MAGNET Field: Mission Planning

Use Mission Planning to pinpoint the optimal time to run your GNSS survey.

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MAGNET Field: Mission Planning

Connect to your GNSS receiver

  • From the home screen, select Setup
  • Next, select Mission Planning

Once connected to your receiver you can do one of the following:

  1. Click on the icon to get the coordinates from the connected receiver. Click the "X" to stop.
  2. Or, type in new coordinates or edit coordinates.
  • Using the arrows, specify the date, start time and end time of planned observations.
  • Click the green check to save your configuration.

Sky Plot

  • Once you click the green check, the Mission Planning Setting dialog is closed. 
  • The Mission Planning dialog will calculate and show the position of satellites in the first ten minutes of the specified time on the Sky Plot (the celestial sphere).
  • Click > or < to move forwards or backwards 10 min, respectively
  • Click I< to return to start from the beginning
  • Click II to pause at any ten-minute interval
  • To view different graphical views, click on the dropdown menu to switch between Sky Plot, Satellite List, Satellite Number, and PDOP.

Satellite List

  • Satellite List: Select the colored satellite icons to see when particular satellites will be visible. Different options will be available depending on your receiver and OAF.

Satellite Number

  • Sat Num: number of satellites visible during that period of time. Ideally, you want to aim for times where you have more than 5 satellites.

PDOP

  • PDOP: Position (3D) dilution of precision. This value represents the effect of the geometry of the satellites on the resulting precision. Low values mean a higher level of confidence in accuracy.
  • Use the different views to calculate and determine the right time to do a GNSS survey. Look for periods of time with a high satellite count, low PDOP, and good satellite coverage (satellites in all 4 quadrants).
  • NOTE: this is for GNSS receivers only.