TOTAL STATION
Fig: TOTAL STATION
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.
Fig:Total station with reflector
The instrument is used to measure sloping distance of
object to the instrument, horizontal angles 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 and civil
engineers, either to record features as in
topographic surveying or to set osut features (such as
roads, houses or boundaries). They are also used by
archaeologists to record excavations and by police, crime
scene investigators.
PARTS OF A TOTAL STATION :
Capability of a Total Station
Microprocessor unit in total station processes the data collected
to compute:
1. Average of multiple angles measured.
2. Average of multiple distance measured.
3. Horizontal distance.
4. Distance between any two points.
5. Elevation of objects and
6. All the three coordinates of the observed points.
Data collected and processed in a Total Station can
be downloaded to computers for further processing.
Total station is a compact instrument and weighs 50 to 55 N. A
person can easily carry it to the field. Total stations with
different accuracy, in angle measurement and different range of
measurements are available in the market.
FUNCTION:
Angle measurement
The best quality total stations are capable of measuring
angles to 0.5 -second. Inexpensive "construction grade"
total stations can generally measure angles to 1-5 seconds.
Distance measurement
Measurement of distance is accomplished with a
modulated infrared carrier signal, generated by a small
solid-state emitter within the instrument's optical path, and
reflected by a prism reflector or the object under survey.
The modulation pattern in the returning signal is read and
interpreted by the computer in the total station. The
distance is determined by emitting and receiving multiple
frequencies, and determining the integer number
of wavelengths to the target for each frequency. Most total
stations use purpose-built glass prism
(surveying) reflectors for the EDM signal. A typical total
station can measure distances up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft)
with an accuracy of about 1.5 millimeters (0.059 in) ± 2
parts per million.
Reflectorless total stations can measure distances to any
object up to a few hundred meters.
COORDINATE MEASUREMENT
The coordinates of an unknown point relative to a known
coordinate can be determined using the total station as long
as a direct line of sight can be established between the two
points. Angles and distances are measured from the total
station to points under survey, and the coordinates (X, Y,
and Z; or easting, northing, and elevation) of surveyed
points relative to the total station position are calculated
using trigonometry and triangulation
DATA PROCESSING
Some models include internal electronic data storage to
record distance, horizontal angle, and vertical angle
measured, while other models are equipped to write these
measurements to an external data collector, such as a
hand-held computer.
When data is downloaded from a total station onto a
computer, application software can be used to compute
results and generate a map of the surveyed area. The
newest generation of total stations can also show the map
on the touch-screen of the instrument immediately after
measuring the points.
APPLICATIONS
Total stations are mainly used by:
• land surveyors and civil engineers, either to record
features as in topographic surveying or to set out
features (such as roads, houses or boundaries).
• by archaeologists to record excavations and
• by police, crime scene investigators.
• Total stations are the primary survey instrument used
in mining surveying.
• A total station is used to record the absolute location of
the tunnel walls, ceilings (backs), and floors of an
underground mine are driven.
The recorded data are then downloaded into a CAD
program, and one can design the layout of the tunnel.
Advantages of Using Total Stations
The following are some of the major advantages of using total
station over the conventional surveying instruments:
1. Field work is carried out very fast.
2. Accuracy of measurement is high.
3. Manual errors involved in reading and recording are
eliminated.
4. Calculation of coordinates is very fast and accurate. Even
corrections for temperature and pressure are automatically
made.
5. Computers can be employed for map making and plotting
contour and cross-sections. Contour intervals and scales
can be changed in no time.
However, surveyor should check the working condition of the
instruments before using. For this standard points may be
located near survey office and before taking out instrument for
field work, its working is checked by observing those standard
points from the specified instrument station.
Instrument manufacturers
• Topcon
• Sokkia
• South
• Nikon
• Leica
• GeoMax
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Following links will help to understand the parts and
usage of total station.
https://youtu.be/d_DoEB4zWEQ
https://youtu.be/Xg-IDbMfmdw
