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GPS or
Global Positioning System is being used in a variety
of applications: from airplane navigation to precision
farming. It utilizes specially-coded satellite signals
that can be processed in a GPS receiver, thereby enabling the
receiver to accurately mark its position. Morrisville
State College operates a GPS/GIS computer laboratory to train
students in this cutting-edge technology. The
students use the laboratory to gain hands-on
experiences on both GPS and GIS. The laboratory
(located in 208 Bicknell Hall) is equipped with 16
state-of-the-art computer systems that run both ArcView GIS
3.3 and ArcGIS 9.1 (both a
product of
the
ESRI). |
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Students who take precision farming, soil and crop
science, photogrammetric mapping, and GPS/GIS classes use
204 Charlton for a variety of exercises and projects including
field mapping and GIS. The
students also collect GPS data using a variety of GPS
systems (more than 18 Garmin GPS 12 and Magellan GPS 310
units) including real-time and post-processing differential
GPS (DGPS). The real-time DGPS systems include a couple
of Trimble GeoExplorer 3.0 units with a beacon-on-a-belt for
receiving differential corrections from the USCG
beacons. Numerous WAAS-based DGPS systems are also
available for classroom instruction, laboratory exercises, and
class projects. These include Garmin GPS 72, Garmin GPS
76, and Standard Horizon NAV 40 real-time DGPS systems.
A post-processing DGPS system is also available.
The Ashtech system is comprised of a roving
unit and a base
station located in Charlton Hall (computer software
is utilized in this case to differentially-correct the
collected GPS data). Finally, a John Deere GreenStar
precision farming is also available for both teaching and
demonstration. The system includes a StarFire GPS
receiver that allows for real-time differential corrections of
GPS measurements based on signals from a satellite or the WAAS
operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). |
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