GNSS on OpenStreetMap – Telecommunications, Navigation & Electronics

Introduction

Several years ago I read an interesting article on how to marry your spectrum analyzer, GPS and map software to do a propagation drive test (Ref.1). In previous posts I looked at using a new GNSS receiver for use with Radio Mobile for propagation testing (Ref.2). So in this post I will incorporate the GNSS receiver with OpenStreetMap and spectrum analyzer software as a first step in a propagation drive test.

Create OpenStreetMap for Propagation Test

Fig.1 OpenStreetMap Selection Window Export/Save

Fig.2 OpenStreetMap Selection of Toronto Including the Harbourfront

In order to use the spectrum analyzer software for propagation test mapping, we first have to load a map using OpenStreetMap. Figure 1 shows the map selection area in OpenStreetMap. Using the Export function (left hand side), the coordinates of the selection window are shown. Saving the selection as an image (right hand side), you can adjust the scale as required. Figure 2 shows the area selected for Toronto and harbourfront area.

Walkabout Propagation Test 3 Locations

Fig.3 Propagation Test Equipment Schematic

Fig.4 OSM map loaded into Spectrum Analyzer Software Measurement 1

Fig.5 OSM map loaded into Spectrum Analyzer Software Measurement 2

Fig.6 OSM map loaded into Spectrum Analyzer Software Measurement 3

Figure 3 shows the propagation testing equipment. In order to familiarize myself with the software, I am doing a walkabout test before putting the gear in a car and driving around. I went to 3 locations and used the select function to measure the signal level of a test signal (Toronto Marine Weather @ 162.4MHz) together with the lat/long/elev. The first measurement was close to Trillium Park on the waterfront (Figure 4), the second at University of Toronto (Figure 5) and the third at North Toronto Park (Figure 6). In the next post I will use the automatic GPS entry mode and do an actual car drive test.