MODERN SURVEY INSTRUMENT

Modern Survey Instrument

Electronic distance measurement Electronic Theodolite Total Station

Electronic distance measurement

When

electronically determining the straight-line distance (horizontal or slope) between two points or stations, you use equipment that called EDM EDM sends an electronic impulse of known velocity or rate of speed It measures the time it takes for the impulse to travel the length of the interval between the points. Then, by using the well-known equation of D=V x t , the length of the interval is determined.

TYPES of EDM
Electromagnetic (microwave) instruments . The electro-optical (light wave) instruments.

Electromagnetic instruments

(microwave)

Electromagnetic (microwaves) EDM instrument transmit

high-frequency microwave. The measurement involves two interchangeable instruments, one being set up on each end of the line to be measured. The sending instrument transmits a series of microwaves which run through the circuitry of the receiving unit and are retransmitted to the original sending unit, which measures the phase difference between the transmitted and received signal. The net phase difference gets converted to linear distance.

In this case the inter visibility between stations is not

required; however, an unobstructed measured path between stations is necessary.

Electro - optical EDM

An Electro - optical EDM instrument, set up on one

station, emits a continuous-wave carrier beam of light. It is generated in the transmitter and modulated by an electronic shutter before entering the aiming optics. The modulator chops the beam into wavelengths that are proportional to the modulating frequency, where the wavelength is given by
in which l = wavelength; V= velocity of light through the atmosphere, m/s; f = Modulating frequency, Hz (cycles per second).

 The modulated light is transmitted to the reflector,

placed at the other end of the line. The reflector, acting as a mirror, reflects the light beam back to the receiver, where the incoming light is converted to an electrical signal.
A phase comparison is made between the projected

and reflected pulses. Then the amount by which the transmitted and received signals are out of phase get measured electronically and registered in a meter by getting converted to an equivalent distance.
In using an Electro - optical EDM, a clear line of sight

is required and thus required inter-visibility between the stations.

EDM Distance Measurement

In order to measure the distance between

stations A and B (Figure) , let an EDM be placed at A and a reflector be at B. The modulated beam transmitted from A travels to B and returns back. Let the received signal is out of phase from the transmitted signal by f, as measured by a phase meter. The equivalent linear distance, d is

l ED M

Thus, the distance (D) between the stations is

where n is the integral number of wavelength, l in the double

path.

 In decade modulation, a number of frequencies in a multiple of 10

are generally used. The phase difference for each frequency and thus equivalent distance is determined separately and finally the total distance is computed. Let us consider a modulation frequency of 15 MHz has been set up in the instrument, resulting in a half wavelength of 10 m.
Thus, a full sweep of the phase meter represents 10 m distance

i.e., the phase-meter provides reading in unit meters and its decimal part and thus the range of the measured distance is from 0 to 9.999 m. For example, in a distance of, say, 4567.123 m, this frequency would provide the distance 7.123 m. Switching down to 1.5 MHz, the half wavelength is now 100m, which is resolved by the phase meter to give the tens of metres i.e., reading ranging from 10 to 90 m. In this example 60 (6 tens). The next frequency is then 0.15 MHz, which in conjunction with the phase meter, gives the hundreds of metres. In this instance it is 500 (5 hundreds). Finally, a 15-kHz frequency will give the number of thousand metres in the distance, which in this instance is 4000 (4 thousands). Thus, total distance is 7.123 + 60 + 500 + 4000 = 4567.123 m.

ELECTRONIC THEODOLITE
Electronic read out 1 eliminate mistakes and

reading the angles. Precision varies from 0.5 20 Zero is set by a button. Repeated angle averaging. Replacing optical theodolite (It is less expensive to purchase and maintain).

THEODOLITES
Top image shows the Electronic Theodolite. Bottom shows the Scale readings.

ELECTRONIC THEODOLITE DETAILS

OPERATION KEYS AND DISPLAYS

Total Station
A total station is an electronic/optical instrument

used in modern surveying. The total station is an electronic theodolite (transit) integrated with an electronic distance meter (EDM) to read slope distances from the instrument to a particular point.

 Graphic display: All commands for survey operation as

well as results are displayed on graphic LCD using alphanumeric keyboard. Using built in software with menu and edit facilities, they automatically reduce angular and linear observations to three dimensional coordinates of the vector observed. Detachable control units are available on particular instruments

Dual axis compensation : The dual axis tilt sensor

monitors any inclination of the standing axis in both Xand Y-directions. These tilt sensors generally have range of 3'. Consequently horizontal and vertical angle readings are free from error due to any deviation of the standing axis from the perpendicular (Figure 3.4). The horizontal and vertical angles are automatically corrected, thus permitting single-face observations without loss of accuracy.

 Levelling and centering: A few TS have electronic display

for levelling operation enabling rapid and precise leveling. The electronic levelling also eliminates errors caused by direct sunlight on plate bubbles. Laser plummet are replacing the optical plummet. A clearly visible laser dot is projected on to the ground that helps in quick and convenient centering of the instrument.
Storage : Most TS have on-board storage of records

using PCMCIA memory cards of different capacity. The card memory unit can be connected to any external computer or to a special card reader for data transfer.
Friction clutch and endless drive: This eliminates the

need for horizontal and vertical circle clamps plus the problem of running out of thread on slow motion screws

 Guide light or Lumi-guide tracking light : This

arrangement is fitted above the telescope objective lens and enables the target operator to maintain alignment when setting-out points. This system emits two visible beams of coherent red light, one steady and one blinking, enabling the rodman to locate the correct line quickly and easily by finding the position where both are visible (Figure 3.6). This light changes color when the operator moves off-line. With the instrument in the tracking mode, taking measurements every 0.3 s, the guide light speeds up the setting-out process. It can also be used as a convenient signal to the rodman, assists in one-man clearing of lines and work as a prism illuminator in night surveying.

Guide light or Lumi-guide tracking light :

 Measurement modes : Variety of measurement modes are

available with TS such as precise, accurate, and fast tracking, etc. These modes are result of a combination of accuracy and speed. Depending up on accuracy levels required and measurement times, the surveyor can choose an appropriate measurement mode. Automatic target recognition (ATR): This facility ensures that the instrument will lock on to the active target (by using RMT: remote measurement target). The instrument receives coded signal by IR diode on the RMT. In this mode, the instrument automatically follows the reflector after the first measurement. The telescope is pointed in the general direction of the target, and the ATR module completes the fine pointing with excellent precision and minimum measuring time as there is no need to focus. It can also be used on a moving reflector. A single key touch records all data without interrupting the tracking process. Omni-direction (360o) prisms reflector are used for short distances which are always aligned automatically ensuring high accuracy (Figure 3.7). For longer distances directional active targets are available. The ATR mode also allows operation in darkness.

 Reflector less or direct reflex measurement: Distance

measurement without prism is also available on many instruments, typically using two different coaxial red laser systems. One laser is invisible and is used to measure long distances (6 km to a single reflector), the other is visible, does not require a reflector, and has a limited range of about 200 m. A single key stroke allows one to alternate between the visible or invisible laser. With Trimble 5600 DR 200+, distances of up to 500 m have been recorded (Figure 3.7). The reflector less measurements are useful for surveying the facades of buildings, tunnel profiling, cooling tower profiling, bridge components, and dam faces - indeed any situation which is difficult or impossible to access directly. The extremely narrow laser used clearly defines the target points.