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Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:31 pm
by mysticvirgo67
andrew, I happenned across an autoIT script that generates circles for google earth in the Techidiots site.
http://www.techidiots.net/autoit-script ... r.au3/view
Maybe you might be able to import it into Vistumbler.. radius = signal strength?

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:33 pm
by ACalcutt
Heh...thats an old script of mine ;-)

What are you thinking....an addition to AutoKML that shows the signal strength of each AP live?

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:27 pm
by mysticvirgo67
Well, I don't guess it has to be live, but as an option to the GPS signal strength graph. Instead of the line graph style. Maybe tie radius to estimated signal strength? More intutitive I would think. I tried to post this reply a few hours ago, but I think your server been feeling ill again.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:12 pm
by ACalcutt
to have it map the signal strength of the highest gps point shouldn't be to hard.

It would be nice to figure out how to use it to show range. somehow if I could find the gps point the farthest from the highest signal gps point. That would give me the center of the circle (high signal gps point) and a point on the circumference (farthest gps point) to get an estimed signal range

Edit. just putting this here so i don't forget it
http://www.movable-type.co.uk/scripts/latlong.html
Spherical law
of cosines: d = acos(sin(lat1)*sin(lat2)+cos(lat1)*cos(lat2)*cos(long2−long1))*R
R = earth’s radius (mean radius = 6,371km)

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:13 pm
by ACalcutt
Here is a test kml using signal strength as the radius of the circle

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:58 pm
by ACalcutt
Here is a test kml using highest range as the radius of the circle

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:32 pm
by mysticvirgo67
Yeay, I did the rnage thing manually.. I used my 'benchmark' AP Southern States Coop (ssid=SSCOOP) and since I know where that AP lives, I was able to use your Circle script. I will look over your posted KMLs.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:55 pm
by mysticvirgo67
I like both solutions, Andrew.. But I think I like Highest strength better. Could be as an option for either one?

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:29 am
by mysticvirgo67
Was watching Fresh Prince of Bel Aire this morning on TVland and mulling over the Circular Signal strength code.
I think what I was really looking to do is be able to take a signal and generate a circular plot giving an idea of the location of a given Ap on that circle. Theoretically, If one has three positions where the AP is detected then the AP would be located where the signal circles would intersect or overlap. So perhaps the radius of the circle would be best set as teh inverse of the detected signal strength. All things being equal, The further away an AP , the weaker the detected strength.

What you have done with both 'flavors' of circular signal strength so far is wonderful...

Could you post a 'patch' or a 'pre-beta' update so I can test what you have so far??


I had lots of fun reviewing the KMLs you posted. And Actually, the Signal Circles were really helpful in helping ID'ing the AP locations.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:10 am
by mysticvirgo67
Here is a screen cap using both the test KMLs.
Orange circle is from the Range KML
the Blue is from Signal Strength KML

Test Ap is a Linksys with MAC ending 47:CB

As you can see, using signal strength as the variable for circle radius leaves a high level of uncertanty as to the location of Ap Linksys mac 47:CB Could be one of 6-7 homes.

Using the Range , the number of possible locations can be reduced to 4 homes.

I think that with 2 more drives along the side streets, It is Very Possible to use circular trianguation to locate the exact source of Linksys 47:CB transmissions.

Oh Aside.. Mass. looks Beautiful

Mystic

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:59 am
by ACalcutt
Check the beta update (v9.8 Beta 1). I implemented a rough version of this in the Export to kml options.

Availible through auto update or through the svn (http://vistumbler.svn.sourceforge.net/v ... athrev=454)

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:05 am
by mysticvirgo67
'K Thks Bai

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:27 am
by ACalcutt
There's still some kinks to work out. Like in this image the center is being considered the place with the lowest signal.

Something that would cause this now would be is the number of satellites dropped after the first signal reading. Right now I am checking number of satellites first, then AP signal strength. I may need to reverse it so that i check signal strength first, then number of satellites.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:02 pm
by Freebe
@Andrew

Can i put my 4 eggs in :wink: I like the one you did with the 2 circle(s) but the strongest should be Green and the outer one Orange ( or Red )
Is this Possible :?:

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:17 pm
by mysticvirgo67
Yes Freebe, is a little complicated to explain but easier to show.
In google earth, right click on the AP signal strength then select properties then under second tab click on select color.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:28 pm
by mysticvirgo67
@ andrew.. I noticed those gaps in the signal strength as well. I just figgured that the detected signal was below a lower limit.

@ Freebe... Oh I just arbritarily selected colors in the GPS signal strength properties so that I could see better. No dependacy on strengths.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:36 pm
by mysticvirgo67
@ Andrew.. Yes I think SS first then Coords would be better. Intutitve.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:14 pm
by ACalcutt
Freebe wrote:@Andrew

Can i put my 4 eggs in :wink: I like the one you did with the 2 circle(s) but the strongest should be Green and the outer one Orange ( or Red )
Is this Possible :?:
What i really want to do is make a better "Export to KML" screen that has more options

The options I have considered so far -
-Ability to change colors of GPS track, Cicular signal strenth, and GPS Range.
-Ability to change the structure of the kml file. Right now the structure is basically (Feature -> Network type --> AP Name). I would like to add a way to do (AP Name -> Feature) or (Network type -> AP Name -> Feature)
-Type of signal map (circular or line height)

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:36 pm
by ACalcutt
mysticvirgo67 wrote:@ Andrew.. Yes I think SS first then Coords would be better. Intutitve.
The original reason I used number of satellites first was in the case that signal was really high but the gps had a bad quality fix it would not lock the AP to that bad location. I'll have to see what works better.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:22 pm
by Freebe
:D When your back is against the wall you can always work better :D

Keep at it. :wink:

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:35 am
by mysticvirgo67
Imagine what could be done with a loaded weapon pointed at you ROFL

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:55 am
by ACalcutt
I would imagine LESS would get done with a loaded weapon pointed at me...I've seen how much my typing skills drop just from the stress of someone watching over my shoulders....I can imagine what the stress from a gun would do.

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:19 pm
by mysticvirgo67
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:20 pm
by mysticvirgo67
would it help if I took the bullets out???

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:50 pm
by ACalcutt
it depends....do I know the bullets are out....and...are you looking over my shoulder while pointing the gun at me...

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:00 am
by mysticvirgo67
LOL...

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:33 am
by ACalcutt
I'm guessing I have to fear being pistol whipped(mmm pistol whip) if there are no bullets ;-)

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:00 pm
by mysticvirgo67
or a BB lodged in your skin LOL'

Re: Circular Signal Strength for KML

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:56 pm
by pferland
what about a little red laser dot on your forehead?