Total Station Lecture

Dr. Sundoss AL Mahadeen

 Aim of this chapter
After studying this chapter you should be able to:
● Understand how total stations measure distances.
● Identify and describe all the features of total stations that are used for
angle and distance measurement
● Distinguish between the different categories of total station and
assess the best applications for each of these on site
● Evaluate the effect of instrumental and other errors on angle and
distance measurements taken with a total station and how these can be
minimized
● Understand how a total station can be used for measuring heights
 Total Station
Total Stations measure distances as well as angles
◦ They can also store and process measurements
 Components of a Total Station
 EDM
 Electronic theodolite
 On-Board Micro-processor
 Data Collector (built in or separate unit)
 Data Storage (internal or memory card)
 Prisms
 Micro-processor
1. Averages multiple angle measurements
2. Averages multiple distance measurements
3. Computes horizontal and vertical distances
4. Corrections for temp, pressure and humidity
5. Computes polars
6. Computes X, Y and Z coordinates

“RESECTION”
P

B
 Field to Finish Operation

Memory card
USB and Compact
Flash

Automatic target
detection
Transfer remotely Final Comps,
(radio/cell phone)
Control/operation Measurement checks and
(automatic) and basic comps outputs
 Continuing Evolution of Measurement Technologies

Leica Smartstation Topcon Imaging TS

Merging TS and GPS Merging TS and Lidar

Broadcast of
Real-Time
Corrections Terrestrial Photogrammetry?
GoogleEarth

High Resolution Satellite Imagery

 Total Stations
Total Stations measure distances as well as angles
◦ They can also store and process measurements

The main telescope incorporates an Electronic Distance Meter (EDM)

◦ Infra-red laser, time-of-flight/phase measurement of beam

Watch this video “Total Station vs. GNSS Receiver: Which is the Better
Surveying Tool?”

https://youtu.be/0WugC2jXjsk
 A total station consists of:

A telescope mounted on two graduated

circles: horizontal circle and vertical circle
(“theodolite”)

An Electronic Distance Measurement

(EDM) device

Accessories: tripod, reflector, …

Source: Leica Geosystems

Source: Leica Geosystems
 Total Station
Components
◦ Head
◦ Data Collector
◦ Tri-pod
◦ Survey Rod with prism
Total Station
Components
◦ Head
Total Station
Components
◦ Data Collector
Total Station
Components
◦ Tri-pod
 Total Station
Components
◦ Survey Rod with prism
 Manpower Requirements
One operator and one person for each prism. At least one prism is
necessary.
There are systems that can be operated by one person.
Once the data is collected, it must be uploaded onto a computer to
process
Electronic distance measurement

Distances are measured from an EDM device

An EDM device consists of: (i) an emitter, (ii) a prism reflector

and (iii) a receiver

Emitter and receiver are built-in components of the telescope

The emitter operates in the infrared range of the

electromagnetic waves
Principles of electronic distance measurement

3
1
4
5

1. The emitter emits an infrared pulse at time T

2. The infrared pulse travels at the speed of light towards the reflector
3. The pulse is reflected by the prism reflector
4. The pulse travels back to the telescope in the parallel direction
5. The pulse is received by the receiver at time T+ T Source: Internet
Prism geometry

Reflector

Whatever the incoming signal

incoming signal direction,
the reflected signal
direction is parallel to
reflected signal the incoming signal
direction
Electronic distance measurement
The EDM generates a laser that is sent to the prism and returned
The time-of-flight is determined
Knowing the speed of light, the distance can be deduced
 distance = velocity x time
 velocity in a vacuum = 299,792,458m/s, need to correct this for travel through air!
 EDM

Errors include the length travelled through the reflector, the

speed of light, and others
 *EDM Properties *
Ranges
Long (10-20 km),
Med (3-10),
Short (.5-3).
Range limits up to 50 km
EDM can be mounted on telescope of most theodolite or on tribrach.
With theodolite it can measure horizontal and vertical distance.

Total station
=
Theodolite with built in EDM
+
microprocessor
 Operation:
A wave is transmitted and the
returning wave is measured to
find the distance traveled.
Distances determined by calculating the number of wavelengths travelled.

Errors are generally small and insignificant for short distances.

For longer distances they can be more important.

Errors can be accounted for manually, or by the EDM if it has the capability.

Velocity of light can be affected by:

Temperature
Atmospheric pressure
Water vapor content