We use Splat! to generate raster maps of our coverage. With the new Splat! HD version, and the SRTM1 data, you can produce 30m accurate plots. We then use perl bindings for the GDAL/OGR libraries to convert them into GeoTIFFs (geo-located raster files). The magic trick is that the library has a "polygonize" function that converts the raster data set into a vector which can be output into the shapefile format.
Once scripted, the process isn't too time consuming from an operator standpoint, but takes ~8 hours to complete for our entire network at the 30m resolution on a relatively fast machine. The input for the script is a set containing antenna location, bearing, beamwidth, polarity, and the acceptable RSL. Brian, I know you're a GIS ninja, but I'd be happy to share info on the process if you think it would be helpful. Regards, -Kristian On Mon, 2010-10-11 at 11:10 -0400, Brian Webster wrote: > The problem with the Radio Mobile plots is that they are just image > overlays. Shape files are referred to as vector files similar to what > Autocad files are. What that means is that the file is a series of > instructions of points and instruction on how to connect them to > create lines which render at the proper scale and proportion at > whatever zoom level the map is rendered. You can equate this to a > picture that becomes pixilated when you zoom in too far. > > > > To answer your question, I know of no free tools to do what you > mention (although they may exist but I don’t use them because I have > tools for the job already). The process would be to take your image in > to some sort of mapping program and calibrate the image so that the > software knows the latitude and longitude of any pixel in the image > area. You would then have to do some process which would create an > outline of the coverage area to develop a polygon line system. This > polygon is not a line but a series of instructions using points and > commands on how to draw the line at any given zoom level. > > > > I do these things in my GIS software and it is a tedious process. > > > > One could always hand trace the coverage area using Google Earth. Many > did this for the original map. > > > > > > Brian > > > > > From:Randy Cosby [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 10:55 AM > To: [email protected]; WISPA General List > Subject: Re: [WISPA] Time to update the National WISP Map? > > > > > Brian, > > Any tips on turning radiomobile coverage overlays into shape files? > I've been playing with some open source tools and have made a little > progress, but haven't had time to refine the technique yet. I think > if ISPs could produce shape files more easily, the response would be > much greater. For our state program (Utah), we gave them gps coords > for each subscriber, which they used to extrapolate approximate area. > I know they also accepted radiomobile graphic overlays and converted > them for some ISP's. Of course they have millions of dollars to spend > on such projects... I was disappointed with how few did submit this > round. > > Randy > > On 10/11/2010 8:04 AM, Brian Webster wrote: > > I have been thinking that I should do another update to the WISP > National Map. I would really love to improve the quality of the > coverage area this time. The thought is to have each WISP who > participated in their respective state broadband mapping initiative > request a copy of the shape file for their network. If everyone sent > that information to me I could use that to create a better nationwide > map. > > > > Thoughts, ideas, complaints? > > > > For those who are not familiar with my previous work on this project > you can visit these links: > > http://www.wirelessmapping.com/National-Coverage-Map-for-Fixed-Wireless-ISP%27s.php > this page describes the project > > http://www.wirelessmapping.com/Google%20Maps3.htm this links to the > live Google Map > > > > > > Brian > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > > > > -- > Randy Cosby | InfoWest, Inc | www.infowest.com > Vice President | 435-674-0165 x 2010 | facebook.com/infowest > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
