Microgravity survey network design and optimization toolbox. A 4-step wizard-driven desktop application for quantitative pre-survey network design in microgravity exploration.
Splash screen — 4-step workflow overview
MicroGravNet determines the optimal survey geometry before field deployment, using forward gravity modeling to answer:
- Boundary extension — How far beyond the target body should the survey extend?
- Sampling interval — What's the maximum grid spacing preserving interpolation accuracy?
- Target/extension zone — Where are the actual construction boundaries after extension?
- Station layout — Coordinates for gradient / graded / hybrid survey networks.
The 4 Tab wizard integrates these into a single workflow.
- Forward gravity for 4 body types: cuboid, vertical cylinder, horizontal cylinder, sphere
- Nagy (1966) analytical prism formula for cuboids
- Normalized anomaly profile → threshold crossing → optimal extension distance
- 3D model visualization + gravity profile with threshold line
- Ultra-dense "truth field" → multi-interval sparse sampling → Surfer Kriging interpolation
- Relative error matrix: sampling interval × distance from center
- Zone-partitioned recommendations (core / target / extension)
- Interactive error cloud with threshold contours and fitting lines
- Load boundary polygons (.dat/.txt/.xlsx/.csv)
- Auto-detect rectangle vs. irregular polygon
- Shape-preserving rectangle extension / edge-normal intersection for polygons
- Target zone (red) + extension zone (blue) visualization
| Mode | Method | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Gradient | Interior uniform + progressive expansion stages (polybuffer smoothing, adaptive perimeter sampling) | Smooth transitions |
| Graded | Interior fixed + 2–5 graded annuli with independent intervals (shape-preserving) | Zoned surveys |
| Hybrid | Inner graded annuli + outer gradient zone (smooth polybuffer transition) | Real-world blend |
- Grid rotation, anchor-point alignment, near-boundary point relaxation
- Export: station Excel (3 sheets), design diagram PNG, boundary files
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| Runtime | MATLAB Runtime R2026a |
| Surfer (optional) | Golden Software Surfer 13+ for Kriging (Tab 2 only) |
| Memory | 8 GB recommended |
Get the latest installer from Releases.
| Document | Content |
|---|---|
| 软件说明书 (Technical Manual) | Complete Nagy formulas, Kriging error analysis theory, network design algorithms with function mapping, FAQ |
| 用户手册 (User Manual) | Step-by-step operation, output formats, test data guide, figure templates |
| 安装指南 (Installation Guide) | System requirements, MATLAB/Surfer setup, license activation, standalone compilation |
| Zone | Format | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | PP + PCM + LL |
02PCM45 |
Point 02, Line 45 |
| Extension | RR + PCK + NN |
01PCK05 |
Ring 01, Point 05 |
| Product | Format | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Stations | .xlsx (3 sheets) |
X, Y, Line#, Point#, Name |
| Design Diagram | PNG @ 200dpi | Boundaries, layered stations, scale bar, north arrow, legend, statistics |
| Error Cloud | PNG @ 200dpi | Distance-Interval-Error surface with threshold contours |
| Error Matrix | .csv / .asc (DSAA) |
Full error grid |
| Recommendations | .csv |
Zone, recommended interval, start distance |
| Project | .mat |
Full workspace snapshot |
Tab 1: Forward model + normalized gravity profile with threshold determination
Tab 2: Relative error cloud with threshold contours and zone recommendations
Tab 3: Target zone boundary extension
Tab 4: Hybrid survey network design
- Nagy, D., Papp, G., & Benedek, J. (2000). The gravitational potential and its derivatives for the prism. Journal of Geodesy, 74, 552–560.
- Spector, A. & Grant, F. S. (1970). Statistical models for interpreting aeromagnetic data. Geophysics, 35(2), 293–302.
Built for exploration geophysicists who design microgravity surveys.