This is the dreaded GPS lab! Your task will be to get familiar with the Garmin ETrex GPS recievers - for collecting, downloading, importing, and mapping point data.
You will be handed a flyer which provides some information. This info can also be found here.
The task: calculate the accuracy of the handheld GPS receivers.
Step one - grab a receiver, clear the memory, and set it to UTM, NAD83. Now, head out to one of the campus survey points. A map of the monuments and a background airphoto can be found on the J:/drive. Stand over that point (be sure to find the little brass monument inset in concrete) and log data - one point every 15 seconds or so for at least 20 minutes. Don't just rapidly press the button, you won't get much variation in your points and the lab will be pretty pointless. Be sure to note how far above the ground you are holding the GPS receiver - this will affect your Z accuracy (and take this into account in your stats, below).
Wander back into the lab, goto the back computer, download the data, get it into excel. Be sure to use the old excel 2003.
Export this file in dbase 4 format - note the gps instructions, this step can be irritating.
Now for some stats (in excel)- calculate the x,y, and z errors for each of your points. Also, calculate the average error for each and the standard deviation. Includemin and max x,y, and z errors. Make a graph for each (x,y,z) including the average error. Include the standard deviation on the chart as some added text. Also, using plain english, give a paragraph which explains just how accurate these GPS recievers are. Compare this to published accuracies (head out to the web to find this out).
Now - to ArcMap. Bring the data in and plot it out. Zoom in so that you can see the distribution of the points. Create a quick layout, label the correctly positioned point.
Hand in - the statistics, the 3 graphs, the layout, and a paragraph which summarizes your results (how good, in what direction, etc) - refer to your charts and layout.
2 points. Due - Friday, 1 May.