TOTAL STATION

• Total station is a surveying equipment combination of Electromagnetic Distance

Measuring Instrument and electronic theodolite. It is also integrated with microprocessor,
electronic data collector and storage system. The instrument can be used to measure
horizontal and vertical angles as well as sloping distance of object to the instrument. The
primary function is to measure slope distance, vertical angle, and horizontal angle from a
setup point to a foresight point.
• Most total stations use a modulated near-infrared light emitting diode which sends a beam
from the instrument to a prism. The prism reflects this beam back to the instrument. The
portion of the wavelength that leaves the instrument and returns is assessed and calculated.
Distance measurements can be related to this measurement.
• The accuracy of a total station is dependent on instrument type.
• Angle Accuracy (Horizontal or Vertical) can range from 2” to 5”.
• Distance Accuracy can range from: +/- (0.8 + 1 ppm x D) mm to +/- (3 + 3 ppm x D) mm
where D = distance measured
• Accuracy is highly dependent on leveling the instrument. Thus two leveling bubbles are
provided on the instrument and are referred to the circular level and the plate level.
• Circular level is located on the tribrack while plate level is on horizontal axis of instrument
just below scope of the total station.
• Sensitivity of Circular Level = 10’ / 2mm • Sensitivity of Plate Level = 30” / 2mm
• A total station is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying. It consists of
an EDM, Theodolite, Microprocessor combined into one. It also has a memory card to store
the data. It also consists of battery socket which houses the battery. A fully charged battery
works for about 3 to 5 hrs continuously.
• The Total station is designed for measuring of slant distances, horizontal and vertical angles
and elevations in topographic and geodetic works, tachometric surveys, as well as for
solution of application geodetic tasks. The measurement results can be recorded into the
internal memory and transferred to a personal computer interface.
• Angles and distances are measured from the total station to points under survey, and the
coordinates (X, Y, and Z or northing, easting and elevation) of surveyed points relative to
the total station position are calculated using trigonometry and triangulation.
• Data can be downloaded from the total station to a computer and application software used
to compute results and generate a map of the surveyed area.
• Measurement of distance is accomplished with a modulated microwave or 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 onboard 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 reflectors for the EDM signal, and can measure distances to a few
kilometers. Reflector less total stations can measure distances to any object that is
reasonably light in color, to a few hundred meters.

Figure Different Parts of 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 distances 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.

Electronic Notebook

• The “brains” of the total station. The notebook will record, calculate, and even
manipulate field data automatically saving valuable time and manpower.
• The electronic notebook records the slope distance, horizontal and vertical angles from
the total station and can perform numerous calculations using operating software which
is loaded into the unit.
• SDR 33 is an electronic notebook made by Sokkia. Cost is approximately $4000 and
can store up 2MB of readings and analysis.
• the main menu of the notebook is made up of a number of directories:
1) Function menu 2) Survey menu 3) COGO menu 4) Road menu 5) Level menu

Precautions in handling Total Station

1. Never point the instrument at the sun without a filter.

2. Never store the instrument in extreme temperatures and avoid sudden changes of
temperature.

3. When not using the instrument, place it in the case to avoid shock, dust, and humidity.

4. If there is a great difference in temperature between the work site and the instrument storage
location leave the instrument in the case until it adjusts to the temperature of the surrounding
environment.
5. Please remove the battery for separate storage if the instrument is to be in storage for an
extended time. The battery should be charged once a month during storage.

6. The instrument should be placed in its carrying case during transportation. It is recommended
that the original packing case be used for cushioning during extended transportation.

7. Be sure to secure the instrument with one hand when mounting or removing from the tripod.

8. Clean exposed optical parts with degreased cotton or lens tissue only.

9. Clean the instrument's surface with a woolen cloth when finished with use. Dry it
immediately if it gets wet.

10. Check the battery, functions, and indications of the instrument as well as its initial setting
and correction parameters before operating.

11. Unless you are a maintenance specialist do not attempt to disassemble the instrument for
any reason. Unauthorized disassembly of the instrument can result in a void warranty.

12. The total stations emit a laser during operation. DO NOT stare into the beam or laser source
when instrument is in operation.

Total Station Surveying

Total station surveying - defined as the use of electronic survey equipment used to perform
horizontal and vertical measurements in reference to a grid system (e.g. UTM, mine grid)

Components Used in Total Station Surveying

1) Total Station (and tripod)

2) Electronic Notebook
3) Prism (and prism pole)
4) Computer interface
5) Batteries and radios

Types of Total Station Surveying

• Slope Staking
• Topographic surveys
 • Leveling
• Traverse surveys and adjustments
• Building Face Surveys
• Resections
• Areas
• Intersections
• Point Projections
• Taping from Baseline
• Road (Highway) Surveys
• Construction project
o layout building corners
o control and offset lines

Advantages of Total Station Surveying

1. Relatively quick collection of information
2. Multiple surveys can be performed at one set-up location.
3. Easy to perform distance and horizontal measurements with simultaneous calculation
of project coordinates (Northings, Eastings, and Elevations).
4. Layout of construction site quickly and efficiently.
5. Digital design data from CAD programs can be uploaded to data collector.
6. Daily survey information can also be quickly downloaded into CAD which eliminates
data manipulation time required using conventional survey techniques.
7. Field work is carried out very fast.

8. Accuracy of measurement is high.

9. Manual errors involved in reading and recording are eliminated.

10. Calculation of coordinates is very fast and accurate. Even corrections for temperature
and pressure are automatically made.

11. Computers can be employed for map making and plotting contour and cross-sections.
Contour intervals and scales can be changed in no time.

Disadvantages of Total Station Surveying

 1. Vertical elevation accuracy not as accurate as using conventional survey level and rod
technique.
2. Horizontal coordinates are calculated on a rectangular grid system. However, the real
world should be based on a spheroid and rectangular coordinates must be transformed
to geographic coordinates if projects are large scale. Examples : highways, large
buildings, etc.
3. As with any computer-based application “Garbage in equals Garbage out”. However,
in the case of inaccurate construction surveys “Garbage in equals lawsuits and
contractors claims for extras.”

Uses of Total Station

The total station instrument is mounted on a tripod and is levelled by operating levelling
screws. Within a small range instrument is capable of adjusting itself to the level position. Then
vertical and horizontal reference directions are indexed using onboard keys.

It is possible to set required units for distance, temperature and pressure (FPS or SI). Surveyor
can select measurement mode like fine, coarse, single or repeated.

When target is sighted, horizontal and vertical angles as well as sloping distances are measured
and by pressing appropriate keys they are recorded along with point number. Heights of
instrument and targets can be keyed in after measuring them with tapes. Then processor
computes various information about the point and displays on screen.

This information is also stored in the electronic notebook. At the end of the day or whenever
electronic note book is full, the information stored is downloaded to computers.

The point data downloaded to the computer can be used for further processing. There are
software like auto civil and auto plotter clubbed with AutoCad which can be used for plotting
contours at any specified interval and for plotting cross-section along any specified line.

Advantages of Using Total Stations

The following are some of the major advantages of using total station over the conventional
surveying instruments:
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.