INTRODUCTION

EDM or electromagnetic distance measurement is an equipment designated to measure distance

whether slope distance or horizontal distance using light and radiowaves.
If we use the combination of EDM and theodolite we will get distance and angle.
There are two types of EDM. First, visible light or IR instruments (Electro-optical). Second, the
microwave instrument.

Assignment1 (SUG150)

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History of Electromagnetic
Distance Measurement
(EDM)

In civil engineering, construction and surveying

the use of electromagnetic distance (EDM)
equipment is now so commonplace that it
would be difficult to imagine contemporary site
surveying without it. The first commercially
available EDM instrument to be used in
surveying was built by the Swedish AGA
Company in 1953. This instrument known as the
Geodimeter, used modulated light waves,
produced by tungsten and mercury vapour
lamps, for measuring distances. During a
measurement the light wave continuously
transmitted from the Geodimeter to a reflector
station, from which it was returned along the
same path to the Geodimeter and received light
waves was derived mathematically.
In 1957, Tellurometer of South Africa
began manufacturing its MRA series of EDM
instruments which used radio waves for
distance measurement. Spectra-Physics of
California produced their Geodolite 3G in 1966,
and this was the first commercial EDM
instrument that used a modulated HeNe laser
instead of a conventional light source for
practical distance measurement. Following this,
AGA introduced their model 8 HeNe
Geodimeter in 1967, and Laser System and
Electronics of Tennessee marketed their first
Laser-Ranger in 1969. The main characteristics

of these laser-based instruments, compared

with any previous EDM systems, was their
ability to measure distance up to 100 km with
good stability and accuracy.

geodimeter

tellurometer

Assignment1 (SUG150)

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Atmospheric effect on EDM measurement

All electromagnetic waves, when travelling in a vacuum, travel at the speed of light, a universal
constant. Consequently, the speed of the carrier and modulating waves will vary for all measurements,
and the distance recorded by the instrument will be in error. To correct for this, some EDM instruments
are fitted with on atmospheric correction dial which is set according to the atmospheric pressure and
temperature prevailing at the time of measurement, these being measured on site.
A further advantage of using the laser as a carrier waves in an EDM system is the spectral purity
or closely defined wavelength of the laser light. Because of this, the light suffers a low dispersion in air,
and the effects of the atmosphere on the beam can be predicted more closely than effects of the
conventional infra-red sources. Consequently, the uncertainly in the distance measured due to
variations in atmospheric conditions is less with the laser EDM distance.

Assignment1 (SUG150)

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Differences between types of total station

Instruments

Maximum Range

Number of Prism

38009800
16003500
25007000
21005500

1
9
1
9
1
11
1
9

Sokkia Red 2L
Pentax MD 20
Leica Wild DI 1600
Topcon DM-S3

Assignment1 (SUG150)

Measuring
Condition
Average
Good
Average
Good
Average
Good
Average
Good

Accuracy
5mm + 3ppm
5mm + 5ppm
3mm + 2ppm
5mm + 3ppm

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REFFERENCES

1) William Irvine. Surveying for Construction 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill Companies. 1995
2) W.F. Price and J. Uren. Laser Surveying, van Nostrand Reinhold (International). 1989

Assignment1 (SUG150)

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