Quick Plan Commands

File menu

Print Graph	Print a graph

Print Auto Time	Print the AutoTime list

Print Report 	Print a report

Exit 	Exit the application

Session menu

New Session	Create a new session (observation period)

Edit Session 	Modify an existing session

Edit Point 	View a point (the geographic region to observe in)

Graphs menu

Display Settings

Tile	Arrange graph windows to fill screen in one column

Tile 2 Column 	Arrange graph windows to fill screen in two columns

Close All 	Close all graph windows

Time Locked	Lock together time periods of all graphs

Resolution	Set graphs' time resolution

Graphical Plots

Number of SVs and PDOP	Number of SVs & PDOP over time

Elevation	Satellite elevations over time

Azimuth	Satellite azimuths over time

Number Satellites 	Number of available satellites over time

Satellites 	Availability of individual satellites over time

DOPs 	PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, TDOP & GDOP, over time

Skyplot	Skyplot (satellite elevations & azimuths shown in polar coordinates)

View menu

Redraw	Redraw selected graph with unrestricted time scale

Mag	Magnify selected graph (restrict its time scale)

Demag	Demagnify selected graph (expand its time scale)

Pan	Center selected graph on a specified time

Close	Close selected graph

Force MonoChrome	Display patterns instead of colors, suitable for a monochrome monitor

Options menu

Auto Time	Compute & display AutoTime list

List Times	Redisplay previously computed Auto Time list

SVs	Display SV number toolbar

Almanac	Load new almanac file

Time Zone	Select time zone

SV Sample Rate	Set SV sample rate

Show Status	Display Status box

Report Type	Select report type

Show Report	Open report window

Elevation Mask	Set elevation mask

# SVs Receiver Can Track	Set maximum number of SVs receiver can track

Help menu

Help	Displays this screen.

Additional information: For additional information, see these topics:

Initial Dialog Boxes	Explanation of two dialog boxes that Quick Plan presents before the main menu.

Glossary 	Quick Plan terms and definitions.

Concepts	Quick Plan concepts and brief explanations.


Initial dialog boxes

When you start Quick Plan you must select a session date and a point before you can use the main menu. To prompt you for this information, Quick Plan displays two dialog boxes:

•	The Select Date dialog box

•	The Edit Point dialog box


Plan/QuickPlan Glossary
Glossary

Almanac

Availability

Curtain

Elevation Mask

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Graph

Point

Session

Status box

Time ruler slide

Time zone

Visibility


Plan/QuickPlan Concepts
Concepts

Almanac

Availability

Curtain

Graph

Point

Session


File menu
File

The File menu presents three commands for printing various types of data, and the Exit command for ending a planning session.

Print Graph	Print a graph

Print Auto Time	Print the AutoTime list

Print Report 	Print a report

Exit 	Exit the application


Session menu
Session

The Session menu lets you create, select, and edit sessions and points.

When you create or edit a session you can define its date, start time, and duration or stop time, and the points it will include.

When you create or edit a point, you can define its location, name, and curtains (obstructions).

New Session	Create a new session (an observation period)

Edit Session 	Modify an existing session

Edit Point 	Work with point information


Graphs menu
Graphs

The Graphs menu and its options are not available until you have created a session.

The Graphs menu produces graphical representations of satellite availability and visibility data for a surveying session.

Most of the graphs describe a single point. You can view availability and visibility data for multiple points with the Combined Curtains editor from the Session menu's New Session or Edit Session command.

The first several Graphs commands do not produce graphs, but influence the way other graphs are displayed. For example, the Tile command arranges active graph windows so that they are all visible at the same time.

Settings that affect the display

Tile	Arrange graph windows to fill screen in one column

Tile 2 Column 	Arrange graph windows to fill screen in two columns

Close All 	Close all graph windows

Time Locked	Lock together time periods of all graphs

Resolution	Set graphs' time resolution

Graphical Plots

Number of SVs and PDOP	Number of SVs & PDOP over time

Elevation	Satellite elevations over time

Azimuth	Satellite azimuths over time

Number Satellites 	Number of available satellites over time

Satellites 	Availability of individual satellites over time

DOPs 	PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, GDOP and TDOP over time

Skyplot	Skyplot (satellite elevations & azimuths shown in polar coordinates)


View menu
View

The View menu lets you change the appearance of the graphical displays produced by the Graphs menu. For example, you can "magnify" a graph to make it represent a smaller time period, or "demagnify" it to make it represent a larger time period.

This menu is not available until you have opened one or more graph windows.

Redraw	Redraw selected graph with unrestricted time scale

Mag	Magnify selected graph (restrict its time scale)

Demag	Demagnify selected graph (expand its time scale)

Pan	Center selected graph on a specified time

Close	Close selected graph

Force Monochrome	Display all graphs with crosshatched patterns instead of color (use with monochrome monitors or for printing).


Options menu
Options

The Options menu controls the presence and appearance of windows that display information about the status of the application and your planning session.

This menu is not available until you create or activate a session.

Auto Time	Compute & display AutoTime list

List Times	Redisplay previously computed Auto Time list

SVs	Display SV number toolbar

Almanac	Load new almanac file

Time Zone	Select time zone

SV Sample Rate	Set SV sample rate

Show Status	Display Status box

Report Type	Select report type

Show Report	Open report window

Elevation Mask	Set elevation mask

# SVs Receiver Can Track	Set the maximum number of satellites your receiver(s) can track.


Tile command
Tile

Tile arranges the active graph windows so that they fill the screen without overlapping. All of the windows are as wide as the screen, and the height of the screen is divided evenly among them.

If you display more graph windows after selecting Tile, they will overlap the windows that are already there. Select Tile again to rearrange them.

Other related topics: Tile 2 Column


Tile 2 Column command
Tile 2 Column

Tile 2 Column arranges the active graph windows so that they fill the screen without overlapping. The windows are arranged in two columns so that each one is half as wide as the screen, and the height of the screen is divided evenly among them.

If you display more graph windows after selecting Tile 2 Column, they will overlap the windows that are already there. Select Tile 2 Column again to rearrange them.

Other related topics: Tile


Close All command
Close All

Close All closes all graph windows that are currently open.


Time Locked command
Time Locked

Time Locked toggles the "time locked" option. The Graphs menu displays a check mark before the Time Locked command when the option is turned on, and a space when the option is cleared.

When this option is enabled, changing one graph's time period will make the corresponding change for every other open graph window.

Related topics: Time ruler slides; View Redraw


Resolution command
Resolution

Resolution controls the resolution of graphs. High resolution graphs take longer to generate than low-resolution graphs, but they show more detail (if your monitor and/or printer can render images of sufficiently high resolution to display the extra detail).

When you select Resolution, the application pops up a secondary menu with three selections:

•	Min Resolution: Sets the application's minimum resolution.

•	Max Resolution: Sets the application's maximum resolution.

•	Set Resolution: Opens a dialog box that lets you select the resolution you want, on a scale from 0 (Min Resolution) to 100 (Max Resolution).


Number of SVs and PDOP command
Number of SVs and PDOP

Displays a graph of the total number of visible satellites and the PDOP for the given satellite constellation, plotted against time. This is a composite of the Number Satellites graph and the PDOP graph.

The Number Satellites portion displays the number of available satellites for the current session.

The PDOP portion displays the Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) for the different constellations available during the current session.

Other related topics: Time ruler slide; View menu; View Redraw command; Force Monochrome


Elevation command
Elevation

Displays a graph of satellite elevation plotted against time. This excludes satellites below the elevation mask that you set when you defined the current session, and any satellites that you have disabled. To change the threshold elevation or enable or disable satellites, use the Options menu.

Other related topics: Time Ruler Slides; View menu; View Redraw command


Azimuth command
Azimuth

Displays a graph of satellite azimuth plotted against time. The graph allows for the elevation mask that you set when you defined the current session, and any satellites that you have disabled. To change the threshold elevation or enable or disable satellites, use the Options menu.

Other related topics: Time ruler slide; View menu; View Redraw command


Number Satellites command
Number Satellites

Displays a graph of the number of available satellites plotted against time. The graph allows for the elevation mask that you set when you defined the current session, and any satellites that you have disabled. To change the threshold elevation or enable or disable satellites, use the Options menu.

Other related topics: Time ruler slides; View menu; View Redraw; Force Monochrome


Satellites command
Satellites

Displays a graph of each satellite's availability plotted against time. Each satellite is represented by one strip across the width of the chart, with available times filled in. The satellite's SV number appears next to each filled-in region. The numbers along the Y axis have no significance, except to distinguish one satellite's horizontal strip from another.

The graph allows for the elevation mask that you set when you defined the current session, and any satellites that you have disabled. To change the threshold elevation or enable or disable satellites, use the Options menu.

Other related topics: Time Ruler Slides; View menu; View Redraw


PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, GDOP and TDOP commands
PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, GDOP and TDOP

Display graphs of Dilution of Precision (DOP) metrics plotted against time. These metrics are dimensionless values that indicate the amount of degradation your observations are likely to suffer at a given time and place, due to less-than-ideal satellite geometry, atmospheric effects, and other factors.

•	PDOP: Position Dilution of Precision, an overall measure of degradation in position measurements.

•	HDOP: Horizontal Dilution of Precision, a measure of degradation in the horizontal components of measurements.

•	VDOP: Vertical Dilution of Precision, a measure of degradation in the vertical component of measurements.

•	GDOP: Geometric Dilution of Precision, a measure of degradation in both position and time measurements.

•	TDOP: Time Dilution of Precision, a measure of degradation in the determination of the time measurements.

In general, DOP values below 4 indicate excellent observation conditions; values above 7 indicate poor conditions.

The graph allows for the elevation mask that you set when you defined the current session, and any satellites that you have disabled. To change the threshold elevation or enable or disable satellites, use the Options menu.

The colors of the graph indicate the number of available satellites:

Red:	less than 4		Dark Cyan:	7
Yellow:	4		Light Cyan:	8
Green:	5		Blue:	9
Dark Green:	6		Dark Magenta:	10
			Magenta:	11
Other related topics: Time ruler slides; View menu; View Redraw; Force Monochrome


Skyplot command
Skyplot

Displays a polar graph that shows the path of each satellite that is available during a specified time period. The graph's angular coordinate represents azimuths and its radial coordinate represents elevations; the graph may be interpreted as a view of the sky from the observation point.

The same type of polar graph is used to represent curtains, so a skyplot is an effective tool for visualizing the effect of curtains on satellite availability.

Each satellite's path is displayed in a different color, with its SV number in the same color at the end-of-time-period end of the path.

The elevation mask is represented by a ring drawn with a broken red line.

Other related topics: Time ruler slide; View menu; View Redraw


Print Graph command
Print Graph

This command prints the graph in the selected window. It applies only to windows that contain graphs or charts; therefore you must start a session and open a graph window before you can use the command.

As in most Microsoft Windows applications, you can control the range of pages that are printed (if the graph runs to more than one page), and the number of copies. You may have other options as well, depending on type of printer you use. To change the printer setup through this menu, click the Setup button.


Print Auto Time command
Print Auto Time

This command prints the AutoTime list, which shows the optimum observation times for the current session. It is available only after you have opened the ListTimes window (which displays the Auto Time list) by selecting the Options menu's Auto Time command.

Note that even if you close the ListTimes window you can still print the list. It is only necessary that you have displayed the list at some time after you selected the current session.


Print Report command
Print Report

This command prints the tabular report of the type most recently selected by the Options menu's Report Type command, and displayed by the Show Report command. This may be a table of constellation changes or a table of azimuths and elevations.

This command is available only after you have displayed a report with the Show Report command.

Note that even if you close the report window you can still print the report. It is only necessary that you have displayed the report at some time after you selected the current session.


Exit command
Exit

This command terminates Quick Plan and returns control to Windows.


Auto Time command
Auto Time

This command creates a list of optimal observation times for a session and displays it in a window. The window will remain open until you close it.

The command opens a dialog box that prompts you to enter the following data:

•	Number of Sats: Minimum number of satellites required for best results. Default and recommended value: 5.

•	Working Hours: The hours within which observations must be conducted; in other words, the start and end of the working day. Default: 0000 hours to 2400 hours (no restrictions).

•	PDOP: Maximum PDOP allowed. Default and recommended value: 7.

•	Minimum Observation Time: Minimum duration of a period of optimal conditions. Default value: 60 minutes.

•	Auto Recalc (a check box): If checked, the application will recalculate the list of optimal observations times whenever you change a parameter that affects it, such as the list of available SVs.

After you set these parameters, click OK to create the list of observation times.

Related topics: List Times


List Times command
List Times

This command redisplays the list of optimal observation times computed by Auto Time. Unlike the Auto Time command, it does not recompute the list of observation times.


SVs command
SVs

This command displays a toolbar with buttons for all possible satellites. You can use these buttons to enable and disable satellites for planning purposes.

A satellite is disabled if its button is "up" (it appears to cast a shadow). A satellite is enabled if its button is "down" (it appears to cast no shadow).

A satellite is unhealthy if its button is labeled with its SV number followed by an 'X'. A satellite is healthy if its button is labeled with its SV number only.

•	To toggle a satellite's enabled/disabled status, click its button.

•	To disable all satellites, click the None button at the bottom of the toolbar.

•	To enable all healthy satellites, click the All button at the bottom of the toolbar. Note that to enable an unhealthy satellite you must click its individual button. This is useful only in special circumstances: for example, if the satellite has become healthy since the ephemeris was collected.

•	To update open graph windows to reflect changes in the set of enabled satellites, click the Graph button.

•	To close the toolbar, double-click the system box in the toolbar's upper left corner. This also updates any open graph windows.


Almanac command
Almanac

This command lets you load a new almanac into the application after downloading it from a receiver. The command opens a standard file dialog box; use this dialog box to select the proper almanac file, then click OK.

Using an almanac more than three or four weeks old will tend to reduce the accuracy of the application's results. To update the almanac, collect a small data set with one receiver at your office; download it to the computer and load it into Quick Plan.

Note: Quick Plan checks the directory where the most current almanac file is located. Almanac files can be in EPH, SSF or Yuma (ASCII) format.


Timezone command
Time Zone

This command lets you select the correct time zone for your project area.

The command opens a dialog box with two fields:

•	Zone Name: Name of the current time zone and its difference in hours and minutes from GMT.

•	Time Difference from GMT: Time difference between GMT and the time scale the application is using.

A positive time difference means that the application's time is later than GMT. A negative time difference means that the application's time is earlier than GMT.

To change the time zone, click the · arrow at the end of the Zone Name field. The application displays a dropdown list of time zones. Click the zone you want. The application displays this time zone in the Zone Name field, and displays the corresponding time difference in the Time Difference from GMT field. Click OK to select the new time zone and close the dialog box.

You can also enter a time difference directly by typing it into the Time Difference from GMT field. This will not affect the Zone Name field. Click OK to close the dialog box.

To define a new time zone, type the new time zone name into the Zone Name field, and a time difference into the Time Difference from GMT field; then click the Add button. Click OK to select the new time zone.

To delete an existing time zone, select the time zone to be deleted using the Zone Name field, then click the Delete button. The time zone then will be deleted from the time zone list.

To modify an exisiting time sone, select the time zone to be modified using the Zone Name field, then click the Modify button. Make your changes; click OK.


SV Sample Rate command
SV Sample Rate

This command sets the sampling interval for the satellite visibility calculations. For example, if the sampling rate is set to 2 minutes, each satellite’s visibility will be computed for intervals of 2 minutes.

The SV sample rate can range from 2 to 10 minutes. A faster sampling rate makes the visibility computations more precise, but also makes them take longer.

For very long sessions (several hours or more), use the slowest sampling rate (10 minutes). For a very short session (1 hour or less), use the fastest sampling rate (2 minutes) for an accurate view of the satellite availability.


Show Status command
Show Status

This command displays the Status box, which presents information about the current session, and other information relevant to the graphs the application is displaying.

The application automatically displays the Status box when it is started. You need to select the Show Status command only if you have closed the Status box and want to open it again.


Report Type command
Report Type

This command determines the type of report that the Show Report command will generate. It opens a dialog box with two option buttons:

•	Azimuth Elevation Table: A report will show the azimuth and elevation for each visible SV at the time increment specified by SV Sampling Rate.

•	Constellation Changes Only: A report will show each unique constellation of satellites, the time of rise and time of set for each constellation, and the PDOP at the time of rise and the time of set.


Show Report command
Show Report

This command displays a report of the type specified by the Report Type command:

•	Azimuth Elevation Table: A report will show the azimuth and elevation for each visible SV at the time increment specified by SV Sampling Rate.

•	Constellation Changes Only: A report will show each unique constellation of satellites, the time of rise and time of set for each constellation, and the PDOP at the time of rise and the time of set.


Elevation Mask command
Elevation Mask

This command sets the elevation mask that the application will use to compute satellite availability. The default, and the recommended value for most types of work, is either 13° or 15°. The minimum value is 0°; the maximum value is 90°.

If the elevation mask is set too low, your receivers have to store more measurements from low-elevation satellites whose signals are probably not useful. If you are postprocessing (and these measurements are not discarded in postprocessing), they will expose your observations to atmospheric distortions and interference from distant obstructions.

If the elevation mask is set too high, it will unnecessarily reduce satellite availability.


# SVs Receiver Can Track

This command opens a dialog box that lets you set the maximum number of SVs your receiver(s) can track. Use it if you are working with receivers that do not have enough channels to track as many SVs as may be visible.

The affected graphs and reports are:

•	Number of SVs and PDOP graph

•	Number of SVs and PDOP graph

•	Number Satellites graph

•	PDOP, VDOP, HDOP, TDOP, and GDOP graphs

•	Azimuth Elevation report and ConstellationChange report

When this option is set to "Not used" (the default), the application's graphs and reports will show as many SVs as are available or visible.

When the option is set to a numeric value (n between 4 and 12), the graphs and reports will show the n SVs with the highest elevations at any given time.


New Session command
New Session

This command creates a new planning session. A session records information about the project, including the date when observations will be made, start and stop times, descriptions of the points to be observed, and curtains associated with the points.

When you select New Session, the application displays the Add New Session dialog box. You must:

1.	Select at least one point at which observations will be made. Click each point in the All Points list, then click Add.

2.	Select an observation date. Click the Date button to open the Select Date dialog box.

3.	Enter the field session’s start and stop times. Click the Time button to open the Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box.

4.	Enter station information for each point to be occupied. Click a point in "n Points" list, then:

--	To define curtains, if necessary, click the Curtain button to run the Curtain Editor.

--	To enter a receiver ID, if necessary, select the Receiver ID at Pt text box and enter the appropriate text.

To add a new point to the All Points list, click the Create button to open the Edit Point dialog box.

Other related topics: Edit Session.


Edit Session command
Edit Session

The Edit Session command selects a session previously defined with the New Session command. Once you have selected a session you can edit it.

When you select Edit Session, the application displays the Choose a Session dialog box, which lists the sessions you have defined. To select a session, double-click it, or click it and then click Edit.

Once you select a session, the application displays the Edit Session dialog box. You may:

•	Add an observation point. Click the point in the All Points list, then click Add.

•	Delete an observation point. Click the point in the "n Points" list, then click Remove Pt.

•	Change the observation date. Click the Date button to open the Select Date dialog box.

•	Change the field session’s start and stop times. Click the Time button to open the Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box.

•	Change any part of the point information, for any point. Click a point in "n Points" list, then:

--	To change the point's curtains, click the Curtain button to run the Curtain Editor.

--	To change the point's receiver ID, select the Receiver ID at Pt text box and enter the ID.

To add a new point to the All Points list, click the Create button to open the Edit Point dialog box.


New Session or Edit Session dialog box

The Session menu's New Session command displays this dialog box to let you define a new session. The same menu's Edit Session command displays this dialog box to let you select a session and edit it.

The controls in this dialog box are:

•	Date and time in upper left corner: The session's observation date and start time.

•	Point controls:"n Points" lists the points selected for use in this session. All Points lists all points defined in the application.

--	To add a point to the session, select the point in the All Points list and click Add.

--	To remove a point from the session, select the point in the "n Points" list and click Remove Pt.

•	Session controls:

--	To change the session's observation date, click Date and select a new date in the Select Date dialog box.

--	To change the session's start and/or stop time, click Time and enter the new times in the Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box.

--	To view the session's combined curtains, click Combined Curtains.

•	Station (point) controls: To change the station information for any point, click the point in "n Points" list, then:

--	To change the point's curtains, click the Curtain button to run the Curtain Editor.

--	To change the point's name, coordinates, or properties, click the Edit Pt button to open the Edit Point dialog box.

--	To change the point's receiver ID, select the Receiver ID at Pt text box and enter the ID.

To add a new point to the All Points list, click the Create button to open the Edit Point dialog box.


Select Date dialog box

This dialog box lets you select the date for which the application will plan observations. The application computes satellite availability and other results for this date.

The dialog box appears:

•	When you start the application, and

•	When you click the Date button in the Edit Session dialog box.

To help you select a date, you can:

•	Click a date on the monthly calendar to highlight that date.

•	Click the Today, Tomorrow, or Day After Tomorrow button to highlight the corresponding date.

•	Click Prev Month or Next Month to display a different month.

When you have highlighted the date you want, click OK to select the date and close the dialog box.

The bottom of the dialog box displays the selected date in several forms.


Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box

This dialog box lets you select the time period for which the application will plan observations.

The dialog box appears when you click the Time button in the Edit Session dialog box.

To select a time period, enter:

•	The Start Time, and

•	The Duration or the Stop Time.

If you enter the duration, the application fills in the corresponding stop time when you move the cursor away from the Duration field. Similarly, if you enter the stop time, the application fills in the corresponding duration when you move the cursor away from the Stop Time field.

If you enter a duration that runs past midnight, or you enter a stop time that is less than the start time, you specify a session that starts on the selected day and ends on the following day.

When you have selected the time period you want, click OK to accept your selection and close the dialog box.


Edit Point command
Edit Point

This command lets you edit a Point.

The command presents a list of points that have been defined (for example, with the New Session or Edit Session command). When you select a session, the application displays the Edit Point dialog box, which you use to edit the point.


Edit Point dialog box

This dialog box lets you edit or create a Point.

The Edit Point command, which opens this dialog box, also selects the point for which the application will plan observations. The application computes satellite availability and other results with respect to this point. If you use the command just to select a point, you may simply close this dialog box by clicking the OK button.

The dialog box appears:

•	When you start the application, after the Select Date dialog box, and

•	When you select the Session menu's Edit Point command.

To edit a point:

•	Click the World Map button to select a point from a predefined list of cities by clicking on a map, or

•	Click the City dialog box to select a point from the predefined list of cities by selecting the name from the list, or

•	Click the Keyboard button to enter the point's name and coordinates manually.

Other related topics: Points


World Map dialog box

This dialog box lets you select a point from the application's predefined list of cities by clicking near the city on a map. The dialog box appears when you click the World Map button in the Edit Point dialog box.

The parts of the dialog box are:

•	The map. A colored block marks the selected city.

•	The coordinates of the mouse cursor, above the map on the right.

•	The map scale, below the map on the left. The colored bars and the spaces between them each represent the indicated distance (measured north/south, or east/west at the equator).

•	The name of the selected city, below the map on the right.

•	The dialog box controls, to the right of the map.

To select a city, move the mouse cursor near enough to place the colored block at the city's location and display the city's name in the lower right corner. Click the mouse to select the city. Then click OK.

If you make a mistake, click on the map again. This frees the colored block to follow the mouse cursor around the map.

You can display the map in either of two projections: click Globe to display a global projection, or Mercator to display a Mercator projection.

For the Mercator projection, click Magnify and Demagnify to change the map's scale and coverage. Click Redraw to redraw the map at its largest (global) scale.

For the global projection, click Up, Down, Left, and Right to turn the globe around its horizontal and vertical axes, letting you see different parts of the world.

Check the Take City box to make the application take the city's name as the point name when you select a city. Clear this box to make the application leave the city's name empty. You must then fill in the name with the Keyboard dialog box.

Check the Rivers box to make the application display major rivers on the map; clear it to omit rivers.

Other related topics: Points; City dialog box


City dialog box

This dialog box lets you select a point from the application's predefined list of cities by clicking the city's name in a list box. The dialog box appears when you click the World Map button in the Edit Point dialog box.

To select a city, click its name, then click the OK button; or, double-click the name.

Use the World and Local buttons to display a world-wide list of cities or a more detailed local list. You can customize the local list for the part of the world where you work; see the application's printed documentation for details.

Other related topics: Points; World map dialog box


Keyboard dialog box

This dialog box lets you define a point precisely by entering its latitude and longitude through the keyboard. It also lets you change the point's other properties, such as its name and height. You can use it to add or change properties of a point defined with the City dialog box or the World Map dialog box.

The properties of a point are described in detail in the topic on Points.

Enter the station description in the upper part of the box, and the station description in the lower part of the box. Note that you select a hemisphere by clicking the N, S, E, and W buttons, not by entering a sign before the latitude and longitude.

Note: Quick Plan does not maintain station information. Do not try to add or edit station notes.


Enter Start and Stop Times dialog box
Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box

Enter the start and stop times for a session by designating a start time and a duration (in hours and minutes), or a start time and a stop time.

The Enter Start & Stop Times dialog box is used to either enter or change a given session's start and stop times. When you create a new session, the menu items are set to 0.

Start Time	0:00

Duration	0:00

Stop Time	0:00

To set the start time, click the Start Time field and enter the start time (in hours and minutes). The application utilizes a 24-hour clock; thus, if you want to start an observation at 1:00 PM, enter 13:00.

You can set the stop time in either of two ways; by setting a specific stop time, or by setting the observation's duration. For example, if you enter a start time of 13:00 and a duration of 2:00 (2 hours), the stop time will be calculated as 15:00. If you set a stop time of 15:00, the duration will be calculated as 2:00 (2 hours).

After you set the session's start and stop times, click OK to accept the settings and leave the dialog box.


Curtain Editor

The curtain editor lets you describe obstructions (curtains) that will prevent a receiver from observing satellites in certain parts of the sky from a given point.

To start the curtain editor:

1.	Use the Sessions menu's New Session or Edit Session  command to display the New Session or Edit Session dialog box.

2.	Select the point by one of the following means:

--	Click it in the "n Points" list.

--	Add it to the "n Points" list by double-clicking it in the All Points list, or by clicking it the All Points list, then clicking the Add button.

--	Create it and add it to both lists by clicking the Create button.

3.	Click the Curtain button.

For a description of the curtain display, see Curtain Editor: Reading the Display. For instructions on using the curtain editor, see Curtain Editor: Defining a Curtain.

Other related topics: Combined Curtains button


Curtain Editor: Reading the Display

The curtain editor displays curtains from a perspective looking up to the sky from the observation point. The display resembles a graph in polar coordinates.

Directions are as on a conventional map (for example, "up" is "north"). North may be either “true north” (azimuth) or “magnetic north” (bearing), depending on the selection made under the Options menu. A point's distance from the origin represents its elevation. The outermost circle represents the horizon (elevation 0°); the middle circle is 30°; and the inner circle is 60°. In addition, the 15° elevation is marked by a circle drawn with a broken red line.

Each curtain is represented by a sequence of lines that trace the curtain's upper edge. The obstructed area is shaded.

There are two types of curtains:

•	A single curtain is defined by a left boundary and a right boundary. Its sides are vertical; its top is a straight line.

•	A continuous curtain is defined by a left boundary, a right boundary, and any number of internal boundaries. Its sides are vertical; its top is a zig-zag line from the left boundary, through each internal boundary, to the right boundary.

In both cases, "left" and "right" are defined from the perspective of an observer at the origin. That is, "from left to right" means "clockwise," or "in order of increasing azimuth values."


Curtain Editor: Defining a Curtain

About the mouse cursor: The curtain editor's mouse cursor has three possible states:

•	+1: Ready to define a curtain's left boundary. When you enter the curtain editor, the mouse cursor is in this state.

•	+2: Ready to define a curtain's right boundary.

•	 : "Neutral"; not ready to define a boundary.

To define continuous curtains: To define a curtain, click at the coordinates of the curtain's left boundary. The mouse cursor changes to +2. Click at the curtain's first internal boundary, then its second, third, and so on, up to and including its right boundary. To complete the curtain, press the Escape key or click the right mouse button. The curtain editor displays the Å cursor.

To define a second curtain, select the Edit menu's Edit Continuous Curtains command. Then define the second curtain just as you defined the first.

To define single curtains: You can also define a series of single curtains, each of which has a left and right boundary, but no internal boundaries. Select the Edit menu's Edit Multiple Single Curtains command. The +1 mouse cursor appears. Click at the curtain's left boundary. The +2 mouse cursor appears. Click at the curtain's right boundary. The curtain editor completes the curtain and displays the +1 cursor again. Now you may define another curtain. To stop defining curtains, press the Escape key or click the right mouse button. The curtain editor displays the Å cursor.

To save your point's new curtain definition: Click the Save Curtain button, or select File Save. The curtain's prior definition, if any, is discarded.

Note: Quick Plan does not save curtain definitions permanently. The save operation works, but the Quick Plan discards all curtain definitions when you exit to your application or to Windows.

To leave the curtain editor: Select File Exit.

CAUTION! If you select File Exit without first selecting File Save, the curtain editor will exit and discard your work. The curtain's prior definition, if any, will be retained. The curtain editor will not prompt you to confirm that you want to discard your work.

Defining a curtain boundary by azimuth and elevation: Instead of clicking the mouse to define a curtain boundary, you may enter the boundary's azimuth and elevation in the Sky Coords box, then click OK. This is useful when the curtain azimuths and elevations have been recorded during site reconnaissance.

Note that the Sky Coords box displays the coordinates of the mouse cursor as you move the mouse. Thus you can use the mouse to enter moderately accurate boundary coordinates by watching the box.

Using magnetic bearings instead of azimuths: Select Options Azimuth/Bearing and then check the “bearing” box to enable the use of magnetic bearings. You should also enter the magnetic declination as well to ensure that plan can reference the bearings to true north.

Once you have selected magnetic bearings, you will see a diagram in the curtain editor window that shows the difference between magnetic and true north. At this point you should enter magnetic bearings when defining a curtain.

Correcting a mistake: If you make a mistake when defining a curtain, complete the curtain, then select Edit Undo. The curtain editor will delete the curtain you have just defined. Enter the curtain correctly and proceed.

Starting over: Select Edit Clear. The curtain editor asks you to confirm your intentions, then clears (deletes) all curtains.


Curtain Editor: File Menu

Use the File menu to save the curtain definition and exit the curtain editor.

•	File New prompts you to confirm your intentions, then deletes all curtain definitions. However, this change will not become permanent until you save. File New and Edit Clear are equivalent.

Note: Quick Plan does not save curtain definitions permanently—the save operation works, but the application discards all curtain definitions when you exit to the application or to Windows.

•	File Save saves the point's current curtain definition, making it permanent. This point's previous curtain definition, if any, is discarded.

•	File Exit makes the curtain editor return control to the dialog box that invoked it. If you have edited the curtain definition since you last saved it, File Exit will discard the definition. There is no prompt for confirmation first.


Curtain Editor: Edit Menu

Use the Edit menu to help you enter curtain definitions.

•	Edit Undo discards the last curtain definition you entered.

•	Edit Continuous Curtains lets you define a Continuous curtain. To define a curtain, click on the left boundary, then each internal boundary from left to right, then the right boundary; then complete the curtain by clicking the right mouse button or pressing the Escape key.

•	Edit Multiple Single Curtains lets you define a series of Single curtains. To define each curtain, click on the left boundary, then the right boundary. You may terminate single-curtain mode by clicking the right mouse button or pressing the Escape key.

•	Clear prompts you to confirm your intentions, then deletes all curtain definitions. However, this change will not become permanent until you save. Edit Clear and File New are equivalent.


Curtain Editor: Options Menu

Use the Options menu to set options that influence the curtain editor's operation.

•	Options Azimuth/Bearing is used to change between azimuths (referenced to true north) and bearings (referenced to magnetic north). To select azimuths, check the Azimuth checkbox. To select bearings, select the Bearings checkbox and enter the magnetic declination. The magnetic declination is necessary to reference the magnetic bearings to true north.

•	If you select magnetic bearings, you will see a diagram in the curtain editor window showing the difference between magnetic and true north. At this point you should enter magnetic bearings for defining a curtain.

•	Options Grid changes the subdivision of the display's grid. This command cycles the grid through three states:

--	First time: Sets azimuth grid at 30° intervals, elevation grid at 15° intervals.

--	Second time: Sets azimuth grid at 5° intervals, elevation grid at 10° intervals (plus broken red line at 15°).

--	Third time: Resets azimuth grid at 90° intervals, elevation grid at 30° intervals (plus broken red line at 15°).

You can also select this command by pressing the G key.

•	Options gridSnaps opens a dialog box that displays and lets you change the pitch of the curtain editor's "snap grid."

Whenever you enter a curtain boundary with the mouse, the curtain editor will snap the boundary's coordinates to the nearest intersection on the snap grid. For example, if the snap grid's pitch is set to 5° azimuth, 10° elevation, a curtain boundary entered with a mouse click at 26° azimuth, 16° elevation will be recorded at 25° azimuth, 20° elevation.

You can effectively turn the snap grid off by setting its pitch to azimuth 1°, elevation 1° (its initial setting).

Note: The snap grid is not the same as the visible grid set by the Options Grid command. Their functions are different and their pitches are independent of each other.


Combined curtains
Combined Curtains button

The Combined Curtains button in the New Session or Edit Session dialog box displays a composite of the curtains for all of the points in the current session. This display uses the same view (from the point looking up to the sky) as the curtain editor. Also see Curtain Editor: Reading the Display.

The combined curtains display is a useful planning tool because the receivers at all points must collect data simultaneously; therefore a curtain that interferes with observations at any point will impact observations at every point. Observations can proceed only when the composite curtain shows that a sufficient number of satellites is visible.


Curtain Editor: Help Menu

To display an index of information about the curtain editor, select the Help menu's Index command.


Redraw command
Redraw

Redraws the selected graph with its time period set to match the current session. If you have not defined session start and stop times, the graph displays the entire 24-hour period for the day of the session.

You can also redraw a graph by selecting it and then pressing your keyboard's R key.

Related topics: Time Locked


Mag command
Mag

Restricts the time period represented by a graph. In effect, the graph is magnified.

Each time you select View Mag, the graph's time period is roughly halved. The start and end times both change, while the center point remains the same.

You can also magnify a graph by selecting it and then pressing your keyboard's M key. Or, select the graph and double-click the left mouse button.

You can reverse one or more magnification steps by selecting View Demag.

Other related topics: Time Locked


Demag command
Demag

Expands the time period represented by a graph. In effect, the graph is demagnified.

Each time you select View Demag, the graph's time period is roughly doubled. The start and end times both change, while the center point remains the same.

You can also demagnify a graph by selecting it and then pressing your keyboard's D key. Or, select the graph and double-click the right mouse button.

Other related topics: Time Locked


Pan command
Pan

Centers the selected graph on a specified time.

To center the graph on a specific time, click on a point over that time on the graph, then select View Pan. Or, click on a point on the graph and press your keyboard's P key.

Related topics: Time Locked


Close command
Close

Closes the selected graph. To select the graph you want to close, click its title bar before selecting this command.

You can also close a graph by selecting it and then pressing your keyboard's C key.


Force Monochrome command
Force Monochrome

Toggles the "monochrome" option. The View menu displays a · before the Force Monochrome command when the option is turned on.

When the option is turned on, the application uses patterns instead of colors to represent different kinds of information. This is useful if you are displaying graphs on a monochrome monitor (or printing them on a black-and-white printer), since such devices do not always display different colors in distinctive ways.

The monochrome patterns have special significance in several graphs: Number SVs and PDOP; Number Satellites; PDOP; HDOP; VDOP; TDOP, and GDOP. These graphs use three special patterns to represent the number of visible satellites:

•	Horizontal lines: less than 4 SVs; marginal for 3D GPS measurements.

•	Diagonal lines: 4 SVs; less than optimal conditions.

•	Vertical and horizontal lines forming a grid: more than 4 SVs; optimal conditions.


AutoTime list

A list of optimum times for conducting observations, displayed by the Options Auto Time command, and printed by the File Print Auto Time command.


Availability

The number of satellites located above the elevation mask, as viewed from a specified point at a specified time.


Curtain

An obstruction that blocks SV signals from a point at which GPS observations are made. You define a point's curtains with the curtain editor, which you invoke by clicking the Curtain button in New Session or Edit Session dialog box.


Elevation Mask

An angle that specifies the lowest acceptable satellite elevation for data processing. The elevation mask is generally set to either 13° or 15°, depending on your application. The elevation mask prevents you from relying on satellites whose signals may be of poor quality due to atmospheric interference and obstructions.


Almanac

A file containing time and position information for GPS satellites. This file is used for planning surveys. These files typically are in EPH, SSF or Yuma (ASCII) format.


Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system of satellites and ground stations that use radio signals transmitted from satellites to provide precise position information on the ground.


Graph

Any of several graphical displays generated by the application for use in planning.

You generate graphs with commands on the Graphs menu. Once you have generated a graph, you can print it with the File menu's Print Graph command. The appearance of graphs is influenced by several commands on the Graphs menu and the View menu.


Graph
Point

A place at which observations are made during a session. A point may be a reference point whose coordinates are known, or a point whose coordinates are to be determined by computing positions using absolute or differential processing.


Session

A period of time during which GPS receivers are used to make simultaneous observations at a specified set of points. You can define field sessions, and you can use the sessions to predict satellite availability, determine the effects of obstructions, and so forth.


Status box

The window that displays important station information. The application displays the Status box automatically when you start it. You can close the Status box by double-clicking the system box in the upper left corner of the Status box. You can redisplay the Status box by running the Options menu's Show Status command.


Time ruler slide

Time ruler slides are arrows that appear at each end of the time scale at the bottom of a graph. You can use them to adjust the time period that the graph represents.

To restrict the time period represented by a graph, drag one of the time ruler slides toward center of the graph. Release the slide at the point where you want the time range to start (for the left-hand slide) or end (for the right-hand slide).

To expand the time period represented by a graph, drag one of the time ruler slides away from the center of the graph. The slide will not actually move, but the application will adjust the time scale to an earlier start time (for the left-hand slide) or a later end time (for the right-hand slide). If the application expands the time scale too far, drag the slide back inward to the proper point. If the application does not expand the time scale far enough, drag the slide outward again.

To set the time period to the match the current session, select View Redraw. If no session is defined, View Redraw sets the time period to 24 hours.


Time zone

The time zone for a project is the local time offset from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Since GPS time is aligned to GMT, you must indicate the time offset from GMT to compute the local time if you wish to work in the local time in your project area. For example, the time zone offset for Pacific Standard Time is -8 hours from GMT.


Visibility

The number of satellites that a GPS receiver can observe at a given point. Visibility is not necessarily the same as availability (the number of satellites above the elevation mask) because it excludes satellites whose signals are blocked by obstructions identified using curtains.


Availability defined
Availability

Availability refers to the number of satellites in view, above the elevation mask, from a specified point at a specified time.

The number of visible satellites may be less than the number of available satellites because obstacles (curtains) can block satellite signals in certain parts of the sky. The curtain editor can help you allow for the effects of curtains in your planning.


Curtain defined
Curtain

A curtain is an obstruction that blocks SV signals from a point at which GPS observations are made. When a curtain is in the line of sight between a GPS receiver and a satellite, that satellite's signals are blocked. Curtains may influence your project plans by restricting the times during which a sufficient number of satellites are visible.

The planning application can deal with two types of curtains:

•	A single curtain is defined by a left boundary and a right boundary. Its sides are vertical; its top is a straight line.

•	A continuous curtain is defined by a left boundary, a right boundary, and any number of internal boundaries. Its sides are vertical; its top is a zig-zag line from the left boundary, through each internal boundary, to the right boundary.

You define a point's curtains with the curtain editor, which you invoke by clicking the Curtain button in New Session or Edit Session dialog box.

The curtain editor's display is a polar graph that shows obstructions as you look from the point up to the sky.


Almanac defined
Almanac

An almanac is a file containing time and position information for GPS satellites. This file is used both for planning future field sessions.

Using an almanac more than three or four weeks old will tend to reduce the accuracy of the planning application's results. If you have not downloaded data recently, you may need to use the Options Almanac command to load an updated almanac file.


Graph defined
Graph

The application can generate several types of graphs that are useful planning tools.

Graphs menu commands that generate graphs data are:

•	Number of SVs and PDOP: Plots number of available SVs and PDOP against time.

•	Elevation: Plots each available satellite's elevation against time.

•	Azimuth: Plots each available satellite's azimuth against time.

•	Number Satellites: Plots number of available satellites against time.

•	Satellites: Plots each satellite's availability against time.

•	PDOP, Graph HDOP, Graph VDOP, and Graph GDOP: Plot each satellite's PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, and GDOP, respectively, against time.

•	Skyplot: Plots each satellite's elevation against its azimuth during the period when it is available.

Options menu commands that generate related data are:

•	Auto Time: Opens a window containing a list of optimal observation times for the session.

•	List Times: Reopens the window opened by Options Auto Time, but does not recompute the list of observation times.

•	Report Type: Determines the type of report that the Options Show Report command will generate.

•	Show Report: Opens a window containing a table of azimuth and elevation for each visible SV over time, or each unique constellation of satellites with time or rise, time of set, and PDOP at time of rise and time of set.

•	Show Status: Opens a window that displays the status of the session, the satellites, and related information.

Graphs menu commands that influence the format of graphs are:

•	Tile: Arranges graph windows vertically in one column.

•	Tile 2 Column: Arranges graph windows vertically in two columns.

•	Close All: Closes all graph windows.

•	Time Locked: "Locks" open graph windows together, so that a change in the time scale of any one will cause the others to change.

•	Resolution: Sets the resolution of displayed and printed graphs.

View menu commands that influence the format of graphs are:

•	Redraw: Redraws the selected graph with its time period set to match the current session, or 24 hours if no session is defined.

•	Pan: Centers the selected graph on a specified time.

•	Mag: Magnifies the selected graph (restricts its time interval).

•	Demag: Demagnifies the selected graph (expands its time interval).

•	Close: Closes the specified graph.

File menu commands that print graphs and related information are:

•	Print Graph: Prints the selected graph.

•	Print Auto Time: Prints the Auto Time list displayed by the Options menu's Auto Time command.

•	Print Report: Prints the report displayed by the Options menu's Show Report command.


Point defined
Point

A point is a place at which observations are made during a session. A point may be a reference point whose coordinates are known, or a point whose coordinates are to be determined by computing positions using differential processing.

The application lets you define points with the Create button on the New Session or Edit Session dialog box, invoked from the Sessions menu's New Session or Edit Session command. They let you edit points with the Edit Point dialog box, which you open with the Edit Point command.

When you edit a point, the change will affect all associated sessions, whether or not they have already been defined.

A single point may be used to represent a region of operations. If a point is accurate to within 1° of latitude and longitude, the application will compute satellite availability schedules that are accurate to within 4 minutes.

Each point has these properties:

•	Name: The point's station name as used in receivers; limited to 20 characters.

•	Long Name: An optional longer descriptive name used to identify the station in software displays and reports.

•	ID: A numeric station ID. This field is useful when you are working with receivers which cannot store an alphanumeric station name. By defining a station with a numeric ID as well as an alphanumeric name, you can make it easier to coordinate your use of old and new receivers. This field is not used in Quick Plan.

•	Latitude, Longitude, and Height in meters: The coordinates of the point. Note that you choose a hemisphere by clicking the N, S, E, and W buttons, not by entering a sign in the latitude or longitude field.

•	Height defaults to 0.000 when a point is defined through the World Map or Cities dialog box.

•	Position Quality: identifies the source, and thus the precision, of the point's position. The default, Coordinates Unknown/Undefined, represents the lowest-precision type of point.

•	Usable GPS: A flag that you can use in the course of planning to identify prospective sites that are suitable for GPS observations.


Session defined
Session

A session is a period during which GPS receivers are used to make simultaneous observations at a specified group of locations. Quick Plan allows you to define, edit, and select sessions, and performs planning services for them.


Status box defined
Status box

The Status box displays important station information.

The application displays the Status box automatically when you start it. You can close the Status box by double-clicking the system box in the upper left corner of the Status box. You can redisplay the Status box by running the Options menu's Show Status command.

The Status box displays the following information:

•	The current session, including the station name for the first point in the session

•	Its associated latitude and longitude

•	The date of the session

•	The elevation mask

•	The current almanac

•	The time zone for the project area

•	SV sampling rate for the visibility computations

•	How many satellites (and which ones) were used for the visibility calculations


Curtain Editor: Index

The curtain editor lets you describe obstructions (curtains) that will prevent a receiver from observing satellites in certain parts of the sky from a given point.

Introduction

Reading the Display

Defining a Curtain

File Menu

Edit Menu

Options Menu

Combined Curtains