Kathmandu University

Department of Geomatics Engineering

ELECTROMAGNETIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

(EDM)

Presenters:
Shirish Bastola
Aparajita Baral
Barsha Bhattarai
Hritik Bhattarai
Rajan Adhikari
Dipesh Pandey
Presenter
Introduction

• First introduced by Swedish Physicist Eric

Bergstrand (Geodimeter) in 1948

• Distance measurement by electronic method

• Relay on propagation, reflection and subsequent

reception of electromagnetic radiation or waves.
Source : Civiljungle.com

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
Electromagnetic Waves

• Among waves of different length, micro, infrared and visible light waves
are useful for the distance measurement

• The nature of reflector in EDM is based on waves.

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Kathmandu University
Electromagnetic Waves contd…

• If infrared wave or laser is used, the

"reflector" is typically a passive
medium which bounces the signal back

• In case of microwave, the reflector

captures the incoming energy and re-
transits it back to the originating
instrument
Source : theconstructor.org

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
Principle of EDM

• Electromagnetic waves from an instrument is transmitted to a retro-

reflector, which instantly returns them to the transmitting instrument

• However, speed of light is very high and the time interval needs to be
measured extremely accurately

• Instead, the principle of EDM is based on following improvised

relationship:

L = Total distance travelled by the wave

N = Integer number of wavelengths
L= N λ + p λ = Wavelength
p = Partial wavelength

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Kathmandu University
Distance Measurement

• Electromagnetic radiation has sinusoidal wave form and repeats every

360°
• The distance between wave form ends is the wavelength λ
λ

• EDM uses the signal structure and determines the phase shift between
two waves for distance

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Kathmandu University
Distance Measurement contd…

• The signal leaves the EDM at 0° phase, goes through N number of full
phases on its way to and from the reflector, and returns to the some angle
between 0° and 360° creating a partial wavelength p

Thus, Total Distance L= N λ + p

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Kathmandu University
EDM in Total Station

• EDM only measures slope distance when at different elevation

• To measure horizontal and vertical distance, EDM is combined with

theodolite Total Station

H= S x sin Z

V= S x cos Z
Source : jerrymahun.com

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
Types of EDM instruments

Microwave Infrared wave Light wave

Instruments Instruments Instruments
• Make use of micro • Use of amplitude • Rely on propagation
waves modulated infrared of modulated light
waves waves

• Range up to 100 km • Range up to 3 km • Range up to 2.5 km

• Tellurometer • DISTOMAT DI 1000 at night and 3 km at

and DISTOMAT DI day
55
• Geodimeter

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Kathmandu University
EDM Instruments
Geodimeter
• Light radio waves are used
• Instrument setup at one
end and reflector at other
end
• Can measure up to 25 km
with an accuracy of
+(2 to 10mm + 1 ppm)
• It is heavier
Tellurometer
• High frequency radio waves
are used
• Two identical instrument
each at one end
• Can measure between 30 to
80 km with an accuracy of
the order +(15 mm + 5ppm)
• It is lighter
Department of Geomatics Engineering
Kathmandu University
Precision and Errors in EDM

• Accuracy in measurement of (1mm+1ppm) to (5mm+5ppm)

• Total error = ± (Constant error + scale error)

The errors in EDM can be summarized as:

1. Personal Errors

• Careless centering of instrument and/or reflector

• Faulty measurement of heights

• Atmospheric pressures and temperature determination errors

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Errors in EDM contd…

2. Instrumental errors

• Calibration errors

• Chances of getting maladjusted

• Errors shown by the reflectors

3. Natural errors

• Atmospheric variations in temperature, pressure as well as humidity.

• Multiple refraction of the signals.

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Kathmandu University
Merits of EDM

• Easy, effective and fast

• Useful in measuring long distances

• Automatic and digital

• Online operation and direct transfer of data

• Eliminate reading, writing and data transferring error

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
Demerits of EDM

• Weather affects working of instrument

• Battery and electricity dependent

• Loss of data is an important consideration

• Typically heavier than a transit or tape

• Initial cost is higher than Plane Table, Chain or Tacheometer method

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Kathmandu University
Applications

• Used in total station for collection of large number of points

• Construction layout

• Topography and As-Built

• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

• Nondestructive Testing(NDT)

• Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)

• Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR)

• Military Laser Rangefinders

• Pulsed Distance Meters for Surveying

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
References
• BBC Bitesize. 2021. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared and visible light - Electromagnetic waves -
Edexcel - GCSE Physics (Single Science) Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize. [online] Available at: <
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z32f4qt/revision/2> [Accessed 18 July 2021].

• The Constructor. 2021. Electronic Distance Measurement Instrument- Types, Functions, Uses. [online]
Available at: <https://theconstructor.org/surveying/electronic-distance-measurement-instrument/6576/>
[Accessed 19 July 2021]. Slideshare.net. 2021.

• Electronic distance measurement (EDM). [online] Available at: <

https://www.slideshare.net/AmanBathla5/electronic-distance-measurement-edm> [Accessed 19 July
2021].

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University
Any Queries?

Department of Geomatics Engineering

Kathmandu University