CE311: Geoinformatics

Exercise 5

Course No.: CE331

Term: 2023-24 - I
Day: Tuesday
Batch No.: 3
Group No.: 4

Prepared by: Sandipan Dutta

Roll No.: 210925
sadipand21@iitk.ac.in

Date: 05 September 2023

1 Objective
This laboratory exercise aims to determine the zero error, cyclic error curve,
and scale error for a given EDMI.
This lab teaches us to handle the EDMI and understand its workings. Even-
tually, we find the different errors associated with the device.

2 Introduction
In precision measurement, Electronic Distance Measurement Instruments
(EDMI) have emerged as indispensable tools for engineers, surveyors, and
geodesists. However, like all precision instruments, they are not immune to
measurement errors that can affect the reliability of their readings.

In this laboratory report, we undertake a comprehensive investigation to

determine and quantify three critical sources of error inherent to EDMI in-
struments: Zero, Cyclic, and Scale Error.

Zero Error: All distances measured by a particular EDM/reflector com-

bination are subject to a constant error. It is caused by three factors:
1. electrical delays, geometric detours, and eccentricities in the EDMI
2. differences between the electronic center and the mechanical center of
the EDMI
3. differences between the optical and mechanical centers of the reflector
The additive constant or zero/index correction is added to measured dis-
tances to correct for these differences.

Cyclic Error: Cyclic error is a function of the internal phase measurement

of an EDMI. Error in the internal phase measurement is caused by unwanted
feed through the transmitted signal onto the received signal. Cyclic error
is usually sinusoidal in nature with a wavelength equal to the unit length
of the EDMI. The unit length is the scale on which the EDM measures the
distance, and is derived from the fine measuring frequency. Unit length is
equal to one half of the modulation wavelength of an EDM (Rueger 1980).

Scale Error: The scale error describes errors that are linearly propor-
tional to the length of line measured. These can arise from:
1. variations in the modulation frequency of the EDMI

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 2. non-homogeneous emission/reception patterns from the emitting and
receiving diodes (phase inhomogeneities)

3. unmodelled variations in atmospheric conditions that affect the velocity

of propagation

4. errors in the collection and use of atmospheric data. This includes the
use of uncalibrated thermometers/barometers, not taking atmospheric
measurements in the shade and the incorrect entry of the atmospheric
correction into the EDMI

3 Equipment/Data/Tools Used
For the conduct of this lab experiment, the following items have been used:

• Electronic Distance Measurement Instrument (EDMI)

• Prism Target with Bipod

• Tripod for EDMI

• Measuring tape

• Sticky paper

4 Methodology/Experiment
Procedure

1. Establish a ground control using tape on a flat ground as accurately as

possible. This point is labeled as the point O.

2. From O, extend the measuring tape along a straight line. Mark point
A at some distance between 3 m to 5 m from O. (In this report, we
have taken OA = 4 m)

3. Along the straight line OA, mark points B, C, and D such that AB =
BC = CD = 10 m as nearly as possible.

4. Paste station marks on the points A, B, C, D, and O using sticky

papers.

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5. Measure the following distances accurately using tape (each at least 3
times and take the average):

(a) AB
(b) AC
(c) AD
(d) BC
(e) BD
(f) CD
(g) A1, A2, ..., A9

6. Measure the following distances using EDMI (at least 3 times and take
average)

(a) AB
(b) AC
(c) AD
(d) BC
(e) BD
(f) CD
(g) OA, OB, OC, OD
(h) OA1, OA2, ..., OA9

7. Compute zero error by forming four independent equations and finding

the mean. Use the EDMI-measured AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD.

8. Cyclic error curve can be drawn for A to B i.e. for 10 m i.e. λ/2
by knowing the error at each meter. A1, A2, .. AB are measured by
tape accurately. Also, A1, A2, ... AB can be derived from the EDMI
measured OA, OA1, ... OB as A1 = OA1 - OA. This will eliminate the
zero error.

9. Use EDMI-measured OA and OB to know AB’. The tape-measured AB

is also available. Use this for scale error. Use also OB and OC to know
BC’. BC is available from tape measurement. Use this for scale error.
The two values can be averaged out to get the average scale error.

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 Section EDMI Measurement (m) Average (m) Tape Measurement (m)
OA 4.011 4.009 4.010 4.010 4
OA1 5.005 5.005 5.004 5.005 5
OA2 6.002 6.003 6.003 6.003 6
OA3 6.999 6.999 6.998 6.999 7
OA4 7.999 7.999 7.999 7.999 8
OA5 9.008 9.007 9.007 9.007 9
OA6 9.997 9.997 9.997 9.997 10
OA7 10.997 10.997 10.996 10.997 11
OA8 12.011 12.011 12.010 12.011 12
OA9 13.003 13.003 13.003 13.003 13
OB 14.006 14.004 14.005 14.005 14
OC 23.997 23.997 23.998 23.997 24
OD 33.995 33.994 33.995 33.995 34
AB 9.991 9.992 9.992 9.992 10
AC 19.991 19.991 19.992 19.991 20
AD 30.000 30.002 30.002 30.002 30
BC 9.993 9.994 9.993 9.993 10
BD 19.997 19.998 19.997 19.997 20
CD 9.996 9.995 9.996 9.996 10

5 Observation
The following table shows the observations taken from the EDMI.

6 Calculations
6.1 Zero Error
1. AC - (AB + BC)

19.991 m − (9.992 + 9.993) m

= 0.006 m

2. AD - (AB + BD)

30.002 m − (9.992 + 19.997) m

= 0.013 m

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 3. AD - (AC + CD)
30.002 m − (19.991 + 9.996) m
= 0.015 m
4. BD - (BC + CD)
19.997 m − (9.993 + 9.996) m
= 0.008 m
Average Zero Error:
0.006 + 0.013 + 0.015 + 0.008
4
0.042
=
4
= 0.011 m

6.2 Cyclic Error

6.3 Scale Error
1. AB
(OB)EDMI − (OA)EDMI
Scale Error:
(AB)Tape
14.005 − 4.010
=
10
= 0.9995
2. BC
(OC)EDMI − (OB)EDMI
Scale Error:
(BC)Tape
23.997 − 14.005
=
10
= 0.9992
Average Scale Error:
0.9995 + 0.9992
2
1.9987
=
2
= 0.9994

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6.4 Error Correction
1. Zero Error Correction:

Actual reading = Observed Reading - Zero Error

= 675.326 − 0.011 m
= 675.315 m

2. Scale Error Correction:

1
Corrected Distance = Original Distance ×
Mean Scale Factor
1
= 675.315 ×
0.9994
= 675.720 m

7 Results
The results of this laboratory exercise are as follows:

1. Zero Error: 0.011m

2. Cyclic Error:

3. Mean Scale Factor: 0.9994

4. Scale Correction Factor: 1.0006

8 Conclusion
By the end of the lab, we are able to make the necessary corrections to the
readings obtained from the EDMI to get the actual readings.