CLASSIFICATION AND PURPOSE OF SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS USED BY

GEODETIC ENGINEERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

A research paper presented to the

College of Engineering

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for

Survey Camp (GE 109)

by

Cleinch Devonn R. Mordeno

Leslie Ann M. Polinar
Isma’il Qasim M. Espejo 
Bin-Naj’r K. Dilangalen

March 2020
 Table of Contents

Chapter I……………………………………………………………………………..4

1.1Introduction………………………………………………………………4

1.2Statement of the Problem………………………………………………...6

1.3Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………..6

1.4Significance of the Study………………………………………………...7

1.5Scope and Limitation……………………………………………………..7

Chapter II……………………………………………………………………………8

2.1Review of Related Literature…………………………………………….8

2.2Research Design…………………………………………………………16

2.3Settings…………………………………………………………………..16

2.4Respondent of the Study…………………………………………………16

2.5Instrumentation…..………………………………………………………16

Chapter III…………………………………………………………………………..17

3.1 Methods and Procedures………………………………………………..17

Chapter IV……………………………………………………………………..……20

4.1Presentation………………………………………………………………20

4.2Interpretation…………………………………………………………….24

4.3Analysis…………………………………………………………………..25

Chapter V……………………………………………………………………………27

5.1Summary…………………………………………………………………27

5.2Conclusion………………………………………………………………..27

5.3Recommendation…………………………………………………………28
Others…………………………………………………………………………………30

6.1Acknowledgment …………………………………………………………30

6.2List of Table……………………………………………………………….31

6.3Appendix…………………………………………………………………..32

6.4Bibliograhpy……………………………………………………………….36

6.5Letter of Permisiion………………………………………………………..38

3
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

The Geodetic Engineer has the quality of profession in the field of surveying by

surveying land and gathering survey data presentation in a form of maps and this works

cannot be done without the use of different surveying instrument. Nowadays, survey

instrument is so advance which makes the surveyors conduct properly a survey with

minimum error in every project finished. This advancement was inspired from the old

survey instrument which makes the history of the survey instrument the fundamentals to

learn about the different Instrument used by the Geodetic Engineers.

Throughout the history, the development of our instrument and equipment is

evolving by upgrading and inventing new things. This development led to make these

jobs quicker and easier to finish. Together with the survey instrument, this instrument

also has its own history on what and where it started. The old instrument gave us the

determination to evolve our instrument through our current advance upgraded equipment

that is use to gather data for surveying purposes. With this upgraded equipment, the

surveyors can simply survey and gather data with less error better than before.

These oldest instruments served to determine the distances needed in house

building, water supply, the dividing of land property, and in the determination of land

property areas. The construction of roads, canals, monumental buildings and the like

needed rather accurate measurements and therefore contributed to the development of

instruments and methods of measuring.

4
 According to Neha Arora (2010), the Egyptians are the predecessors of modern

surveying instruments to accurately divide land into plots for the purpose of taxation and

to engineer many feats, from canals to pyramids around 1400 B.C. An ancient Egyptian

survey crew used measuring ropes, plumb bobs, sighting instruments, and leveling

instruments.

The Ancient Egyptians has the massive impact of influence in the field of

surveying. These inventions of survey instrument inspired the Roman Empire to improve

this survey equipment as they extensively used it during the early days. This remarkable

engineering ability of the Romans innovate and develop the surveying instrument

because of the extensive construction of remarkable structure of building that the Romans

made which continue to exists even up to this modern era. It will be noted that many of

the surveying instrument device developed or evolved from the Roman Empire surveying

instrument.

The following instrument were one of the most known devices that our even present-

day still use as a surveying instrument:

 Telescope  Plane Table

 Astrolabe  Dioptra

 Telescope  Labella

 Transit  Compass

 SemiCircumferentor  Gunter Cha

5
Statement of the Problem
The following questions aided the researcher in gathering sufficient data for the study:

1. What are the Surveying Instruments that the Geodetic engineers use?

2. What are the types and classifications of Surveying Instrument?

3. How does the DENR check the surveying instruments?

 RTK

 Total Station

 Echo Sounder

 LiDAR

4. What are the best and recommended Brands that the Geodetic Engineers use?

Theoretical Framework

The following ideas serve as a prediction of the outcome of the study to be conducted:

At the end of this Research Paper, the researcher aims to achieve important facts

and information that relates to the study about “The Different Instrument that is used by

the Geodetic Engineers in the Philippines.” The researchers’ goals are to differentiate the

Surveying Instruments by its types, classifications, and uses. This research title also aims

to show how does the DENR check the Surveying Instruments and to research on what

are the best and recommended brands that a Geodetic Engineer use.

6
Significance of the Study

The researcher conducted this research to know the different Instrument that is

used by the Geodetic Engineers in the Philippines. This study is considered to be

important for the following reasons:

First, it is beneficial to the Engineers, Teachers, and Surveyors to know more

information about the different Instruments according to their types, classifications, and

uses. Thus, the concern of DENR on the instruments that were used in conducting a

surveying project.

Second, to the consumers who were planning to buy a surveying instrument. The

information from this study shall be useful for the consumer in choosing the

recommended and best brand that to be purchased to use in an actual survey.

Lastly, for the students who are taking engineering course to raise their

knowledge more about in the field of surveying. It is significant for the engineering

students to know more about the different types of instruments according to the uses and

classification of it. Thus, the student can decide or recognize on what instrument that

would be useful in conducting survey fields.

Scope and Limitation

This study is concerned about the Different instrument used by the Geodetic

Engineer in the Philippines by gathering information in each instrument. This study was

conducted at St. Johnpaul II College of Davao.

7
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

The focus of the review of related literature for this study is crucial ideas,

concepts, and writings that have relevance to this study. The purpose of writing

this review of related literature is to expand our knowledge regarding the chosen

topic by using the studies that have been done by researchers of this study. This

chapter begins with the different kinds or types of instrument used by the

surveyors of geodetic engineers and different brands of instruments of surveying

instrument. As for references, the researchers used articles, internet access, studies

from fellow researchers, and some other resources related to the study as basis.

In the field of surveying, there are types of instrument that have its own

classification of uses. These types of surveying instruments are Total Stations,

Transit levels, GPS or GNSS receivers and transmitters, Echosounder, drone,

LiDAR instruments and some miscellaneous tools and gadgets that are necessary

when conducting a survey.

Total Station

According to “Tall Building Design Workshop” (2014), a total station is

an electronic or optical instrument used in modern surveying and building

construction that uses electronic transit theodolite in conjunction with electronic

distance meter. It is also integrated with microprocessor, electronic data collector

and storage system.

8
 The instrument is used to measure sloping distance of object to the

instrument, horizontal and vertical angles. This Microprocessor unit enables for

computation of data collected to further calculate the horizontal distance,

coordinates of a point and reduced level of point.

Data collected from total station can be downloaded into computer/laptops

for further processing of information. Total stations are mainly used by land

surveyors either to record features as in topographic surveying or to set out

features (such as roads, houses or boundaries).

With approximately more than 40 different models available to choose,

they are currently the dominant instrument in surveying. The EDM instrument

component installed in a Total Station is relatively small but still has distance

ranges adequate for most work.

There are three types of Total Station included in this study are

Mechanical, Robotic and Reflectorless Total Stations.

Mechanical Total Station

According to Duncan-Parnell (2019), Mechanical total stations set the

standard for field surveying in the construction industry. They provide the

operator with unparalleled range, speed and accuracy when taking on-site

measurements.

9
Robotic Total Station

A new advancement in the surveying industry with the addition of

the robotic total station, which can record measurements from a long distance

via remote control. The robotic total station also has a microprocessor installed

which can record measurements in a memory chip and perform any necessary

computations and calculations for the surveyor. The data collected and computed

in the on-board microprocessor of the total station can be transferred to a

computer for further work progress. AutoCAD is software that can take raw data

and transfer it into a detailed base map that supports 2-D and 3-D imagery. Once

this action has been performed the surveyor can now understand any contours or

vectors that were not visible to the naked eye when they visited the location in

person. - Godfrey Hoffman Hodge, LLC, 2017

Reflectorless Total Station

According to gisresources.com, Mr.Saurabh Singh, most total stations use

purpose-built glass Porro prism reflectors for the EDM signal, and can measure

distances to a few kilometers. However, reflectorless total stations can measure

distances to any object that is reasonably light in color, to a few hundred meters.

Here are the company brands that were taken notice when choosing Total

Station by various surveyors: Nikon, Trimble, Sunway, South, Geomax, Topcon,

10
 Soikka, Hilti, Leica, Spectra, Pentax, Stonex, CST/Berger, Hi-target, Hexagon,

NWI and Capital Instrument.

Price range of Total Station is from 130,000 to 500,000 Philippine pesos

depending on the instrument’s specifications and key features.

Transit

A transit level is Levels an optical instrument, or a telescope, complete

with a built-in spirit level that is mounted on a tripod. Transit levels are used

mainly for surveying and building, but they can be used to determine the relative

position of lines and objects as well. Transit levels are very precise. They are used

to establish a reference line, but they are also used to provide readings of angles in

precise measurements.

Transit levels are necessary for identifying contours in the land and

surface area used for buildings and construction projects. Builders, architects,

civil engineers, and everyday homeowners all use transit levels to measure their

work. Specifically, a transit level is a type of optical instrument (such as a

telescope) with a built-in leveling tool (like a graduated vial) and base. Workers

use transit levels for surveying, building, and finalizing their construction and

engineering plans.

Some brands that offers Transit Levels are: Nikon, Bosch, NWI,

CST/Berger, David White, Dewalt, Sokkia, Topcon, Leica, Spectra, PLS and

AdirPro.

Prices ranged from 40,000 to 100,000 Philippine pesos.

11
GPS/GNSS Receiver

According to the GSSC.ESA (2018), GNSS Receivers process the Signals

In Space (SIS) transmitted by the satellites, being the user interface to any Global

Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Even though the information provided by a

generic GNSS receiver can be used by a wide range of Applications, most of them

rely on the receiver's navigation solution - i.e. receiver computed Position,

Velocity and Time (PVT).

Most of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems use Code Division

Multiple Access (CDMA) techniques to multiplex several satellite signals onto

the same frequency. The basic concept behind the CDMA schemes is that each

satellite is assigned with a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) code that modulates the

transmitted signal. The use of these PRN codes spreads the signal over the

spectrum, making it look like noise. Furthermore, the PRN codes have properties

such that their autocorrelation function is at a maximum when they are completely

aligned. GNSS receivers have prior knowledge of each satellite's PRN code (e.g.

through the relevant SIS ICD), and correlate the incoming signals with local code

replicas, to determine if a given satellite is visible or not.

Back in the 1970s, receivers were large analog equipment built for the

military domain. Nowadays, GNSS receivers have been widely expanded to

miniaturized platforms, chipsets, microprocessors, Integrated Chips (IC), DSP,

FPGA, handheld devices, including integration in most mobile phones. In fact,

GNSS receivers run in a wide variety of platforms, and the choice results from a

12
 trade-off of parameters such as receiver performance, cost, power consumption

and autonomy.

The GNSS Receivers are having following future trends, with the

emergence of multiple satellite navigation systems (both regional and global),

multi-constellation receivers are increasingly available. This has been encouraged

at system design level, by working towards interoperability and compatibility.

From the receiver perspective, multi-constellation brings a key added value to

solution availability, especially in urban environments.

The Brands that offers GNSS Receivers are: Bosch, Berger, Novatel,

ChcNav, Trimble, Topcon, and Leica.

Prices ranged from 300,000 to 1,100,000 Philippine pesos.

LiDAR

According to the American Geoscience Institute, LiDAR uses a pulsed laser to

calculate an object’s variable distances from the earth surface. These light pulses — put

together with the information collected by the airborne system — generate accurate 3D

information about the earth surface and the target object.

There are three primary components of a LiDAR instrument — the

scanner, laser and GPS receiver. Other elements that play a vital role in the data

collection and analysis are the photodetector and optics. Most government and

13
 private organizations use helicopters, drones and airplanes for acquiring LiDAR

data.

LiDAR systems are divided into two types based on its functionality — Airborne LiDAR

& Terrestrial LiDAR.

Airborne LiDAR

Airborne LiDAR is installed on a helicopter or drone for collecting data.

As soon as it’s activated, Airborne LiDAR emits light towards the ground surface,

which returns to the sensor immediately after hitting the object, giving an exact

measurement of its distance. Airborne LiDAR is further divided into two types —

Topological LiDAR and Bathymetric LiDAR.

Terrestrial LiDAR

Unlike Airborne, Terrestrial LiDAR systems are installed on moving

vehicles or tripods on the earth surface for collecting accurate data points. These

are quite common for observing highways, analysing infrastructure or even

collecting point clouds from the inside and outside of buildings. Terrestrial

LiDAR systems have two types — Mobile LiDAR and Static LiDAR.

LiDAR can be used to accomplish many developmental objectives, some of which are:

Oceanography

When the authorities want to know the exact depth of the ocean’s surface to locate any

object in the case of a maritime accident or for research purposes, they use LiDAR

technology to accomplish their mission. Other than locating objects, LiDAR is also used

14
for calculating phytoplankton fluorescence and biomass in the ocean surface, which

otherwise is very challenging.

Digital Elevation or Terrain Model

Terrain elevations play a crucial role during the construction of roads, large buildings and

bridges. LiDAR technology has x, y and z coordinates, which makes it incredibly easy to

produce the 3D representation of elevations to ensure that concerned parties can draw

necessary conclusions more easily.

The Brands that offers Transit Levels are: Bosch, Berger, Topcon, and

Leica.

Prices ranged from 13,000 to 85,000 Philippine pesos.

Echosounder

Echosounder are used to measure the depth to the seafloor by using the

properties of acoustic waves. The principle of echo-sounders is basic - by

measuring the two-way travel time between the acoustic waves transmitted on sea

surface and those reflected at seafloor.

Echosounder are classified into two types; Single-Beam Echo Sounder

(SBES) and Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES). The names of 'single' and 'multi'

stem from the number of depth point’s measurements collected at the same time.

15
 According to Bowditch (2002), “the major difference between various types of

echo sounders is in the frequency they use. Transducers can be classified according to

their beam width, frequency, and power rating. The sound radiates from the transducer in

a cone, with about 50 percent actually reaching the sea bottom. Beam width is determined

by the frequency of the pulse and the size of the transducer. In general, lower frequencies

produce a wider beam, and at a given frequency, a smaller transducer will produce a

wider beam. Lower frequencies penetrate deeper into the water, but have less resolution

in depth. Higher frequencies have a greater resolution in depth, but less range, so the

choice is a trade-off. Higher frequencies also require a smaller transducer. A typical low-

frequency transducer operates at 12 kHz and a high-frequency one at 200 kHz.” Many

smaller ROV systems have altimeters, such as the Imagenex 852, on the same frequency

as their imaging system for easier software integration (the same software can be used for

processing both signals) and reduced cost.

The Brands that offers Transit Levels are: Bathy, HydroBox, and

EchoBox.

Prices ranged from 400,000 to 1,200,000 Philippine pesos

Research Design

The research made used of the descriptive method to obtain information

concerning to the different types of survey instrument with respect to the course

of the researchers. A descriptive research is a study designed to depict the

16
 participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive research is all about

describing the selected respondents in the study in a way of interviewing.

Setting

The research was conducted in Davao City, because of the capacity of the

students financial and limitation of the researcher to execute the research.

Respondents of the Study

The respondent of the researcher was Chief Original and Other Survey

Region of DENR in Region XI, Engr. Noel Apale.

Instrumentation

The instrumentation of the study used a Questionnaires sheet where all the

questions for the interviewee is written, Letter of Permission to have an authority to

conduct a survey to the DENR, and Recording Device to record the data that were

gathered.

17
 Chapter III

Methods and Procedures

The content of methodology is the descriptions of ways and means to

conduct a research. The basic aim of a research methodology is to explain how

the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) checks the

instruments used by Geodetic Engineers. Checking of instrument by DENR is

necessary to make the user or the Geodetic Engineer to have more precision and

less error in gathering data when conducting a survey. The DENR is the only

Department that has the permission to calibrate, check, and certify a surveying

instrument.

DENR usually check the survey instrument like RTK, LiDAR, and Echo

Sounder. In order to gather information on how does the DENR does it, the

researchers conduct an interview to the Chief Original and Other Survey Region

of DENR in Region XI, Engr. Noel Apale.

The researchers gave a letter of permission to interview to the Chief

Original and Other Survey Region of DENR in Region XI, to match the

availability between their information and the researchers to avoid complex

meetings and to start an appointment for the interview. The interview time

duration requested was 30 minutes or less with prepared question and recorded

answers from the Interviewee.

The question to be answered by the interviewee are the following; (1)

How does the DENR check the surveying instrument, (2) How does calibration of

18
instrument work? (3) What could be the possible effects if the instrument used by

a Geodetic Engineer was not calibrated? (4) What is the most common brand of

instrument bought by Geodetic Engineers and what is the best brand in the

opinion of the interviewee?

The DENR checks the correct distance and angle of an instrument. The

LMB (Land Management Bureau) are the one who are assigned for the calibration

while the LMS (Land Management Service) are assigned for recalibration. In the

calibration, The LMB shall open the inside of the instrument to check, adjust, and

fix the problems and errors of the instrument. The LMS are assigned for

recalibration and shall open to check the instrument. After the calibration, the

LMS shall give or update the Certificate of Instrument of Registration (CIR). The

DENR checks the instrument differently according to the specific type of

surveying instrument. Total stations, Transit level, RTK and Static GPS are the

only instrument that the DENR checks since Geodetic Engineers in the

Philippines are more on Property surveying. The use of Property surveys are for

approval of titles which the DENR handles. The DENR does not check LiDAR

and Echo sounder for it is not used for property surveying. Echo sounder is

known for unusual Hydrographic Survey and LiDAR is for determining the

elevation.

Since the DENR are more on property survey, Echosounder and LiDAR is

an exception for the calibration. The Echo sounder is only used to determine the

depth of water by transmitting sound waves into water. The time interval between

the emission and the return of a pulse is recorded and is used to determine the
19
depth of water along with the speed of sound in water at the time. In the other

hand, LiDAR are used to measure variable distance or ranges to the earth by the

use of light in a form of pulsed laser.

The calibration of instrument works when the DENR checks or adjusts by

comparison with standard or reference accuracy of measuring instrument. It will

make the surveying instrument more accurate, precise and less error to the desired

quantity of data in making a map.

The possible effects if the instrument used by a Geodetic Engineer is not

calibrated for a long time, the instrument will have an error in each gathered data

when surveying because from the day the instrument was bought, it does not

mean it contains no error. Most of the instruments are calibrated in every 3 years

depending on what type of instrument that should be calibrated, that will be based

on the Certificate of Instrument Registration (CIR) according to DENR

Administrative Order (DAO) Article 5 Section 22.

The most common brand of instrument bought by Geodetic Engineers is

the China made brands. The best brand in his own opinion is the Brand

“BERGER” because the office of the DENR uses this kind of brand. Brands do

not also matter except for those China-made brands because those instruments

will not last long unlike the instruments that are European-made. Specifically, the

brand “South” reviewed as the cheapest brand because of its delicate structure of

equipment but can still be used for surveying practices hence calibration is a must.

20
 Chapter IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Presentation

To compare which are the best brand manufacturer among those mentioned from

RRL, the researcher uses directindustry.com to determine the specs, ratings, and place of

manufacturer by making a table and categorized by their surveying instruments brand.

Table 4.1 The Manufacturer listed from RRL and Manufacturers Location

Manufacturer Country or Continent

South, Hi-Target, ChcNav, Stonex China

Topcon, Sokkai, Pentax, Nikon Japan

Trimble, Geomax, Hilti, Berger, NWI, United State of America

NovAtel, RDS technology, Broadcom

Leica, Hexagon Bosch, Heol-Design, Europe

Gorgy timing, Prexiso

Sunway India

Table 4.2 The Manufacturers Ratings according to directindustry.com

21
Manufacturer Total Station Transit level GPS/GNSS AVG Rating

Receiver
Novatel - - 4 4

WAAS G-III
ChcNav 4 4 4 4

CTS-112R4 2000 ATEX P2 ELITE

Trimble - - 4 4

R9S
Lecia 4 4 5 4.3

ICON ICT30 NA2 GS18 T

Sokkai - - 4 4

GCX SERIES
Pentax - 4 - 4

TANKSLAYER
Stonex - 4 - 4

STONEX R1+
Trimble 4.6 - 4.5 4.6

SPS855 ZENITH16

SERIES
Topcon - 4 - 4

PFTM 10

The Researchers did not put Echosounder and LiDAR since the DENR only Checks or

Calibrates these 2 Surveying Instruments. Most of the brands are not included in the table

because it does not have any ratings yet.

In determining the Precision, the DENR shall set the Surveying

Instruments in accordance to DAO 1998-12 Section 15-35. The DENR office

22
 shall set the instrument according to the Order that shall be given to the assigned

Geodetic Engineer. There were 4 Order namely; First Order, Second Order, Third

Order, and Fourth Order.

Here are the details on how the DENR setups the Order according to the given precision

of accuracy

Table 4.3 Position Accuracy

Positional Accuracy
First Order 10 Parts per million 1/100,000 1 cm per km
Second Order 20 Parts per million 1/50,000 2 cm per km
Third Order 50 Parts per million 1/20,000 5 cm per km
Fourth Order 100 Parts per million 1/10,000 10 cm per km
Table 4.4 Vertical Accuracy

Vertical Accuracy
Second Order 8.4 mm times square root of the distance
Third Order 12.0 mm times square root of the distance
Additional information for observation required in DENR for the Order in accordance to

Section 5 DAO 1998

Table 4.5 Common satellites observed simultaneously

Common Satellites observed simultaneously

Order First Second Third Fourth
Min Period in minutes 30 15 15 15
Min number of quadrants with satellite obv. 3 3 3 2
Min number 4 3 3 3
GDOP value to be achieved during an 5 6 7 10

23
observation
Max Period between meteorological 60 Optical Optical Optical

observation in minutes (d)

Min crystal frequency standard warm-up E E E E

period hours
Min Elevation of satellite in degrees 10 5 5 5

Table 4.6 Number of observations

Order First Second Third Fourth

Min observation period in minutes 60 30 15 15
Independent occupation per station at least 20% 10% - -

3
Independent occupation per station at least 50% 30% 30% -

Interpretation of Data

The researchers used articles, internet access, studies from fellow

researchers, and some other resources related to the studies, the researchers found

out that the Surveying Instruments has its different kinds, types and uses. The

different kinds of instrument that was gathered are Total station for horizontal and

vertical angles and distance, Transit Level for positioning of points of line and
24
 objects, RTK for geo-spatial positioning, and echosounder for the depth of water

in the ocean, and LiDAR for variable distance from earth using light.

The gathered information of brands a manufacturer that were mentioned in the

RRL are South, Hi-Target, ChcNav, Topcon, Sokkai, Pentax, Sunway, Leica, Hexagon

Bosch, Heol-Design, Gorgy timing, Prexiso, Trimble, Geomax, Hilti, Berger, NWI,

NovAtel, RDS technology, Broadcom, Nikon, Stonex. These manufactures are from

America, Europe, China, Japan, and India.

The Researcher also gathered additional information by conducting an interview

to the DENR office. The interviewee added that their office uses the brand name Berger

for total station and transit level. Their office recommends any kind of European brand

because of its sturdy design, materials, and some additional feature that other brands do

not have. Their office also does not recommend the China-made brands because of their

poor structure design and mediocre materials.

In addition to the information gathered, the brand “Robert Bosch GmbH” or

Bosch Brand is the best brand and a world leading multinational engineering and

Electronics Company according to Anyango (2020). The tools are reliable, powerful and

robust, fulfill the highest demands, and make your work easier. The company has Bosch

cordless tools which excel especially due to their long lifetime, high performance

capability, and very long runtime.

Analysis
Among those instruments that were mentioned, the Total Station, Transit

level, and RTK are the instrument that can only be checked by the DENR

25
 according to Engr. Noel Apale. It is because the DENR only checks the

instruments that can be used in conducting a Property Surveying.

The information gathered from the result in the RRL of this study in the

rating of manufacturers using directindustry.com supports the information

gathered from Engr. Noel Apale in his recommendation on what brands and what

are not. Even though the American-made Brands have the highest rating with 3

manufacturers, these manufacturers are more expensive than the European-made

brands. This makes the DENR recommends the European-made manufacturers.

According to some articles that were gathered in this research, the best

brands that can be highly recommended are the American-brands. But because of

its expensive prices, The European-made manufacturers are budget recommended

brand for most of the Engineers or consumers who are about to buy Surveying

equipment.

In the Philippines, the most common brands are those Japan and China-made

brands because they were cheap or less expensive than the American and European

brands. Even it was stated that these brands are not recommended, it is usable because it

still can collect data correctly and accurately like the American and European-brands

precisely.

The only reason why does the DENR do not recommend China-made brands

because of its poor structure design and mediocre materials.

26
 Chapter V

Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary

The Researcher discuss the history of surveying instrument that can be found on

the Introduction of this research. It was mention that the Egyptian were the first surveyor

and the Roman Empire has the massive impact of influence from the construction of

Surveying instruments. The RRL contains articles, internet access, studies from fellow

researchers, and some other resources related to the study as basis about the 4 known

Surveying Instruments which are Total station, LiDAR, GNSS Receivers, and

Echosounder. The content of Method and Procedures discusses the steps and procedures

on how they conduct to survey question to an Engineer from DENR for additional

information that may support the gather data and information from the RRL. From

Chapter IV, it contains Presentaion, analysis and interpretation of Data. In the

Presentation, The researcher provide a data on how does the DENR check and calibrate

the instrument depends on the Order number given by the office of DENR. It also

provides additional data on the best brand that the researcher could find.

Conclusion

For the conclusion, the researcher found out that there are many types, kinds, and

classification of Surveying Instruments in accordance to their uses. Geodetic Engineers in

the Philippines mostly uses Theodolite, GNSS Receivers or GPS, and Total Station

Surveying instruments. These Surveying instruments mentioned are instruments usually

used because most of the Geodetic Engineers are focus or more on Property Surveying.

27
The researcher also found out that there are Brands or Manufacturer of surveying

instruments that has their own uniqueness, additional features, Prices, and pros and cons

to each instrument Manufacturer. Most of the manufacturers are from USA, Japan, China,

Europe, and India and among these brands the European brands are the most expensive

surveying instrument to be bought. The best brand coming from American manufacturers

in the Philippines is the brand name Trimble and the most famous and cheapest brand in

this country is the Brand name South.

Before an instrument can be used for conducting a survey for lots or parcel lots,

the instrument must first have or pass the qualification of the Certification of Instrument

Registration (CIR). The DENR specifically the LMB/LMS are the offices that Checks

and Calibrates for the Certificate of Instrument Registration (CIR) to these instruments.

Without CIR, every conducted survey using an unregistered Surveying instrument shall

not accept by the LMB for approval. LMB/LMS usually checks Steel tapes, Total station.

The researcher also found out that GNSS Receiver and Total station are the most

important surveying instruments in terms to the durability and mobility of a Geodetic

Engineers in conducting a survey

Recommendation

In this part of the research, the researcher shall provide recommendation in

accordance to those persons that were mentioned in the part of “significance of the study”

of this research paper.

The Engineers, Teachers, and Surveyors should practice on using these

instruments that were mentioned in this research in order for them to understand more

28
their use or uses when conducting a survey. But the researcher recommends that they

should practice in using GPS/GNSS Receiver or Total Station surveying instrument

because it can gather a data that of bearing and distance of each points or monuments at

the same time.

Consumer could buy steel tape, theodolite, total station or GPS/GNSS Receiver

that depends on their budget. But the researcher recommends to not buy Echosounder and

LiDAR since it is not necessary because most of the Geodetic Engineers are conducting

Property Surveying for Subdividing and Consolidating land parcels, and Relocating

Monuments. For the Brands, We recommend Trimble for the best brand because of its

highest rating, Lecia for the budget Surveying Instrument, and South for the cheapest

Surveying Instrument if the consumer’s budget is still not enough for the price.

Students who are taking engineering course can expand their knowledge more in

different types, kinds, and uses of each instrument in reading DAO or DMC from DENR.

Moreover, Engineering students could also easily understand if they could do an actual to

conduct a survey using the instruments that were mentioned in this paper.

29
 Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to express their deepest gratitude to those people who

whole-heartedly helped them in making this endeavor a reality. Friends, who actively

supported the researchers in their journey in making this research possible. Professors,

who eagerly guided the researchers and willingly helped the researchers in times of

needs. DENR, specifically Engr. Noel Apale, who patiently shared his precious time and

expertise in giving inputs of knowledge and facts regarding in our research and pursued

profession. Beloved parents, who happily and supportively showered their support

morally, spiritually, and financially. They are an inspiration and the source of energy of

the researchers. And most especially tour Almighty God, who gave us strength and

knowledge in making this research a success.

30
 List of Tables

Table 4.1 The Manufacturer listed from RRL and Manufacturers Location…….19
Table 4.2 The Manufacturers Ratings according to directindustry.com…………20
Table 4.3 Position Accuracy……………………………………………………...21
Table 4.4 Vertical Accuracy………………………………………………………21
Table 4.5 Common satellites observed simultaneously…………………………..23
Table 4.6 Number of observations………………………………………………..24

31
.
Appendices

Appendix A

The history of Surveying Instrument of Egyptian and Roman Empire.

Around 1400 B.C., the Egyptians first used the predecessors of modern surveying

instruments to accurately divide land into plots for the purpose of taxation and to

engineer many feats, from canals to pyramids. An ancient Egyptian survey crew used

measuring ropes, plumb bobs, sighting instruments, and leveling instruments. The ancient

Egyptian measuring rope was stretched taut between stakes and then rubbed with a

mixture of beeswax and resin. Some of the ropes depicted in hieroglyph were graduated

by knots tied at intervals.

In Roman Empire. Roman society are the most distinctive monuments in terms of

roads and aqueducts. These structures are impressive in their design and functionality,

some of which can still be used today. These monuments also stand as a testament to

those who built them. The surveyors of Rome played an essential role in the construction

of the roads and the aqueducts, and developed many of the fundamental principles of

surveying and construction. Although surveying is one of the oldest professions, land

surveyors of ancient Rome, the agrimensores, worked in a time of early techniques in

land development. Land division was often undertaken in order to provide a place to live

for veterans of the Roman army. These settlements were known as colonia.

32
 Appendix B

The Surveying Instruments that are being Check or Calibrate by the DENR.

The Surveying Instrument Should be calibrated before conducting a survey to minimize

the or remove the error when gathering a data. Conventional instruments, Smart Station

and GNSS Receivers should be calibrated excluding the Aerial Photogrammetric

Instrument. It should be properly calibrated by and registered to the LMB/LMS before it

can be used for any kind of survey covered by this regulation. Surveys made with

instruments without valid registration shall not be accepted for verification and approval.

After a calibration, the DENR must give a Certificate of Instrument Registration

to the Instrument that has been calibrated for the indication or evidence. This certificate

shall be issued by the LMB/LMS and the LMB shall update the National Database on

Surveying Instrument. The validity of registration shall be: 1. For steel tapes: two (2)

years or up to three;(3) breaks, whichever comes earlier; 2. For engineer’s transits and

optical and electronic theodolites: three (3) years; 8 3. For EDM and ETS: two (2) years.

And lastly; 4. For GNSS Receiver: two (2) years.

Appendix C

The Purpose of Total Station in conducting a survey.

A total station is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying and building

construction that uses electronic transit theodolite in conjunction with electronic distance

meter (EDM). It is also integrated with microprocessor, electronic data collector and

storage system. The instrument is used to measure sloping distance of object to the

instrument, horizontal angles and vertical angles. This Microprocessor unit enables for

33
computation of data collected to further calculate the horizontal distance, coordinates of a

point and reduced level of point.

Appendix D

The Purpose of GNSS Receiver in conducting a survey.

GNSS Receivers process the Signals in Space (SIS) transmitted by the satellites, being

the user interface to any Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Even though the

information provided by a generic GNSS receiver can be used by a wide range of

Applications, most of them rely on the receiver's navigation solution - i.e. receiver

computed Position, Velocity and Time (PVT).

GNSS receivers determine the user position, velocity, and precise time (PVT) by

processing the signals broadcasted by satellites. Because the satellites are always in

motion, the receiver has to continuously acquire and track the signals from the satellites

in view, in order to compute an uninterrupted solution, as desired in most applications.

Any navigation solution provided by a GNSS receiver is based on the computation of its

distance to a set of satellites, by means of extracting the propagation time of the incoming

signals travelling through space at the speed of light, according to the satellite and

receiver local clocks.

Appendix E

The Purpose of LiDAR in conducting a survey.

A LIDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS

receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring

LIDAR data over broad areas. Two types of LIDAR are topographic and bathymetric.

34
Topographic LIDAR typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land, while

bathymetric lidar uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed

elevations.

LIDAR systems allow scientists and mapping professionals to examine both natural and

manmade environments with accuracy, precision, and flexibility. NOAA scientists are

using LIDAR to produce more accurate shoreline maps, make digital elevation models

for use in geographic information systems, to assist in emergency response operations,

and in many other applications. The data sets for many coastal areas can be downloaded

from the Office for Coastal Management Digital Coast web portal.

Appendix F

The Purpose of Echosounder in conducting a survey.

Echo sounding is a type of sonar used to determine the depth of water by transmitting

sound waves into water. The time interval between emission and return of a pulse is

recorded, which is used to determine the depth of water along with the speed of sound in

water at the time. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in

order to obtain depths for charting purposes. Echo sounding can also refer to

hydroacoustic "echo sounders" defined as active sound in water (sonar) used to study

fish. Hydroacoustic assessments have traditionally employed mobile surveys from boats

to evaluate fish biomass and spatial distributions. Conversely, fixed-location techniques

use stationary transducers to monitor passing fish.

35
Bibliography

Aurora, Neha. “TIMELINE: Surveying Instruments.” 12 June 2010 TIMELINE:

Surveying Instrument

< www.geospatialworld.net/article/timeline-surveying-instruments>

Pontuali, Marco “Surveying and Engineering in Ancient Rome” 2010 Surveying and

Engineering in Ancient Rome

< www.geospatialworld.net/article/timeline-surveying-instruments>

Civil Simplified “Building Information Modeling” 2016 Building Information Modeling

< https://www.civilsimplified.com/workshops/tall-building-design >

The Construction “Total Station in Surveying – Operation, Uses and Advantages” 21

January 2013 Total Station in Surveying – Operation, Uses and Advantages

< https://www.allenprecision.com/page/4-basic-total-station-functions/ >

European Space Agency “GNSS Reciever General Instruction” 2 September 2018 GNSS

Receiver General Instruction

< https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GNSS_Receivers_General_Introduction >

DOSITS “Echosounder” 2020 Echosounder

< https://dosits.org/galleries/technology-gallery/observing-the-sea-floor/echosounder/ >

CULTOFSEA “Echo Sounder – Principle, Working & Errors” 2020 Echo Sounder –

Principle, Working & Errors < https://cultofsea.com/bridge-equipment/echo-sounder/ >

36
National Ocean Service “What is LiDAR” 7 January 2020 What is LiDAR

< https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lidar.html >

Woodford, Chris “LiDAR.” 21 January 2019 LiDAR

< https://www.explainthatstuff.com/lidar.html >

37
 Letter of Permission

Ecoland Drive, Matina

Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000
January 13, 2020
Engr. Noel P. Apale
Chief Original and Other Survey
DENR Region-XI
Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000
Dear Engr. Apale:
In research titled “The Different Instrument that are used by the Geodetic Engineer
in the Philippines”, We found out that we need to gather some information that
were related to our research.  We are very interested on how you would check the
surveying instrument.
We are requesting an informational interview and would only take about 30
minutes of your time.  I hope to get a sense for what your practice is like and what
a typical day entails at your firm. 
We can be very flexible with our schedule to match your availability so that you
will not be worrying to have a complex appointment. We are looking forward to
hear from you and to meet in person soon.

Sincerely,

Cleinch Devonn R. Mordeno

Leslie Ann M. Polinar

Isma’il Qasim M. Espejo

Bin-Naj’r K. Dilangalen

38