2 By John A. Magliacane, <kd2bd@amsat.org> (01-Apr-2006):
4 * An srtm2sdf utility was added to permit SPLAT Data Files to be
5 derived from the latest 3-arc second SRTM (STS-99 Space Shuttle
6 Radar Topography Mission) digital elevation model data. The
7 quality of this data is *significantly* higher than that of older
8 USGS Digital Elevation Models previously used by SPLAT!. Despite
9 the higher quality, some voids in SRTM data sets still exist.
10 When voids are detected, the srtm2sdf utility replaces them with
11 equivalent elevation data found in existing SDF files (presumably
12 generated from older USGS elevation models). If older SDF files
13 are not available, voids are handled through pixel averaging or
16 * Coding changes were made that in concert with the new srtm2sdf utility
17 should allow SPLAT! to function over all regions of the planet for
18 which SRTM-3 elevation data is available.
20 * SPLAT's SDF search path priority has been changed. SPLAT! now
21 searches for needed SDF files in the current working directory first.
22 If the needed file isn't found, SPLAT! then searches in the path
23 specified by the -d command-line option, or in the $HOME/.splat_path
26 * The color scheme used by SPLAT! in the generation of Longley-Rice
27 path loss maps was noticeably improved.
29 * A new command-line option (-db) was added to allow constraints
30 to be placed on the maximum attenuation contours plotted on
33 * A possible array overflow condition in the ReadPath() function was
36 * Some very slight coding modifications were made to permit warning-free
37 compilation under GCC 4.x.x.
39 * The usgs2sdf utility was modified John Gabrysch (jgabby@gmail.com) to
40 properly handle the latest USGS DEM file format, and to properly scale
43 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
46 By John A. Magliacane, <kd2bd@amsat.org> (29-Jan-2004):
48 * Extensively modified by J. D. McDonald in January 2004 to include
49 the Longley-Rice propagation model using C++ code from NTIA/ITS.
50 In addition to analyzing line-of-sight propagation paths, SPLAT!
51 now generates multi-color maps illustrating predicted signal
52 strength (path loss), path loss graphs, path loss reports,
53 and terrain height graphs. The default earth radius, as well
54 as the default line-of-sight and path loss analysis range used
55 by SPLAT! may also be modified using new command-line options.
57 * splat.c was renamed to splat.cpp to reflect changes necessary
58 to merge with Longley-Rice C++ code. A C++ compiler (gcc/g++)
59 is now required to compile SPLAT!.
61 * The documentation was updated to reflect the new features
64 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
67 By John A. Magliacane <kd2bd@amsat.org> (10-Jun-2002):
69 * Coverage areas are now processed four times faster than before.
72 * Determination of antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) based
73 on FCC Part 73.313(d) (Prediction of coverage) has been added.
75 * Site analysis report generation has been added when coverage mode
76 is invoked. These reports include ground height above mean sea
77 level, antenna height above mean sea level, antenna height above
78 average terrain, and average terrain calculated at azimuths of 0,
79 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, and 315 degrees.
81 * Added site location information in degree, minute, second format,
82 as well as antenna height above average terrain to the content of
85 * Elevations below sea-level are now safely handled.
87 * Greyscale of topographic maps generated by SPLAT! is now referenced
88 between the highest and lowest elevations in the survey, instead of
89 between the highest elevation and sea-level. This change in reference
90 permits regions below sea level to be discernible in the map, and
91 allows subtle terrain variations to be clearly evident over regions
92 having relatively flat terrain.
94 * The documentation was updated.
96 * Several other minor coding changes/bug fixes were made.
98 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
101 By John A. Magliacane <kd2bd@amsat.org> (14-May-2002):
103 * SPLAT! now buffers data while reading bzip2 compressed SPLAT
104 Data Files (SDFs). A 100 MHz Pentium now loads compressed SDF
105 files 208% faster than before, and takes only 2 seconds longer
106 than an uncompressed file.
108 * Configuration, compilation, and installation scripts now invoke
109 bash instead of sh. The -ffast-math compiler option was removed.
111 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
114 By John A. Magliacane <kd2bd@amsat.org> (22-Apr-2002):
116 * The maximum number of transmitter/repeater sites handled
117 per analysis has been increased from two to four.
119 * Improved the configuration, compilation, and installation scripts.
120 Now ./configure compiles and installs the program, man page, and
121 all associated utilities in one command.
123 * Some minor coding changes were made, including the addition of an
124 #include <stdlib.h> in each of the utilities to silence a compilation
125 warning issued by gcc version 3.x.x about the use of the exit() function.
127 * The README and documentation files were updated.
129 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
132 by John A. Magliacane <kd2bd@amsat.org> (08-Apr-2002):
134 * First public release of SPLAT!