PROFILE is a Telecommunications Analysis Services program which plots and lists the terrain profile between user-selected locations within the U.S. and it's protectorates.
The profiles are not plotted on your terminal. Instead, the data you enter is formulated into a data set and "processed" by the computer at the Department of Commerce Boulder Labs. Then the output from the batch program is either FAXed directly to you by the computer or mailed to you via overnight mail.
The profile elevations can be listed to your terminal as one of the output options. As your applications dictate, you can plot the elevation data, compute averages, etc.
Other output options include: 1) calculation of the average terrain height from 2 to 10 miles along selected paths, and 2) plots of microwave link paths for flat, true, 4/3 and 2/3 earth's radius.
You can enter up to 20 locations to be used by the PROFILE program. For convenience, the first location is identified as the reference site and each subsequent location is called a terminal site. Profiles are computed from the reference site to each terminal site.
You specify the latitude and longitude of the reference site and choose one of four options to define the locations of the terminal sites:
The program calculates the coordinates of points along each path and then computes the elevation of each of the path coordinates from a computer-based, 3 arc second resolution digitized topographic data base. The path profile can be specified in metric length units or English length as desired.
The PROFILE program can be used to obtain the terrain and geometry parameters for the RAPIT program in the point-to-point mode. Alternatively, this can be done completely within the RAPIT program by specifying the coordinates of the path's end points while in the point- to-point mode of RAPIT.
Two notes of caution are given when using the PROFILE program. The U.S. has been divided into a grid network where the size of each grid unit is 3 seconds by 3 seconds, which is roughly 90 meters by 90 meters. Terrain data has been interpolated to give the terrain height at each grid intersection point with the resultant heights stored on disk. When the PROFILE program has the coordinates of a particular path, the program extracts the stored heights for the four grid points surrounding each path coordinate and interpolates the path terrain height from the four values. Because of the interpolation process, the resultant computed profile may be smoother than the actual path terrain profile; it also may not reach the peaks of hills or reach the depths of valleys along the path. For most propagation predictions, the computed profile and its parameters will be adequate. However, if the path is a critical line-of-sight path, PROFILE will point out where peaks along the path are likely to occur but will not necessarily show the peaks at their fullest height. For this information you should consult the topographic maps at the points of concern.
A second note of caution deals with the heights of the end points. As an option, the user can supply the heights above mean sea level of the reference site and or the terminal sites. This feature especially is helpful when using PROFILE to obtain parameters for the point-to-point mode of RAPIT. If the user enters a height, it is important that this value be at least as accurate as the data base provided by the USGS and DMA agencies. If not, then the resultant profile will obviously be incorrect at the end points. The problem has been traced back to a difference in elevations for the same location on the many maps (7.5,24,000, 250,000) available.
The following are sample runs of the PROFILE program.
PROFILE Sample #1
Maximum dialog with the user is shown. Plot and listing
are requested from the computer. The plot is to be FAXed to
the user. Sites are specified by latitude-longitude pairs.
PROFILE Sample #2
Minimum dialog with the user is shown. The 2 to 10 mile
average terrain heights are computed and listed.
Sites are specified by giving a fixed distance (greater
than 10 mi) at an incremental bearing surrounding a
reference latitude-longitude location.
PROFILE Sample #3
Minimum dialog with the user is shown. The elevations
along the specified paths are listed to the terminal.
Sites are specified by distance-bearing pairs from a
reference latitude-longitude location.
User Notes:
1 - Typing a :: at any point will abort the current question and
return you to the main menu.
2 - Typing a ? at any point will give you the verbose description
of the current question.
PROFILE Sample #1
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Profile - Version 5.0
Fri 19 Jun 1992 09:15:00
Choose from the menu:
H = Help
D = Program Description
C = Concise Dialog
V = Verbose Dialog
E = Edit Data
S = Summary of Data
P = Process Last Data Set Entered
Q = Quit
Menu (Verbose)?
-----ENTER DATA-----
Job name (up to 18 characters)
1) Job name (Profile Run)? PROFIlE DEMO
Units for distances and heights
K=Kilometers and meters
S=Statute miles and feet
N=Nautical miles and feet
2) Length units (Statute miles and feet)?
Profiles are computed from a reference site(Site 1)
to terminal site(s) which are defined by:
L = Latitude-longitude(lat-lon) pairs
D = Distance-bearing(dst-bgr) pairs
IB = Incremental bearing at a fixed distance
ID = Incremental distance at a fixed bearing
3) Path option (Lat-lon)? L
Surface refractivity
must be between 200 and 450 N-units.
If unknown, enter zero and a value will be selected
from the surface refractivity data base.
4) Refractivity ( 0)?
Enter the total number of sites you
wish to enter, include reference site in
total. You can enter up to 90 sites.
5) Number of sites ( 2)? 3
Reference site latitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 17.00 and 63.00 degrees north)
6) Reference site lat ( 40.2500 deg or 40,15, 0.0 dms)? 40.0719
Reference site longitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 65.00 and 165.00 degrees west)
7) Reference site lon ( 105.2590 deg or 105,15,32.4 dms)? 105.3539
From the terrain data base, the elevation at
reference site (site 1) = 7492.0 feet
Reference site base height above mean sea level(-1640.4 to 16404.2 ft).
If unknown, enter zero and a value will be selected
from the terrain data base.
8) Reference site elevation ( 7492.0 ft)?
Reference site antenna height above ground( 0.0 to 32808.4 ft).
9) Reference site height ( 98.4 ft)? 150
Reference site name (up to 18 characters)
10) Reference site name (Reference Site)? LEE HILL
Site 2 latitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 17.00 and 63.00 degrees north)
6) Site 2 lat ( 40.0719 deg or 40, 4,18.8 dms)? 40.0042
Site 2 longitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 65.00 and 165.00 degrees west)
7) Site 2 lon ( 105.3539 deg or 105,21,14.0 dms)? 105.1750
From the terrain data base, the elevation at site 2 = 5309.6 feet
Site 2 base height above mean sea level(-1640.4 to 16404.2 ft).
If unknown, enter zero and a value will be selected
from the terrain data base.
8) Site 2 elevation ( 5309.6 ft)?
Site 2 antenna height above ground( 0.0 to 32808.4 ft).
9) Site 2 height ( 150.0 ft)? 6
Site 2 name (up to 18 characters)
10) Site 2 name (Site # 2)? RECEIVER
Site 3 latitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 17.00 and 63.00 degrees north)
6) Site 3 lat ( 40.0042 deg or 40, 0,15.1 dms)? 39.7331
Site 3 longitude,
enter as decimal deg(X,Y) or deg,min,sec
(must be between 65.00 and 165.00 degrees west)
7) Site 3 lon ( 105.1750 deg or 105,10,30.0 dms)? 105.2361
From the terrain data base, the elevation at site 3 = 7084.0 feet
Site 3 base height above mean sea level(-1640.4 to 16404.2 ft).
If unknown, enter zero and a value will be selected
from the terrain data base.
8) Site 3 elevation ( 7084.0 ft)?
Site 3 antenna height above ground( 0.0 to 32808.4 ft).
9) Site 3 height ( 6.0 ft)? 200
Site 3 name (up to 18 characters)
10) Site 3 name (Site # 3)? LOOKOUT MT.
Distance increment ( .062 to 310.686 mi)
11) Distance increment ( .100 mi)?
Output options are:
L is to list elevation data to your terminal
P is to plot and list remotely and send
B is to both list to your terminal and send
A is to print the 2 to 10 mile average to your terminal
M is to plot 4 microwave link conditions:
flat, true, 4/3 and 2/3 earth's radius
18) Output option( P )?
Input your name and mailing address.
Do you need instructions (Y or N)?
Enter name and address, one line at a time.
? MR. JOHN JONES
? 325 BROADWAY
? BOULDER CO 80305
? PH (303) 497-5301
?
1)MR. JOHN JONES
2)325 BROADWAY
3)BOULDER CO 80305
4)PH (303) 497-5301
Name and address correct (Y or N)? Y
Delivery of output results option.
Selection Required Input to produce plot
M= Mail only Resulting plot will be mailed
to the address specified.
(Higher quality/more costly)
F= FAX only Resulting plot will be FAXed
to the fax number specified.
(Lowest cost)
B= Both Mail and FAX Resulting plot will be both
Mailed and FAXed to you.
5) (Mail results only) ? f
Our data base currently lists the following fax numbers
for your account. Please choose one of the fax numbers or options
1) XXX-XXX-XXXX
2) YYY-YYY-YYYY
n Add a new number
d Delete an old number
t Temporary number - this run only
n
Please enter your FAX number.
(example: 303-497-3602)
303-497-3680
The FAX phone number you entered was;
303-497-3680
Is this correct?
y
Our data base currently lists the following fax numbers
for your account. Please choice one of the fax numbers or options
1) XXX-XXX-XXXX
2) YYY-YYY-YYYY
3) 303-497-3680
n Add a new number
d Delete an old number
t Temporary number - this run only
3
DATA INPUT/EDIT COMPLETE
Do you want a summary of the input data (Y or N)? Y
PROFILE INPUT DATA SUMMARY
Date: Fri 19 Jun 1992
Time: 09:21:29
1) Job name: PROFILE DEMO
2) Length input units: Statute miles/feet
3) Coordinate input option: Latitude/Longitude
4) System refractivity: 0 n-units
5) Number of sites: 3
6) Reference site latitude: 40.0719 deg 40, 4,19 dms
7) Reference site longitude: 105.353deg 105,21,14 dms
8) Reference site elevation: 7491.99 ft
9) Reference site antenna height: 150.00 ft
10) Reference site name: LEE HILL
6) 7) 8) 9) 10)
Site Latitude Longitude Elevation Ant ht
Number (deg) (dms) (deg) (dms) (ft) (ft) Name
2 40.00 40, 0,15 105.17 105,10,30 5309.55 6.00 RECEIVER
3 39.73 39,43,59 105.23 105,14,10 7084.04 200.00 LOOKOUT MT
11) Distance increment: .10 mi
18) Output option: FAX only
Fax number: 303-497-3680
Do you want to process this data (Y or N)? Y
DATA PROCESSED
Menu (Edit)? Q
THE DATA THAT YOU ENTERED HAS NOW BEEN
SUBMITTED AND WILL BE MAILED OR FAXED AS REQUESTED.
END PROFILE
PROFILE Sample #2
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Profile - Version 5.0
Fri 19 Jun 1992 09:22:50
Choose from the menu:
H = Help
D = Program Description
C = Concise Dialog
V = Verbose Dialog
E = Edit Data
S = Summary of Data
P = Process Last Data Set Entered
Q = Quit
Menu (Verbose)? C
------ENTER DATA------
1) Job name (Profile Run)? TEST
2) Length units (Statute miles and feet)?
3) Path option (Lat-lon)? IB
4) Refractivity ( 0)?
6) Reference site lat ( 40.2500 deg or 40,15, 0.0 dms)? 36,30,36
7) Reference site lon ( 105.2590 deg or 105,15,32.4 dms)? 83,55,57
From the terrain data base, the elevation at
reference site (site 1) = 1068.5 feet
8) Reference site elevation ( 1068.5 ft)?
9) Reference site height ( 98.4 ft)? 120
10) Reference site name (Reference Site)? KNOXVILLE
11) Minimum bearing ( 0.0 deg)?
12) Maximum bearing ( 315.0 deg)?
13) Bearing increment ( 45.0 deg)?
14) Distance ( 10.000 mi)?
15) Distance increment ( .100 mi)?
16) Terminal site height ( 120.0 ft)? 6
18) Output option( P )? A
DATA INPUT/EDIT COMPLETE
Do you want a summary of the input data (Y or N)? Y
PROFILE INPUT DATA SUMMARY
Date: Fri 19 Jun 1992
Time: 09:25:14
1) Job name: TEST
2) Length input units: Statute miles/feet
3) Coordinate input option: Incremental bearing
4) System refractivity: 0 n-units
5) Number of sites: 9
6) Reference site latitude: 36.010 deg 36, 0,36 dms
7) Reference site longitude: 83.932 deg 83,55,57 dms
8) Reference site elevation: 1068.54 ft
9) Reference site antenna height: 120.00 ft
10) Reference site name: KNOXVILLE
11) Initial bearing: 0.000 deg 0, 0, 0 dms
12) Final bearing: 315.000 deg 315,0, 0 dms
13) Bearing increment: 45.000 deg 45, 0, 0 dms
14) Fixed distance: 10.00 mi
15) Distance increment: .10 mi
16) Terminal site antenna height: 6.00 ft
18) Output option: Print 2-10 mile average
Do you want to process this data (Y or N)? Y
PROFILE
Heights Above Average Terrain and Average Elevations
Fri 19 Jun 1992 09:25
From: KNOXVILLE 36, 0,36 N 83,55,57 W
36.0100 N 83.9325 W
Antenna Center of Radiation above Ground = 120.0 ft
3.6 m
Antenna Base Height above Mean Sea Level = 1068.5 ft
325.7 m
Antenna
Avg Elev from Height above No. of Elev
2 to 10 mi Avg Terrain Points Avg'd
To: 2 to 10 mi 2 to 10 mi
(ft) (ft)
0.000 DEG AZ 1172.1 16.5 81
36.1548 83.9325
45.000 DEG AZ 1064.4 124.2 81
36.1123 83.8058
90.000 DEG AZ 941.7 246.8 81
36.0099 83.7535
135.000 DEG AZ 908.3 280.2 81
35.9075 83.8061
180.000 DEG AZ 903.9 284.6 81
35.8652 83.9325
225.000 DEG AZ 976.6 211.9 81
35.9075 84.0589
270.000 DEG AZ 1076.0 112.5 81
36.0099 84.1115
315.000 DEG AZ 1083.4 105.2 81
36.1123 84.0592
For bearings from 0.0 to 315.0 degs,spaced every 45.0 degs,
the average terrain height from 2 to 10 mi is 1015.8 ft.
For bearings from 0.0 to 315.0 degs,spaced every 45.0 degs,
the height above average terrain from 2 to 10 mi is 172.7 ft.
Menu (Edit)? Q
PROFILE COMPLETED
PROFILE Sample #3
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Profile - Version 5.0
Fri 19 Jun 1992 09:28:00
Choose from the menu:
H = Help
D = Program Description
C = Concise Dialog
V = Verbose Dialog
E = Edit Data
S = Summary of Data
P = Process Last Data Set Entered
Q = Quit
Menu (Verbose)? C
------ENTER DATA------
1) Job name (Profile Run)? TEST DEMO
2) Length units (Statute miles and feet)?
3) Path option (Lat-lon)? DB
4) Refractivity ( 0)?
5) Number of sites ( 2)?
Reference Site (Site 1)
6) Reference site lat ( 40.2500 deg or 40,15, 0.0 dms)? 36,0,36
7) Reference site lon ( 105.2590 deg or 105,15,32.4 dms)? 83,55,57
From the terrain data base, the elevation at
reference site (site 1) = 1068.5 feet
8) Reference site elevation ( 1068.5 ft)?
9) Reference site height ( 98.4 ft)? 120
10) Reference site name (Reference Site)? KNOXVILLE
Site no. 2
6) Site 2 bearing( 36.0 degrees)? 345
7) Distance ( 52.153 mi)? 10
From the terrain data base, the elevation at site 2 = 1075.7 feet
8) Site 2 elevation ( 1075.7 ft)?
9) Site 2 height ( 120.0 ft)? 6
10) Site 2 name (Site # 2)?
11) Distance increment ( .100 mi)?
18) Output option( P )? L
DATA INPUT/EDIT COMPLETE
Do you want a summary of the input data (Y or N)? Y
PROFILE INPUT DATA SUMMARY
Date: Fri 19 Jun 1992
Time: 09:34:07
1) Job name: TEST DEMO
2) Length input units: Statute miles/feet
3) Coordinate input option: Distance/Bearing
4) System refractivity: 0 n-units
5) Number of sites: 2
6) Reference site latitude: 36.0100 deg 36, 0,36 dms
7) Reference site longitude: 83.9325 deg 83,55,57 dms
8) Reference site elevation: 1068.54 ft
9) Reference site antenna height: 120.00 ft
10) Reference site name: KNOXVILLE
6) 7) 8) 9) 10)
Site Bearing Distance Elevation Ant Ht Name
Number (DEG) (DMS) (MI) (FT) (FT)
2 345.00 345,0,0 10.00 1075.67 6.00 Site # 2
11) Distance increment: .10 mi
18) Output option: List data to terminal now
Do you want to process this data (Y or N)? Y
Fri 19 Jun 1992 09:34:07.78 FRM: KNOXVILLE TO: Site # 2
36.01 83.93 36.14 83.97
Point Dist Elev Point Dist Elev Point Dist Elev
Number (s mi) (ft) Number (s mi) (ft) Number (s mi) (ft)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 .00 1079. 1 .10 1037. 2 .20 1007.
3 .30 1001. 4 .40 1002. 5 .50 1004.
6 .60 1001. 7 .70 1001. 8 .80 1001.
9 .90 1001. 10 1.00 1001. 11 1.10 1001.
12 1.20 1001. 13 1.30 1001. 14 1.40 1001.
15 1.50 1012. 16 1.60 1035. 17 1.70 1061.
18 1.80 1082. 19 1.90 1099. 20 2.00 1106.
21 2.10 1132. 22 2.20 1174. 23 2.30 1215.
24 2.40 1261. 25 2.50 1251. 26 2.60 1193.
27 2.70 1181. 28 2.80 1182. 29 2.90 1189.
30 3.00 1207. 31 3.10 1290. 32 3.20 1394.
33 3.30 1359. 34 3.40 1248. 35 3.50 1143.
36 3.60 1098. 37 3.70 1083. 38 3.80 1067.
39 3.90 1053. 40 4.00 1037. 41 4.10 1023.
42 4.20 1020. 43 4.30 1024. 44 4.40 1031.
45 4.50 1043. 46 4.60 1054. 47 4.70 1065.
48 4.80 1076. 49 4.90 1091. 50 5.00 1099.
51 5.10 1099. 52 5.20 1099. 53 5.30 1101.
54 5.40 1108. 55 5.50 1130. 56 5.60 1160.
57 5.70 1188. 58 5.80 1198. 59 5.90 1201.
60 6.00 1199. 61 6.10 1199. 62 6.20 1201.
63 6.30 1215. 64 6.40 1233. 65 6.50 1262.
66 6.60 1271. 67 6.70 1277. 68 6.80 1284.
69 6.90 1296. 70 7.00 1247. 71 7.10 1198.
72 7.20 1221. 73 7.30 1268. 74 7.40 1313.
75 7.50 1396. 76 7.60 1370. 77 7.70 1196.
78 7.80 1077. 79 7.90 1030. 80 8.00 1010.
81 8.10 1011. 82 8.20 1004. 83 8.30 1000.
84 8.40 989. 85 8.50 969. 86 8.60 929.
87 8.70 894. 88 8.80 887. 89 8.90 884.
90 9.00 900. 91 9.10 965. 92 9.20 1040.
93 9.30 1108. 94 9.40 1201. 95 9.50 1194.
96 9.60 1058. 97 9.70 1001. 98 9.80 1001.
99 9.90 1005. 100 10.00 1064.
Menu (Edit)? Q
PROFILE COMPLETED