home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Gold Medal Software 2
/
Gold Medal Software Volume 2 (Gold Medal) (1994).iso
/
misc
/
pct214.arj
/
PCT214.EXE
/
PCTRACK
/
USRGUIDE.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-12-05
|
103KB
|
2,678 lines
P C - T r a c k
V e r s i o n
2 . 1 4
-----------------------------
U S E R ' S
G U I D E
-----------------------------
S i m p l i f i e d
S a t e l l i t e
T r a c k i n g
Copyright (c)
1989-1991
Thomas C. Johnson
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
P C - T r a c k T a b l e O f C o n t e n t s
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
RUNNING PC-TRACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
USING THE ON-LINE HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SETUP OBSERVERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
LATITUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
LONGITUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
MINIMUM ELEVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TIME ZONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SETUP SATELLITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CATALOG (SATELLITE) NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . 10
EPOCH YEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
EPOCH DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
DECAY RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
INCLINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
RIGHT ASCENSION OF ASCENDING NODE . . . . . . . . 11
ECCENTRICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ARGUMENT OF PERIGEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
MEAN ANOMALY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
MEAN MOTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
REVOLUTION NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FREQUENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FINISHING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
TRACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Getting Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
OBSERVATION POINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
GLOBE VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SATELLITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SPHERICAL OR LARGE MERCATOR PROJECTION SCREEN . . 17
SMALL MERCATOR PROJECTION SCREEN . . . . . . . . 19
MAP/GLOBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
AZIMUTH/ELEVATION CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
OBSERVATION POINT BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
STATUS BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SATELLITES BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
DATE / TIME / INTERVAL BOX . . . . . . . . . . . 22
P C - T r a c k T a b l e O f C o n t e n t s
TITLE BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
HELP SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
FUNCTION KEYS AVAILABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
TEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
TEXT TRACKING SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FUNCTION KEYS AVAILABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
CONFIGURE DISPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Selecting Text Color Category . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Select Background Category . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Change Text Color (F5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Change Background Color (F6) . . . . . . . . . . . 34
CONFIGURE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
DEFAULT OBSERVATION POINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
DEFAULT MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
DEFAULT GLOBE VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
DEFAULT SATELLITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
DATA PATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
MAP PATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
METRIC SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
UTC TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
FINISHING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
CONFIGURE PRINTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Printer Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
OBTAINING SATELLITE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . 40
APPENDIX B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
HOW TO USE THE ORBITAL DATA FROM NASA . . . . . . . . 41
APPENDIX C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
PC-TRACK has its origin in a satellite tracking program I wrote
to track the OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio)
series of amateur radio satellites back in 1980. That program was
called OSCAR PATHFINDER and was the front cover feature article
in the March 1982 edition of "73 Magazine For Radio Amateurs."
That program was written for the Apple II Plus computer in
Applesoft BASIC. It was a revolutionary program at that time in
that it was the only program that tracked satellites in real time
(the Apple had no clock) and displayed the satellite path on a
map on the Apple graphics screen. It was capable of only tracking
circular orbiting satellites, but that was not a problem at that
time because all of the amateur radio satellites were in circular
orbits.
OSCAR PATHFINDER was so enthusiastically received that I made the
decision to make some improvements to the program and offer it
commercially. This led to a joint venture with a good friend of
mine (Thomas K. Ryan) and we called it Computer Applications and
with his marketing and businees management expertise sold quite a
number of copies of Pathfinder II. We then developed a version
of the program for the TRS-80 Model III computer called
Pathfinder III. After a year or so of selling these packages, we
decided (for various reasons) to pull the plug on this and go on
to other things.
Later, with the launch of several elliptical orbit amateur
satellites, I tinkered with the program some more to include the
math necessary to track such satellites. This resulted in
Pathfinder X, which was never published, but I used it quite a
bit at home for my own tracking needs. I had also started
rewriting the program in UCSD Pascal because that offered a much
more readable and manageable structure for the program.
When I got my IBM PC/XT clone in 1985, I had a desire to port
Pathfinder X over to my new "supercomputer" since it had an 8Mhz
clock and would be able to do faster computations and have better
graphics capabilities. Well, after many years of many
distractions (other business ventures, kids being born, moving,
etc.) I have finally put together my idea of a nifty package for
tracking satellites, called PC-TRACK.
PC-TRACK 1.1 was distributed late 1989. Version 2.0 contained new
User Guide Page 1
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
features such as ability to track up to 8 satellites
simultaneously, multiple maps of different continents, and a text
track capability for non-EGA machines. Version 2.1 added 3D track
capabilities.
User Guide Page 2
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
GETTING STARTED
Refer to the README file included on the distribution disk for
instructions on how to get PC-TRACK installed and ready to run.
RUNNING PC-TRACK
To get PC-TRACK running all you have to enter at the DOS prompt
is PCT <RETURN>.
PC-TRACK begins by drawing the background screen. There will be
a brief pause at this point while PC-TRACK loads in the help
screens, data files, and graphics. This takes a few seconds
(depending on the computer used). You will see a message at the
bottom of the hello screen showing what data it is reading. Once
initialization is completed, you are presented with the main menu
screen. This is a small shadowed window on the left side of the
screen with the 4 main options listed.
The four options are SETUP, TRACK, CONFIGURE, and QUIT.
Selecting one of these options is done simply by moving the
cursor (shown by the selected name being in a different color
than the rest of the options listed) so that it highlights the
module desired and pressing the RETURN key.
NOTE: YOU MAY ALSO SELECT AN OPTION BY PRESSING THE FIRST
LETTER OF THE DESIRED OPTION. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WISHED TO
SELECT THE TRACK OPTION, YOU WOULD PRESS THE 'T' KEY (EITHER
UPPER OR LOWER CASE).
USING THE ON-LINE HELP
PC-TRACK ASSISTANT, the on-line help system for PC-TRACK , is
available from anywhere in the program and can be accessed simply
by pressing the F1 key. The information presented on the help
screen will depend on where you are in the program.
For example, if you are in the SETUP SATELLITES option with the
cursor on the NAME field and you press the F1 key, the help
screen will pop up and tell you how to enter information in the
NAME field.
Once you are in the help system, you may browse through the
information provided by pressing the Page Up, Page Down, Up
Arrow, or Down Arrow. Page Up does the same thing as the Up
User Guide Page 3
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Arrow key and Page Down does the same thing as the Down Arrow
key. You may get back to the original screen by pressing the HOME
key.
When going "down" in the system, you will be able to step through
every screen in the help system. When going "up", you will skip
up to the top screen of the previous major topic in the system.
This allows you to move quickly through the screens to the one
you wish to see.
User Guide Page 4
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
SETUP
The SETUP module is the built-in data manager for the satellites
and observation points to be used in PC-TRACK. With it you can
enter, edit, and delete all information necessary to do satellite
tracking with PC-TRACK quite easily.
To select the SETUP module, move the cursor using the arrow keys
until it highlights SETUP and press the RETURN key. (Or just
press S.) A second menu window will appear with the options
OBSERVERS and SATELLITES. The OBSERVERS option handles data for
the observation points and SATELLITES handles the data for the
satellites. Select the desired option by again moving the cursor
to highlight the one you want.
There are various keys that will assist you in the entry and
editing of observer or satellite data while in the SETUP module.
They are as follows:
F2 - ADD OBSERVER/SATELLITE
This key allows you to create a new entry in the
observer/satellite file where information about a new
observer/satellite can be put. When this key is pressed, all
the screen fields are cleared so you can begin entering new
information.
F3 - REMOVE OBSERVER/SATELLITE
This key does just the opposite of the F2 key. It PERMANENTLY
removes the currently visible observer/satellite from the
file. Since this action is PERMANENT and IRREVOCABLE, a
warning window pops up to alert you to the fact that this will
occur if you continue. If you press RETURN in response to the
warning window prompt, you will remove that observer/satellite
from the file. If you press ESC or any other key, you will not
remove the observer/satellite and you will go back to where
you were when you pressed the F3 key.
PAGE UP - PREVIOUS OBSERVER/SATELLITE
This key will display the previous observer/satellite in the
file. Observers/satellites are stored in the file in
alphabetical order. Once the observer/satellite you desire is
visible on the screen, you may edit any of its fields. If you
step past the first observer/satellite in the file, the last
will be displayed.
PAGE DOWN - NEXT OBSERVER/SATELLITE
User Guide Page 5
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
This key will display the next observer/satellite in the file.
If you go past the last observer/satellite in the file, the
first will be displayed.
User Guide Page 6
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
SETUP OBSERVERS
The OBSERVERS option opens up the data entry window on the right
side of the screen. This window shows the six fields (pieces of
information) held for each observation point you have in the
file.
The six pieces of information necessary to describe an
observation point are as follows:
DESCRIPTION
This field is your way of easily identifying each of the
observation points you have in your file. This is a text field
with room for up to 30 characters (anything you want).
For example, you can put the names of the nearest associated
city with the state, such as Dayton, Ohio. Or if you have a
lot of observation points entered, you might devise some
numbering system to systematic identify each location. This
could be something like OH-39N-84W, which would be a location
in the state of Ohio, near 39 north latitude and 84 west
longitude. I'm sure you can devise some more sensible system
because as you see below the latitude and longitude are
already included.
LATITUDE
This along with longitude defines the location of the
observation point.
Latitude is entered as degrees and decimal fractions of
degrees. Latitude will be entered as a positive number if it
is in the northern hemisphere and negative (-) for those in
the southern hemisphere.
For example a position with a northern hemisphere latitude of
34 degrees, 30 minutes, and 15 seconds would be entered as
34.5042. That same latitude in the southern hemisphere would
be entered as -34.5042.
This may be entered as a number between -90.0 to 90.0.
LONGITUDE
This along with latitude defines the location on earth of the
User Guide Page 7
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
observation point.
Longitude is entered like latitude as degrees and decimal
fractions of degrees.
Longitude is entered as positive values for the western
hemisphere (North and South America, Greenland, etc.) and
negative for the eastern hemisphere (Europe, Asia, Russia,
etc). This may be entered as a number between -180.0 and
180.0.
MINIMUM ELEVATION
This figure describes the lowest elevation at which the
satellite may be visible from the observation point. An
observation point with a perfectly clear horizon around it
would have a minimum elevation of 0.0 degrees. If there are
mountains or buildings around it the minimum elevation would
be higher.
This may be entered as a number between 0.0 and 90.0.
This number is used as a filter for displaying and printing
azimuth/elevation data. Only satellite look angles with
elevations above the minimum will be displayed or printed.
TIME ZONE
This describes the number of hours from UTC time (Coordinated
Universal Time) your local time zone is. Time zones in the
western hemisphere are entered as negative while eastern
hemisphere zones are entered as positive. For example, Eastern
Standard Time would be entered as -5 hours from UTC time.
Pacific Standard Time would be -8 hours.
Time Zone may be entered as whole numbers between -12 and 12.
NOTE: If you desire to track using UTC time, make sure your
DOS clock is set to UTC time (you can use the F10 key while
tracking) and use the CONFIG SYSTEM option to tell PC-TRACK
To use UTC time.
HEIGHT
This describes the height your observation point is above Mean
Sea Level (MSL).
User Guide Page 8
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
If you are not sure what the height is for the observation
point, enter 0.0.
Height may be entered as any value between -400.00 and 30,000
feet or between -122 and 9150 meters.
User Guide Page 9
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
SETUP SATELLITES
The SATELLITES option also opens up the data entry window on the
right side of the screen. This window shows the twelve fields
used for each satellite you have in the file. This information is
available from a number of sources. See Appendix A for the
cheapest and most reliable source for this information. The
twelve pieces of information necessary to describe a satellite
are as follows:
NAME
This is a 11 character field which you can use to name the
satellite for easy identification.
CATALOG (SATELLITE) NUMBER
This is a 5 digit number assigned to each satellite. It is
used as the reference number in the NASA source identified in
Appendix A.
EPOCH YEAR
This is the year of the specific time the rest of the data for
the satellite is effective. When entering Epoch year, make
sure you include all 4 digits of the year, ie. 1989. Some data
sets such as those from NASA include only the last 2 digits of
the year. PC-Track requires all 4.
EPOCH DAY
This is the day and fraction of day for the specific time the
data is effective. This number defines both the julian day
(the whole number part of the value) and the time of day
(fractional part of the value) of the data set.
The julian day figure is simply the count of the number of
days that particular date is from the beginning of the year.
(January 1 would have a julian day of 1. Feb 28 would be 59.)
This number may range from 1.0 to 366.999999999 (taking into
account leap years).
DECAY RATE
This is the rate of decay of the orbital period (time it takes
User Guide Page 10
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
to complete one revolution) due to atmospheric friction and
other factors. It is a real number measured in terms of
Revolutions per Day per Day (REV/DAY/DAY).
INCLINATION
This number describes the angle of the plane of the orbit in
relationship to the earths equator.
Inclination is 0 degrees for a satellite orbiting directly
over the earths equator and orbiting in the same direction as
the earths rotation. It is 180 degrees for an satellite
revolving directly over the equator counter to earths
rotation. An satellite orbiting directly over the poles would
have an inclination of 90 degrees.
Inclination is given as a real number of degrees between 0.0
and 180.0 degrees.
RIGHT ASCENSION OF ASCENDING NODE
This value describes the point the satellites crosses the
equator from the southern hemisphere to the northern
hemisphere (ascending node). This measured eastward along the
equator from the vernal equinox (right ascension).
It is given and entered as a real number of degrees from 0.0
to 360.0 degrees.
ECCENTRICITY
This is a unitless number which describes the shape of the
orbit in terms of how close to a perfect circle it is. This
number is given in the range of 0.0 to less than 1.0.
An perfectly circular orbit would have an eccentricity of 0.0.
A number greater than 0.0 would represent an elliptical orbit
with an increasingly flattened shape as the value approaches
1.0.
ARGUMENT OF PERIGEE
This value is the number of degrees from the ascending node
the perigee point occurs. The perigee point is the point where
the satellite is the closest to the earth (assuming an orbit
which is elliptical to some degree).
User Guide Page 11
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
This number may be entered as a real value between 0.0 and
360.0.
MEAN ANOMALY
This number represents the angular distance from the perigee
point (closest point) to the satellites mean position. This is
measured in degrees along the orbital plane in the direction
of motion.
This number is entered like the argument of perigee, as a
value between 0.0 and 360.0.
MEAN MOTION
This is the number of complete revolutions the satellite makes
in one day.
This number may be entered as a value greater than 0.0 and
less than 20.0.
REVOLUTION NUMBER
This represents the number of revolutions the satellite has
completed at the epoch time and date.
This number is entered as an integer value between 1 and
99999.
FREQUENCY
This represents any downlink frequency that may be of
importance to you. This frequency will be displayed on the
screens and printed on the printout and will be adjusted
according to the computed doppler shift associated with the
relative range rate between the observer and the satellite.
This number is entered between 0.0 and 9999.999999 and
represents MHZ (megahertz).
FINISHING UP
When all of the pieces of information have been input for an
satellite and you have no other satellites to enter, press ESC
to get back to the main menu.
User Guide Page 12
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
User Guide Page 13
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
TRACK
The TRACK module is the heart of PC-TRACK. It is where the
satellite positions and look angles are computed. Moving the
cursor to this option brings up a choice of either GRAPHICS or
TEXT. Select the type of tracking you desire. If you do not have
an EGA video adapter, you must select the TEXT option.
GRAPHICS
The GRAPHICS TRACK option is the heart of PC-TRACK. It tracks up
to eight satellites at once on the EGA graphics screen. It can
display satellites using two types of graphic projections, either
spherical or Mercator.
Spherical projections are shown on an image of the earth and
plotted in such a way as to give a 3 dimensional effect. There
are 4 different views of the earth for each of the two sizes
available. The view of the globe is from the equator, at the
longitude chosen when selecting the globe view (when setting up
prior to tracking or with the F7 key). For example, selecting the
90 W Lon globe view will show you the earth from 0 deg latitude
(equator) and 90 deg west longitude. The view on the screen will
always be from that reference point, so the shapes of the
satellite orbits will look somewhat twisted due to the effect of
the rotation of the earth.
Mercator projections will show the positions of the satellites on
flat maps, with the inherent distortion that provides. It does
however, give a somewhat more accurate picture of the current
satellite position, particularly at higher latitudes. Due to
extreme distortions at latitudes approaching the poles, the
mercator projections only display positions to 80 degrees.
NOTE: If either observer, satellite, or graphics data has
not been loaded due to an improper path designation or some
other reason, then tracking will not begin when you select
this option. An error window will appear indicating the
reason why tracking cannot begin. Pressing RETURN will put
you back at the TRACK window. If this occurs, you must
either check the paths or enter new data (for observers or
satellites).
Getting Ready
User Guide Page 14
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Selecting this option brings up a screen with four items to
select; the observation point, the map to use, the globe view to
use, and the satellite(s) to track.
OBSERVATION POINT
The default observation point selected in the CONFIG SYSTEM
option will appear. To change that observation point, use the up
and down arrow keys to select the new one desired. Press RETURN
to proceed or ESC to go back to the MAIN MENU. The observation
points displayed will be the ones in the OBSERVER database
defined using the SETUP OBSERVERS option.
MAP
Once you select an observation point, the default map identified
in the CONFIG SYSTEM option is shown initially. To select some
other map, simply use the up and down arrow keys to show the
names of the available maps. When the one you want is visible,
press the RETURN key to proceed or the ESC key to go back to the
MAIN MENU.
GLOBE VIEW
Once you select an map, the default globe view identified in the
CONFIG SYSTEM option will appear. To select some other globe
view, simply use the up and down arrow keys to show the names of
the available views. When the one you want is visible, press the
RETURN key to proceed or the ESC key to go back to the MAIN MENU.
REMEMBER: You must have the MAPx.IMG and GLOBEx.IMG files in
the map path specified in the SETUP SYSTEM option.
Otherwise, no map or globe will be displayed during
tracking.
SATELLITES
PC-TRACK is capable of tracking up to 8 satellites
simultaneously. The selection of the ones to track is done as
follows:
There are 8 "slots" available to select satellites. Each slot may
have any one of the satellites defined in the SETUP SATELLITES
option. The cursor is initially positioned in slot number 1. The
default satellites identified in the CONFIG SYSTEM option are
shown. At this point you may:
User Guide Page 15
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Press the Page Up or Page Down key. This will move you to the
next slot up or down. If you press the page down key, the
cursor will move to the next slot down, and the next satellite
down in the database will be showing. If you press the page up
key, the cursor will move to the next slot up (will wrap to
the bottom if you are at the top) and display the previous
satellite in the database (will also wrap the bottom of the
database if at the top).
Press the Up or Down arrow key. This will change the satellite
displayed to the previous or next satellite in the database.
The up arrow will select previous satellite, the down arrow
key will select the next.
Press the Home Key to clear the current slot and move the
cursor to the previous slot. This is handy to unselect a slot.
You may fill any or all slots with satellites. You do not
necessarily have to fill them all. You may have blanks slots.
For example, you could set it up so there are only 2
satellites to track, one in slot 2 and one in slot 7. It's up
to you.
Press RETURN to complete the selection process and begin
tracking.
Remember, the Page Up and Page Down keys select the slot, the
arrow keys select the satellite to go into the slot, the home key
clears a slot, and the RETURN key finishes the selection process
and starts tracking.
Tracking
During the tracking process information is provided within a
number of separate boxes on the graphics screen. The general
locations of these boxes on the track screen and the information
presented are described below. The layout of the screen depends
on which projection is selected and for mercator projections,
what size maps are selected.
User Guide Page 16
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
SPHERICAL OR LARGE MERCATOR PROJECTION SCREEN
|===============================================================|
||========================================================||===||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || T ||
|| || ||
|| || I ||
|| || ||
|| || T ||
|| || ||
|| || L ||
|| || ||
|| M A P O R G L O B E || E ||
|| || ||
|| B O X || ||
|| || ||
|| || B ||
|| || ||
|| || O ||
|| || ||
|| || X ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
||--------------------------------------------------------||---||
| |----------------||
||--------------------------------------------| ||
|| DATE TIME INTERVAL | O B J E C T ||
|| BOX | B O X ||
||-------------------------------------------------------------||
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
NOTE: IN THIS SCREEN, STATUS INFORMATION APPEARS ALONG THE BOTTOM
OF THE DATE TIME INTERVAL BOX.
User Guide Page 17
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
User Guide Page 18
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
SMALL MERCATOR PROJECTION SCREEN
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
||----------------------------------------||-------------------||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| || AZIMUTH/ ||
|| || ||
|| || ELEVATION ||
|| M A P || ||
|| || CHART ||
|| || ||
|| A R E A || ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
|| ||-------------------||
|| ||-------------------||
|| || ||
|| || OBSERVATION ||
|| || POINT ||
|| || BOX ||
|| || ||
|| || ||
||----------------------------------------||-------------------||
||----------------------------------------------||-------------||
|| || ||
|| || STATUS ||
|| S A T E L L I T E || BOX ||
|| || ||
|| B O X ||-------------||
|| ||-------------||
|| || ||
|| || TITLE ||
|| || ||
|| || BOX ||
|------------------------------------------------| ||
|------------------------------------------------| ||
|| DATE TIME INTERVAL || ||
|| BOX || ||
||----------------------------------------------||-------------||
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
MAP/GLOBE
User Guide Page 19
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
This is the area where the maps of various portions of the world
are displayed for use in plotting the current satellite
positions.
AZIMUTH/ELEVATION CHART
The AZEL chart shows graphically the look angles (azimuth and
elevation) for each satellite. When a satellite is visible to the
observation point (defined as when the elevation is greater than
the minimum elevation defined in the SETUP OBSERVERS option) the
reference number associated with the satellite is displayed on
the chart. The number will be placed on the chart based on the
current azimuth (bearing) and elevation needed to point an
antenna (or to look) at the satellite from the observation point.
The distance from the center of the chart represents the
elevation. The farther the point is from the center, the lower
the elevation. Elevation is indicated by the numbers shown along
the horizontal line on the chart. The center represents 90
degrees elevation or directly overhead.
The angular displacement from the vertical line represents the
azimuth from the observation point to the satellite. Azimuths is
numbered clockwise around the outside of the outermost circle
drawn on the chart. Zero degrees azimuth (straight up) represents
true north.
OBSERVATION POINT BOX
This box displays the name, latitude and longitude of the current
observation point.
STATUS BOX
This box shows the status of the various modes available. The
messages which will show up in this box are as follows...
REAL TIME TRACK - Indicates PC-TRACK is tracking the
satellite in real time. This is enabled by the F2 key.
FAST TRACK - Indicates PC-TRACK is computing and displaying
satellite positions as fast as possible ignoring the internal
User Guide Page 20
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
clock. This is enabled by the F2 key.
PAUSING - Indicates PC-TRACK has temporarily halted the
tracking process after the F3 key was pressed, and is waiting
for the F3 key to be pressed again to resume tracking.
PRINTING - Indicates printing is enabled and depending on
which ground track mode is selected, will print satellite
position and look angles for the satellite selected. The
satellite selected will have its name displayed in a different
color than the rest of the satellites listed in the SATELLITES
box. Printing is enabled by the F4 key.
G.T. (IR) - Indicates that a + will be placed on the map and
the AZEL chart for each sub-satellite point in which the
satellite is in range of the observation point when using
Mercator projections. Will mark satellite position and in-
range points when using spherical projections. Enabled by the
F6 key.
G.T. (C) - Indicates that a + will be placed on the map and
the AZEL chart for each sub-satellite point computed for
Mercator projections and mark satellite position and ground
track for spherical projections. This is the default
condition, and can be changed by the F6 key.
AUTOMAP - Indicates PC-TRACK will automatically select a map
or globe which will display the position of the currently
selected satellite (selected by PGUP/PGDN keys). This is
enabled by the F9 key.
SATELLITES BOX
The satellite box shows all the information relating to the
current position of the satellites begin tracked. The following
information is displayed for each satellite:
Reference Number: This is the number associated with the
satellite, which shows up on the map and the azel chart to
show its current position.
Name: This is the name given to the satellite in the SETUP
SATELLITES option.
Latitude: Latitude of the current sub-satellite point.
User Guide Page 21
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Longitude: Longitude of the current sub-satellite point.
Altitude: Current altitude of the satellite. This will be in
either kilometers or statute miles depending on what you have
configured the program to display in the CONFIG SYSTEM option.
Elevation: When the satellite is visible to the observation
point, the current elevation will be displayed here.
Azimuth: When the satellite is visible to the observation
point, the current azimuth will be displayed here.
Range: This is the current distance (again, either KM or
Statute Miles) from the observation point to the satellite.
This is displayed only when the satellite is visible to the
observation point.
Frequency: This is the base frequency defined for the
satellite in the SETUP SATELLITES option adjusted for doppler
shift. This is displayed only when the satellite is visible to
the observation point.
Phase: This is the current Mean Anomaly normalized to a range
of 0 to 255. This is essentially the portion of the orbital
period which has elapsed since last perigee passage. For
example, 0 will be at perigee and 128 will be at apogee.
Currently Selected Satellite: This is shown by having the
selected satellites name displayed in a different color. This
may be changed by using PGUP and PGDN keys.
DATE / TIME / INTERVAL BOX
PC-TRACK is a time based tracking package, which means that it
first obtains a date and time and then figures out where the
satellite is using that date and time. This box displays the
current date and time used to compute the current satellite
position.
The interval is added to the current track time (shown in the
DATE TIME INTERVAL BOX) to generate the next date and time
needed. This interval is initially set to 1 second. It may be
modified as described below when in the Fast Track Mode. Interval
is fixed at 1 second and not displayed in Real Time Mode.
User Guide Page 22
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
For example, if the current time shown is 09:03:32, and the
interval is 00:00:05 (5 seconds) then the next time used to
compute the satellite position will be 09:03:37.
TITLE BOX
This is where the advertisement goes.
HELP SCREEN
When the F1 help key is pressed a portion of the track screen is
used by the PC-TRACK ASSISTANT to display the various help
screens. This is the very same help system used in other parts of
the program. When you are done with the help system, press ESC
and the track screen will be restored as it was before help was
requested.
FUNCTION KEYS AVAILABLE
There are several function keys available to control various
features of PC-TRACK which affect the tracking process. They are
described as follows...
F1 - HELP
This is the key which brings up the PC-TRACK ASSISTANT as
described earlier. It functions exactly as it does anywhere
else in the program except the help screens show in the area
of the world map. Once you exit the help system, the world map
is restored to its original condition before help began.
F2 - REAL TIME / FAST TRACK
This key controls the tracking mode of PC-TRACK. When tracking
first begins, it is in the REAL TIME TRACK mode. This means
the position displayed represents the actual satellite
position according to the time set in the computer (DOS time).
The displays will be updated at the time interval shown in the
TIME INTERVAL BOX (fixed to 1 second).
Pressing the F2 key changes this to the FAST TRACK mode. This
mode ignores the clock in the computer and simply computes and
displays the satellite positions as fast as it can. The time
between each point computed is determined by the time interval
shown in the TIME INTERVAL box. This time interval is
changeable according to the procedures shown below.
The F2 key acts as a "toggle". This means that if you press it
User Guide Page 23
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
once, the mode changes to FAST TRACK. When you press it again,
the mode changes back to REAL TIME TRACK. Pressing it again
changes the mode again to FAST TRACK, etc.
F3 - PAUSE TRACKING
This key may be pressed at any time during tracking to
"freeze" the display. This stops all computations and simply
waits for the F3 key to be pressed again. Once it is pressed
again, normal tracking resumes. When in the PAUSE mode, all of
the other function keys perform normally.
F4 - ENABLE/DISABLE PRINTER
This key enables output to be sent to the printer during the
tracking process. The amount of data sent to the printer is
determined by the ground track mode selected. If ground track
is disabled, or in the IR mode, then just points with
elevations above the minimum elevation will be printed. If
ground track is in the C mode, then all points will be
printed. The currently selected satellite will have its data
printed.
F5 - REDRAW SCREEN
The F5 key simply redraws the Map or Globe and the
Azimuth/Elevation chart to remove clutter from extended use of
ground tracks.
F6 - GROUND TRACK
In the ground track mode, PC-TRACK plots the path each
satellite has taken by marking each point plotted. There are 3
possible modes of ground track...
- DISABLED
- IR
- CONT
GROUND TRACK DISABLED - No path will be plotted on the maps,
globes, or AZEL chart. Just the satellite reference numbers
will be visible. Pressing the F6 key at this point will put
ground track into the IR mode.
GROUND TRACK (In Range) - The STATUS BOX will display "G.T.
(IR)". With Mercator projections leaves a ground track only
when the satellite is in range. With spherical projections
the ground track is shown by displaying each sub-satellite
point with a black '+' on the globe. In addition to this a
white point is placed in space showing the current satellite
User Guide Page 24
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
position for each position computed, whether in-range or
not.
With mercator projections, a '+' is placed on the maps and
the AZEL chart at the current sub-satellite point.
Pressing the F6 key at this point will put ground track in
the CONT mode.
GROUND TRACK (Continuous) - The STATUS BOX will display
"G.T.(C)". This is the condition in effect when tracking
begins. This leaves a ground track continuously. With
spherical projections, a black '+' is placed on the globe at
each subsatellite point that is in-range of the observation
point and a light blue '+' for all other subsatellite
points. White points represent the actual satellite position
in space as described above.
With mercator projections, A '+' is placed on the map and
the AZEL chart at each sub-satellite location computed.
Pressing the F6 key at this point will turn off ground
track.
F7 - SELECT NEW MAP/GLOBE VIEW
This allows you to change the map or globe view during
tracking. This brings up the same selection of maps or globe
views which were available when setting up to track. You may
select a new map or globe view simply by pressing either the
up or down arrow keys until the name of the desired map or
view is shown. You may then press either ESC to keep then
existing map or RETURN to begin using the new map or globe
view selected. This key is functional only when AUTOMAP is
disabled.
SPECIAL FEATURE:
When using spherical projections, changing globe views may be
accomplished more rapidly by pressing ctrl or ctrl
(control right arrow or control left arrow).
NOTE: Depending on what map or globe view you select, the
observation point may not be visible on the new map.
CTRL F7 - SELECT PROJECTION
This feature enables you to switch between the two types of
projections available for displaying the satellite position
User Guide Page 25
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
(Mercator and Spherical).
If you cannot locate a satellite on the screen when using the
Mercator projection world maps, check to the latitude, it will
most likely be above 80 deg (north or south) which is not
displayed in that projection.
ALT F7 - CHANGE SIZE
This feature changes the size of the projection currently
being viewed. When using spherical projection, this will just
change the size of the globe.
When using mercator projections, this will change the entire
screen layout as described earlier. With a small screen size
selected, you will see the satellite, AZEL, observer, and
status boxes.
F8 - SELECT NEW OBSERVER
This allows you to change the observation point during
tracking. This brings up the same selection of observation
points which were available when setting up to track. You may
select a new observation point simply by pressing either the
up or down arrow keys until the name of the desired
observation point is shown. You may then press either ESC to
keep existing observer or RETURN to select the new observer.
NOTE: If you are tracking with local times, the position(s) of
the satellite(s) may change, since the time zone offset for
the new observation point may be different than that of the
old one. This will result in a different effective UTC time,
which is used to predict the satellite(s) position(s).
F9 - AUTOMAP
This enables the automatic map/globe view selection feature
which checks the current position of the selected satellite
and makes sure it is visible on the currently displayed map or
globe. If not, it will check the available maps or globes and
select the next one which will show the position of the
satellite.
This key works like a toggle, ie. pressing once enables it,
pressing again disables it. Whatever map or globe view was
visible at the time AUTOMAP was disabled will remain on the
screen until AUTOMAP is again enabled or a new map or globe
view is selected using F7.
User Guide Page 26
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
F10 - SET DOS CLOCK
This key will take the currently displayed date and time and
set the DOS clock with them.
This allows you to easily change the real time clock to a
desired date and time. The date and time are changed by using
the arrow keys.
NOTE: If you set the DOS clock with this option, the clock
will retain that new time even after quitting PC-TRACK.
ARROW KEYS - CHANGE DATE, TIME, AND INTERVAL
When in the FAST TRACK mode, you have the ability to change
the date, time and interval to whatever you wish.
To make changes, use the left and right arrow keys to move the
highlighted cursor to whatever parameter you wish to change.
For example after pressing F2 and getting into FAST TRACK
mode, the highlighted cursor will not be visible, but pressing
the left arrow key will highlight the SECONDS portion of the
INTERVAL. This shows that you may now either increase or
decrease that number. Once the parameter you wish to change is
highlighted, you may do so by using the up and down arrow
keys.
The + or - sign associated with the interval shows the
direction in time the interval is changing the computed time.
If it is + (positive) then the computed time will be increase,
if it is - (negative) then the computed time will decrease.
If the interval is set to 00:00:00, then you may experiment
with the date and time and compute the satellite position for
a specific point in time and study it while PC-TRACK keeps
computing all data. This is different than the pause (F3)
feature which freezes computations.
NOTE: When the increment is 00:00:00, the frequency computed
and displayed for visible satellites using the small
Mercator projection will not show the doppler shift
incorporated in the displayed value.
PGUP/PGDN - CHANGE SELECTED SATELLITE
This changes the currently selected satellite shown
highlighted in the SATELLITES box.
User Guide Page 27
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
The currently selected satellite is the one which will have
its data sent to the printer and will be used in the AUTOMAP
mode to determine the currently visible map/globe view.
User Guide Page 28
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
TEXT
The TEXT TRACK option is provided for computers which do not have
an EGA graphics display capability.
NOTE: If either observer or satellite data has not been
loaded due to an improper path designation or some other
reason, then tracking will not begin when you select this
option. An error window will appear indicating the reason
why tracking cannot begin. Pressing RETURN will put you back
at the TRACK window. If this occurs, you must either check
the paths or enter new data (for observers or satellites).
Selecting this option brings up a screen with three items to
select; The satellite, Observation point, and printing
instructions.
As described earlier, your selections are made by simply using
either the Up or Down Key. Once the desired satellite or
observation point is visible, press RETURN. To go back to the
MAIN MENU, press the ESC key.
The initial satellite shown will be the number one default
satellite (the top one) identified in the CONFIG SYSTEM option.
The initial observation point will also be the default.
After selecting which satellite to track and the observation
point, you will be asked to define what data is to be printed (if
printing is enabled) during track. You have a choice of either
printing every point computed or only those which have elevations
greater than the minimum elevation defined for that observation
point. The desired answer is again provided by using the Up or
Down keys and pressing RETURN.
Tracking will then begin.
User Guide Page 29
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
TEXT TRACKING SCREEN
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| CURRENT TRACKING DATA FOR OSCAR 10 |
| CURRENT OBSERVATION POINT: Dayton, Ohio |
| 39.45N Lat 84.15W Lon Time Zone: -5 |
| MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2.00 HEIGHT ABOVE M.S.L.: 500 (Meters) |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Date Time (UTC) Interval |
| June 13, 1990 07:43:14 + 00:10:00 |
| ********** S A T E L L I T E D A T A ********** |
| Revolution Number Phase |
| 2469 31 |
| Latitude Longitude Altitude (KM) |
| 82.1 S 67.35 W 2950 |
| |
| ********** T R A C K I N G D A T A *********** |
|Azimuth Elevation Slant Range (KM) |
| 155.55 11.50 4923.4 |
| Range Rate (KM/Sec) Frequency (MHZ) |
| 2.0 145.808413 |
| FAST TRACK PAUSING PRINTING |
| PRESS F1 FOR HELP |
| PRESS ESC TO QUIT TRACKING |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
This screen displays essentially the same information displayed
by the graphics screen (except for only one satellite). The top
of the screen displays the name of the satellite and the
observation point information. This information is simply the
information entered using the SETUP OBSERVER option.
Revolution number and Range Rate are provided on this screen,
while they are not in the graphics tracking mode. The range rate
is the change in distance between the observation point and the
satellite. If it is positive, the distance is increasing. Range
rate determines the doppler shift of the downlink frequency.
FUNCTION KEYS AVAILABLE
There are several function keys available to control various
features of PC-TRACK which affect the tracking process. They are
described as follows...
User Guide Page 30
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
F1 - HELP
This is the key which brings up the PC-TRACK ASSISTANT as
described earlier.
F2 - REAL TIME / FAST TRACK
This key controls the tracking mode of PC-TRACK. When tracking
first begins, it is in the REAL TIME TRACK mode. This means
the position displayed represents the actual satellite
position according to the time set in the computer (DOS time).
The displays will be updated at the time interval shown in the
TIME INTERVAL (fixed to 1 second).
Pressing the F2 key changes this to the FAST TRACK mode. This
mode ignores the clock in the computer and simply computes and
displays satellite positions as fast as it can. The time
between each point computed is determined by the time interval
shown in TIME INTERVAL. This time interval is changeable
according to the procedures described below.
The F2 key acts as a "toggle". This means that if you press it
once, the mode changes to FAST TRACK. When you press it again,
the mode changes back to REAL TIME TRACK. Pressing it again
changes the mode again to FAST TRACK, etc.
F3 - PAUSE TRACKING
This key may be pressed at any time during tracking to
"freeze" the display. This stops all computations and simply
waits for the F3 key to be pressed again. Once it is pressed
again, normal tracking resumes. While in the pause mode, you
may make changes to the time increment (described below), turn
the printer on or off, and select Real Time or Fast Track
mode.
F4 - ENABLE PRINTER
This key enables output to be sent to the printer during the
tracking process. The amount of data sent to the printer is
determined by your response to the prompt during the SELECT
process just before tracking began, either all data or just
points with elevations above the minimum elevation.
NOTE: If PC-TRACK encounters a problem trying to print (out
of paper, off-line, turned off, etc.) printing will
automatically be disabled, and the PRINTING message at the
lower portion of the screen will disappear. Tracking will
continue.
User Guide Page 31
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
The F4 key operates as a toggle just as the F2 and F3 keys. If
printing is enabled, just press F4 again to turn it off.
ARROW KEYS - CHANGE DATE, TIME, AND INTERVAL
When in the FAST TRACK mode, you have the ability to change
the date, time and interval to whatever you wish.
To make changes, use the left and right arrow keys to move the
highlighted cursor to whatever parameter you wish to change.
For example after pressing F2 and getting into FAST TRACK
mode, the highlighted cursor will not be visible, but pressing
the left arrow key will highlight the SECONDS portion of the
INTERVAL. This shows that you may now either increase or
decrease that number. Once the parameter you wish to change is
highlighted, you may do so by using the up and down arrow
keys.
The + or - sign associated with the interval shows the
direction in time the interval is changing the computed time.
If it is + (positive) then the computed time will be increase,
if it is - (negative) then the computed time will decrease.
If the interval is set to 00:00:00, then you may experiment
with the date and time and compute the satellite position for
a specific point in time and study it while PC-TRACK keeps
computing all data. This is different than the pause (F3)
feature which freezes computations.
NOTE: When the increment is 00:00:00, the frequency computed
and displayed for visible points will not show the doppler
shift incorporated in the displayed value.
User Guide Page 32
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
CONFIGURATION
This module allows you to modify certain things about the program
which affect the way the program operates. The things you can
change are text screen colors, printer control codes, distance
and time units, and the file paths.
CONFIGURE DISPLAY
This option allows you to easily change the colors you see on the
screen displays. This way you can get the screen displays to look
the way you want. You are able to see the effects of changes on
the screen while you make them. You can make changes to both the
background and text colors with simple key strokes. These colors
are effective throughout PC-TRACK , including the graphics
screen. The only colors which are not affected are the maps,
globe views, the AZEL chart displays and the satellite position
marks on them.
NOTE: While graphics mode tracking is not possible on a
monochrome video system, all of the rest of PC-TRACK is,
including the text base track screen. Using the color
configuration option here will enable the colors to be
manipulated until the correct gray shades are achieved in
order to see the display adequately.
Here's how to do it...
Information is displayed on the screen in the form of a matrix
(table) using 7 different categories for the text and background
colors...
- NORMAL
- HIGHLIGHTED
- DATA ENTRY
- TITLE
- SCREEN COLOR
- SHADOW COLOR (Background only)
Only the combinations used in PC-TRACK are shown on the matrix.
The colors for both the background and text colors can be
selected for each of these categories.
Selecting Text Color Category
User Guide Page 33
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Using the Left and Right arrow keys selects the category for text
color changes. The currently selected category is shown by a down
arrow pointing to it along the top of the matrix.
Select Background Category
Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select the category for
background color changes. The currently selected category is
shown by a right arrow pointing to it along the left side of the
matrix.
Change Text Color (F5)
Pressing this key changes the color of the currently selected
text category. There are 16 colors to choose from.
Change Background Color (F6)
Pressing this key changes the color of the currently selected
background category. There are 2 sets of 8 identical colors. One
set causes the text to be non-blinking while the other causes
blinking text.
User Guide Page 34
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
CONFIGURE SYSTEM
This option allows you to define the default observation point,
map, and satellites to use in the TRACK option. This will enable
to you set up PC-TRACK to track the satellites you want and then
not have to go through the process again unless you wish to
change it. This reduces the effort needed to begin tracking to
just a few keystrokes. It also allows you to define whether or
not to use metric measurements, Coordinated Universal Time, and
where PC-TRACK looks on your disk to find the files it needs to
operate with.
DEFAULT OBSERVATION POINT
The default observation point is selected first. The initial
observation point to appear is either the first one in the
observer database (if none is already selected), or the one
previously selected. To change that observation point, use the up
and down arrow keys to select the new one desired. Press RETURN
to proceed or ESC to finish making changes in the CONFIG SYSTEM
option. The observation points displayed will be the ones in the
OBSERVER database defined using the SETUP OBSERVERS option.
NOTE: If there are no observers in the database (either none
entered yet or the DATA PATH is incorrect), this part will
be skipped. You will not be able to select a default
observer.
DEFAULT MAP
Once you select an observation point, the default map is
identified. To select a map, simply use the up and down arrow
keys to show the names of the available maps. When the one you
want is visible, press the RETURN key to proceed or the ESC key
to finish up with CONFIG SYSTEM.
NOTE: If there are no maps in the MAP PATH identified below,
this part will be skipped. You will not be able to select a
default map.
DEFAULT GLOBE VIEW
Once you select a map, the default globe view is identified. To
select another globe view, simply use the up and down arrow keys
to show the names of the available views. When the one you want
User Guide Page 35
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
is visible, press the RETURN key to proceed or the ESC key to
finish up with CONFIG SYSTEM.
NOTE: If there are no globes in the MAP PATH identified
below, this part will be skipped. You will not be able to
select a default globe view.
DEFAULT SATELLITES
PC-TRACK is capable of storing up to 200 satellites in its
database (using SETUP SATELLITES) and tracking up to 8 satellites
simultaneously. This option selects up to 8 of the possible 200
to be initially selected for GRAPHICS TRACK.
There are 8 "slots" available to select satellites. Each slot may
have any one of the satellites defined in the SETUP SATELLITES
option. You are initially positioned in slot number 1.
NOTE: If there are no satellites in the database (either
none entered yet or the DATA PATH is incorrect), this part
will be skipped. You will not be able to select any default
satellites.
At this point you may:
Press the Page Up or Page Down key. This will move you to the
next slot up or down. If you press the page down key, the
cursor will move to the next slot down, and the next satellite
down in the database will be showing. If you press the page up
key, the cursor will move to the next slot up (will wrap to
the bottom if you are at the top) and display the previous
satellite in the database (will also wrap the bottom of the
database if at the top).
Press the Up or Down arrow key. This will change the satellite
displayed to the next or previous satellite in the database.
The up arrow will select previous satellite, the down arrow
key will select the next.
Press the Home Key to clear the current slot and move the
cursor to the previous slot. This is handy to unselect a slot.
You may fill any or all slots with satellites. You do not
necessarily have to fill them all. You may have blanks slots.
For example, you could set it up so there are only 2
satellites to track, one in slot 2 and one in slot 7. It's up
User Guide Page 36
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
to you.
Press RETURN to complete the selection of default satellites
and move on to the PATH.
Press ESC to finish CONFIG SYSTEM.
Remember, the Page Up and Page Down keys select the slot, the
arrow keys select the satellite to go into the slot, the home
key clears a slot, and the RETURN key finishes the default
satellite selection process.
DATA PATH
This line tells PC-TRACK what disk drive and what directories
and subdirectory on that disk to use as the storage area for the
data files it uses. This line of text will be in the form of an
MS-DOS path name. If you have PC-TRACK on your C drive and you
have a special subdirectory called "\TRACK\DATA", then you would
enter "C:\TRACK\DATA\" on this line. The path defined here is
where PC-TRACK will look for the OBJECTS.DAT and OBSERVER.DAT
files.
NOTE: If you enter a non-existent path, an error window will
appear and will indicate that fact. You must press RETURN at
this point and try again. If you cannot remember what the path
is, you can just clear the line out by using the BACKSPACE,
DELETE, OR CTRL X keys. This will specify the default path.
MAP PATH
This line tells PC-TRACK what disk drive and what directories
and subdirectory on that disk to use as the storage area for the
map and globe files it uses. This line of text will also be in
the form of an MS-DOS path name. This is entered exactly the same
as described above.
See the note above on non-existent paths.
METRIC SYSTEM
This tells PC-TRACK to use either metric (meters and kilometers)
or English (feet and statute miles) measurements for distance.
Press the INSert key to change the answer or RETURN to move to
another parameter, and ESC to finish the CONFIG SYSTEM option.
User Guide Page 37
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
UTC TIME
This tells PC-TRACK to interpret the date and time displayed as
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or Local Time. Either 'UTC' or
'LOCAL' will appear. When using local time, PC-TRACK uses the
time zone defined for the selected observation point to compute
UTC time. This time zone is defined in the SETUP OBSERVERS
option. If you select Local time display, PC-TRACK will add the
time zone from the displayed time to get UTC time, since PC-TRACK
must use UTC time internally to compute satellite data. All
displays and printouts, however, will reflect the local time.
FINISHING UP
As described above, you may press ESC any time to end the CONFIG
SYSTEM option. You will be asked if everything is correct. At
this point you may enter:
'Y' or RETURN to save the changes you have made and go back to
the CONFIG menu.
'N' to go back and continue to make more changes.
ESC to quit without saving the changes and go back to the
CONFIG menu.
User Guide Page 38
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
CONFIGURE PRINTER
This option allows you to change the control codes sent to your
printer to make it print the PC-TRACK reports correctly.
Printer Codes
Printer codes are sequences of special control characters sent to
your printer. PC-TRACK displays and accepts them from you as the
decimal equivalents of each control character separated by a
slash (/). For example, the ESC character has a decimal value of
27 so it is shown on the screen as the number "27". Notice each
print command has a code sequence to turn it on and one to turn
it off. Some codes do not need to be turned off, so those
portions are left blank.
Some printers may not be capable of printing some of these
features. In that case, leave the CODE TO TURN ON for that
feature blank. You have up to 20 characters (including slashes)
to define each of the codes.
You may move the cursor around on the screen to the desired code
sequence by using the arrow keys or just pressing RETURN.
User Guide Page 39
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
APPENDIX A
OBTAINING SATELLITE INFORMATION
The information required by PC-TRACK can be obtained by
requesting the "NASA PREDICTION BULLETIN" or the "TWO LINE
ORBITAL ELEMENTS" for each of the satellites desired, referenced
by CATALOG NUMBER from:
PROJECT OPERATIONS BRANCH (CODE 513)
NASA/GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
GREENBELT, MD. 20771
You may also request a package of prediction bulletins for
certain categories of satellites such as weather or amateur radio
satellites rather than by individual CATALOG NUMBERS.
If you do not know the CATALOG NUMBER of the satellites you wish
to order data for, you can request the current "SATELLITE
SITUATION REPORT". To the best of my knowledge, there is no
charge for this document and it can be obtained from the above
address.
The Satellite Situation Report lists almost every satellite
currently in orbit. Each satellite is cataloged by the
International Designation and by Catalog number. It also lists
the name, launch date, orbital period in minutes, inclination,
apogee, perigee, and transmitting frequency. By using this
document you can determine the catalog numbers of the satellites
you wish to track with PC-TRACK.
User Guide Page 40
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
APPENDIX B
HOW TO USE THE ORBITAL DATA FROM NASA
The data required by PC-TRACK is contained in the Two Line
Orbital Elements. As described above, these elements are a part
of the NASA Prediction Bulletin described in Appendix A. The
following is an example of the format of the two line orbital
elements received from NASA.
1 13923U 90153.41230725 0.00000215 11423-3 0 376
2 13923 98.7483 183.1938 0017844 74.4610 285.8536 14.22303248 9340
Here are the pieces that PC-TRACK requires, broken out for
you...
LINE 1
EPOCH YEAR PERIOD DECAY
|| RATE |
|| ----------
1 13923U 90153.41230725 0.00000215 11423-3 0 376
| ------------ ---------------
| | |
| EPOCH DAY.FRACTION |
| NOT USED
----- CATALOG NUMBER
(ignore letter)
LINE 2
CATALOG
NUMBER
| INCLINATION ECCENTRICITY MEAN ANOMALY
| | | |
| | RIGHT ASC. | ARGUMENT | MEAN MOTION
| | OF NODE | OF PERIGEE | |
----| ------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -----------
2 13923 98.7483 183.1938 0017844 74.4610 285.8536 14.22603248 9340
---
|
REVOLUTION NUMBER --|
AT EPOCH (ignore last digit)
Notice that there is no decimal point printed for eccentricity.
The decimal point goes in front of the number. For example, the
number shown above for eccentricity would be entered as .0017844.
User Guide Page 41
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
APPENDIX C
GLOSSARY
The following are some terms used in the satellite tracking
business and are described in layman's terms.
APOGEE
The point in a satellite's orbit farthest from the Earth's
center.
ARGUMENT OF PERIGEE
The angular distance measured in the orbit plane, in the
direction of motion of the satellite, from the point of
intersection of the orbit and equatorial planes, to the perigee
point. The perigee point is the point in the orbit where the
satellite is closest to the earth's surface.
ASCENDING NODE
Point at which the satellite crosses the equatorial plane from
the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. (See also
RIGHT ASCENSION OF THE ASCENDING NODE.)
AZIMUTH
The angle measured in the plane of the horizon from true North
clockwise to the vertical plane through the satellite.
CATALOG NUMBER
A 5 digit number assigned to a cataloged orbiting satellite. This
number may be found in the NASA Satellite Situation Report and on
the NASA Prediction Bulletins.
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (UTC)
Also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Local time at zero
degrees longitude at the Greenwich Observatory, England. Uses
24 hour clock, ie. 2:00 pm is 1400 hrs.
CULMINATION
The point at which a satellite reaches its highest position or
elevation in the sky relative to an observer. (Also known as the
Closest Point of Approach)
DECLINATION
The angular distance from the equator to the satellite measured
positive north and negative south.
User Guide Page 42
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
DRAG
The force exerted on a satellite by its passage through the
atmosphere of the Earth, acting to slow the satellite down.
ECCENTRICITY
The degree of flattening of the orbit or its departure from a
circle. The greater the eccentricity, the more elliptical the
orbit is.
ELEMENT SET
See ORBITAL ELEMENTS.
EPHEMERIS
A tabulation of a series of points which define the position and
motion of a satellite.
EPOCH
A specific time and date which is used as a point of reference;
the time at which an element set for a satellite was last
updated.
EQUATORIAL PLANE
An imaginary plane running through the center of the earth and
the Earth's equator.
INCLINATION
The angle between the orbit plane and the Earth's equatorial
plane, measured counter-clockwise. 0 (zero) degrees inclination
would describe a satellite orbiting in the same direction as the
Earth's rotation directly above the equator (orbit plane =
equatorial plane). 90 degrees inclination would have the
satellite orbiting directly over both poles of the earth (orbit
plane displaced 90 degrees from the equatorial plane). An
inclination of 180 degrees would have the satellite orbiting
again directly over the equator, but in the opposite direction of
the Earth's rotation.
INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATOR
An internationally agreed upon naming convention for satellites.
Contains the last two digits of the launch year, the launch
number of the year and the piece of the launch, ie. A-indicates
payload, B-the rocket booster, or second payload, etc.
LATITUDE
Also called the geodetic latitude. the angle between the
perpendicular to the Earth's surface (plane of the horizon) at a
User Guide Page 43
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
location and the equatorial plane of the earth.
LONGITUDE
The angular distance from the Greenwich (zero degree) meridian,
along the equator. This can is measured either east or west to
the 180th meridian (180 degrees) or 0 to 360 degrees west. For
example, Ohio includes 85 degrees west longitude, while India
includes 85 degrees east longitude. But 85 degrees east longitude
could also be measured as 275 degrees west longitude.
MEAN ANOMALY
Angular distance measured in the orbit plane, in the direction of
motion, from the perigee point to the satellite's mean position.
MEAN MOTION
The number of complete revolutions a satellite makes in a given
unit of time, usually measured in revolutions per day. (see also
DECAY)
NASA PREDICTION BULLETINS
Report published by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center providing
latest orbital information on a particular satellite. This report
gives information in 3 parts: 1) two line orbital elements, 2)
Longitude of the South to North equatorial crossings, and 3)
longitude and heights of the satellite crossings for other
latitudes (besides the 0 degree latitude shown in part two).
OBJECT
A satellite. Something in space to be tracked.
ORBITAL ELEMENTS
Also called Classical Elements, Satellite Elements, Element Set,
etc. Includes the catalog Number; epoch year, day, and fraction
of day; period decay rate; argument of perigee, inclination,
eccentricity; right ascension of ascending node; mean anomaly;
mean motion; revolution number at epoch; and element set number.
This data is contained in the TWO LINE ORBITAL ELEMENTS provided
by NASA in the NASA Prediction Bulletin.
PERIOD DECAY RATE
Also known as Decay. This is the tendency of a satellite to lose
orbital velocity due to the influence of atmospheric drag and
gravitational forces. A decaying satellite eventually impacts
with the surface of the Earth or burns up in the atmosphere. This
parameter directly affects the satellite's MEAN MOTION. It is
measured in various ways but PC-TRACK , the NASA Prediction
User Guide Page 44
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
Bulletins and the Two Line Orbital Elements use revolutions per
day per day.
PERIGEE
The point in the satellite's orbit where it is closest to the
surface of the earth.
POSIGRADE ORBIT
Satellite motion which is in the same direction as the rotation
of the Earth.
RETROGRADE ORBIT
Satellite motion which is opposite in direction to the rotation
of the Earth.
REVOLUTION NUMBER AT EPOCH
The number of revolutions or ascending node passages that a
satellite has completed at the time (epoch) of the element set
since it was launched. The orbit number from launch to the first
ascending node is designated zero, thereafter the number
increases by one at each ascending node.
RIGHT ASCENSION OF THE ASCENDING NODE
The angular distance from the vernal equinox measured eastward in
the equatorial plane to the point of intersection of the orbit
plane where the satellite crosses the equatorial plane from south
to north.
SATELLITE SITUATION REPORT
A report published by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center listing
all known man-made Earth orbiting satellites. This report lists
the Catalog Number, International Designator, Name, Country of
origin, launch date, orbital period, inclination, beacon
frequency, and status (orbiting or decayed).
SUB-SATELLITE
Location of the point of intersection of the earth's surface by a
line between the center of the earth and the satellite (the point
on the earth directly beneath the satellite).
TWO LINE ORBITAL ELEMENTS
See ORBITAL ELEMENTS.
VERNAL EQUINOX
Also known as the first point of Aries, being the point where the
Sun crosses the Earth's equator going from south to north in the
User Guide Page 45
PC-TRACK 2.14 Simplified Satellite Tracking
spring. This point is fixed and represents the reference axis of
a coordinate system used in Astronomy and Astrodynamics.
User Guide Page 46