Geography 121 Project Two:Geography 121 Project Two: Locating Geographic Coordinates using Locating Geographic Coordinates using

GPSGPS

Jeffrey HaydenJeffrey Hayden

Kristen MuscatKristen Muscat

Jamie Pfitzenmeyer Jamie Pfitzenmeyer

William Steudler William Steudler

A review of GPS…A review of GPS…

GPS otherwise known as Global Positioning GPS otherwise known as Global Positioning System is a navigational tool based off the System is a navigational tool based off the

concept of trilateration.concept of trilateration.

GPS was developed by GPS was developed by the US Department of the US Department of National Defense.National Defense.

There are 3 components of GPS:There are 3 components of GPS:

[ User Segment ]

[ Space – Satellite ] [ Control Segment ]

The GPS Space SegmentThe GPS Space SegmentThe GPS space segment consists of 24 satellites located in space which orbit the earth.

These 24 satellites follow the path of 6 distinct orbits circulating every 12 hours.

The 24 satellites continually send messages to receivers which are located on Earth’s surface.

The GPS Control SegmentThe GPS Control Segment

The control segment consists of monitor control stations located across the globe.

The control station calculates satellite’s orbit and clock information every 15 minutes.

The control station also sends updated navigation information to satellites a few times a day.

The GPS User SegmentThe GPS User SegmentThe user segment of the GPS system continually listens for signals broadcasted by the satellites.

The user segment then receives the information from the various satellites and calculates the distance information.

The user segment then uses distance data and trilateration to determine the location.

*The user segment can be hand-held or can also be used to track animals and navigate airplanes.

Inaccuracies with GPSInaccuracies with GPS

Atmospheric Delay- Atmospheric Delay- when the satellite's when the satellite's signal is delayed because it bounces through the signal is delayed because it bounces through the atmosphereatmosphere

Multipath- Multipath- when the signal bounces off or is when the signal bounces off or is delayed by an object (trees or people) before it delayed by an object (trees or people) before it reaches the user segment.reaches the user segment.

Obstruction- Obstruction- when an large object (a building) when an large object (a building) between the satellite signal and the user segment between the satellite signal and the user segment completely blocks connection.completely blocks connection.

How to do PROJECT 2:How to do PROJECT 2:

There are 2 parts to this project, with a There are 2 parts to this project, with a group of 3-4 people you will…group of 3-4 people you will…

A. Locate 2 unidentified points using the A. Locate 2 unidentified points using the handheld GPS. Also, you will locate your handheld GPS. Also, you will locate your own 4 points using the GPS.own 4 points using the GPS.

B. Then you will plot these points using B. Then you will plot these points using computer software on a map of Penn computer software on a map of Penn State.State.

For this project you will need the For this project you will need the following:following:

- GPS and cord (these you can sign out GPS and cord (these you can sign out with Missy)with Missy)

- Pencil/PenPencil/Pen- Worksheet Worksheet - ComputerComputer- Patience, this project takes time.Patience, this project takes time.

Before searching for your points:Before searching for your points:

--Make sure there is sufficient battery levels on the Make sure there is sufficient battery levels on the GPS, it might even be a good idea to bring 4 extra GPS, it might even be a good idea to bring 4 extra AA batteries along with you in case you have AA batteries along with you in case you have problems.problems.

- Print out the worksheet for this project here:Print out the worksheet for this project here:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/myr100/project2workshttp://www.personal.psu.edu/myr100/project2worksheet.docheet.doc

- Now you are ready to get to work!Now you are ready to get to work!

To Avoid MUCH Confusion:To Avoid MUCH Confusion:

-The GPS system records coordinates as degrees, minutes and -The GPS system records coordinates as degrees, minutes and seconds. VERY IMPORTANT!!-- seconds. VERY IMPORTANT!!--

These measurements DO NOT directly translate into These measurements DO NOT directly translate into decimals!decimals!

-Convert the decimal (mystery) coordinates you were given on -Convert the decimal (mystery) coordinates you were given on your worksheet to degrees, minutes, and seconds (in order your worksheet to degrees, minutes, and seconds (in order to find them using the GPS). You may wish to use this to find them using the GPS). You may wish to use this website:website:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.htmlhttp://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html

Getting StartedGetting Started

After you determine your converted coordinates, After you determine your converted coordinates, it is now time to turn on GPS. Do this by holding it is now time to turn on GPS. Do this by holding red light bulb button. (if you are inside, you red light bulb button. (if you are inside, you probably will not get a signal)probably will not get a signal)

Press the Press the PagePage button until the button until the Main MenuMain Menu page page appearsappears

Next, highlight Next, highlight Waypoint ListWaypoint List using the using the arrows and press enterarrows and press enter

If previous waypoints exist, using the arrow- If previous waypoints exist, using the arrow- highlight highlight Delete WaypointsDelete Waypoints and press and press enterenter. .

Locate a WaypointLocate a Waypoint Press the “GOTO” button Press the “GOTO” button

(top left.)(top left.) Type in the unidentified Type in the unidentified coordinates that you were coordinates that you were given on the worksheet.given on the worksheet. The GPS will then lead you toThe GPS will then lead you to these mystery points. these mystery points. Remember, you should be looking for the converted Remember, you should be looking for the converted

coordinates (decimal to degrees, minutes, and coordinates (decimal to degrees, minutes, and seconds)seconds)

Important InformationImportant Information

When choosing your four locations, When choosing your four locations, make sure that they fall somewhere make sure that they fall somewhere in West-Central portion of campus in West-Central portion of campus (between Walker Building and the (between Walker Building and the HUB) HUB)

Note, these locations must be far Note, these locations must be far enough apart to be distinguishable enough apart to be distinguishable on a mapon a map

Marking Your Four WaypointsMarking Your Four Waypoints Press Press PagePage to refresh until you get to the to refresh until you get to the Position Position

PagePage

This page displays elapsed time, position, time, and This page displays elapsed time, position, time, and a compassa compass

As you move the position coordinates will indicate As you move the position coordinates will indicate movement (through the changing numbers)movement (through the changing numbers)

Once you reach a destination, press Once you reach a destination, press MarkMark. This . This will save your waypointwill save your waypoint

Repeat this step three more times at different Repeat this step three more times at different locationslocations

When you’ve completed marking When you’ve completed marking your points:your points:

Before returning to lab, make sure Before returning to lab, make sure you have correctly you have correctly SAVED ALLSAVED ALL your your waypoints. waypoints. (check this by pressing page to (check this by pressing page to main menu-waypoint list) main menu-waypoint list)

Return to the Walker Building lab and Return to the Walker Building lab and enter data into the computerenter data into the computer

To input data into the computer:To input data into the computer:

Use the GPS cord to connect to the computer. Use the GPS cord to connect to the computer. (the port is in the back of the computer)(the port is in the back of the computer)

1. Open “1. Open “Waypoint +v1.8.03Waypoint +v1.8.03” from the ” from the Start Menu (you may have Start Menu (you may have to run a search for it)to run a search for it)

2. Click on:2. Click on:GPSGPS- then-- then-

Download from Download from GPS-GPS- then- then-

WaypointWaypoint

More InstructionsMore Instructions

3. Choose3. Choose File- File- then- then- ConfigurationConfiguration

Make sure Make sure Decimal DegreesDecimal Degrees, and , and Statute MilesStatute Miles are bulleted.are bulleted.

Almost done configuring…Almost done configuring… 4. Choose 4. Choose FileFile –then- –then- Datum Datum

a. scroll down to find a. scroll down to find WGS84WGS84 b. click to highlight and press “ok”b. click to highlight and press “ok”

c. c. CongratulationsCongratulations, you’re configured, , you’re configured, Save Save the GPS data as a text file (.txt:) in your W the GPS data as a text file (.txt:) in your W

drive drive File File -then--then- Save Save -then- -then- Waypoint Waypoint

Next, open Microsoft ExcelNext, open Microsoft Excel

Open the text file you just saved on Waypoint+. It should look Open the text file you just saved on Waypoint+. It should look something like this:something like this:

Erase the text in row 1. On this graphic it appears as Datum, WGS84, etc. Label Column C as Waypoint. Label Column D as latitude and E as longitude. Looking at this graphic, delete all

columns excluding columns C, D and E. The information remaining will be your waypoint, latitude and longitude.

^ Your edited Excel file should now look like this ^

Save this updated file. Now exit out of Microsoft excel so you can use the data in ArcView.

Open the program ArcView 8.x this may also be called ArcMap (This can be found on the Start Menu under Programs.)Next, unzip the file “Project 2b: Campus Map Data" which can be found on the Geog 121 page on Angel. You will use this file when making your map.

ArcView will transpose your coordinates onto a map of the ArcView will transpose your coordinates onto a map of the Penn State Campus. To do so correctly the settings must Penn State Campus. To do so correctly the settings must

be on NAD83. be on NAD83.

To view this screen press View.

Click Coordinate System

Then click <custom> make sure it is NAD 1983 that is highlighted.

Click Apply.

Then OK.

Next, click Layers.

Click all the boxes, and your map should look like the this graphic.

You may want to check the box clp_mask first (that’s the bottom layer). Then you can add buildings and roads.

At this time you have in front of you a map of campus. The final thing you will need to do is to load your data points onto this map.

Now, to add your points, Click Tools.

Click Add XY Data.

In the first file drop, where is says Choose a table…you will use the document of coordinates you saved in Excel. Make sure it is your file name that appears in this box.

Then make sure the X field is Latitude, and the Y field is Longitude.

Click OK.

Guess What!? You’re done!Guess What!? You’re done!

-If the steps were followed correctly, your points -If the steps were followed correctly, your points should be plotted on the correct buildings on should be plotted on the correct buildings on campus.campus.

-You will then use Microsoft FrontPage to complete -You will then use Microsoft FrontPage to complete your project.your project.

-Directions for your website’s layout are here:-Directions for your website’s layout are here: http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog121http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog121/projects/proj2b_example.html/projects/proj2b_example.html

WARNINGWARNING

-You may run into problems with this project, -You may run into problems with this project, it can be very complicated. Trust us, we it can be very complicated. Trust us, we know from experience.know from experience.

-DO NOT wait until the day before it is due. -DO NOT wait until the day before it is due. Get your coordinates as soon as possible. Get your coordinates as soon as possible. Make sure you leave enough time to Make sure you leave enough time to attend office hours or ask questions. attend office hours or ask questions. You’ve been warned. Good luck!You’ve been warned. Good luck!

References:References:

Dana, Peter H. (2000) Global Positioning System Overview. Dana, Peter H. (2000) Global Positioning System Overview. http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.htmlhttp://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html. Accessed . Accessed 5 October 2006. 5 October 2006.

DiBiase, David. Understanding Geographic Data. Module 2 ESRI Virtual DiBiase, David. Understanding Geographic Data. Module 2 ESRI Virtual Campus 2006.Campus 2006. http://training.esri.com http://training.esri.com Accessed 5 October 2006. Accessed 5 October 2006.

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds and Decimal Degrees Latitude/LongitudeDegrees, Minutes, Seconds and Decimal Degrees Latitude/Longitude

Conversions. Federal Communications Commission. Conversions. Federal Communications Commission. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.htmlhttp://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html. Accessed 5 . Accessed 5 October 2006.October 2006.

GEOG 121 Project 2:Locating Geographic Coordinates with GPS. Parts 2a and GEOG 121 Project 2:Locating Geographic Coordinates with GPS. Parts 2a and 2b.2b.

http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog121/projects/proj2a.htmlhttp://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog121/projects/proj2a.html..