Part 3:
Access Reports and Graphs
STK Pro, STK Premium (Air), STK Premium (Space), or STK Enterprise
You can obtain the necessary licenses for this tutorial by contacting AGI Support at support@agi.com or 1-800-924-7244.
The results of the tutorial may vary depending on the user settings and data enabled (online operations, terrain server, dynamic Earth data, etc.). It is acceptable to have different results.
Capabilities covered
This lesson covers the following STK Capabilities:
- STK Pro
Problem statement
Engineers and operators often need to determine the times one object can "access" (or see) another object. In addition, they need to impose constraints on accesses between objects to define what constitutes a valid access. These constraints could include elevation angle, sun light or umbra restrictions, gimbal speed, range, and more. Engineers also require the ability to create reports and graphs that summarize static data or show dynamic data during animation.
Solution
With STK, you can determine accesses between objects and generate reports to summarize your data. Building on your fundamental understanding of STK, use two important tools in STK to solve this problem:
- The Access Tool
- The Report & Graph Manager
What you will learn
Upon completion of this tutorial, you will learn:
- how the Access Tool functions by creating accesses between two or more objects
- how to find and use data providers with the Report & Graph Manager
- how to generate prebuilt reports using Quick Reports
- how to save data externally by Exporting Reports
- how to create Custom Reports for your scenario
- how to create 3D Graphics Dynamic Data Displays
Video guidance
Watch the following video. Then follow the steps below, which incorporate the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).
Create a New Scenario
Create a new scenario.
- Launch STK ().
- Click in the Welcome to STK dialog box.
- Enter the following in the STK: New Scenario Wizard:
- Click when you are done.
- Click Save () once the scenario loads. A folder with the same name as your scenario is created for you in the location specified above.
- Verify the scenario name and location and click .
Option | Value |
---|---|
Name: | AccessReportsGraphs |
Location: | Default |
Start: | 1 Jun 2020 18:00:00.000 UTCG |
Stop: | 2 Jun 2020 18:00:00.000 UTCG |
Save () often during this lesson!
Inserting the satellite tracking station
A teleport is located in Castle Rock, Colorado. Enter the teleport into the scenario as a Facility () object.
- Select Facility () in the Insert STK Objects tool.
- Select the From Standard Object Database () method.
- Click
- Type castle rock in the Name: field when the Search Standard Object Data dialog box opens.
- Click .
- Select Castle Rock Teleport using the INTELSAT Network selection.
- Click .
- Click to close the Search Standard Object Data dialog box.
Viewing the tracking station in 3D
- Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
- Right-click on Castle_Rock_Teleport () in the Object Browser.
- Select Zoom To.
- Use your mouse to get a good view of Castle_Rock_Teleport () and surrounding terrain.
Castle Rock Teleport and Surrounding Terrain
Streaming terrain from a Terrain Server
- Right-click on AccessReportsGraphs () in the Object Browser.
- Select Properties ().
- Select the Basic - Terrain page when the Properties Browser opens.
- Clear the Use terrain server for analysis check box in the Terrain Server frame.
- Click to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.
- Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
Editing Castle Rock Teleport's properties
Castle_Rock_Teleport () appears to be floating. STK is still referencing the altitude of Castle_Rock_Teleport () based on terrain data.
- Open Castle_Rock_Teleport's () properties ().
- Select the Basic - Position page when the Properties Browser opens.
- Select the Use terrain data check box.
- Click to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.
- Return to the 3D Graphics window.
Castle Rock Teleport On Top of the WGS84
Castle_Rock_Teleport () is now referencing the surface of the WGS84.
Restricting the field-of-view of Castle Rock Teleport
You can restrict Castle_Rock_Teleport's () field-of-view by setting constraints, or you can restrict and visualize its field-of-view by using a Sensor () object.
- Return to Castle_Rock_Teleport's () properties ().
- Select the Constraints - Active page.
- Click to close the Properties Browser.
Note that Line of Sight is enabled. The Line of Sight constraint computes whether the line-of-sight between two objects is obstructed by the ground or in this case the WGS84 Ellipsoid.
Inserting a Sensor object onto Castle Rock Teleport
Use a Sensor () object that mimics Castle_Rock_Teleport's () antenna field-of-view.
- Insert a Sensor () object using the Insert Default () method.
- Select Castle_Rock_Teleport () in the Select Object dialog box.
- Click .
- Rename the Sensor1 () to CR_FOV. It's an acronym for Castle Rock field-of-view.
Setting the half angle of the sensor
A simple conic sensor pattern is defined by a simple cone angle.
- Open CR_FOV's () properties ().
- Select the Basic - Definition page.
- Enter 90 deg in the Cone Half Angle: field.
- Click to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.
Pay attention to half angles. In this instance you are setting a half angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, your field of view is actually 180 degrees.
Setting constraints
Most of the Sensor () object's constraints are identical to the Facility () object's constraints. However, field-of-view is now available. Only Sensor () objects have this constraint. If this check box is selected, access is denied if the associated object is not within the field-of-view as defined by the angle settings for the sensor type in question.
- Select the Constraints - Active page.
- Click Add new constraints () in the Active Constraints toolbar.
- Select Range in the Constraint Name list when the Select Constraints to Add dialog box opens.
- Click .
- Click to close the Select Constraints to Add dialog box.
- Select the Max: check box in the Range frame.
- Enter 1000 km in the Max: field.
- Click to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.
View the sensor in 3D
- Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
- Zoom To Castle_Rock_Teleport ().
- Zoom out enough to see CR_FOV's () field-of-view.
CR_FOV's () field-of-view
Inserting three Satellites objects
Propagate three operational CUBESAT satellites using the Standard Object Database tool.
- Insert a Satellite () object using the From Standard Object Database () method.
- Type cubesat in the Name or ID: field when the Search Standard Object Data dialog box opens.
- Open the Operational Status: shortcut menu.
- Select Operational.
- Click .
- Select all the operational satellites in the Results: list.
- Click .
- Click to close the Search Standard Object Data dialog box after the Satellite () objects have been propagated.
Using the Access Tool
An access is defined by two or more objects - a primary object and an associated object or objects- for which the access is computed.
- Click Access () in the STK Tools toolbar.
- Within the Access Tool, click to the right of Access for: field.
- Select CR_FOV () in the Select Object dialog box.
- Click .
- Select all the Satellite () objects in the Associated Objects list.
- Click
"Access for:" now shows Castle_Rock_Teleport-CR_FOV. This is the object you're looking from.
You are computing accesses from CR_FOV () to all the Satellite () objects. You can see that once you compute the access, the Satellite () objects' graphics have changed in the list. The names of the Satellite () objects are now in bold with an asterisk. There is also a key () icon with a green () check mark, which represents access. In the 2D graphics window, there is a static highlight between the two objects. In the 3D graphics window, a line connects the two objects when you animate the scenario and the objects have access each other.
Viewing accesses in the 2D Graphics window
Prior to generating any reports or graphs, you can quickly view any accesses you might have be looking at the 2D Graphics window. The Graphics options available via the Access tool allow you to define the display of accesses in the 2D Graphics window using the options available in the Graphics field of the Access window.
- Bring the 2D Graphics window to the front.
- Center your view on Castle_Rock_Teleport ().
- Zoom out until you see the Continental United States.
2D Graphics Access Lines
The access lines don't tell you which satellite was seen, but shows you when satellites passed through the sensor's field-of-view and the sensor accessed them.
Viewing accesses in the Timeline View
The Timeline View can be used to visualize a variety of time intervals within your scenario.
- Look at the Timeline View.
- Return to the Access Tool.
Timeline View with Accesses
You can see multipe accesses and the times that actual accesses occur. It's possible, depending on your analysis period, that some or all of your satellites do not have an access.
Generating an Access Report
In the Reports frame, clicking
generates a report that provides access times between one object and one or more selected objects. Global statistics are provided if more than one object is selected.- Ensure all the satellites are selected in the Associated Objects list.
- Click in the Reports frame.
- Scroll through the report to become familiar with the layout.
- Close the access report once you are done.
If there is an access between the Sensor () object and a Satellite () object, the report tells you when and for how long the access takes place. If an access doesn't exist, the report will say No Access Found.
Generating an Access Graph
In the Graphs frame, clicking
generates a graph that provides access times between one object and one or more selected objects.- Return to the Access Tool.
- Click in the Graphs frame.
- Locate the first access in the graph and using your mouse, hold down the left mouse button, draw a box around the access. This can be done multiple times until the graph is filled with the one access.
- Place the cursor at the beginning of the access. A text box will appear with information about the access start time.
- Click Zoom Out () until you see the whole graph.
- Close the access graph when finished.
When you generate a graph, the zoom in function is automatically on.
Graph with Access Start Time
Generating an Azimuth Elevation Range Report (AER)
In the Reports and Graphs frames, clicking
generates an access report or graph with azimuth, elevation, and range data. In order to interpret the data correctly, you should understand the following:- Return to the Access Tool.
- Ensure all the satellites are selected in the Associated Objects list.
- Click in the Reports frame.
- Scroll through the report to become familiar with the layout.
- Close the AER report once you are done.
Since the access is taking place from an object on the ground, an azimuth of zero (0) degrees is True North. The elevation is based on the central body (WGS84). The range is calculated from the center point of the FROM object to the center point of the TO object. Remember, the Satellite () objects must enter the Sensor () object's field-of-view in order to be accessed.
Using external reports and graphs
There are times when you create a report or graph that you want to save the original data because you are going to make property changes to one or all of the objects used in the report or graph. Maybe you need to save a report as a text file (.txt) in order to parse the data with a script. You might need to save the data as a spread sheet. Are you creating a slide presentation? You can save your graphs as Bitmap files (.bmp) or Joint Photographic Experts Group file (.jpg) etc.
In this scenario, CubesatXIV_28895 () had multiple accesses. Let's focus on that object.
- Return to the Access Tool.
- Select CubesatXIV_28895 () in the Associated Objects list.
- Click in the Reports frame.
- Note the total number of accesses and the total duration.
Number of Accesses and Total Duration
Creating an external text document
- Click Save as text () in the reports toolbar.
- Ensure your scenario folder (AccessReportsGraphs) appears in the Save In: field of the Save Report dialog box.
- Enter Castle Rock to CubesatXIV in the File name: field.
- Click .
Viewing the text document outside of STK
- Open Window's File Explorer.
- Browse to your scenario folder (e.g. C:\Users\username\Documents\STK 12\AccessReportsGraphs).
- Double-click on the text document named Castle Rock to CubesatXIV.
- Close the text document once you are done.
- Close Window's File Explorer.
- Return to the access report.
The data is outside of STK, so any property changes to the objects won't be reflected in this report. As you can see, the text document is similar to the STK access report format.
Saving an external .csv file
Clicking Save as .csv () allows you to save the report which you can open using Excel.
Other report options
If you right-click on the report and select Export, you get the following choices from the Export menu:
- To Excel.... Exports data to Excel as a .CSV or .txt file.
- To CSV Format.... Exports data to Excel as a .CSV file.
- Complete.... Exports data to Excel as a .CSV file. It includes summary information, such as minimum and maximum calculations.
- Setup.... Sets export options for your report.
To understand all your options, go to Working with Reports.
Saving an external graph
To save a graph externally, you generate the graph then click Save as text (). You get the option of saving it in a number of formats, including bitmap (.bmp), metafile (.emf), JPEG (.jpg), Windows metafile (.wmf), and portable network graphics (.png).
Extending CR_FOV's () range
Extend CR_FOV's () range to see how it affects your data.
- Open CR_FOV's () properties ().
- Select the Constraints - Active page when the Properties Browser opens.
- Select Range in the Active Constraints list.
- Enter 1500 km in the Range frame's Max: field.
- Click to accept your change and to close the Properties Browser.
Refreshing the access report
The access report is showing the old data.
- Click Refresh (F5) () in the access report toolbar. You also have the option of clicking F5 on your keyboard to refresh a report.
- Compare your new data to your old data. You have the same number of accesses but your durations are longer.
Changing the reports units
In the access report toolbar, clicking Report Units () opens the Units dialog box that allows you to change the units of measure for the report. The Units dialog box will display all dimensions relevant to the report.
- Click Report Units () in the report toolbar.
- Select the Time Dimension in the Units: Access dialog box.
- Select Minutes (min) in the New Unit Value list.
- Click .
- Duration is now reported in minutes instead of seconds.
Quick Reports
Unlike .txt and .csv files, a Quick Report is saved inside of STK.
- Click Save as quick report () in the access report toolbar.
- Click Quick Report Manager... () at the top of STK in the Data Providers Toolbar.
- Change the quick report's name to Sensor to CUBESAT.
- Click the Enter key on your keyboard.
- Disable the Show on Load option.
- Click .
- Close the access report.
- Close the Access Tool.
Without having the Access Tool open, you can generate the report from the Quick Report Manager by clicking
. Show on Load will automatically open the report whenever you open the scenario.You can add any text to the Description field.
Viewing the quick report
- Return to the Quick Report Manager... ().
- Extend the shortcut menu.
- Select Sensor to CUBESAT.
Setting the Scenario Time from a Report
Using the quick report (access report) there are a couple of simple ways to set your animation time from the report. You will focus on the first access start time.
- Right-click on the first access start time.
- Select Start Time in the shortcut menu.
- Click Set Animation Time in the second shortcut menu.
- Look in the Animation Toolbar's Current Scenario Time field. It matches the start time of the first access.
- Click Reset () in the Animation Toolbar.
- Return to the access report.
- Highlight the first access start time.
- Right-click and select Copy. (Ctrl+C) will also work.
- Click inside Current Scenario Time field.
- Right-click and select Paste. (Ctrl+V) will also work.
- Press Enter on your keyboard.
Your scenario's animation has jumped to the first instance that CR_FOV () accesses CubesatXIV_28895 ().
Using the Stored View Tool
Use the Stored View Tool to store the current view from your 3D Graphics window. When you store a view, that view includes all of the 3D window properties and the window position and direction settings. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you manipulate the view and set all properties exactly the way you want them before saving or modifying a view.
- Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
- Zoom To CubesatXIV_28895 ().
- Adjust the view so that you can see CubesatXIV_28895 () and Castle_Rock_Teleport ().
- Bring the 2D Graphics window to the front.
- Zoom in so that you can see CubesatXIV_28895 () and Castle_Rock_Teleport ().
3D View of CubesatXIV_28895 () to Castle_Rock_Teleport () Access
The 3D Graphic window view shows the moment CubesatXIV_28895 () enters CR_FOV's () field-of-view. The line that appears between the CUBESAT and Castle Rock is an access line.
2D View of CubesatXIV_28895 () to Castle_Rock_Teleport () Access
The 2D Graphic window view shows the moment CubesatXIV_28895 () enters CR_FOV's () field-of-view. The line that appears between the CUBESAT and Castle Rock is an access line.
Creating a Stored View
- Bring the 3D Graphics window back to the front.
- Make sure you have a good view of the CubesatXIV_28895 (), CR_FOV's () and part of the sensor's field-of-view in the background.
- Click Stored Views () in the 3D Graphics toolbar.
- Click in the Stored View: 3D Graphics 1 - Earth dialog box.
- Change the View Name of view0 to Sat First Access.
- Click .
Selecting the Stored View
- Click Reset () in the Animation Toolbar.
- Click Home View () in the 3D Graphics toolbar.
- Extend the Stored Views () shortcut menu.
- Select Sat First Access. The 3D Graphics window jumps back to the view and the time set in the view.
Using the Report & Graph Manager
You can generate the following types of output for most STK objects using the Report & Graph Manager which is available from the Analysis menu or the Data Providers toolbar:
- Reports that summarize static data.
- Reports that update during animation. These reports, called dynamic displays, enable you to view changes to selected elements over a period of time.
- Graphs that summarize static data.
- Graphs that update during animation. These graphs, called strip charts, enable you to view changes to selected elements over a period of time.
- Click Report & Graph Manager () in the Data Providers toolbar.
- Change the Object Type: to Satellite in the upper left corner of the Report & Graph Manager.
- Select CubesatXIV_28895 () in the Object List.
Object Type for a Report or Graph
Multiple objects can be selected, but for this scenario, focus on CubesatXIV_28895 ().
Defining the Time Period for the Report or Graph
You can specify the period of time during which data is reported. For this analysis, keep the default settings.
Managing report and graph styles
You can manage the report and graph styles.
- Ensure () Installed Styles () in the Installed Styles list is expanded.
- Select the Classical Orbit Elements () report.
- Click .
- Data Provider: Classical Elements
- Group: J2000
- Elements: Time (UTCG), Semi-major Axis (km), Eccentricity, etc.
This report is broken out into the following:
Using Data Providers, Groups and Elements
Data Providers, Groups and Elements are the organizing principles of the Data Provider Functionality. STK provides hundreds of prebuilt reports and graphs.
- Close the report.
- Return to the Report & Graph Manager.
- Look at the very top of the styles field. The Classical Orbit Elements () report is now available in the My Favorites () folder.
- Take a close look at Classical Orbit Elements located in the Installed Styles list. One is a graph style and one a report style. Notice the locks.
Reports and Graphs
The reports and graphs located in the Installed Styles list cannot be customized. However, they can be duplicated and the duplicate can be customized.
Data Providers by Object
The content of a report or graph is generated from the selected data providers for the report or graph style. To select data providers for a report or graph, right-click the style in the Report & Graph Manager and select Properties.
- Right-click on the Classical Orbit Elements () report in the Installed Styles list.
- Select Properties ().
- Select the Content page when the Properties Browser opens.
- In the Report Contents list, select Classical Elements-J2000-Semi-major Axis.
- Return to the Data Providers list. You can see the hierarchy of Classical Elements (Data Provider)- J2000 (Group)- Semi-major Axis (Element).
The left side shows all the data providers for the object type (in this case a Satellite () object) and on the right side are the Report Contents.
Changing the units of measure
You can change units of measure for a report style or a displayed report.
- Return to the Report Contents list and select Classical Elements-J2000-Semi-major Axis.
- Below Report Contents, click
- Clear the Use Defaults check box in the Units: dialog box.
- Select Meters (m) in the New Unit Value list. Your custom report will use meters instead of kilometers for the semi-major axis.
- Click to close the Units: dialog box.
The current distance unit is being reported in kilometers (km).
Report Contents
As previously stated, you will replace argument of perigee, true anomaly and mean anomaly data provider elements with J2000 X Y Z Cartesian Position elements.
- In the Report Contents list, select the following:
- Classical Elements-J2000-Arg of Perigee
- Classical Elements-J2000-True Anomaly
- Classical Elements-J2000-Mean Anomaly
- Click .
- Remove the asterisk (*) at the top of the Data Providers list, in the Filter field.
- Type Cartesian.
- Click . This narrows down your choices to only those data providers containing Cartesian elements.
- Expand () Cartesian Position.
- Expand () J2000.
- Move () X, Y, and Z to the Report Contents list.
- If desired, use the up () and down () arrows to place elements where desired.
- Click to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.
- Click after reading the warning.
Recall that earlier it was mentioned that you can't customize a locked report unless it is duplicated first. Since you went straight to the properties of the locked report and did not duplicate, the warning tells you where to find your new report.
Generate the report
- Expand () My Styles () in the Styles list.
- Right-click on Classical Orbit Elements ().
- Select Rename.
- Rename Classical Orbit Elements () to My Classical Orbit Elements.
- Click
- Close the report when you are finished.
The custom report is showing the semi-major axis in meters and the J2000 X Y Z Cartesian Position elements. The report is in 60 second increments which can be changed in the Time Properties field if desired or selecting
.Using Dynamic Display
Using Generate As: Report/Graph, static data was generated for the report. To generate animated data, select Generate As: Dynamic Display/Strip Chart and click
. Data will update during animation of the scenario for the report.- Select the Dynamic Display/Strip Chart option in the Generate As: field.
- Click .
- Click Reset () in the Animation toolbar.
- Click X Real-time Animation Mode ().
- Click Start () to animate the report. The dynamic display updates as the scenario animates.
- Click Reset () when finished.
- Close all open reports and the Report & Graph Manager.
Using 3D Graphics Data Display
3D Graphics Data Display will display dynamic data for the specified object in the 3D Graphics window. This feature is useful when presenting information that requires both visual and textual data. If you record a movie of your scenario, the data will appear in the movie.
- Open CubesatXIV_28895's () properties ().
- Select the 3D Graphics - Data Display page.
- Click
- Select My Classical Orbit Elements in the Add a Data Display dialog box.
- Click to close the Add a Data Display dialog box.
- Open the Font Size: shortcut menu in the Appearance frame.
- Select Medium.
- Click to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.
Settings in the Position frame automatically places the data in the top left portion of the 3D Graphics window. You can add more data to the window and then change the position. Note other selections for appearance and background.
Viewing the data
- Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
- Extend the Stored Views () shortcut menu.
- Select Sat First Access.
- Click Start () in the Animation toolbar to animate the scenario. Data updates dynamically in the 3D Graphics window.
- Click Reset () when finished.
3D Graphics Window Dynamic Data
The stored view now shows the moment CubesatXIV_28895 () enters CR_FOV's () field-of-view and important data pertaining to CubesatXIV_28895 () is displayed in the 3D Graphics window.
Summary
Continue to Lesson Four: Movies and Visual Data Files.
On your own
Throughout the tutorial, hyperlinks were provided that pointed to in depth information of various subjects. Now's a good time to go back through this tutorial and view that information. Try creating new views or custom reports. Place a Sensor () object on a Satellite () object, add cities from the city database, and create accesses from the Satellite () object to the ground sites. Explore and have fun!