Line-of-Sight Analysis for Wireless Network

The Collin County Information Technology Department was asked to study the feasibility of providing a wireless network to county facilities. As an internal department, GIS/Rural Addressing (GIS/RA) was tasked with providing the distances between buildings. A consultant provided a quote on a traditional line-of-sight analysis using mirrors. GIS/RA decided to conduct a parallel study using GIS to compare results. GIS/RA completed the analysis using current lidar data as well as several tools downloaded from the Esri Web site.

GIS technology enabled GIS/RA to demonstrate its capabilities at minimal cost to the county. This project has opened the door to other studies requiring viewsheds, line-of-sight, digital elevation, and lidar data. As a result, GIS/RA has been promoted to a higher level of involvement in county business.

Collin County, Texas, is located just north of Dallas. This rapidly growing county has a population of more than one-half million and covers 885 square miles. The county has 12 separate facilities and employs more than 1,300 people. Major cities within the county include Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and Allen.