- ===============================================================
- * Welcome to SPLAT! -- A Terrain Analysis Tool for Unix/Linux *
- ===============================================================
+ ======================================================================
+ SPLAT!: A Terrestrial RF Path and Terrain Analysis Tool for Unix/Linux
+ ======================================================================
+
Requirements
============
fine. Note, however, that zlib version 1.1.3 contains a security
vulnerability that has been fixed in version 1.1.4. The latest
version of zlib may be found at: http://www.gzip.org/zlib/
-If you decide to build zlib, don't forget to invoke:
+If you should decide to build zlib, it is important to invoke:
./configure -s
to build zlib as a shared library.
-If you wish to generate terrain and elevation profiles through SPLAT!,
-you will also need gnuplot. The latest version of gnuplot is available
-at: http://www.gnuplot.info/
+If you wish to plot terrain and elevation profiles through SPLAT!,
+you will need gnuplot. The latest version of gnuplot is available
+at: http://www.gnuplot.info/ if you don't already have it.
You will also need an application for viewing large PPM graphics
files generated by SPLAT!. XV, ImageMagick, XPaint, and The GIMP
-all perform this task well, especially The GIMP.
+all perform this task well (especially The GIMP).
It goes without saying that a C++ compiler (gcc/g++) and math libraries
-are also needed to build SPLAT!
+are also needed to build SPLAT! SPLAT! is fully compatible with the
+latest (4.1.x) versions of the GCC compiler.
Installation Instructions
=========================
Unpack the tar.gz file in a source code directory (such as /usr/src
-under Slackware):
+under Slackware) as 'root':
cd /usr/src
- tar xvfz splat-1.1.0.tar.gz
+ tar xvfz splat-1.2.1.tar.gz
-This action will generate a subdirectory named splat, and probably
-requires 'root' privileges to do so.
+This action will generate a subdirectory named splat-1.2.1.
-Next, cd to the splat directory:
+Next, cd into the directory:
- cd splat
+ cd splat-1.2.1
Invoke the configure script to build SPLAT! and related utilities:
./install all
exit
-It's THAT simple! :-)
-
Before running SPLAT!, carefully read the documentation located under
-the splat-1.1.0/docs directory for information on the use of the program.
+the splat-1.2.1/docs directory for information on the use of the program.
+Some sample data files are located under the splat-1.2.1/sample_data
+directory.
+
+REMEMBER: Topography data must be downloaded and SPLAT Data Files must
+be generated using the included srtm2sdf, postdownload, or usgs2sdf
+utilities before using SPLAT! Instructions for doing so are included
+in the documentation.
+
+It is a good practice to create a working directory for SPLAT! use
+under your home directory:
+
+ mkdir $HOME/splat-work
-Remember, topography data must be downloaded and SPLAT Data Files must
-be generated (using the postdownload or usgs2sdf utility) prior to using
-SPLAT! Instructions for doing so are included in the documentation.
+Then:
+ cd $HOME/splat-work
-It is important to realize that when analyzing coverage areas of
-transmitters, repeaters, or cell sites, SPLAT Data Files need to be
-available for the entire region surrounding the site(s) being analyzed
-so an accurate and complete topography map can be generated. It is
-advised that you place all your SPLAT Data Files in a single directory,
-and then create a file in your home directory called .splat_path that
-contains the full path to that directory so SPLAT! can easily find them.
+before invoking SPLAT!
+
+In this manner, all associated SPLAT! working files can be kept in a
+common directory.
+
+It is important to realize that when analyzing regional coverage
+areas of transmitters, repeaters, or cell sites, SPLAT Data Files
+need to be available for the entire region surrounding the site(s)
+being analyzed. SPLAT Data Files can be placed under your SPLAT!
+working directory, or under a separate directory specified in your
+$HOME/.splat_path file so SPLAT! can easily find them.
Please read the README file under the utils directory for information
on the utilities included with SPLAT!.
-The latest announcements and information regarding SPLAT! software is
-available at the SPLAT! Home Page:
+Please read the documentation under the splat-1.2.1/docs directory,
+or consult the program's man page for more information and examples
+of SPLAT! use.
+
+The latest announcements and information regarding SPLAT! software
+can be found on the SPLAT! Web Site:
http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/splat.html
--
John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
-January 24, 2004
-
+September, 2007