Providing line of sight visualization from an originating point
A method includes receiving a first set of coordinates associated with a first geostationary point, identifying a first plurality of geostationary points having a clear line of sight to the first geostationary point and a second plurality of points lacking the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point, and generating a map in which the first plurality of geostationary points is depicted in a first visual style. Optionally, the map may further depict the second plurality of geostationary points in a second visual style different from the first visual style.
1 . A method comprising:
receiving, by a processing system including at least one processor, a first set of coordinates associated with a first geostationary point;
identifying, by the processing system, a first plurality of geostationary points having a clear line of sight to the first geostationary point and a second plurality of geostationary points lacking the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point;
generating, by the processing system, a map in which the first plurality of geostationary points is depicted in a first visual style, wherein the map layers the first plurality of geostationary points and the second plurality of geostationary points over at least two of: topographical data, clutter data, satellite data, or three-dimensional building data;
receiving, by the processing system, a selection of a second geostationary point on the map; and
displaying, by the processing system, a profile for the second geostationary point, in response to the selection of the second geostationary point, wherein the profile specifies a required elevation of the second geostationary point to ensure the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first geostationary point corresponds to a location of an existing cellular base station.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein each point of the first plurality of geostationary points corresponds to a candidate location for a microwave radio dish.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of coordinates includes an elevation component.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of coordinates is received via a selection by a user on the map.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying is performed using data acquired from a third party information source.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the third party information source is at least one of: a United States geological survey database, a commercial global positioning system, a topological data source, a clutter data source, a satellite data source, or a three-dimensional building data source.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the map further depicts the second plurality of geostationary points in a second visual style different from the first visual style.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the map layers the first plurality of geostationary points and the second plurality of geostationary points over the topographical data.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the map displays all points of the first plurality of geostationary points and all points of the second plurality of geostationary points simultaneously.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein each point of the first plurality of geostationary points is displayed on the map as a discrete point having a first shape, and each point of the second plurality of geostationary points is displayed on the map as a discrete point having a second shape different from the first shape.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the selection of the second geostationary point is received via a selection by a user on the map.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first geostationary point comprises a candidate location for a structure, and the first plurality of geostationary points comprises a plurality of locations from which the structure would be visible if the structure is deployed at the first geostationary point.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile additionally specifies a microwave path profile for a path connecting the second geostationary point to the first geostationary point.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile additionally specifies a distance of the second geostationary point from the first geostationary point.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile additionally specifies a bearing of the second geostationary point.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile additionally specifies a tilt of the second geostationary point.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second geostationary point is selected from among the first plurality of geostationary points and the second plurality of geostationary points.
19 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processing system including at least one processor, cause the processing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving a first set of coordinates associated with a first geostationary point;
identifying a first plurality of geostationary points having a clear line of sight to the first geostationary point and a second plurality of geostationary points lacking the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point;
generating a map in which the first plurality of geostationary points is depicted in a first visual style, wherein the map layers the first plurality of geostationary points and the second plurality of geostationary points over at least two of: topographical data, clutter data, satellite data, or three-dimensional building data;
receiving a selection of a second geostationary point on the map; and
displaying a profile for the second geostationary point, in response to the selection of the second geostationary point, wherein the profile specifies a required elevation of the second geostationary point to ensure the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point.
20 . An apparatus comprising:
a processing system including at least one processor; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving a first set of coordinates associated with a first geostationary point;
identifying a first plurality of geostationary points having a clear line of sight to the first geostationary point and a second plurality of geostationary points lacking the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point;
generating a map in which the first plurality of geostationary points is depicted in a first visual style, wherein the map layers the first plurality of geostationary points and the second plurality of geostationary points over at least two of: topographical data, clutter data, satellite data, or three-dimensional building data;
receiving a selection of a second geostationary point on the map; and
displaying a profile for the second geostationary point, in response to the selection of the second geostationary point, wherein the profile specifies a required elevation of the second geostationary point to ensure the clear line of sight to the first geostationary point.