Radio Coverage Measurements at Bridger Bowl
ECE students:
- Ryan Hawes
- John Wong
- Doug Wickens
Faculty Advisor: Richard Wolff
Industry Sponsor: Doug Roberts, Midtech Technologies,
Fall 05
���������� The main point in this project is to improve efficiency of the SnowCat groomers at Bridger Bowl. A base station computer will be located at the base of the mountain. The GPS and antenna strength information collected in the SnowCat will be relayed to the base station. This will improve grooming efficiency by letting the manager know where each SnowCat is at. This will help coordinate grooming tasks. Repeaters will be used to help provide full coverage in the mountain.
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����������� This semester, we will install an antenna at Bridger Bowl. It will be used to compare simulation results from the last senior design group. The main difference between our project and their project is that we will be collecting real information rather than simulated information. The main goals of this project are:
- Install antenna and base station at Bridger Bowl.
- Collect signal strength of antenna with GPS coordinates.
- Map out signal strength using ArcMap.
- Plot antenna strength vs. distance
- Compare calculated and measured signal strength.
The antenna was installed on a tower next to the maintenance garage at Bridger Bowl. The photo below shows a picture of the antenna and tower.
The antenna strength and GPS coordinates were recorded along the Snowcat trail. We took measurements everywhere in front of the antenna also. The picture below was where the SnowCats parked.
We also hike a trail to see if we can still have connectivity to the antenna. The trail we followed is shown in the picture below.
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����������� A main constraint in this project is that each SnowCat must not be disconnected from the network more than five minutes. Also, the placement of the repeater is limited. They must be by power, and the only locations for power are by lifts.
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