UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

Kolej Pengajian Alam Bina

Centre of Studies Surveying Science and Geomatics
Diploma of Science in Geomatics – AP120

PROJECT REPORT

COURSE FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING SURVEYING

COURSE CODE GSS130

SEMESTER SEMESTER 1

TITLE EDM/TOTAL STATION - CALIBRATION

SUPERVISOR SIR ZAKI AHMAD DAHLAN

MARKS

Date of Submission :…23/12/2022……

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Group Members:

Name UiTM No. Signature

NUR AIN BINTI MOHD RAIS 2022871696

NURUL SAKINAH BINTI SHAFIEE 2022499422

MUHAMMAD NAZIRUL ZAKWAN BIN IDRUS 2022846062

MUHAMMAD SYUKRI SHAFIQ BIN MOHD 2022812058

ZAINAL
MUHAMMAD ARIFF DANIAL BIN MOHD 2022680686
AMIN NORDDIN

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 CONTENTS PAGES
4-5
INTRODUCTIONS

5
OBJECTIVE

6-7
INSTRUMENTS

8
METHODOLOGY

9
DATA PROCESSING

10-11
RESULT

12
CONCLUSION

12-14
COMMENT

14
REFERENCES

15
APPENDIX

3
 INTRODUCTION

Our group is conducting a practical on how to handle EDM, to conduct EDM and to compute
zero error and cyclic error of EDM calibration. Everyone has their own role in this practical.
We have our own role such as setup a prism and total station. Then one person will record the
measurement that has been measured and calculate the result.

In modern surveying, they are highly demands on the final accuracy with expectations currently
falling below 1 m . The measurement method and surveying instruments used have to be
adjusted to meet the requirements , especially the total stations as he most often used
instruments in survey works. At the same time, Electronic Distance Measurement
(EDM) as an essential parts in Total Station works to determine the length between two points
using phase changes that occur as electromagnetic energy waves travels from one point to the
other end of the line.

For this report, zero error or index error where this occurs If there are differences in the
mechanical, electrical and optical centres of EDM instruments and reflectors, and includes the
prism constant discussed. This error is of constant magnitude and is not dependent on range,
and must be taken to eliminated it. The value of a zero error obtained from a calibration
procedure usually applies to an instruments and reflector is changed the zero constant changes.

For the cyclic error or instrument non-linearity this error is caused by unwanted interference
between electrical signals generated in electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit and can
be investigated by measuring of series of known distance spread over the measuring
wavelength of the instrument. If calibration curve of (observed-measured) distance is plotted
against distance and a periodic wave is obtained, the EDM instrument has a cyclic error

Calibration is the evaluation of relevant and statistically significant terms of the instrument
corrections for a specific EDM instrument. The results of a calibration are presented in the form
of a calibration certificate and are applicable to the specific EDM instruments at the same time
of the calibration. The values determined should be used to correct subsequent EDM
measurements. Calibration is normally carried out on calibration baselines. EDM calibration
baselines are essential for verifying the accuracy of electronic distance measurement equipment
against the national standard for length. This report is aim to showone of the calibration method

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which is a Differential Field Test (DFT). It is involves the us of an unknown 3-point baseline.
Sometimes it called the three-peg test.

The practical 3-peg test EDM calibration has been done marking an unknown three-point
baseline. All the three distances are measured with the instrument being calibrated (total
station) and each length are obtained. From this practical, there are two of error which are
cyclic error and zero error. The cyclic error can be investigated by measuring a series of known
distance (49m, 48m, 47m, 46m, 45m, 44m, 43m, 42m, 41m, 40m) spread over the measuring
wavelength of the instrument. The results of this error were taken based on two type.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this practical :

1. Is to introduce the use simple applications of EDM/Total Station.

2. To use and handle of EDM instrument and equipment in this practical.

3. To conduct EDM calibration.

4. To compute the zero error and cyclic error of EDM calibration.

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 INSTRUMENT

Ser. Instrument Description

1. 1 x Total Station A Total Station is an electronic or optical

instrument used for surveying. The total
station is a combination of an Electronic
Theodolite and Electronic Distance
Measuring instrument (EDM). It is
integrated with microprocessor, electronic
data collector and storage system. The
instrument can be used to measure
horizontol and vertical angles as well as
slope distance from the instrument to a
particular point, and an on-board computer
to collect data and perform advanced
coordinate based calculations.

2. 3 x tripod It is a portable three-legged frame or stand.

It is used as a platform for supporting the
weight and maintaining the stability of Total
Station and prism. A tripod provides stability
against downward forces and horizontal
forces and movements about horizontal exes.
The positioning of the three legs away from
the vertical centre allows the tripod better
leverage for resisting lateral forces

3. 2 x prism A prism is corner cube or retro reflector,

normally attached on a surveying pole, used
as a target for distance measurement using,
for example, a total station. The quality of

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 the prism is determining by the flatness of
the surface and the perpendicular of the 90*
surface.

4. 1 x Tape Tapes are used to measuring the distance

between every station. Tapes also are issued
in various lengths and widths and graduated
in variety of ways

5. Pikets Pikets are used when certain points on the

field require more permanent marking. The
size of the pegs (40 to 60 cm) depends on the
type of survey work they are used for and the
type of soil they have to be driven in. The
pegs should be driven vertically into the soil
and the top should be clearly visible.

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 METHODOLOGY

One of the methods that have been used in this fieldwork is the 3-peg test. This method is
the practice of performing function checks and adjusting equipment in the field and office to
account for the environmental and performance variables. There are two types of error which
is cyclic error and zero error. Cyclic error is caused by the non-linearity in amplitude
modulation of phase and carrier wave measurement, while constant error is an algebraic
constant to be applied directly to every measure distance.

➢ Procedure of zero error

• Measure a straight line L1.
• The line is then divided in two parts, L2 and L3 and have to measure these two
lines.
• The zero error(z) can be calculate by using this formula:
Z = L1 – (L2 + L3)

➢ Procedure of cyclic error:

• Establish a line 50m in length using a steel tape on the flat ground
• On the line mark 49m-40m points with pegs.
• Place the transmitter of the EDM on the starting or zero meter mark and its
reflector or prism on the 50m mark.
• Measure the length six (6) times and obtain its mean value
• Take the difference between the mean readings of a point and its nearest
neighbor. The differences should be 1 m. Differences other than 1m indicate
existence of cyclic error for the sector.

All the data are obtain through two (2) source available as follows:
I. Lecturer practical guideline.
Lecturer provided a guideline before we done our practical. It produces a brief
explanation the procedure for conducting EDM Calibration procedures.

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DATA PROCESSING

Cyclic Error

Cyclic error or instrument error is caused by unwanted interference between electrical signals
generated in the EDM unit and can be investigated by measuring a series of known distances
spread over the measuring wavelength of the instrument. If a calibration curve of (observed-
measured) distance is plotted against distance and the periodic wave is obtained, the EDM
instrument has a cyclic error.

• First Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)

The first practical is by measuring distances. The first data was from station 1 to 0 has
been taken by using total station is 49.809m and station 1 to 2 is taken by total station with
distance of 1.0m. After that, moving point 1.0 meter using the same method until we get 10
different point.

• Second Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)

The first data was taken when the total station at station 0 and a prism at station 1 and
the result is 49.809m and the prism moved to station 2 and the measured distance from station
0 to station 2 is 48.993. Next, the prism was set up at station 3 and the distance taken is
48.167m. After that, the prism moved to next station respectively which were to station 4 and
the distance taken is 47.304, to station 5 (46.471), to station 6 (45.656m), to station 7
(44.841m), to station 8 (43.996m), to station 9 (42.370m) and to station 10 (41.626m).

The data of this practical will be shown.

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 RESULT

1. Zero Error

L1= 35.713m
L2= 16.173m
L3=19.540m

(16.173 + z) +(19.540+z) = 35.713 + z

16.173 + 19.540 + 2z = 35.713 + z
35.713 + 2z = 35.713 + z
2z + z = 35.713 – 35.713
z = 0m

2. Cyclic Error

Distance (m) Data Mean

50 49.809 49.809 49.809 49.809 49.809 49.809 49.809
49 48.993 48.992 48.992 48.992 48.992 48.991 48.992

48 48.167 48.167 48.167 48.167 48.167 48.167 48.167

47 47.304 47.304 47.304 47.304 47.303 47.304 47.304

46 46.471 46.470 46.471 46.471 46.470 46.471 46.471

45 45.656 45.656 45.656 45.656 45.656 45.656 45.656

44 44.840 44.841 44.842 44.843 44.842 44.840 44.841

43 43.996 43.995 43.996 43.995 43.996 43.996 43.996

42 42.370 42.370 42.370 42.372 42.370 42.370 42.370

41 41.626 41.626 41.626 41.626 41.626 41.620 41.626

40 40.800 40.800 40.800 40.800 40.800 40.800 40.800

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Distance by tape (m) Mean distance by EDM (M) Distance by e
frequency
40 40.800

41 41.626 1 0.826

42 42.370 2 0.744

43 43.996 3 1.626

44 44.841 4 0.845

45 45.656 5 0.815

46 46.471 6 0.845

47 47.304 7 0.833
48 48.167 8 0.863

49 48.993 9 0.825

50 49.809 10 0.817

CYCLIC ERROR GRAPH

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Series1

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 CONCLUSION

EDM instrument calibration is very important for surveyors. Surveyors and other users of
land measuring instruments, especially topographic appliances is important that all users
know the importance of permanent monitorisation of EDM instrument, meaning changes
depending on the type parameter measurement performed and especially depending on
environmental conditions. In conclusion measuring distances by EDM is very simple, but
provides a way to measuring distances very accurately and by using this technique we get
back more time and energy.

COMMENTS

➢ We have learnt that, the total station is a surveying equipment combination of

Electromagnetic Distance Measuring (EDM). The instrument can be used to measure
vertical and horizontal angles as well as sloping and horizontal distance from
instrument to the object.

➢ We have learnt that, EDM have a great accuracy of obtaining distance compared to
other method such as taping and more useful for large scale survey work. It’s more
reliable for quick detail surveying due to electronic data processing.

➢ We have learnt that, Any surveying equipment either mechanical, optical or electronic
can have specific defects or multifunction with contribute to the error and will
contaminate the quality of the surveying results.

➢ We have learnt that, Calibration are need to be done in order to ensure the equipment
is in good condition and can be used for survey works without any hesitant.

➢ We have learnt that, In EDM calibration, the observation should be made repeatedly
with the Total Station set up on the other pillars. This will be ensure that distance
measured by Total Station meets is accuracy.

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Requirements and Specifications
The achievement of the project objectives is we know how to use and handle of EDM
instrument and equipment in this practical. At the end of the day, we have gain information
about the EDM calibration should be carried out. We have learnt very important new things
and discover how to check zero error and cyclic error on the instrument. Not like before this,
at that time, we never know the function of the instrument and how it going to carried out and
also not to forget how to check the errors on the instrument. But this time, we applied the
knowledge that we gain to the instrument in front of our eyes. We know how to use it and the
important things is, we know what the purposes of EDM calibration. The purpose and objective
of all this activity is to make sure to check the instrument is determine instrument cyclic and
zero errors. Finally, we achieve new knowledge, studied new things, and the important things
is, we know how to use the instrument. We proud what we achieve, and hopes the things we
learnt will be uses as good as possible and will benefit others in the future. We manage to fulfill
all requirement and specifications while conducting this practical.

Discussion
While conducting this practical we faced many problem in the execution of this project.
The first problem is shortage of instrument, we have a problem when trying to measure the
point. We have to move the tripod every 1m and it very time consuming and took time to
complete the task. Second problem is the quality of instrument, the total station measurement
have an error and we have hard time to collecting the data. At last, problem that we face while
trying to mark every 1m point because we do not have enough pikets to mark point every point.
To overcome all of this problem, we tried our best to setup the instrument correctly and try to
be precise as possible while making observation. We also try to be careful no to make any
unnecessary error from our side.

The commitment of our group is great, everyone plays their own role in this practical.
Our group is consist of five members. Ariff commitment is setting up the total station and he
know how to fix the bubble and other two members, Nazirul and Shafiq their main commitment
is setup the prism and they will decide the station to setup the total station and prism. Ain
commitment is she will record the result, calculate and make sure the prism is in the center of

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 crosshair. Sakinah commitment is she will read the bearing and the distance from the
instruments and collect the data to give to Ain.

NAME MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD MUHAMAD NURUL NURUL

SHUKRI SHAFIQ NAZIRUL ARIFF DANIAL AIN SAKINAH
ZAKWAN

COMMITMENT 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10

LEADERSHIP 8/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10
ATTENDANCES 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

Improvement
Things that we want to improve the quality of the practical task in the future is to setup
the instrument carefully to make sure the error will reduce in the future. After that, we need to
make sure the instrument we choose from the store is in good condition so next time there is
no problem when we on site to make a survey. Next suggestion, thing to improve is make sure
we have enough pikets so that we can finish the task faster because the weather is unpredictable
sometimes.

REFERENCE

1. Constant error in EDM

https://revcad.uab.ro/upload/35_424_Paper27_RevCad16_2014.pdf
2. Cyclic error in EDM, J. Uren and W.F. price. 1994. Surveying for Engineers, third
edition. 194 pp.
3. EDM Calibration, https://www.scribd.com/document/262478920/EDM-Calibration
4. J. Uren and W.F. Price. (1994). Surveying For Engineers: Third Edition. (pp. 193-
194).
5. Three peg test total station, https://www.slideshare.net/dasratkumar10048/3-a1-
lecture-8-41439272

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APPENDIX

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