. Define cluster tolerance
  7. Define ranks in a topology
  8. List several topology rules
  9. Describe topology validation
  10. List several types of topology errors
  11. Discuss 2 ways topology errors may be fixed.
TERMS TO KNOW
  • topology
  • map topology
  • geodatabase topology
  • connectivity
  • adjacency
  • containment
  • validation
  • topology errors
  • data integrity
  • coincidence
  • cluster tolerance
  • ranks
CLASS DISCUSSION

In ArcGIS there are 2 types of topology.

  • Map Topology: Available at the ArcView license. Used during an edit session to ensure coincident features maintain coincidence while editing.
  • Geodatabase Topology: Available only with ArcEditor and ArcInfo licenses. Powerful rule based topology that help with data validation.
** See supplement resources below for more information on both these topics.

Working with Geodatabase Topology - ESRI LIVE Training Seminar (recorded at an earlier date)

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Creating and Editing Geodatabase Topology with ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcEditor and ArcInfo)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Module 5 - The geodatabase lecture - Part 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  • Describe how relationships work in the geodatabase
  • Describe the different ways information is validated in the geodatabase
  • Describe topology
  • Describe map topology
  • Describe geodatabase topology
DISCUSSION

Class discussion (slides 44 -61) - Advanced Functions of the Geodatabase - PowerPoint Supplement

Class Discussion - Topology

ESRI Webhelp:
ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Module 4: Creating, Editing and Managing Geodatabases for ArcGIS Desktop

Virtual Campus Course is due before class next week.

STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. What are the 3 types of relationships that can exist in the geodatabase?
  2. What are the 4 types of cardinality that can exist in the geodatabase?
  3. Describe relationship classes.
  4. List and describe the 4 types of validation rules.