USER'S GUIDE SIGNALTRACK
Copyright © 2010 Doppler Systems LLC. All rights reserved The software contains proprietary information of Doppler Systems LLC.; it is provided under a license agreement containing restrictions on use and disclosure and is also protected by copyright law. Reverse engineering of the software is prohibited. Due to continued product development this information may change without notice. The information and intellectual property contained herein is confidential between Doppler Systems LLC.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 Typographical Conventions............................................................................................................... 2 Using This Manual............................................................................................................................. 2 Overview of the Programs...............................................
SignalTrack User's Guide Administrator ..............................................................................................................................72 Running SignalTrack .......................................................................................................................73 Tracking an RF Source...............................................................................................................74 Tuning the Receiver ...............................................
SignalTrack User's Guide INDEX ...............................................................................................................................................
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION SignalTrack is used with Doppler Systems Direction Finders to provide the user a way to Monitor and control the direction finder Network fixed site and mobile direction finders Display bearing data from a network of fixed site direction finders Control the frequency of each receiver on the network Display fixed and mobile site position and lines of bearing IN THIS CHAPTER Typographical Conventions............................................................................
SignalTrack User's Guide TYPOGRAPHICAL CONVENTIONS Before you start using this guide, it is important to understand the terms and typographical conventions used in the documentation. For more information on specialized terms used in the documentation, see the Glossary at the end of this document. The following kinds of formatting in the text identify special information. FORMATTING CONVENTION TYPE OF INFORMATION Triangular Bullet(¾) Step-by-step procedures.
Introduction SIGNALTRACK SignalTrack is used get data from a direction finder and to network fixed and mobile direction finders and display their bearing data on a map. It uses the bearing data obtained from the direction finders to estimate the location of the radio frequency emitter. It controls the receiver frequency on the entire network and is able to adjust the direction finder settings of the direction finders at the fixed sites.
SignalTrack User's Guide COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS Pentium class computer running Windows 2000 or Windows XP 1 GHz clock rate (Dual core processor suggested if using ESRI mapping option) 256 MByte RAM (512 MByte recommended if running Windows XP) (2000 MB if using the ESRI mapping option) CD ROM drive Serial port or USB-to-serial convertor (1 additional serial port is required if networking using a radio modem) Ethernet connection (if networking via Ethernet) 4
Chapter 2 INSTALLING SIGNALTRACK To install the SignalTrack Software place the furnished CD in your computer's CD drive. The Doppler Software installer application will launch. Press Install SignalTrack (DDF6001) and follow the on screen instructions.
Chapter 3 MAPS SignalTrack is capable of using two types of maps: Maps made from bitmap files ESRI maps and map data A utility program, MapFix, is provided to allow you to convert bitmap files into SignalTrack usable maps. This chapter contains a description of MapFix and instructions on how to convert bitmap type maps into SignalTrack maps. Also provided are instructions on making bitmap files from Google Earth and Microsoft MapPoint. The ESRI ArcGIS Mapping Engine is provided on the installation CD.
CREATING MAPS USING MAPFIX Maps are required to display the bearing data and the estimated location of the radio frequency emitter. To create a SignalTrack bitmap based map use the MapFix program, which is installed on your hard disk in the same directory as SignalTrack. An icon for MapFix is placed in your Doppler program group. With MapFix you can import an image and assign latitude and longitude coordinates to it. Then save the file and you are ready to use the map in SignalTrack.
11 CREATING A MAP IMAGE To make a map you first need a graphics file containing a map image. You cannot use MapFix to create this file. A convenient way of making a graphics file is to use a map program (see "Using Microsoft MapPoint" on page 12). Alternatively, you could scan in an image from a hard copy map or obtain one from a web site such as Google Earth or Google Map. You can even use a photograph of a map if you would like.
SignalTrack User's Guide USING GOOGLE EARTH Google Earth provides an excellent interface for making map images for SignalTrack. Use the following guidelines to create a map. See the Google Earth help file for more information on using Google Earth. Install Google Earth per instructions found at www.earth.google.com (see Google Earth http://www.earth.google.com) Run Google Earth and use the controls to select the area of interest Make sure the Sidebar is showing.
13 USING MAPFIX MapFix is a utility program supplied with SignalTrack used to convert the bitmap files of the maps you've saved into map files that can be used with SignalTrack. IMPORTING THE IMAGE To import a graphics file containing a map image to Map Fix, select the Import option from the File menu or click the Import button on the tool bar. A file open dialog appears. Then go to the directory where the graphics file is located, select the file and click OK.
SignalTrack User's Guide After you have entered both points the map is now calibrated. As a test of the calibration you may move the mouse to other known locations and read the position from the tool bar. If there is a discrepancy then you may have made a coordinate entry mistake. To correct the mistake simple clear the fixed points and start over. SAVING THE MAP FILE Use the Save Map As option in the File menu to open a dialog where you can save the map image with coordinates to file.
USING THE ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING ENGINE This section provides instruction on how to use ESRI maps in SignalTrack.
17 INSTALLING AND LICENSING THE ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING ENGINE Prior to using the ArcGIS Mapping Engine, you must obtain a license to use the engine on your computer. This license may be obtained from Doppler Systems LLC (www.dopsys.com (http://www.dopsys.com)) or it can be obtained directly from ESRI (www.esri.com http://www.esri.com). We do not recommend installing the Mapping Engine until you acquire the license.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 2: Dialog Used to Register Your ArcGIS Engine License and Obtain a License File Select the first option and the following screen will be displayed 18
Maps 19
SignalTrack User's Guide Select the option you would like to use and then press the Next button. After pressing the Next button follow the instructions for the option you've selected. Installing the License File After obtaining the license file you must then install it into the ArcGIS mapping software. To install it go to the Start menu and select ArcGIS->Software Authorization to display the following dialog: Select the third option and press Next.
Maps Press Browse and navigate to the license file and press Figure 3: Authorizing a File Obtained by e-mail Next.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 4: Authorization Complete Will Display Dialog Above The Authorization Complete dialog signifies the license was properly installed and now the ArcGIS Mapping Engine can be used in SignalTrack.
23 ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING DISPLAY The figure below shows the ESRI mapping tool installed in SignalTrack. The tool consists of a display pane and a tool bar containing a number of tools that can be used to open, save, build, and manipulate the maps.
SignalTrack User's Guide MAPPING TOOL BAR The graphic below illustrates the mapping tool bar. The Open Map tool displays a standard open file dialog that displays Figure 6: Mapping Tool Bar ESRI mapping files that can be opened into the display.
Maps BUILDING MAP FILES SignalTrack uses ESRI map files (*.mxd) as the base map. Data to make the map files is available from a variety of sources and SignalTrack can use this data to build ESRI map files. ESRI maps are built in layers. Each layer of the map is built from standard map data files that use one of the following formats: Shapefile data (*.shp) Geodatabase data (feature classes, geometric networks, topologies, network datasets). Raster data (Imagine Image (.img), Bitmap (.bmp), JPEG (.
SignalTrack User's Guide Use this dialog to select the data you want to use to build the Figure 7: Select the type of Data to Add layers of your map. Select the type of data you wish to add from the left window and then select the data in the main window. After you have built up the layers press the Save Map button on the mapping tool bar. MANIPULATING LAYERS Once you've loaded a map, individual layers can be disabled and enabled.
27 GOOGLE EARTH SignalTrack can use Google Earth directly as a mapping display. To use Google Earth it is necessary to first make a bitmap based map using MapFix (see "Creating Maps Using MapFix" on page 9) as described previously or to use an ESRI map file. Note if you use an ESRI map file your computer will require 4 gigabytes of RAM or you may try setting the RAM cache for Google Earth to a smaller number. In general we do not recommend using ESRI maps when using Google Earth.
SignalTrack User's Guide MANIPULATING THE GOOGLE EARTH DISPLAY When using Google Earth as a display, none of the functions that require mouse clicks or keyboard entry are enabled on the display. To perform functions such as adding or moving sites, enabling or disabling sites, etc you must go back to a bit map based map or an ESRI based map.
Maps Once the Google Earth display is shown all the normal Figure 10: Display When SignalTrack is Running display manipulation that is possible with Google Earth (zoom, pan, tilt, rotate, etc) can be done.
SignalTrack User's Guide TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST FROM GOOGLE EARTH There are a few options that will enhance your use of Google Earth as a display for SignalTrack. In the Google Earth View menu make sure the Side Bar item is checked. This will display the layers and places windows as shown below. In the Layers window you can select which layers you would like to have visible. In general, Roads, Borders and Labels, and in some instances Terrain provide adequate information.
Maps Figure 13: Use the 3D View Tab to Set the Label Size to Small Selecting the Cache tab will display the dialog shown below. The cache memory sizes can be selected to enhance the performance of Google Earth with SignalTrack. The Memory Cache size is automatically selected by Google Earth based on size of the computer's RAM. If you wish to use ESRI maps with Google Earth it may be necessary to reduce the Memory Cache size. Some experimentation may be required to arrive at an optimum setting.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 14: The Cache Memory Can be Set to Enhance the Performance of Google Earth When quitting Google Earth it will ask you if you want to save the temporary places that were created by SignalTrack. Always answer No.
Chapter 4 USING SIGNALTRACK In this chapter you will learn how to setup and operate SignalTrack IN THIS CHAPTER Setting Up SignalTrack ........................................................................................ 35 Running SignalTrack.............................................................................................
35 SETTING UP SIGNALTRACK SignalTrack can be used to control and monitor a single direction finder or any number of fixed and mobile sites.
SignalTrack User's Guide USING AN AOR AR5001D SignalTrack will work with an AOR5001D; however, some addional configuration of the receiver and the direction finder is required. The receiver baud rate must be changed to 9600 baud and the communications port on the direction finder must be changed to 9600 baud. AOR5001D Press the FUNC key followed by the MHz key Use the Down button to scroll down to BPS Turn the knob on the lower right of the receiver until the rate reads 9600 Press the MHz button.
Using SignalTrack Figure 15: Use New Mission Dialog to Select the Type of Site You Want 37
SignalTrack User's Guide NETWORK CONTROL OR FIXED SITE After pressing Blank Fixed Site Mission, the following dialog will appear Figure 16: Press Load Maps and Select All the Maps You Will Be Using Press the Load Map Files button and load using the standard file dialog select the maps you are going to use. You can always add or delete maps or change the map menu at a later time using the Map Menu Builder.
Using SignalTrack Figure 17: Enter any Frequently Used Frequencies Enter the frequency and name of all channels that you may frequently monitor and press Finish. It is not necessary to enter any channels at this time. Channels can always be added later using the Channels menu. After you press finish a Save As dialog will be displayed. Type in a name for the mission and press Save.
SignalTrack User's Guide MOBILE SITE After pressing Blank Mobile Mission the following dialog will appear Figure 18: Select the Serial Port that is Connected to the Direction Finder Select the serial port that the direction finder is connected to and press Next. The following dialog will appear.
Using SignalTrack Figure 19: Select the Receiver You Are Using Select the receiver you are using and if you are using an ICOM 8500 select the CIV address of the receiver. (4A Hex is the factory default CIV address.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 20: Press Load Maps and Select All the Maps You Will Be Using Press the Load Map Files button and load using the standard file dialog select the maps you are going to use. You can always add or delete maps or change the map menu at a later time using the Map Menu Builder. However, it will be helpful to at least load one map that will display your current location. After you loaded the maps, press Next and the following dialog will appear.
Using SignalTrack MAPS The first step in setting up SignalTrack is to decide what maps and/or map data are needed to cover the desired area. If the area you are covering is large, then you may want to use more detailed maps of smaller areas within the larger map or use the ESRI ArcGIS Mapping Engine. To select the maps to use choose Map Menu Builder... from the Maps menu. The dialog shown below will be displayed. This dialog allows you to build a map menu that contains categories and maps.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 23: Populated Map Menu Builder Dialog If the ArcGIS mapping engine is installed and licensed, maps may be added to the map menu by selecting Open ESRI Map or New ESRI Map from the File menu.
Using SignalTrack FIXED SITES Fixed sites may be connected to SignalTrack via a serial port, a telephone modem, or an intranet or Internet connection. For information on the equipment and connections required at each individual site see Networking Direction Finders. SignalTrack requires information about the sites to collect data and display the bearing data. To enter this information select Site Editor... from the Setup menu. The following dialog box will be displayed.
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Using SignalTrack Figure 26: Site Editor for Telephone Modem Connected Site Enter the data for each site as follows Site location can be entered by manually entering the latitude and longitude of the location or by moving the mouse from the Site Editor dialog and clicking on the location on the map. The location can always be moved by left clicking on the site and dragging it a new location Use the drop down list to select the receiver you will be using at the site.
SignalTrack User's Guide T to indicate tone dialing is to be used , to force a pause (usually used after an access number) * tone dialing only # tone dialing A-D special characters ( separates numbers ) separates numbers - separates numbers For Ethernet connections, enter the IP address and the port to be used for the connection or select the URL radio button and type in the URL of the site.
Using SignalTrack CHANNELS In SignalTrack frequently monitored frequencies can be defined to allow the operator to easily tune the network to a desired frequency. These frequencies are displayed under the Channels menu. Channels can be added to the menu by selecting Edit Channels... or Load Channel Group... Selecting Edit Channels...
SignalTrack User's Guide Click Ok and the list of enabled Channels will appear in the menu. To remove a Channel from the menu select Edit Channels... and either uncheck the Enabled box or select the Channel name and press Delete. SignalTrack can store and retrieve Channel data in comma separated variable (.csv) files. To store the Channels currently displayed in the Channels menu, select Save Channel Group... A standard Save file dialog will appear the file can be saved anywhere on the hard drive.
Using SignalTrack SCANNING SAVED CHANNELS When using SignalTrack at a fixed site or at a Network Control Site, it can be programmed to perform simple channel scanning. To enable scanning select Options from the Setup menu and press the Scan tab. Check the Time to monitor channel during scan check box and then select the type of scan you wish to use. Two types of scanning are available. The first option is to set a time to dwell on a channel while a bearing is being displayed (see timing diagrams below).
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 31: Scan Lingers on Channel after Signal Disappears 52
Using SignalTrack SETTING UP RECEIVER MEMORY If you are using an AOR5000 or an ICOM R8500 receiver, you can use the receiver to scan a number of frequencies and direction find on a signal found by the receiver. Both receivers have a number of memory locations organized in banks. The ICOM receiver has 20 banks with 40 channels each, the AOR receiver has 10 banks with 100 channels per bank. To set up a receiver for scanning from SignalTrack you must first select a control site.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 33: Read or Program the Receiver Memory Banks Using this Dialog If you want to program the memories manually select the memory bank you want to program from the Memory Bank dropdown list and then click the Upload from RX button. SignalTrack will then upload the frequencies from the receiver and you can then modify them. Once you've made the modifications press the Download to RX button to program the selected memory bank.
Using SignalTrack MOBILE OPTIONS The general mobile options dialog is shown in the Figure below. - COM port. Select the serial port you have connected the direction finder to. - Receiver. If the ICOM Receiver box is checked AutoTrack tries to communicate with the receiver using CIV. The CIV address of the receiver must match the value in RX Addr drop down combo box.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 34: Options for Mobile Site NETWORKING MOBILES Networking mobile direction finders to the Network Control Site requires either an Ethernet connection and cellular modems in each mobile or a radio modem connected to one of the computer's serial ports and each mobile has a DDF6002 based direction finder system and a radio modem.
Using SignalTrack USING A RADIO MODEM The radio modem at the Network Control Site and the mobiles must be tuned to the same frequency. SignalTrack acts as the master controller to transmit data from SignalTrack to the mobiles and to coordinate the response from the mobiles so that no two mobiles transmit at the same time. The networking section contains further details on networking mobile sites. To enable SignalTrack at the Network Control site to manage these connections, first select Options...
SignalTrack User's Guide USING A CELLULAR MODEM To use a cellular modem simply set up the Remote monitoring in the same fashion as you would to monitor a site using the Ethernet. CALIBRATING THE COMPASS Prior to using SignalTrack in a mobile site it is recommended that you calibrate the compass. After you mount the roof pod to your vehicle it is important to calibrate the compass to the magnetic environment of your vehicle.
Using SignalTrack TELEPHONE MODEM Select Options from the Setup menu and click on the Remotes tab. The dialog shown below will be displayed. For each site that has a telephone modem or leased line modem select the Enable check box and select the COM port that the modem is connected to. The SignalTrack application supplying (see "Providing Data to Another Site Running SignalTrack" on page 62) data will originate the modem connection.
SignalTrack User's Guide TCP/IP OR UDP/IP(ETHERNET) Select Options from the Setup menu and click on the Remotes tab. The dialog shown below will be displayed. Click the Enable TCP/IP check box and enter the port that you would like to use for the connection. SignalTrack provides a server connection allowing the other SignalTrack application supplying (see "Providing Data to Another Site Running SignalTrack" on page 62) the data to initiate the connection.
Using SignalTrack PROVIDING DATA TO DF NETWORK MONITOR DF Network Monitor is a utility program provided by Doppler Systems, LLC that enables a central location to monitor multiple networks. Each network consists of one or more Doppler Systems direction finders that are control by a computer running SignalTrack. To enable DF Network Monitor to connect with SignalTrack, select Options from the Setup menu and select the Remotes tab. The dialog shown below will be displayed.
SignalTrack User's Guide PROVIDING DATA TO ANOTHER SITE RUNNING SIGNALTRACK SignalTrack can be configured to supply data to another site that is running SignalTrack. A fixed site may provide data via a telephone modem, an Ethernet connection, or a radio modem. A mobile site supplies data using a radio modem. When it is in this mode it is referred to as a slave since the application it is connected to controls the frequency of the sites.
Using SignalTrack If you are using a cellular modem select UDP/IP and enter the IP address or the URL and the port number of the site you want to send the data to. RECORDING A LOG FILES SignalTrack can record the data that it receives into text files. To enable the recording of log files, select Options... from the Setup menu and press the Log tab. Figure 40: Enable Logging to Create Text Based Log Files Click the Enabled checkbox and then select the folder you want to save the playback files in.
SignalTrack User's Guide RECORDING PLAYBACK FILE SignalTrack can record the data that it receives so that it can be played back. To enable the recording of the playback files, select Options... from the Setup menu and press the Playback tab. Figure 41: Enable Playback To Record Files to Be Played Back Later Click the Enabled checkbox and then select the folder you want to save the playback files in.
Using SignalTrack When the run button is pressed, SignalTrack will play the audio being received from one of the sites. You can use the Audio Monitoring dialog to select which site to listen to and to set audio monitoring options. To display the Audio Monitoring dialog select View->Audio Monitoring to display the dialog shown below. To change the site you are monitoring select the site name from the Figure 42: Audio Monitoring Dialog Site dropdown list.
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Using SignalTrack TIMING OPTIONS Use the Times tab in the Options dialog to set the program timing. Figure 44: Adjust the Response Times if You are Getting Frequent Timeout Messages The Polling Time sets the time used to Poll direction finders that are connected to a Doppler Systems Serial Expander. This is included for legacy systems but is not recommended for new installations. The Time to wait for a DF Response sets the time the program will wait for the direction finder to respond to a command.
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Using SignalTrack ENCRYPTION The messages sent between SignalTrack and any direction finding site with a computer can be encrypted if desired. Encryption is enabled and disabled by use of the Encryption tab in the Options menu. The default condition is encryption off. To enable encryption select Options from the Setup menu and click on the Encryption tab. The following dialog will be displayed Figure 45: Enable Encryption by Entering the Password Enabling or disabling encryption requires a password.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 46: Enabled Encryption Options Dialog 70
Using SignalTrack ALERT SOUNDS If a fixed site is no longer responding, SignalTrack will alert the user by displaying the dialog box shown below. Figure 47: SignalTrack Displays the Dialog if a Site is not Responding If you press no, the site will be displayed as a cross hatched square. After this happens, the operator can be further alerted that the site is down by means of an optional alert sound. To enable an alert sound select Options from the Setup menu and press the Alert Sound tab.
SignalTrack User's Guide ADMINISTRATOR In some cases when SignalTrack is configured as a network control site, you may want to inhibit an operator from making changes to the setup of SignalTrack. You can do this by setting up an administrative password. Select Options from the Setup menu and press the Administrator tab. Check the Enable Administrator check box. When you check it you will be prompted to enter a password.
73 RUNNING SIGNALTRACK SignalTrack is now ready to collect data from the sites that are connected to it and display this data on the map.
SignalTrack User's Guide TRACKING AN RF SOURCE NETWORK CONTROL SITE Once SignalTrack is configured, use the mouse to press the Run button . If radio modem networked sites (fixed or mobile) are on the network, the SignalTrack at the Network Control Site will begin sending poll messages to them. When each site receives a poll it registers itself with SignalTrack. Once registered SignalTrack begins collecting data from these sites.
Using SignalTrack Figure 50: Display of a Target Location When SignalTrack is receiving a bearing from a fixed site the measured bearing and the receiver S meter reading will be displayed in the Bearing and S-meter display bar near the bottom of the display. Mobile sites when registered appear as triangles with the head of the triangle pointing in the direction the mobile is heading and with a small red or gray dot in the middle.
SignalTrack User's Guide Figure 51: Screen Shot of Two Fixed Sites and Two Mobiles MOBILE SITE 76
Using SignalTrack When using SignalTrack in a mobile installation, the current location will be shown as a triangle with the point of the triangle oriented in the direction the mobile is heading. To track a signal press the Run button . After pressing the Run button, set the frequency by selecting the channel you wish to monitor from the Channel menu, using the frequency display in the tool bar, or using the Receiver Control dialog.
SignalTrack User's Guide TUNING THE RECEIVER There are three ways to tune the receiver while operating SignalTrack: using the Channel Selector drop down menu in the toolbar (see figure below), changing the toolbar Frequency Selector (see figure below), and using the receiver dialog. If you have entered channels (see "Channels" on page 49) in the Channel menu simply choose the channel from the Channel Selector drop down menu (as shown below) and the network will be set to the channel frequency.
Using SignalTrack Type the frequency into the frequency display and press Enter or Tab, Press the up or down arrow button next to the MEM button to move the previous or next channel in the saved channels, or Press the MEM button and select the channel you would like to use The TS button and the arrows to the left of it may be used to set the tuning step or the Tuning Step drop down button in the tool bar can be used for the same purpose.
SignalTrack User's Guide CALIBRATING TO A BEACON A beacon is a site at a known location on a known frequency. Signal track can automatically calibrate the direction finders to a beacon site. When selecting a beacon to calibrate to make sure you have a strong signal and an unobstructed line-of-site to the beacon. Also, make sure you are in a location that is relatively free of reflection paths. ENTERING A BEACON SITE To enter a beacon site place your mouse at the location where you want to place the beacon.
Using SignalTrack MANIPULATING THE DISPLAY Features of the display can be altered via the View menu and by change the Display options in the Setup->Options dialog. The figure below shows the View Menu. Figure 55: View Menu BEARING LINES, ESTIMATED POSITIONS, ESTIMATE ELLIPSE, AVERAGE ESTIMATED POSITION If the Show Bearing Lines item is checked SignalTrack draws a line of bearing from each site location towards the target emitter. Uncheck this menu item to disable the drawing of bearing lines.
SignalTrack User's Guide Use the Display tab in the Options dialog to set up some of the display parameters. Figure 56: Options for Displaying Data ADDING MGRS COORDINATE DISPLAY Click the Show MGRS checkbox to display MGRS coordinates. ENABLING GOOGLEEARTH AS A DISPLAY Click the Enable Google Earth checkbox to display enable the use of Google Earth as a data display option.
Using SignalTrack HOLD LAST MEASURED BEARINGS SignalTrack can process and display the measured bearings in two different ways. If the Hold Last Measured Bearings for item is unchecked SignalTrack will base its estimated positions and display bearings in a time synchronized fashion. This means that the position estimate is calculated using bearings that were all measured over a given 0.5 second time interval and similarly the bearing lines shown are for the identical 0.5 second interval.
SignalTrack User's Guide Each time the Insert key is depressed a new active site is created and the color of the site changes. Select the sequence of colors using the dropdown comboboxes in the dialog. You can also change the size of the displayed site. Also, the colors for the fixed site and beacon can be changed. VIRTUAL SITE Virtual sites are sites that can be added to the map and the position estimate manually.
Using SignalTrack TEXT MESSAGING Figure 59: Text Messaging Windows SignalTrack can send and receive text messages from any remote or mobile site. When a remote or mobile site registers with SignalTrack a menu item, Text Message, appears in the menu bar. Select the name of the remote site or Mobiles from the menu to display the text messaging window. All mobiles have one text messaging window and each remote will have a text messaging window.
SignalTrack User's Guide MOBILE BEARING DISPLAY In many cases it is convenient to see the direction finder bearing reading (i.e. the bearing relative to vehicle). This is particularly useful when getting close to the signal source and also can be used to determine the direction to drive when heading to the source.
Using SignalTrack MISSION DATA A mission is defined as configuration of SignalTrack at a given time. This includes the maps in the map menu, the channels, the sites, and all the options in the set in the Options dialog. When launched SignalTrack will load the last used mission parameters. However, you can also save the mission parameters and retrieve them at a later time. This feature allows the same version of SignalTrack to be used on a number of different direction finder networks if desired.
SignalTrack User's Guide VIEWING LOG FILES When logging has been enabled (see "Recording a Log Files" on page 63) the LogViewer (on page 3) application can be used to view the log file. Select View Log File.. from the File menu. If you are running and have collected data the latest data collected will be displayed. Data will be pulled from the existing log file without disrupting the recording of data and a snapshot of the data will be shown.
Troubleshooting SCREEN CAPTURE A jpeg or gif image of the screen may be captured by selecting Save Screen... from the File menu. RUNNING SIGNALTRACK FROM THE COMMAND LINE SignalTrack can be run from the command line and immediately switched into the run mode if desired. The command line format is as follows: C:\Program Files\Doppler Systems\SignalTrack\SignalTrack.exe [/R] ["mission file path"] The /R and mission file path are optional.
SignalTrack User's Guide DISPLAYING SITE DATA SignalTrack can collect site data using a number of different communications channels. Both TCP/IP and serial port data can be collected. For debugging purposes it is sometimes helpful to view the raw data coming in on these channels. To do this select Display Data... from the View menu. This launches the Data Display application. Use the drop down list in the tool bar to select the channel you would like to monitor.
Troubleshooting VERIFYING COMMUNICATION CONNECTIONS Using the drop down menu you should see a list of all the communications channels you are currently using. If one is missing then that channel has not been opened. If it is a serial port channel make sure there are no duplicate COM ports selected and verify the cable connections to your serial port and direction finder or modem.
SignalTrack User's Guide VERIFYING MOBILE COMPONENT COMMUNICATIONS When using SignalTrack in a mobile site a four indicator display is shown on the tool bar as shown below Figure 64: Mobile Toolbar The indicator in the upper left indicator flashes when a bearing message is received from the direction finder, the lower left indicator flashes when a message is received from the receiver, the upper right indicator flashes when a GPS message is received, and the lower right indicator flashes when a message is
Troubleshooting DISPLAYING INCOMING DATA FROM A MOBILE DIRECTION FINDER In the View menu select Display Incoming Data. The following dialog will be displayed Figure 65: Use This Dialog to Verify the Compass and GPS are Working If the GPS receiver is working and has converged you should longitudes and latitudes displayed. If you are moving you should see a GPS heading that is consistent with your direction of travel and a speed in km/hr that is consistent with your speed of travel.
Chapter 5 ERROR MESSAGES When operating SignalTrack you may encounter some error messages. This chapter lists these error messages, explains their meaning, and offers advice on what may be required to eliminate the error. RECEIVER NOT RESPONDING Error Message: Receiver at Site 1 did not respond to the last Set Frequency command. Would you like to resend the command? This message occurs if the receiver has not responded to a change in frequency from the software.
SignalTrack User's Guide This error message will be displayed if the Ethernet device will not allow a connection to take place. Use the Site Setup (see "Fixed Sites" on page 45) dialog check your IP address and port number settings. If these settings are correct your Ethernet device may be in use by another program or has held a connection. If using a DigiOne device, use the Web browser interface to terminate the connection. See the DigiOne manual for details.
Chapter 5 Error Messages This message occurs if the originating modem is not responding. Check the wiring to the modem. Make sure the modem is connected to the proper serial port. Error Message: Receiving modem at Site 1 did not answer. This message occurs if the answering modem at the site did not answer. Error Message: An error occurred while trying to connect to Site 1. General modem error. Check connections to the modem on both ends of the connection Error Message: No dial tone detected on Site 1 modem.
SignalTrack User's Guide Calibration Time out SignalTrack was unable to get a bearing from the Beacon or it was unable to get a heading from the compass or the GPS. If you are not using a compass start the calibration again and move the vehicle forward several meters. FILE ERRORS Error Message: Unable to open or create log file. The directory you are using for the log files may have been accidently deleted.
Chapter 5 Error Messages The LogViewer application may have been deleted or corrupted. Reinstall the SignalTrack application. Error Message: Mobile 1 has not responded for 600 seconds. Would you like to remove this site? The radio modem in the mobile is probably out of range or has been disabled. Removing the site will simply remove it from the display. If the mobile comes back into range it will reregister on the network and it will function normally.
Chapter 6 UTILITIES SignalTrack ships with WinRDF Command and AutoDFTest utilities. This chapter describes how to use these utilities. IN THIS CHAPTER WinRDFCommand ............................................................................................ 103 AutoDFTest.........................................................................................................
WINRDFCOMMAND WinRDFCommand allows you to change the settings of a DDF6001 direction finder. INTRODUCTION WinRDF Command is designed to provide a simple computer interface to a Doppler Systems DDF6001 direction finder. WinRDF Command can be used to send any of the commands supported by the direction finder (see the DDF 6000 manual) via an RS232 connection with the direction finder. It supports both ASCII and CIV command formats. Additionally, WinRDF Command can send CIV commands to ICOM receivers.
SignalTrack User's Guide GETTING STARTED WinRDF Command is furnished as a part of the SignalTrack software suite and should have been installed with your SignalTrack software. To use WinRDF Command you must make a connection to the Direction Finder. If the DF is connected via a serial port first connect a serial cable between your computer's COM port and one of the serial connectors on the DDF6000. If connecting to J2 make sure you use a null modem cable.
Chapter 6 Utilities To connect to the direction finder via COM port, select the port you've connected the direction finder to the computer. To connect via Ethernet, select TCP/IP and enter the IP address and IP port of the network device that the direction finder is connected to. Next select the type of protocol and the direction finder and receiver CIV addresses. Press OK and the program will indicate if a connection has been made.
SignalTrack User's Guide DIRECTION FINDER SETTINGS Once the connection is made, the following dialog is displayed Figure 67: Direction Finder Dialog All the settings for the direction finder are explained in the DDF 6001 manual. In most cases, except for the DF address, the default settings should be used. If the DDF6001 will be used on a direction finding network, then each direction finder on the network is required to have a unique CIV address.
Chapter 6 Utilities RECEIVER WinRDF Command is designed to provide limited control of an ICOM R8500 or ICOM R7000 receiver. The dialog below illustrates the commands available Figure 68: Receiver Dialog Refer to the receiver manual for an explanation of the receiver commands.
AUTODFTEST AutoDFTest allows you to change the settings of a DDF6002 direction finder. INTRODUCTION AutoDFTest is a utility program that allows the user to change the internal settings of a DDF6002 direction finder. All of the settings are fully explained in Chapter 6 of the direction finder manual. Below the basic operation of the program will be explained.
SignalTrack User's Guide DIRECTION FINDER SETTINGS The following screen is displayed when a serial port connection is made For specific guidance on all the commands and what they do, please consult Chapter 6 of the manual.
Chapter 6 Utilities RECEIVER CONTROL AutoDFTest offers some limited receiver control for ICOM and AOR receivers. The dialog below shows the receiver screen Figure 70: ICOM 8500 Receiver Screen In addition to the receiver control the GPS and compass data are displayed. If you do not see the GPS data it could be that the GPS has not converged on the satellites. Look at the received screen and look at the contents of the GPGGA and GPVTG messages.
INDEX A ACCEPTING DATA FROM ANOTHER SITE RUNNING SIGNALTRACK • 64, 96 ACCEPTING DATA FROM ANOTHER SITE RUNNING SIGNALTRACK • 58 ADMINISTRATOR • 72 ALERT SOUNDS • 71 AUTODFTEST • 36 AUTODFTEST • 3, 109 ENTER CALIBRATION POINTS • 13 ERROR MESSAGES • 95 ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING DISPLAY • 23 ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING ENGINE • 3 F FIXED SITES • 39, 62, 64, 91, 95, 96, 97 FIXED SITES • 45 G BUILDING MAP FILES • 25 GETTING STARTED • 104 GOOGLE EARTH • 27 GRAPHICS FILE FORMATS • 11 C I CALIBRATING THE COMPASS • 80 CAL
SignalTrack User's Guide NETWORKING MOBILES • 56 TYPOGRAPHICAL CONVENTIONS • 2 O U OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMS • 2 USING A CELLULAR MODEM • 58 USING A RADIO MODEM • 57 USING AN AOR AR5001D • 36 USING GOOGLE EARTH • 12 USING MAPFIX • 13 USING MICROSOFT MAPPOINT • 11 USING MICROSOFT MAPPOINT • 12 USING SIGNALTRACK • 33 USING THE ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING ENGINE • 43 USING THE ESRI ARCGIS MAPPING ENGINE • 15 USING THIS MANUAL • 2 UTILITIES • 101 P PRINTING • 88 PROVIDING DATA TO ANOTHER SITE RUNNING SIGNALTRACK •
