Fall 2009 SO432, GIS

Short Exercise: Sensor Placement

Update your computer to get the latest MICRODEM and help file, which should be dated 2008.11.11 or later. 

Download the  new data files for Sensor Placement Exercise. (only available from USNA)

In the new help file, look up "Sensor placement" in the Table of Contents under Tutorials and labs, GIS.

You will use sensors with the following characteristics:

• Range 500-10,000 meter

• Height 30 m above the ground

• Target height 2 m above the ground

• Horizontal field of view: 60˚

• Vertical field of view: 20˚

Open the DEM, and locate the international border.  You can note this as an artefact in the DEM, or overlay the state or county borders on the map.

Digitize the international border, with an area shape file.  You are creating a small area that covers the border so that you can determine the effectiveness of your sensor placement.

Place at least 10 sensors to attempt to cover the border.  Insure that you correctly

• Set the parameters for each sensor.

• Consider where you place each sensor.  To do this, you should go to the Coordinates tab of the option form, and pick Reasonable for "verify graphical selections", and "Graphical blowup" for the Verify option.

This exercise will be entirely individual effort, and will be due in class on Monday 16 November.  If not turned in at that time without previous authorization it will have a grade of 0. 

You will turn in:

• Word document showing your coverage, and a printout of the results, for three different arrangements of 5 sensors selected from your 10.  Include a discussing of:

  • which part of the area is causing you the most problems

  • How hard you think it will be to get multiple coverage of the border with this sensor density.

  • Do you think the landcover categories along the border will impact the ability of the sensors to work.  You have a landcover data set to go with the DEM.

  • what principles you think you should use to place sensors.

• The dBase table with your sensor locations.  This will be the "unfiltered" version, with all 10 locations, with the 10 used indicated in the USE field.