AutoPath Function

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Q: I need to plot several profiles for different paths. How can I automate the process?

A: The TAP AutoPath function enables you to build a database of path information. You can then plot a profile and/or compute field strength information for each of the paths.

(This article describes an older version of the AutoPath function.  If you are using TAP 6.0.2210 or later with a Maintenance Subscription date of January 31, 2008, or later, please refer to the TAP6 AutoPath Function article.)

Note that you should first plot one of the path profiles manually in TAP.  Plotting and printing one path manually will let you set up the printer device and set the printer for landscape or portrait plots, which will then be used as the default TAP uses for AutoPath profile plots.  Plotting a path or two manually before turning AutoPath loose with lots of paths is usually a good idea anyway to catch issues like a typo in the coordinates, missing topo data in the area, or other unexpected results.

From the Path menu, select "AutoPath"

You will be prompted for the AutoPath database to use. You can select an existing database or you can enter a new name to create a new database.

The AutoPath form will be displayed:

This form enables you to set general parameters for all the paths defined in the database.

The Task ID is assigned automatically by the program. You can enter a description that will be used later when you want to refer to the study being set up.

The Execute Now or Execute Later options enable you to begin the AutoPath process as soon as you click the Continue button (Execute Now). You also have the option (Execute Later) to save the AutoPath task, then to execute the task (alone, or with other TAP Tasks) from the File|Tasks menu.

The Surface tab enables you to specify Surface Feature files and/or Land Use files to be used with the path profiles and field calculations.

The Import Data tab enables you to import path specifications from an Excel spreadsheet, or to look up a path from the TAP Fixed Facility data base.

Use the Data Source pulldown list to select the type of file you want to import:

You will be prompted to select the data file you want to import, such as the Excel spreadsheet in this example:

If the TAP AutoPath Database already contains other path information that you want to preserve, be sure to select "Append Paths". If you want to delete any records in the existing database, the "Replace Paths" option can be selected. Then click the Import button on the AutoPath Setup form:

The TAP Import Field Association form will be displayed:

This is the form used to make the associations between the information in the Excel spreadsheet (such as the TX column) and in the TAP AutoPath Database. The pulldown lists show the fields in each database:

Select each of the relevant fields in the imported database and the corresponding field in the TAP AutoPath Database:

Then use the Add button to add the association to the list:

Continue this process until all the needed associations are in the list. Then click the Continue button on the TAP Import Field Association form.

The program will import the information into the TAP AutoPath database. You can view the database contents by clicking the AutoPath Data tab:

You can also add a path using the "Fixed Facility Lookup" button. This function enables you to select two sites as end points.

The program will then create a new path record in the AutoPath database using the two end points. If the "Site A" information is from a Fixed Facility lookup, the frequency and Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of the facility will be included in the new record.

The AutoPath Data tab displays the actual AutoPath database, including records from imports, fixed facility lookup, or direct manual entry (using the "New" button").

Each path record (or row) in the database includes the following information:

 

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