Copyright: Mission Planning, ©Thales Navigation


Welcome to the Mission Planning Help System

Use Mission Planning to plan a GPS project by viewing the visibility and availability of the satellite constellations and determining the dilution of precision for any location in the world.  Ideally, you should plan your project so you have at least four satellites available scattered throughout the sky throughout the data collection period.   If your survey is a kinematic survey, five satellites must be visible at all times during the survey.

A current almanac is important for accurate planning.   When an almanac file is over 60 days from the planning data, a warning message indicates this.  Although you can use Mission Planning when the almanac file is older than 60 days, be aware the information is not current.  You can obtain a current almanac file by downloading it from the Locus Receiver.

By default, Mission Planning uses the latest almanac file available in the Locus Processor application bin folder, unless you change the folder or almanac file using the Satellite Configuration dialog box.

What do you want to do next?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the observation date or time?


When to use Mission Planning

The extent of using Mission Planning depends on the type of survey, and whether or not overhead obstructions exist at any of the proposed observation sites in the project.

With the full GPS constellation now in place, there are very few time periods during which satellite availability and geometry are poor for data collection.  There are still some locations and periods when availability and geometry are poor, however, they are generally localized and last a couple of hours at most.  When data collection periods are long, say 45 minutes or more, these short periods, when availability and geometry are poor, normally have little affect on the accuracy of the survey.  But when data collection periods are very short, 15 minutes or less, poor availability and geometry can greatly the accuracy obtained, especially when using the kinematic mode of data collection.  When collecting data in kinematic mode, it is common to collect 10 seconds or less of data on a point.  If a DOP spike (short period of time with a very high DOP value) occurs during that time period, the accuracy of the position computed for this point degrades. The accuracy of other points observed in the same kinematic session could be very good.  Therefore, Mission Planning plays a critical role when performing surveys with short occupation spans.

Overhead obstructions at a site adversely affect satellite availability and geometry for that site.  Obstructions can be so severe that the site may not be suitable for GPS observation.  The only way to determine the impact of obstructions is to examine the affect of the obstructions on satellite availability and geometry at each site containing obstructions.  Use Mission Planning to enter the obstruction information for each site in a survey.  With the obstructions in place, satellite availability and geometry can be analyzed to determine which sites are suitable for GPS observation and the best time to observe at each obstructed site.

Lacking obstructions, in most cases it is suitable to simple enter one site into Mission Planning in the center of the project area and examine satellite availability and geometry for the entire survey.  With obstructions, it is best to enter each site with its obstructions.

What do you want to do next?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	Print a table or graph?


Mission Planning Workflow

To successfully plan a survey project:

1	Create a new project, or open an existing project.

2	Create a new site or select the site in the List of Cities listbox in the Sites dialog box.

3	Create any obstructions for the site.

4	Verify the date and time in the Time Control bar correspond to the survey.

5	View the satellite availability and PDOP in the DOP Plot window.

6	View satellite geometry in the Sky Plot window.

7	Print any graphs or tables as necessary.

8	Save the project.

What do you want to do next?

When to use Mission Planning?


Creating a New Project

A project file contains a number of sites.  Verify satellite availability for each site, as availability changes with geographic location.  A project file must be created to plan a project, or you can use an existing project file if the survey is in the same geographical area.

Mission Planning is supplied with usasites.spl, which contains typical United States cities as a sample project.

1	Select New from the Site List menu to open the Site Editor dialog box.

2	Enter sites and obstructions for each site, and save the project.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Entering a New Site

1	In the Site Editor dialog box, enter the site name (up to 20 characters).

2	Enter the optional site description.

3	Enter the latitude and longitude for the site,

-OR-

 click Map, click on the approximate site location on the map, and then click OK.

4	Enter the approximate altitude above sea level and the difference between the local time system and GMT in the LOCAL TIME-GMT field to display satellite visibility in local time.

1	After entering the site information, click ADD to add the new site to the List of Sites.

What do you want to do next?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Save the project?

•	Create a new project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	Print a table or graph?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Editing a Site

1	In the Site Editor dialog box, select the site you wish to edit in the List of Sites listbox.

2	Make any necessary changes to the site name, description, coordinates, obstructions, or Local Time-GMT time.

3	Click Replace to save the changes.

What do you want to do next?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the Obstruction Editor

Use the Obstruction Editor dialog box to add obstructions to the active site.

Once obstructions have been added to a site, they are incorporated in any future calculations of satellite availability and dilution of precision (DOP) for this site.  As can be expected, obstructions reduce visibility, which worsens the DOP value.  Heavily obstructed sites may not be suitable for GPS observations.  Examination of satellite availability and DOPs at a site after entry of obstructions help determine if enough data can be collected at the site to accurately determine its position.

There are two primary methods to access the Obstruction Editor dialog box: from the Site Editor dialog box, or from the main Mission Planning window, after a site has been selected.  Obstructions are saved to the site regardless of where the obstructions are added.

The circle in the Obstruction Editor dialog box represents the hemisphere above the site, in which the top of the circle is north, and the center of the sphere is straight up from the site. The graphics package is simple, hence it is best to draw several smaller, simple shapes that approximate a large complex obstruction instead of the one complex shape.

1	From the Obstruction Editor dialog box, click within the circle to place the first point of the obstruction.

2	Click within the circle a second time to place the second point of the obstruction.

3	Each additional point specified in the obstruction connects a line to the previous point.

4	Continue specifying points until the obstruction shape has been defined.

5	After outlining the obstruction shape, click Finish Obstruction to close the obstruction shape from the last point to the first point.  The Obstruction Editor closes the obstruction shape using the shortest route.

•	Use the Remove Last Line button to delete the last line drawn in the obstruction shape.  You can repeat this function for all lines in the current obstruction shape.

•	Click the Remove Obstruction button then an obstruction to delete an obstruction.

•	Use the Remove All button to delete all obstructions for the site.

6	Upon finishing creating obstructions, Click OK to save any changes to the obstruction, and close the Obstruction Editor dialog box.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Deleting a Site

1	In the Site Editor dialog box, select the site you wish to delete in the List of Sites listbox.

2	Click Delete.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Site Editor Dialog Box

Use the Site Editor dialog box to select a site to view availability, create a new site, edit a site,  or delete a site .

To save changes made to the sites in the project, highlight a site in the List of Sites and click Select.

Site Name- The name of the site selected in the List of Sites listbox. To add a new site, select the name, and type over a new name. Maximum length- 20 characters.

Site Description- A brief description of the site, which may include key recognizable features around the site, or directions to the site.

Latitude- The latitude of the site in degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds north or south.

Longitude- The longitude of the site in degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds east or west

Altitude- The elevation above sea level in meters for the point.

Local Time-GMT- The number of hours the local time zone is ahead (+) or behind (-) Greenwich Mean Time.

List of Sites- List of all sites saved in the project.

Add- Click Add to add the information listed as a new site.

Delete- Click Delete to delete the selected site from the list of sites.

Replace- Click Replace to save the change the site information.

Copy- Click Copy to copy the selected text or site information (if no text is selected) to the clipboard.

Paste- Click Paste to paste the contents of the clipboard to the current site.

Obstruct…- Click Obstruct… to open the Obstruction Editor dialog box and enter obstructions for the selected site.

Map- Click Map to open the Site Location on the Map dialog box, and view the site location on the world map or select the site location.

Cancel- Click Cancel to close the Site Editor dialog box, disregarding any changes.

Select- Click Select to save any changes made to the sites and view satellite availability for the selected site.

What do you want to do next?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Obstruction Editor Dialog Box

Use the Obstruction Editor dialog box to add obstructions to the active site.

Obstruction Sphere- The upper hemisphere above the site. The center is straight up.  Click within the sphere to define obstructions.

Remove Last Line- Click Remove Last Line to delete the last line drawn in the obstruction shape.  You can repeat this function for all lines in the current obstruction shape.

Remove Obstruction- Click Remove Obstruction and then click on an obstruction to delete the obstruction.

Finish Obstruction- Click Finish Obstruction to close the obstruction shape from the last point to the first point.  The Obstruction Editor closes the obstruction shape using the shortest route.

Remove All- Click Remove All to delete all obstructions for the site.

OK- Click OK to save any changes to the obstructions and close the Obstruction Editor dialog box.

Cancel- Click Cancel to close the Obstruction Editor dialog box, disregarding any changes.

What do you want to do next?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Changing the Almanac File

By default, Mission Planning uses the most recent almanac file in the bin directory of the Locus Processor directory.   If you downloaded an almanac file from a receiver to a different directory, you can change the default almanac file and location.

1	Select Satellite Configuration from the Setup menu to open the Satellite Configuration dialog box.

2	Click Change Dir and navigate to the directory where the almanac file is stored, then click OK.

3	If the directory you selected has more than one almanac file, click the arrow to the right of the Almanac field, and select the almanac file from the list presented.

4	Click OK to save any changes and close the dialog box.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the Options Dialog Box

Use the Options dialog box to set the GPS survey mode, the display time in the Time Control Bar, and the Cut-Off angle or elevation mask.

By default, the Cut-Off Angle is set to 15 degrees. To change the Cut-Off Angle, select the angle in the Cut-Off Angle field, and enter a new angle.

Mode- Click the radio button corresponding to the type of GPS solution you want: 2-Dimensional or 3-Dimensional.

Display Time- Click the radio button corresponding to the Display time increment you would like in the Time Control Bar.

Cut-Off Angle- Lists the elevation angle, in degrees, above the horizon.  Any satellite whose location is between the horizon and this elevation angle is ignored.  Normally, this value is set to the elevation mask angle set in the receiver.  The receiver does not collect any data below the elevation mask angle.  Therefore, there is no advantage to displaying satellite information below this angle.

Obstructions- Check this box to display the effects of obstructions on the Sky Plot, DOP Plot, and Satellite Visibility Plot.

Load last used almanac at startup- Click this box to use the almanac loaded when you exit Mission Planning the next time you start Mission Planning.

OK- Click OK to save any changes and close the dialog box.

Cancel- Click Cancel to close the dialog box disregarding any changes.

Help- Click Help to access the help system.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Saving a Project

1	Select Save As from the Site List menu.

2	In the Save As dialog box, navigate to the directory where you wish to store the project.

3	Enter a project name in the File Name field, and click Save.

What do you want to do next?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Create a new project?

•	Open an existing project?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Opening an Existing Project

Mission Planning is supplied with usasites.prj, which contains typical United States cities as a sample project.

1	Select Open from the Site List menu.

2	In the Open dialog box, navigate to the directory where the project is stored.

3	Select the project, and click Open.

What do you want to do next?

•	Save the project?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the Site Location on the Map Dialog Box

Use the Site Location on the Map dialog box to view or choose a site on the world map.

Upon opening the Site Location on the Map dialog box, the coordinates for the site selected in the List of Projects in the Sites dialog box are listed in the Location box, and the location marked on the map.

To select a site, click on the map at the approximate location.  As you move the cursor around on the map, the latitude and longitude changes to reflect the cursor location. After clicking on a site, the latitude and longitude coordinates display in the Location box.

If you open the Site location on the Map dialog box with a selected site, and click on the map to a new location, the site coordinates change to reflect the new location chosen.  If you do not want to change the location of the site, click Cancel instead of OK when closing the dialog box.

What do you want to do next?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the DOP Plot

The DOP Plot window displays the number of satellites available and approximates the Dilution of Precision (DOP) components versus time at the active site.  The left vertical axis displays the DOP value, while the right vertical axis displays the number of available satellites.  For best GPS survey results, a minimum of five satellites should be available with a PDOP less than five.

By default, the DOP Plot window displays satellite availability and PDOP without gridlines.  Right-click the mouse and select display options from the menu presented.  With the right-click menu, you can change the graph fonts, add or remove grid lines, and select which axis aligns with the grid lines.

The time scale on the horizontal axis corresponds with the selected time span in the Time Control bar beneath the toolbar.  To change the time scale, click and drag the time arrow buttons on the Time Control bar to correspond to the time you wish to view.  To change the date of display, enter a new month, day, and year as necessary in the Date fields of the Time Control bar.  After changing the time or date, click in the DOP Plot window to update the graph.

The check boxes at the top of the DOP Plot window show and hide the DOP components and satellite availability.  By default, PDOP and Availability are checked.  You can check or uncheck these boxes to display any combination of DOP types.  As a particular DOP is selected, a color key is added to the legend above the graph.  PDOP is the most commonly used value.  It is the DOP value affecting the computation of a 3-dimensional position.

What do you want to do next?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Dilution of Precision

Dilution of Precision (DOP) numerically represents the geometric quality of the satellite constellation at a given location and time.  The geometry of the satellites observed during data collection at a site is directly related to the accuracy attained.  The lower the DOP value, the better the geometry and accuracy of the observation.

Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) is the most commonly used form of DOP.  It is the DOP value affecting the computation of a 3-dimensional position.  Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP) is the DOP value affecting the computation of a horizontal position.  If the vertical accuracy of an observation is not important, then HDOP is a good measure of the quality of the satellite geometry for determining a horizontal position.  Vertical Dilution of Precision (VDOP) is the vertical equivalent to HDOP.

Use the DOP Plot to determine if satellite availability and DOP values are adequate at the site for the data collection period.  If poor geometry is found during this period, adjust the observation schedule to ensure quality data is collected.  Remember that obstructions entered at the site affect the DOP calculations.


Using the Sky Plot

The Sky Plot is an alternative method of viewing satellite availability.  Unlike the DOP Plot, which represents satellite availability as a number of satellites versus time, The Sky Plot window displays a polar plot of the satellite tracks as they cross the sky giving satellite position versus time.  The top of the plot is north and the center represents straight up from the site. Use this plot to visually see how obstructions affect satellite availability at a site.

By default, the Sky Plot displays gridlines every 30 degrees.  Use the right-click mouse menu to change the grid lines to 10 degree increments, remove the grid lines, or change the plot fonts.

If a Cut-Off Angle is specified, a portion of the Sky Plot is shaded from the horizon up to the Cut-Off Angle. Any defined obstructions appear as shaded regions. No satellite tracks appear in obstructions or below the Cut-Off Angle.

The satellite time tracks lengths correspond with the selected time span in the Time Control bar beneath the toolbar.  To change the time scale, click and drag the time arrow buttons on the Time Control bar to correspond to the time you wish to view.  To change the date of display, enter a new month, day, and year as necessary in the Date fields of the Time Control bar.  After changing the time or date, click in the Sky Plot window to update the plot.

What do you want to do next?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the Time Control Bar

Use the Time Control bar, beneath the toolbar, to set the time window and date used in the DOP Plot and Sky Plot windows.

To change the time scale, click and drag the time arrow buttons on the Time Control bar to correspond to the time you wish to view.

To change the date of display, enter a new month, day, and year as necessary in the Date fields of the Time Control bar.

After changing the time or date, click in the Sky Plot or DOP Plot window to update the plot.

What do you want to do next?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Save the project?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Printing Graphs and Tables

Information on the DOP and satellite availability can conveniently be printed in table or graph format.

•	To print a Satellite Availability table, open the Sky Plot window, set the time and date of interest on the Time Control bar, and select Print Table from the Site List menu.

•	To print the Sky Plot, open the Sky Plot window, set the time and date of interest on the Time Control bar, and select Print Graph from the Site List menu.

•	To print a Dilution of Precision table, open the DOP Plot window, set the time and date of interest on the Time Control bar, and select Print Table from the Site List Menu.

•	To print the DOP and Satellite Availability Plot, open the DOP Plot window, set the time and date of interest on the Time Control bar, and select Print Graph from the Site List menu.

What do you want to do next?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Close

Terminates Mission Planning.


New

Use this option to create a new project.


Open

Use this option to open an existing project.


Save

Use this option to save the current project.


Save As

Use this option to set the project name and directory to save.


Sites

Use this option to open the Sites dialog box to select a site, enter a new site, or edit a site.


Obstructions

Use this option to open the Obstructions dialog box to create or delete obstructions.


Print Graph

Use this option to print the open Sky Plot or DOP Plot.


Print Table

Use this option to print a table summarizing the Dilution of Precision or satellite visibility for the open Sky Plot or DOP Plot.


Print Setup

Use this option to set the printing options.


Exit

Use this option to close Mission Planning.


DOP Plot

Use this option to open the DOP Plot window.


Sky Plot

Use this option to open the Sky Plot window.


Cascade

Use this option to cascade the open windows one in front of another.


Tile

Use this option to tile the open windows.


Arrange Icons

Use this option to arrange the icons in the workspace.


Close All

Use this option to close all open windows.


Options

Use this option to open the Satellite Configuration dialog box to set the almanac file and Cut-Off angle.


Time Control Bar

Use this option to show and hide the Time Control bar.


About

Use this option to open the About dialog box and view version information for Mission Planning.


Help

Use this option to open the Help System


Using the Satellite Visibility Plot

The Satellite Visibility Plot displays via a horizontal bar graph when satellites are available.

The time scale on the horizontal axis corresponds to the selected time span in the Time Control bar.  The vertical axis lists the satellite PRN numbers for the satellites selected in the Satellite Configuration dialog box.

If you selected both GPS and GLONASS satellites, there may be too many satellites to fit in the window vertically. In this case, a vertical scroll bar becomes active on the right side of the window.  Use it to move up and down the list.

A color bar to the right of the satellite ID number indicates when it is available for an extended period.  For any particular time, you can find the number of satellites available by counting the number of bars crossing that time.

This window is most useful for detecting when individual satellites are visible.  For example, if you are interested in GPS satellite 28, you can easily see it on this graph.  A more useful view for seeing the total number of satellites available is the Sky Plot.

What do you want to do next?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Select satellites to use?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?


Using the Satellite Configuration Dialog Box

Use the Satellite Configuration Dialog box to define the following:

•	The satellite system used.

•	The individual satellites used.

•	The directory where almanac files are stored (default is the executable directory).

•	The almanac file used in this project.

There are two lists of satellites, one each for GPS and GLONASS. In these list, each satellite has a check box next to it. Additionally, there are two buttons at the bottom of each list to switch on/off all the satellites in a particular system. These buttons are useful if you wish to quickly select or clear all the satellites in the panel.

Use the System check boxes at the bottom of the screen to select which system to use. To select the satellite system(s) you want to use:

1	Check the GPS box to use only GPS.

2	Check the GLONASS box to use only GLONASS.

3	If you have a receiver and software capable of using both systems, check both GPS and GLONASS.

To select individual satellites, click on the check box next the satellite. A check mark indicates it is selected.

If a check does not appear it means that the system to which the satellite belongs has been deselected. Check the appropriate box in the Systems box.

If there is a red line underneath the satellite number, then that satellite is unhealthy according to the almanac. You may select unhealthy satellite, but be advised that your session will contain possibly bad date.

If the box is grayed out, there is no entry in the almanac for that satellite and it is not available.

The satellite selections you make in this dialog box apply to all open windows in Mission Planning. For example if you have the Sky Plot open and deselect all GLONASS satellites, when you click OK, the Sky Plot automatically updates.

GPS Satellites- There is one check box for each available GPS satellite.  Check the satellites you wish to use.  Uncheck the satellites you do not want to use.

GLONASS Satellites- There is one check box for each available GLONASS satellite.  Check the satellites you wish to use.  Uncheck the satellites you do not want to use. If the almanac file does not contain GLONASS satellite information, GLONASS is not available.

All SVs ON- Click this button to select all satellites in the system.

All SVs OFF- Click this button to deselect all satellites in the system.

Almanac Directory- Lists the directory path for the almanac file currently used by Mission Planning.

Change Dir- Click Change Dir to change the directory for the almanac file.

Almanac- Lists the name of the almanac file currently used by Mission Planning.  To select a different almanac file in the same directory, click the arrow to the right of the field, and select a file.

System- Check the boxes corresponding to the satellite system you wish to use.  If the almanac file does not contain GLONASS satellite information, GLONASS is not available.

OK- Click OK to save any changes and close the dialog box.

Cancel- Click Cancel to close the dialog box disregarding any changes.

Help- Click Help to access the help system.

What do you want to do next?

•	Set the observation date or time?

•	View the Sky Plot?

•	View the DOP Plot?

•	View the Satellite Visibility Plot

•	Print a table or graph?

•	Save the project?

•	Change the almanac file Mission Planning uses?

•	Set the elevation mask/cutoff angle for the project?

•	Enter a new site?

•	Edit a site?

•	Delete a site?

•	Create an obstruction for a site?

•	When to use Mission Planning?

•	View information on the Mission Planning Work flow?