Electronic distance

measurements
EDMs and Total stations
Why EDMs?

 Distance measurement using chains and tapes is a very

challenging task
 Tape of limited length and many tape lengths combined
 Huge field party required
• Need several corrections for accurate measurements
• requires a lot of experience
 Difficult to use in inaccessible terrain
 Hilly areas
 Water logged areas
 Gorges

 Need for equipment that provides accurate distance

measurements at a press of a button
Challenges in tape measurements

A A1 A2 A3 A4 B

Plumb bob

D1
A
D2

D3
B

D = D1 + D2 + D3
How it works
EDM Reflector
Electromagnetic waves
 EM wave modeled as sinusoidal wave
 Have predictable properties by which all EM radiation is defined

One wavelength
or cycle

Wave travels at
Speed V

Wavelength (λ m) is distance covered by a wave in one cycle

Frequency (f Herz or 1 cycle per second) is number of times a
wave completes a cycle in one second
Speed (v) of EM in a vacuum (c) is 299 792 458 m s-1
Properties of EM is related by: v=fλ
 Phase of the wave

Amax
Amplitude

A0
0 90 180 270 360/0 90 φ°

Sinusoidal wave as function of phase angle

Instantaneous amplitude of sinusoidal wave is expressed

by:A = A sinφ + A
max 0

Amax – is the maximum amplitude developed by source

A0 – is the reference amplitude
Φ is the phase angle
Angular degrees or radians are used to measure the
phase angle up to maximum of 360° or 2Л radians
Phase differences and distances

 Distance determined by difference in phase between

transmitted and received signal
 Phase difference expressed as fraction of cycle that can be
converted into distance if velocity and frequency of wave
are known

B A’
A

Φ1 = 0° Φ2 = 90°

∆λm
nλm

D D

2D  nm  m
Phase difference and distance

2D  nm  m
Distance D made up of two elements

 The phase difference ∆λ,

• which is determined using electrical phase
detectors built into the instrument
 The ambiguity nλ which can be resolved using
one of the three methods
a) Varying wavelength in multiples of 10 so that a coarse
measurement of D is made enabling n is to be deduced
b) Using different but closely related wavelengths and solving
simultaneous equations of the form D
c) Using electronic devices to solve the problem automatically
EDM System

 Many EDM systems exist on the market

 Those that use reflectors
 Those that are reflector less
 Theodolite mounted systems
 Total stations
Manual total stations
Robotic systems
Servo motor systems
Spatial stations
 distancers
Theodolite Mounted EDMs

 Optical theodolite mounted EDMs

Theodolite Mounted EDMs

 Digital theodolite mounted EDMs

 Separate systems
 Integrated systems
Total Stations

 Many types depending on requirements and budget

Advantages of total stations

 EDM and Theodolite integrated in one unit

 Easier and lighter to carry
 X,Y, Z coordinates can be determined simultaneously
 Has onboard software for survey computations and
operations
 All measurements can be stored on the system
 Fully digital - eliminates booking and reading errors
 Data downloaded on the computer for further processing
 Latest versions are integrated with digital cameras
 Gives the pictorial view of the surveyed areas