YSI EcoMapper User manual
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Description and General Information 1
Safety and Limitations 2
VectorMap 3
Operation 4
UVC 5
Calibration 6
Maintenance and Repair 7
Appendices A-C
A. Install/Update Software B. Run SonarMosaic
C. Safety Tow Float
1 Description and General lnformation
1.1 Overview 2
1.2 Exterior Features 3
1.21 Looking at the Vehicle ........................................ 3
1.22 Antenna ........................................................... 4
1.23 Nose ...............................................................4
1.24 Body ............................................................... 5
1.25 Tail .................................................................. 6
1.26 Safety Tow Float ................................................ 7
1.27 How the EcoMapper Navigates .......................... 7
1.3 Applications 7
1.4 Specifications 8
1.41 Physical Dimensions .......................................... 8
1.42 Onboard Electronics .......................................... 8
1.43 Mobility and Endurance .....................................8
1.44 Standard Sensors .............................................. 8
1.45 Optional Sensors .............................................. 8
1.46 Derived Parameters ........................................... 8
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
2
1.1 Overview
e YSI EcoMapper is a one-man deployable, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed to collect
bathymetry and water quality data. e submarine-like vehicle follows a programmed course and employs
sensors mounted in the nose to record pertinent information. Once the vehicle has started its mission, it
operates independently of the user and utilizes GPS waypoints and “Dead Reckoning” navigation to complete
its programmed course. roughout the course, the vehicle constantly steers toward the line drawn in the mission
planning soware (VectorMap), essentially following a more accurate “road” of coordinates instead of transversing
waypoint-to-waypoint. When equipped, the vehicle also uses a Dopplar Velocity Log (DVL) to increase its underwater
navigation accuracy. Upon completing its mission, the vehicle uses Windows® Remote Desktop to relay the collected
data via WiFi connection, facilitated by the Communications Box, to the user’s computer.
Nose
Handle
Weight Track
DVL
Sensor Guard
Communications Box
1.1
3
1.2 Exterior Features
1.21 Looking at the Vehicle
e AUV appears identical on both sides. When you view the vehicle, several exterior features become
immediately visible. Viewing the AUV from the port side reveals the plastic nose cone containing the instrument
cluster on your le (at the front of the vehicle) with the tail section on your right. e transport handle is located
on top of the carbon-ber hull on the opposite side of the xed buoyancy weights and pinger, which are located on the
bottom of the hull. e aluminum tail section of the vehicle houses the vehicle’s motor and connects to the control ns
and propeller. e WiFi and GPS antennae are housed in the clear plastic tower on top of the rear half of the vehicle.
Antenna
Tail
Side-Scan Sonar
Hull
1.2
4
1.22 Antenna
In addition to the WiFi and GPS antennae, the tower houses a two-pin connector used to charge the vehicle. e tower
also contains a variety of LEDs with specic functions.
A. Solid green: navigational, visible on starboard side
B. Solid red: navigational, visible on port side
C. Solid white: navigational, visible from rear
D. Flashing yellow: indicates battery charging (solid yellow indicates full charge. e light is on only when
connected to AC charger)
D
DA
B
B
C
C
1.23 Nose
e nose cone contains all of the vehicles external water quality sensors. It also contains the depth-sounder, pressure
sensor and compass. Water quality sensors are housed inside the screw-on protective nose cone on the front of the
AUV and are eld-replaceable. A pressure sensor, detecting the depth from the surface, and an altimeter, a depth-
sounding sonar that detects the vehicle’s height from the bottom, are also housed in the nose section. A vacuum port
located on top of the nose cone is used to check the internal pressure and seals of the AUV.
Sensor Guard Vacuum Port
Altimeter
WQ Sensors Inside
Compass Inside
Integrated Pressure Sensor
DVL
1.2
5
1.24 Body
e transport handle, located approximately half-way down the hull of the vehicle, is used to carry the vehicle when
not in its travel crate. Opposite the handle, on the bottom of the vehicle, are xed buoyancy weights in a track,
which are moved and trimmed to balance the vehicle and adjust its buoyancy to correspond with water density
(inuenced by salinity. Although pressure inuences density, you cannot trim the vehicle based on pressure.). A
location pinger is also located on the weight track of the vehicle, which sends a high-frequency signal that can be
detected by a special receiving unit in the event that the AUV is lost. Optional side-scan sonar is located to the rear
of the handles on the bottom half of the vehicle.
1.2
Handle
Side-Scan Sonar
Antenna
Weight Track
6
1.25 Tail
e tail section is the only exterior section of the vehicle made of metal in order to accommodate the torque of the
electric drive motor. Two zinc patches, located on the bottom of the tail section, operate in a sacricial capacity.
In the event that the aluminum is scratched, the zinc corrodes instead of the aluminum. Four control planes are
operated independently to inuence pitch, roll, and yaw. e vehicle’s two-bladed propeller is located at the rear
of the vehicle inside a Kort nozzle. All ns and the propeller are eld replaceable.
1.2
Zinc Patches
Control Planes
Propeller
Kort Nozzle
Kort Nozzle
7
1.26 Safety Tow Float
An optional safety tow-oat can be pulled behind the vehicle attached to the two-pin connector at the base of the
antennae. e Safety Tow Float system includes a processor, power/tow cable, acoustic location pinger, depth sensor,
and a large buoyancy bag, which uses a rechargeable CO2 cartridge for ination, to immediately surface the
vehicle in the event of an emergency condition. Read more about the Safety Tow Float in Appendix C.
1.27 How the EcoMapper Navigates
e EcoMapper utilizes a variety of methods to navigate both above water and below water. Every vehicle is equipped
with a GPS navigation system and dead-reckoning; doppler velocity logs (DVLs) can be purchased and equipped as an
option to increase the accuracy of a vehicle’s navigation.
For any vehicle, the most accurate navigation occurs on the surface using GPS navigation. e vehicle follows the
line drawn between waypoints in the EcoMapper’s mission-planning soware (VectorMap) to drive where the user
programs it to go. When an AUV without DVL dives, it uses a depth-sounding sonar and pressure sensor to determine
its depth. e vehicle then uses a combination of its digital compass and propellor-rotation counting to calculate the
distance and direction traveled underwater. If the vehicle is pushed by a current, it self corrects once it reaquires a GPS
signal on the surface.
While a DVL-equipped vehicle is on the surface, it also uses GPS to navigate. However, when it dives, it does not
switch to dead-reckoning. If the vehicle is within approximately 300 feet of the bottom, it will use its DVL to bottom-
track with an array of sonars. Depending on the individual vehicle, DVL-equipped AUVs emit six to ten sonar beams,
which reect from the bottom. e vehicle then receives and interprets the signal to determine if it has been pushed
o course by a current or other similar force. e vehicle can then correct itself en route by driving constantly back to
the programmed line. If the vehicle loses its bottom lock, it will switch to water-tracking to navigate. Water-tracking
utilizes the same principles as bottom-tracking, only it relies on sonar signals received from beams reected from
particulate in the water. If a vehicle loses both bottom-tracking and water-tracking, it will utilize dead-reckoning until
it re-establishes one of the more accurate methods. An AUV can also use these signals to derive its speed and more
accurate depth from bottom.
1.3 Applications
Potential EcoMapper applications include…
• Baseline Environmental Mapping in freshwater, estuarine or near-coastal environments
• Bathymetric mapping
• Dissolved oxygen studies
• Event monitoring (algal blooms, storm impacts, low dissolved oxygen)
• Non-point source studies
• Point-source dispersion mapping
• Security, search & rescue, inspection
• Shallow water mapping
• ermal dissipation mapping of cooling outfalls
• Trace-dye studies
1.3
8
1.4 Specifications
1.41 Physical Dimensions
• Weight: 45 lbs (20.45 kgs)
• Length, Bow (Front) to Stern (Rear): 60.1 in (152.7 cm)
• Hull Diameter: 5.8 in (14.7 cm)
• Fin-to-Fin: 11 in (27.9 cm)
• Recording speed: 1 Hz
1.42 Onboard Electronics
• Processor: X86
• Soware: Windows XP, GUI-based Navigation Suite Map
• Storage: 80 GB
• WiFi: 802.11g Ethernet
• Energy Source: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries (Total 600 WHrs or greater than 300 cycles)
• Charge time: 4 hrs
• Navigation: GPS on surface, “Dead Reckoning” and DVL below surface
• Communication: 802.11g Ethernet link on surface
• Motor: 150 Watt electric
• WiFi Communication Range: 200 m
1.43 Mobility and Endurance
• Maximum Depth: 200 (200 m with deep-water sensors)
• Control: Four independent control planes
• Speed: 1-4 knots (maximum of 2 knots on surface)
• Locomotion: Two-bladed propeller
• Battery Endurance: 8 hrs at 2.5 knots
1.44 Standard Sensors
• YSI Conductivity and Temperature Sensors
• Depth from Surface: YSI Depth Sensor
• Height from Bottom: Depth-sounding sonar (altimeter)
• Direction: ree-axis digital compass
1.45 Optional Sensors
• Sonar: Imagenex SportScan side-scan sonar (300 kHz or 330/800 kHz)
• pH/ORP
• ROX™ Optical Dissolved Oxygen
• Turbidity
• Chlorophyll
• Blue-Green Algae (marine or freshwater)
• Rhodamine WT
1.46 Derived Parameters
• Specic Conductance
• Salinity
• Resitivity
• Total dissolved Solids (TDS)
1.4
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
2 Safety, Limitations and Capabilities
2.1 Safety 10
2.2 Limitations and Capabilities 11
2.21 Environment ................................................... 11
2.22 Depth ............................................................ 11
2.23 Navigation ..................................................... 11
2.24 Velocity .......................................................... 11
2.24 Endurance...................................................... 11
2.25 Deployment .................................................... 11
10
2.1 Safety
e EcoMapper AUV is a scientic instrument and should be treated with caution. e vehicle should only be operated
by qualied personnel. Misuse or tampering with the AUV can result in serious personal injury or permanent vehicle
damage. Listed below are a compilation of the warnings found in this manual. While reading the manual, the warnings
will also reappear in their appropriate sections designated with the caution symbol. is warning directory is not a
comprehensive list of the potential hazards associated with this instrument. e directory is simply a guide to
encourage proper and safe use of the vehicle.
Take Caution when you see this symbol. Harm to yourself or your equipment may occur.
• Never insert ngers in the Kort nozzle area when the vehicle is powered on.
• Never run the motor for extended periods of time when the vehicle is out of the water.
• Use caution when applying silicone lubricant to O-rings. Lubricant can irritate skin and eyes. Always wash
hands thoroughly following contact.
• Never access the interior of the AUV without training from a qualied YSI employee.
• Never clean or wipe O-rings with anything other than laboratory/scientic wipes. Normal tissues and cloths
can leave residue that could compromise the seal’s integrity.
• Always check that the map is geo-referenced correctly by running a small mission close enough to recover
the vehicle via manual WiFi connection in the event that the map has faulty coordinates.
• Always perform a pre-launch check-o of control ns and propeller before deploying the vehicle.
• Always ensure that the vehicle has the proper weight and balance in the water before releasing the vehicle at
deployment. Failure to do so may sink the vehicle due to lack of buoyancy.
• Always be sure to allow enough room for the AUV to miss obstacles when in motion. e vehicle will not
automatically sense obstructions in its path.
• Always plug the charging cord into the two-pin charging connector on the vehicle BEFORE plugging the
charger into the wall. is will prevent arcing that could harm the connection.
• Always fully service O-rings whenever the antennae or tail section is removed.
• Always ensure that the vehicle’s control planes are clear of potential hazards during deployment to avoid
breaking them.
• Always bring the batteries to below 40% capacity before commercial transport due to shipping regulations.
• Always ensure that the safety rule time out is longer than the estimated mission time.
• Before handling any chemicals, be sure to read and follow all safety instruction and MSDS documentation
provided with the chemical. Only trained personnel should handle chemicals.
• Although not required, it may be prudent to contact local authorities and governing agencies when you
deploy the AUV. is notication can make the survey process much smoother and encourage good
relationships between the user and community.
2.1 !
!
11
2.2 Limitations and Capabilities
2.21 Environment
e EcoMapper AUV is designed as a survey vehicle for still and slow-moving water bodies. With a top speed of 4
knots, fast-moving water bodies and forceful marine areas are dicult for the AUV to successfully navigate. Always
consider this fact when planning a mission.
2.22 Depth
e AUV is pressure-rated to a depth of 200 feet (61 meters) with the exception of vehicles equipped with deep-
water sensors, which may travel to depths of 200 meters. Although the vehicle may be capable of greater depths, the
sensors may not function correctly and other damage may result. Do not intentionally program the AUV for any dives
greater than 200 feet.
2.23 Navigation
“Dead-Reckoning” navigation uses GPS (dierential GS in the United States) to keep the EcoMapper on course while
the vehicle is on the surface. e soware dead reckons beween surface waypoints when the vehicle submerges. is
system is very ecient, providing that the user’s maps are correctly geo-referenced and the user does not program the
vehicle to travel into obstacles (e.g. extreme shallows, sand banks, shore, underwater obstacles, etc.). e vehicle does
not contain an active avoidance system that would steer it away from obstacles. e vehicle will travel exactly where
the user programs it to travel, regardless of obstruction. However, safety rules are in place and can be selected to ensure
that the vehicle is not lost in the event of an unplanned collision.
e AUV operates on basic GPS principles that allow for very eective navigation. However, GPS cannot penetrate
water; therefore, the AUV does not receive any directional information when it is submerged. Plan missions
accordingly so the AUV will make GPS contact frequently enough to maintain its programmed course.
2.24 Velocity
e top speed of the AUV is 2 knots on the surface and 4 knots completely submerged. is speed allows for optimal
data collection as well as reasonable mission times.
2.24 Endurance
e vehicle can travel approximately 8 hours at 2.5 knots. e batteries used in the vehicle have one of the best
power-to-weight ratios of any power source available for application in an AUV. is allows for longer missions and
maximum eciency of internal electronics. Fast charge times also allow for back-to-back missions.
2.25 Deployment
e AUV can only be successful in its environment if deployed in a careful and mindful manner. Never deploy the
AUV from any area in which it cannot be directly placed in the water and released. Release the vehicle only if you are
certain the launch point does not contain any potential hazards. Never throw or drop the AUV into any environment
as this may result in damage to the vehicle.
2.2
12
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
3 VectorMap
Contents
3.1 Map a Mission 14
3.11 Overview ......................................................... 14
3.12 Mapping Tools ..................................................15
3.2 Obtain a Map 17
3.21 Open a Map from File ...................................... 17
3.22 Obtain a Map from TerraServer ......................... 17
3.3 Mission Settings 20
3.31 Reference Waypoints .........................................20
3.32 Edit Waypoints ................................................. 20
3.33 Park ................................................................ 21
3.34 Side-Scan Sonar ............................................... 21
3.35 Multi-Beam Sonar .............................................. 22
3.36 Place Waypoints ............................................... 22
3.4 Mission Information 23
3.41 Mission Stats .................................................... 23
3.42 WP Power Details ............................................. 23
3.43 Tips for Navigation ........................................... 24
3.44 Waypoint Information ........................................ 24
3.5 Advanced Mapping 25
3.51 Overlay Multiple Maps ...................................... 25
3.52 Overlay Missions and Logs................................. 26
3.53 Create a Safe Return Path .................................. 27
3.6 Features and Configuration 28
3.61 Take a Screen Snapshot ..................................... 28
3.62 Configuration and Default Settings ...................... 28
3.63 Save and Open Missions ................................... 31
3.64 Live Tracking .................................................... 32
3.65 Video Cameras and Buoys ................................. 32
3.7 EcoMapper Data File Descriptions 33
3.71 DVL Log File Format Descriptions ......................... 33
3.72 DVL Water Velocity Profile File Format Description . 35
3.73 Description of Header Titles in Log File ................37
3
14
3.1 Map a Mission
3.11 Overview
EcoMapper’s mission planning soware, VectorMap, utilizes georeferenced maps to establish waypoints to guide the
vehicle via GPS signal. In order to plan a mission, you must rst have a digital copy of a georeferenced map. If you do
not possess a georeferenced map le, you may use TerraServer to obtain GPS information. e following image is an
overview of the primary VectorMap window. If you wish to learn to download maps, please proceed to Section 3.2.
is section assumes you have read and performed the install/update steps outlined in Appendix A.2
Primary Map Area Task Bar Tools Panel
Waypoint Tab
Waypoints Mission Lines
3.1
NOTE
15
3.12 Mapping Tools
In the top right corner of the window is the ‘Tools’ panel used to program a
mission. In order to view what action an icon performs, click anywhere in the
control panel and then hover the pointer over a specic icon. To activate a tool,
simply click on its icon; the icon will appear shaded dark grey when active.
When you move any tool over the map in the primary screen area, VectorMap
will display the latitude/longitude coordinates of the tool’s location. VectorMap
primarily uses GPS waypoints (WPs) to guide the vehicle during missions. A WP is basically a very specic set of GPS
coordinates. Any WP you add in VM is automatically converted to coordinate sets upon transfer to the vehicle.
‘Pointer’ – Use to manipulate WPs.
• Le-click, hold, and drag WPs to move them.
• Right-click WP for WP options.
‘Zoom Map’ – Moves view closer or father away.
• Le-click–Zoom in (click on the area you desire to zoom towards).
• Right-click–Zoom out.
‘Pan Map’(hand) – Drags map to view dierent areas.
• Le-click, hold, and drag–Moves map in the direction you drag it.
• Right-click, hold, and drag–Move entire mission in the direction you drag it.
Depending on the size of the map and the power of your computer’s processor, the screen may blank out and
remap as you drag. You may also pan the map using the scroll bars on the edges of the primary map screen.
‘Delete Single Waypoint’ – Deletes selected WP.
• Le-click–Removes selected WP from the map.
• Right-click–Changes the cross-hairs to the ‘Pointer’ tool.
‘Clear All Waypoints’ – Deletes all WPs from the map area.
• Click the icon to prompt the ‘Warning’ window that asks if you are sure that you want to erase all WPs in the
current mission.
• Click ‘Yes’ to clear all WPs or ‘No to return to the mission.
You may want to save the mission before you clear all waypoints in case you want to return to plan a similar
mission in the future.
‘Note’ – Allows the user to drop a note anywhere on the map.
• Click icon and then the location you wish to leave an onscreen note.
• Enter desired text for note. Click the note at any time to edit it in the notes panel.
‘Generate Lawnmower Search’ – Automatically generates a grid pattern connected to the last waypoint.
1. Le-click and drag cross-hairs to create a preliminary box, release the button to place the box.
2. Move the box by clicking in the circle in the center of the box and dragging it.
3. Change the box size by clicking and dragging one of its white corners.
When you release the box, VectorMap opens a ‘Lawnmower Edit’ panel in the control panel. Now that you have
positioned the grid, you need to check the vehicle settings to ensure you collect the desired data. To change any
eld, click in the appropriate box and input the desired value.
Size and Pattern- manipulate by clicking and dragging the corners of the lawnmower box.
• e height and width of the grid are displayed in their respective boxes.
• Change the boxes orientation in the “angle” box.
OR Click in the ‘Angle’ box, then use the scroll function on the mouse to rotate the grid.
OR Click in the ‘Angle’ box, then press the up and down arrows on the keyboard to rotate the grid.
NOTE
3.1
NOTE
16
• Change the type of turn the vehicle will execute in the “Pattern” box.
1. ‘Short’- A triangle turn with one turn WP aer the receiving sweep WP. is is a good choice if very
pressed for run time and battery life, but may sacrice some precision.
2. ‘Long’- A square turn with two turn WPs aer the receiving sweep WP. If not pressed for time or battery
life, this turn can improve accuracy before the vehicle dives.
‘
Track to Track Space – Designates the distance between mission lines.
• ‘Fixed’ - Allows the user to manually insert how much space to insert between mission lines.
• ‘Auto’ - Creates a pattern based on sonar coverage percentage. For example, if you insert 100% coverage, all
area in the lawnmower box will be covered once. Only half will be covered with 50% and all areas will be
covered twice with 200%. ese settings are dependent upon side-scan sonar settings.
Turn Properties - Allows the user to specify lawnmower turn settings.
• ‘Speed’–Determines the speed the vehicle will execute a turn at the end of a sweep.
• ‘Depth’–Determines the depth at which the vehicle will y during turns.
• ‘Length’ - Determines distance from turn WP to sending WP.
‘Fixed’ - Allows the user to manually determine distance.
‘Auto’ - Automatically enters a distance based on dive angle (which cannot be less
than 10 degrees).
• ‘Acquire GPS on turn around’- Checking this box will ensure that the vehicle returns to the
surface for a GPS x before proceeding to the next mission line. is ensures the most accurate run possible.
Side Scan Sonar - Allows the user to specify the settings of the EcoMapper’s side-
scan sonar throughout the grid.
• See Section 3.34 to learn how to adjust side-scan sonar settings.
Multi Beam Sonar - Allows the user to specify the settings of the EcoMapper’s
multibeam sonar throughout the grid.
• All settings are adjustable by user.
• See Section 3.35 to learn how to adjust multibeam sonar settings.
VectorMap will always link the lawnmower grid to the WP originally located
in the top le corner of the grid. If you change the angle of the grid, VM will still link
the mission line to that WP.
To change default lawnmower settings and ‘Area’ and access ‘Tools’>‘Cong
uration’>‘Lawnmower’ and input new settings or click the C>D button to set current
settings to default. D>C applies default settings to the area.
‘Area Measurement’– Measures and displays area measurements and data for
boundary length and current area.
• Le-click–Adds points for area boundaries.
• Right-click–Closes area box and displays nal values in the tooltip box.
‘Area’ and ‘Length’ units can be changed under ‘Tools’>‘Conguration…
’>‘General.’
‘Add Multiple Waypoints’– Adds WPs and displays a mission line as you go. is
tool also displays distance from the last WP and compass heading in a tooltip box.
• Le-click–Adds a WP at the location of the cross-hairs.
• Right-click–Changes the cross-hairs to the ‘Pointer’ tool.
Add Single Waypoint’ – Adds WPs.
• Le-click–Adds a WP at the location of the cross-hairs.
• Right-click–Changes the cross-hairs to the ‘Pointer’ tool.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
3.1 Short Turn
Standard Turn
17
When you plan a mission, have an idea of what conditions you will face at the launch point. Ideally, you should be
familiar with the launch area in order to avoid any unnecessary trouble with boat trac, underwater obstructions,
inaccessible shoreline, etc. Always be sure to select an accessible and appropriate launch point in order to ensure a
successful mission. Once you have selected a launch site, locate it on the primary screen area. is is where you will
begin to plan a mission.
When you place a WP, decide how you want the vehicle to behave on each mission line. With the ‘Waypoints’ tab
selected in the control panel, you will be able to determine how the AUV will y at any given point throughout its
mission. e vehicle proceeds according to the waypoint settings of the waypoint that it advances TOWARDS. As soon
as it passes a waypoint, it will alter its behavior to match the next waypoint and execute the line with those settings
(providing the vehicle’s settings change between waypoints.)
3.2 Obtain a Map
3.21 Open a Map from File
Use these instructions if you already possess the appropriate electronic georeferenced maps.
1. Click ‘File’ in the task bar in the top le corner of the window.
2. Hover the pointer over ‘New Mission’ in the dropdown menu
3. Select ‘From le’ in the y-out menu. e ‘New Mission…’ window will prompt you to select a le.
4. Browse through your system les to locate the desired le.
5. Click on the le, then click open.
VectorMap will display the map in the primary screen area. Add additional concurrent map les to increase the survey
area.
1. Click ‘File’ in the task bar.
2. Click ‘Add Map File…’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Browse through your system les to locate the desired le.
4. Click on the le, then click open.
Add concurrent les as many times as necessary to obtain all maps you intend to include in the survey area.
3.22 Obtain a Map from TerraServer
Use these instructions if you do not possess the appropriate georeferenced maps.
You must have internet access to obtain TerraServer maps through VectorMap. Also, be sure to allow the
program access through any existing internet safety programs when prompted.
Also note that you cannot permanently download any georeferenced map from TerraServer on VectorMap or the
TerraServer website. e map is used strictly for planning purposes to obtain navigational GPS coordinates and will
only be available with internet access. However, once you create and save a mission le, the map is not necessary and
you will still be able to use that le to run the mission, although the actual map will not be visible.
VectorMap provides several options to obtain a georeferenced area from TerraServer.
• Specied radius from United States postal address
• Specied radius from latitude/longitude coordinates
• Specic latitude/longitude bounds of area
• Entire data source bounds (used only to increase map aer it is retrieved with one of the above methods)
• Current screen bounds (used only to increase map aer it is retrieved with one of the above methods)
NOTE
3.2
18
If you do not know any of the above listed information, you will need to obtain latitude and longitude coordinates for
the survey area. One simple way is to use TerraServer’s website.
1. Type http://terraserver-usa.com into the Internet browser bar.
2. On the main screen click the area on the map that you desire to survey (this will zoom in on the map).
3. Continue to click until you have achieved the desired resolution of the survey area.
4. Record the latitude and longitude coordinates listed in the boxes on the le side of the screen.
Once you know a postal address, latitude/longitude coordinates, or latitude/longitude bounds, you can proceed to
obtain a georeferenced map of the survey area.
1. Click ‘File’ in the task bar in the top le corner of the VectorMap window.
2. Hover the pointer over ‘New Mission’ in the dropdown menu.
3. Select ‘From TerraServer’ from the y-out menu.
is action will produce a window labeled ‘Select Online Data Source to Download.’ You can now choose the type
of map with which you would like to work.
• DOQ-USGS Digital Ortho–Quadrangle (Grayscale aerial imagery)
• DRG-USGS Digital Raster Graphics (Topographic Maps)
• UrbanArea–High-resolution color Imagery for Select Urban Areas in the US (limited availability)
• Landsat7 Global Imagery Mosaic (Color, Pan-Sharpened)
• United States Elevation Data (NED) (30m Resolution)
• SRTM Worldwide Elevation Data (3-arc-second Resolution)
• NEXRAD Radar Base Composite
To obtain a map, use one of these three options in the ‘Select Online Data Source to Download’ window in the ‘Select
Area to Download’ section.
• ‘Within __ miles of Address’
• ‘Within __ miles of latitude__/longitude__’
• ‘Specify Latitude/Longitude Bounds of Area’
Continued on next page...
3.2
19
If you wish to use an address to nd a map…
1. Select ‘Within __ miles of Address.’
2. In the rst box, input the number of miles you wish to extend the map radius from the given address (the
address will be displayed in the center).
3. If you wish to use kilometers for the radius, click the small black arrow on the second box and select
kilometers.
4. Input the address by typing it in the third box in the following format: Street address, city, state, ZIP code.
e.g. 1725 Brannum Lane, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387
5. Click ‘OK’ to generate the map.
You may not need all address information to generate the map. Or, you occasionally may not be able to
generate a map using this method. If this method fails aer multiple attempts, please try another method to
retrieve a map.
If you wish to use latitude/longitude coordinates…
1. Select ‘Within __ miles of latitude __/longitude __.’
2. In the rst box, input the number of miles that you wish to extend the radius from the given coordinates.
3. If you wish to use kilometers for the radius, click the black arrow on the second box and select kilometers.
4. Input the latitude coordinate in the third box with all known decimals.
5. Input the longitude coordinate in the fourth box with all known decimals.
6. Click OK to generate the map.
Longitude values in the Western Hemisphere and latitude values in the Southern hemisphere must be
negative values.
If you wish to use latitude/longitude bounds…
1. Select ‘Specify Latitude/Longitude Bounds of Area.’
2. Input the North, South, East, and West coordinates in the designated boxes.
3. Click OK to generate the map.
Longitude values in the Western Hemisphere and latitude values in the Southern hemisphere must be
negative values.
Now that you have obtained a map from TerraServer, you can increase its size/map range in one of two ways.
1. To return to the ‘Select Online Data Source to Download window, go to ‘Tools>Download a Map.’
2. In the ‘Select Online Data Source to Download’ window, select what type of map to download from the
seven choices in the ‘Select Data Source’ box.
3. Select ‘Current Screen Bounds’ or ‘Entire Data Source Area.’
• ‘Current Screen Bounds’ allows you to zoom out beyond the area that you downloaded (producing white
space) until you feel that you have included all the space you need to complete the map.
• ‘Entire Data Source Area’ downloads the entire map from which the portion already downloaded was a part.
‘Entire Data Source Area’ can include a very large, potentially impractical map size.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
3.2
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