Sensor Azimuth-Elevation Mask

To define an azimuth-elevation mask for a sensor, select the MaskFile option under Use. Supply mask data by specifying an azimuth-elevation mask file (.aem) or a body mask file(*.bmsk). Then select the Primary Boresight Axis.

The Primary Boresight Axis is calculated using the body-fixed coordinates of the sensor's parent object. Therefore, if the parent object of the sensor is a facility, the elevation is measured positively along the -Z axis, and if the parent is a satellite, the elevation is measured positively along the +Z axis in the satellite body frame (see note below). If you specify a primary boresight along the parent's body-fixed X or Y axis, the elevation is measured positively along the X or Y axis and the azimuth is measured from the Y to Z axis or Z to X axis, respectively.

If you enter negative values for boresight elevation in an *.aem file, you should bear in mind the following: The Az/El mask defines an area of exclusion, where the exclusion region contains elevations smaller than the elevation values specified in the mask. Thus, for example, if you define an elevation value of -85 deg for a sensor on a satellite with the intent of defining a 5 degree inclusion region along the -Z axis, the result, instead, will be a 5 degree exclusion region in that direction.

Use Mask for Access Constraint

Select this option to enable the Sensor Az-El Mask constraint on the Constraints->Basic properties page. You can use this option only if an azimuth-elevation mask is defined.