Figure of Merit Access Constraint Types

The types of access constraints available to you through the Constraints field on the Figure of Merit's Basic->Definition properties page depend on the type of object associated with the grid points. Descriptions of the constraint types for the Figure of Merit Access Constraint are provided below.

Constraint Description
Altitude Access to the object is constrained by minimum and maximum altitude of the object to which the constraint is applied.
AngleToAsset In Attitude Coverage, grid points are located on a sphere centered around an object, with each grid point representing a direction from that object. The AngleToAsset constraint computes an angle between a direction from the object at the center of the sphere to an asset and a direction represented by a grid point.
AngularRate The angular rate is the rotational rate of one object, which is necessary to keep a fixed vector in that object's body-fixed coordinate system aligned with the line of sight between the two objects.
ApparentTime Start and end local apparent times. Using local apparent time, at noon the Sun is at the same longitude as the satellite. Also known as Local Satellite Time (LST).
AtmosLoss See Atmospheric Absorption Models.
AzimuthAngle For facilities, places, and targets, azimuth is measured in the local horizontal plane, tangent to the surface of the central body. This angle is measured from the local north direction towards the local east direction. An azimuth of 0 degrees specifies a location directly to the north and an azimuth of 180 degrees specifies a location directly to the south.

For ships, ground vehicles and aircraft, the azimuth is measured from the projection of the earth fixed velocity vector.

For other objects, azimuth is measured in the plane perpendicular to nadir from the projection of the inertial velocity vector to the projection of the relative position vector. This angle is measured in a positive sense according to the right-hand rule about the nadir vector. An azimuth of 0 degrees specifies a location directly in front of the object and an azimuth of 180 degrees specifies a location directly behind the object.
AzimuthRate The azimuth rate is the rate of change of the azimuth angle.
BitErrorRate Limits the bit error rate.
BER+I Limits the bit error rate, taking the effects of interference into account.
BetaAngle The solar beta angle is the signed angle of the vector to the Sun relative to the orbital plane. The signed angle is positive when the vector to the Sun is in the direction of the orbit normal. The orbit normal is parallel to the orbital angular momentum vector, which is defined as the cross-product of the inertial position and velocity vectors.
C/I The carrier-to-interference ratio.

Due to the volatile nature of the C/I parameters, the sampling may not be able to precisely capture the threshold.

C/N Limits the true carrier-to-noise ratio. This value includes any pre-receive gains and losses that may be defined for the receiver as well as propagation losses.
C/(N+I) Limits the true carrier-to-noise ratio, taking the effects of interference into account.
C/No Limits the carrier-to-noise density ratio measured at the antenna output. This value includes any pre-receive gains and losses that may be defined for the receiver as well as propagation losses.
C/(No+Io)
The carrier to (noise + interference) ratio (C/(No+Io)) where C is the carrier power, No = kT (Boltzmann's constant * system temperature) and Io = interference power spectral density.
CBObstruction Uses selected central bodies as additional central body constraints.
CloudsFogLoss See Clouds and Fog Models.
Comm Plugin A constraint defined by a user-supplied plugin script.
CrdnAngle Restrict access to intervals during which the selected angle is within the specified minimum and maximum limits.
CrdnCondition

A constraint based on the selected Condition component from the Calculation tool. (Using the Calculation tool, you can configure Condition components by selecting Scalar components and either minimum, maximum, or both limits.)

Condition is satisfied when the value of its Scalar components falls within specified limits, which is similar to standard Access constraints with minimum and/or maximum limits. During Access computations, the Condition component is sampled judiciously and its satisfaction intervals are determined again, which is similar to other standard Access constraints. When reported or graphed, the Condition component returns:

    -1 when it is not satisfied

    +1 when it is satisfied

    0 when it is directly on the satisfaction boundary

CrdnVectorMag Restrict access to intervals during which the selected vector is within the specified minimum and maximum limits.
CrossTrackRange Min and Max values set in the Cross Track Range area represent the distance, measured on the surface of the Earth, from the target location to the plane defined by the cross-product of the Earth-fixed position and velocity of the object. The Min and Max values are measured in both positive and negative directions along the z-axis of the coordinate system.
DeltaT/T The interference-to-noise ratio; i.e., the ratio of jammer power spectral density to receiver noise power spectral density.

Due to the volatile nature of the DeltaT/T parameters, the sampling may not be able to precisely capture the threshold.

DopplerConeAngle Measured with respect to the +/- Earth Fixed velocity vector directions. Access within the defined cones is precluded. Typically used to model the collection area for radars.
DopplerShift Limits the amount of frequency shift due to the relative velocities of the objects involved. The constraint values specify the frequency range relative to the transmitted frequency. For example, if the transmitted frequency is 5 GHz and the Min and Max Doppler Shift are 100 kHz, the allowed frequency range is 4.9999 to 5.0001 GHz.
Eb/No Limits the bit energy to noise power density ratio. These values include all pre-demodulation gains and losses.
Eb/(No+Io)
The energy per bit to (noise + interference) ratio (Eb/(No+Io)) where Eb is the energy per bit, No = kT (Boltzmann's constant * system temperature) and Io = interference power spectral density.
ElevationAngle For objects other than facilities, places, and targets, elevation is measured as the angle between the nadir vector and the relative position vector minus 90 degrees. The elevation angle is positive for objects above the plane perpendicular to nadir.

For facilities, places, and targets, elevation is measured as the angle above the local horizontal plane where the local horizontal plane is tangent to the surface of the central body. The elevation angle is positive for objects above the local horizontal plane.
ElevationRate The elevation rate is the rate of change of the elevation angle.
ElevationRiseSet The Rise-Set Elevation angle constraint allows you to specify different elevation angle limits for the rise-stage and setting-stage of a satellite. For example, a receiver (attached to a sensor and/or a facility) will acquire a rising satellite only when it is 15 degrees above horizon, and will track it down to a 5 degree elevation angle when the satellite is setting.

This constraint provides additional flexibility as compared to the normal Elevation angle constraint which applies the same elevation angle limits on the rising and/or setting phase of a satellite.

FluxDensity Limits the power flux density at the receiver. This value represents the flux density as seen by the receiver, including all pre-receive gains and losses that may be defined for the receiver as well as propagation losses.
FreeSpaceLoss See Urban Propagation Wireless InSite RT Model.
Frequency Limits the range of frequencies to those to which the receiver responds.
G/T The receiver gain divided by the system noise temperature. This is the most common Figure Of Merit for describing the performance of a receiver.
GeoExclusion Access to an object is constrained when it falls within the specified angle. This constraint is useful when calculating access from a facility, place, or target to a LEO satellite
GrazingAlt The nearest distance that the line of sight between the satellite and the other object comes to the Earth defines the grazing altitude. This constraint can be used to prevent a communications link between the two objects from moving too far down into the atmosphere, which might degrade the quality of the link.

The grazing altitude is only evaluated along the path between the two objects. If both objects are "in front" (meaning relative to the center of the Earth) then the constraint will return a value equal to the altitude of the closest object to the earth. It does not extend the vector past the "to object" to see if that results in a smaller grazing altitude. An example of when this might occur is a GEO satellite looking down at a missile launch.

GrazingAngle Describes how high one object appears above the edge of the Earth (or limb) relative to the satellite. Measured relative to the satellite, as the angle between the Earth limb and the other object. This constraint can be used to prevent a sensitive optical sensor, such as those on the Hubble Space Telescope, from aiming too close to the Earth, which might blind the sensor due to reflections off the surface.
GroundSampleDistance Resolution Constraints for sensors allow you to limit access based on sensor characteristics and the quality of the objects in the sensor's view. The Ground Sample Distance is the smallest size of an object on the ground that can be detected by the sensor. It applies to facilities, places, and targets, and is based upon the access geometry and the physical attributes of the sensor. Enter the minimum and maximum Ground Sample Distance in the units of measurement specified at the scenario level.
HeightAboveHorizon The minimum and/or maximum height of the facility, place, or target above the horizon.
InTrackRange Min and Max values set for In Track Range represent the distance, measured along the ground track on the surface of the Earth, from the sub-satellite point to the point on the ground track nearest the target. Positive values are measured in the positive direction along the y-axis of the coordinate system and negative values are measured in the negative direction along the y-axis of the coordinate system.
J/S The jamming to signal ratio, virtually the inverse of C/I.
Latitude Indicates latitude boundaries. You can specify a latitude boundary within which accesses to the vehicle must fall in order to be valid. Specify the Minimum and Maximum latitude values to define the latitude boundary.
LinkEIRP EIRP (in dB) computed in the direction of the link being established at the current time instant between a transmitter and a receiver. This is obtained by computing the gain (dB) in the direction of the link and then adding the final transmitter amplifier power (dB) to it.
LinkMargin Allows for filtering of report results based on the Link Margin calculation.
LocalTime Start and end local time constraints. The object local time is computed based upon the GMT of interest and the longitude of the object at that time. For every degree of east longitude, 4 minutes are added to GMT to yield the object local time.
LOSLunarExclusion The minimum angle between the line of sight from the source object to the object of interest and the line of sight from the source object to the Moon for which access is considered valid. If the line between the source object and the Moon is obstructed (for example, the Earth is between a satellite source object and the Moon), then the exclusion constraint is not applied.
LOSSunExclusion The minimum angle between the line of sight from the source object to the object of interest and the line of sight from the source object to the Sun for which access is considered valid. For example, enter 5 degrees in the text field if you want to ignore access to another object if it is within 5 degrees of the Sun (exclusion angle is 5 degrees). If the line between the source object and the Sun is obstructed (for example, the Earth is between a satellite source object and the Sun), then the exclusion constraint is not applied.
LunarElevationAngle Min and Max values represent the elevation angle to the apparent position of the Moon.
Matlab A constraint defined by a user-supplied MATLAB plugin script.
Noise Temperature See Noise Constraints.
ObjectExclusionAngle

Indicates objects that are to be excluded from access computations if they are at the indicated angle from the original object. The other object that is used to compute the exclusion angle is not selected here, but is instead selected on the Special Constraint page of the object used as the parent CoverageDefinition's Grid Point Object. For more information, see the Object Exclusion Angle constraint.

If the line between the source object and the special body is obstructed (for example, the earth is between a satellite source object and the special body), then the exclusion constraint is not applied.

PolRelAngle The relative angle between the transmitter's plane of polarization and the receiver's plane of polarization. It is computed dynamically at each time step from transmitter and receiver position and attitude information. Polarization mismatch between the receiver and the transmitter antennas transmits into a loss value in dB.
PowerAtReceiverInput The received power at the input of the receiver front end amplifier (i.e. after the antenna and the cables etc.). This accounts for the antenna gain and the cable losses etc., and is adjusted for polarization mismatch loss.
PowerFluxDensity The flux density computed over a reference bandwidth defined in the CommSystem.
PropagationDelay Access to the object is constrained by the minimum and maximum time it takes the signal to travel between the two objects.
PropLoss See Urban Propagation Wireless InSite RT Model.
RainLoss See Rain Loss Models.
Range The range is measured as the distance between the two objects.
RangeRate Range rate is the component of the relative velocity along the line of sight of the two objects.
RcvdIsotropicPower Specifies the minimum and maximum desired received isotropic power level at the receiver antenna input. This range represents the received isotropic power as seen by the receiver and includes any pre-receive gains and losses that may be defined for the receiver as well as propagation losses.
UserCustomALoss See Custom Loss Plugin Models.
UserCustomBLoss See Custom Loss Plugin Models.
UserCustomCLoss See Custom Loss Plugin Models.
SarAreaRate The coverage rate of the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max area rate as the ratio of the selected distance unit squared to the selected time unit.
SarAzRes The fixed azimuth resolution or the resolution achievable within the desired integration time, depending on the setting of the analysis mode when defining the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max azimuth resolution.
SarCNR Clutter-to-noise ratio for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max SCR.
SarCNRJamming Clutter-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar.
SarIntTime The fixed integration time or time to achieve the desired azimuth resolution, depending on the setting of the analysis mode when defining the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max integration time.
SarJOverS The jamming to signal ratio for the SAR radar.
SarOrthoPolCNR Clutter-to-noise ratio for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolCNRJamming Clutter-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolJOverS The jamming to signal ratio for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolPTCR The point target-to-clutter ratio for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolSCR Signal-to-clutter ratio for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolSCRJamming Signal-to-clutter ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolSNR Signal-to-noise ratio for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarOrthoPolSNRJamming Signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SarPTCR The point target-to-clutter ratio for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max PTCR.
SarSCR Signal-to-clutter ratio for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max SCR.
SarSCRJamming Signal-to-clutter ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max SCR.
SarSNR Signal-to-noise ratio for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max SCR.
SarSNRJamming Signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the SAR radar.
SarSigmaN Additive noise is commonly defined in terms of Sigma N; i.e., the effective backscatter coefficient of the additive noise for the SAR radar. Enter Min and/or Max value.
SquintAngle Min and Max values set in the Squint Angle area represent the angle subtended by the Cross Track Ground Range; i.e., the angle between the object's Earth-fixed velocity vector and a line of sight from the object to the target measured on the surface of the Earth.
SrchTrkDwellTime The sum of the integration time and RF propagation delays for the Search/Track radar. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkDwellTimeJamming The sum of the integration time and RF propagation delays that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar.
SrchTrkIntegratedJOverS Integrated jamming to signal ratio for the Search/Track radar.
SrchTrkIntegratedPDet Integrated pulse probability of detection for the Search/Track radar. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1. Uses the number of pulses integrated value computed by the Search/Track radar according to the pulse integration mode.
SrchTrkIntegratedPDetJamming Integrated pulse probability of detection that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1. Uses the number of pulses integrated value computed by the Search/Track radar according to the pulse integration mode.
SrchTrkIntegratedSNR Integrated signal-to-noise ratio for the Search/Track radar. Enter Min and/or Max values in the selected ratio unit. Not available if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode for integration gain.
SrchTrkIntegratedSNRJamming Integrated signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar. Enter Min and/or Max values in the selected ratio unit. Not available if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode for integration gain.
SrchTrkIntegrationTime The integration time for the Search/Track radar required to achieve the goal SNR. Enter Min and/or Max values. Available only if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode.
SrchTrkIntegrationTimeJamming The integration time that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar required to achieve the goal SNR. Enter Min and/or Max values. Available only if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode.
SrchTrkOrthPolDwellTime The sum of the integration time and RF propagation delays the Search/Track radar's orthogonal polarization channel. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkOrthPolDwellTimeJamming The sum of the integration time and RF propagation delays that includes the effects of jamming of the Search/Track radar's orthogonal polarization channel. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegratedJOverS Integrated jamming to signal ratio for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegratedPDet Integrated pulse probability of detection. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1. Uses the number of pulses integrated value computed according to the pulse integration mode by the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegratedPDetJamming Integrated pulse probability of detection that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1. Uses the number of pulses integrated value computed according to the pulse integration mode by the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegratedSNR Integrated signal-to-noise ratio for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter Min and/or Max values in the selected ratio unit. Not available if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode for integration gain.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegratedSNRJamming Integrated signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter Min and/or Max values in the selected ratio unit. Not available if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode for integration gain.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegrationTime The integration time required to achieve the goal SNR for the Search/Track Radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter Min and/or Max values. Available only if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode.
SrchTrkOrthPolIntegrationTimeJamming The integration time that includes the effects of jamming required to achieve the goal SNR for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter Min and/or Max values. Available only if operating in Goal SNR analysis mode.
SrchTrkOrthPolSinglePulseJOverS Single pulse jamming-to-signal ratio constraint for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkOrthPolSinglePulsePDet Single pulse probability of detection for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1.
SrchTrkOrthPolSinglePulsePDetJamming Single pulse probability of detection that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1.
SrchTrkOrthPolSinglePulseSNR Single pulse signal-to-noise ratio for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkOrthPolSinglePulseSNRJamming Single pulse signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar with orthogonal polarization enabled on the receiver side. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkSinglePulseJOverS Single pulse jamming-to-signal ratio constraint for the Search/Track radar. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkSinglePulsePDet Single pulse probability of detection for the Search/Track radar. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1.
SrchTrkSinglePulsePDetJamming Single pulse probability of detection that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar. Enter maximum and/or minimum values in the range 0-1.
SrchTrkSinglePulseSNR Single pulse signal-to-noise ratio for the Search/Track radar. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values.
SrchTrkSinglePulseSNRJamming Single pulse signal-to-noise ratio that includes the effects of jamming for the Search/Track radar. For a CW radar, the single pulse SNR is the SNR resulting from an effective pulse width of 1 second. Enter Min and/or Max values
SunElevationAngle Min and Max values represent the elevation angle to the apparent position of the Sun.
SunSpecularExclusion Access periods are restricted to times when the specular reflection point is at least the user specified angle from the line of sight between the constrained object and the secondary object. The location of the solar specular reflection point on the surface of the central body is computed based on the position of the constrained object. The specular reflection point does not exist for instances where the constrained object is in umbra. The specular reflection point exists when the constrained object is sunlit, regardless of whether its location is on land, sea, etc.
TerrainGrazingAngle The minimum and/or maximum angle between the relative position vector and the local terrain. This constraint is dependent upon the terrain normal direction specified in the object's Basic properties. If the slope of the terrain is zero, this constraint is equivalent to the Elevation Angle constraint.
TotalRcvdRfPower The total RF power received at the receiver antenna terminal, not accounting for antenna gains. This includes the power due to the main carrier and the powers due to the interferers/jammers in the receiver's line of sight.
TropScintillLoss See Tropospheric Scintillation.
UrbanTerresLoss See Urban Propagation Wireless InSite RT Model.