Emerging Technologies Product Review
Format
Total Station
I. Description
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.
II. History/Inventor/Developer
The invention of the total station is credited to two individuals:
Rudolf Spitzli, a Swiss engineer, who developed the first prototype of the total station
in the early 1950s. His design laid the foundation for modern total stations by
combining theodolite principles with distance measuring capabilities.
Arvid Palmgren, a Swedish engineer, who further refined and commercialized the
concept of the total station in the late 1950s. Palmgren's contributions to the
development of the total station led to its widespread adoption in surveying and
construction industries worldwide.
III. Category/Sector
Hardware
IV. Benefits
Benefits of Total Station
Total station collects quick information.
More than one survey can be performed at one set up location.
Easy to measure horizontal distance.
Construction site layout preparation is quick and efficient.
CAD software design data can be uploaded to the data collector.
Daily survey data can be quickly downloaded into CAD.
V. Features (include pictures)
Features of Total Station
(a) Angle Measurement
Angles are measured by an electronic theodolite of the total station. All features of
electronic theodolite are similar to the total station.
A total station can record angle measurements from 1” to 20”. All the instruments
include either dual axis compensator or single axis compensator.
(b) Distance Measurement
A total station measures a slope distance and the microprocessor uses vertical angles
(vertical angles recorded by theodolite with line of sight) to calculate the horizontal
distance.
Additionally, the height between the horizontal axis and prism center is also displayed
by total station. Co-axial optics are used in total stations. Co-axial optics include
electronic distance measurements (EDM) transmitter and receiver integrated with the
theodolite telescope.
These three modes are normally available for measurements of distance.
Standard mode : Standard mode has 1 mm resolution and 1 to 2 seconds
measurement time.
Precise mode : This mode is more accurate than standard mode. It has 1”
resolution but 4 to 8 seconds measurement time.
Tracking mode : The measurement of distance is repeated automatically at less
than 1” interval.
(c) Control Panel
The total station is operated by its control panel. It includes a keyboard and multiple
line LCD (liquid crystal display). The LCD is waterproof, can be lit up and some
LCD has control to include different viewing angles.
The keyboard allows the user to choose different measurements and apply modes and
allow special functions of software to be utilised. Angle and distance measurements
are generally electronically recorded in digital form as data.
(d) Power Supply
Nickel-cadmium batteries are used to power supply. The usage time is from 2 hours to
10 hours.
Some total stations have auto power save mode. This mode helps to save power when
the instrument is off or into some standby mode.
VI. Advantages
Advantages Of Total Station:
1. Quick setup of the instrument on the tripod by utilizing the laser plummet.
2. Programmed with on-board area computation for computing the area of a field.
3. It supports local languages.
4. It shows the graphical view of land and plots.
5. No recording and writing errors.
6.It gives more accurate measurements than other conventional surveying
instruments.
7. Data can be saved and transferred to a PC.
8. It has an integrated database.
9. Computerization of old maps.
10. All in one and multitasking instrument, from surveying to GIS creation by using
the appropriate software.
11. Faster work, saves time, quick finishing off the job.
VII. Disadvantages
Disadvantages Of Total Station:
1. The instrument is costlier than other conventional surveying instruments.
2. It might be troublesome for the surveyor to investigate and check the work when
surveying.
3. Working with the total station is not so easy, as more skilled surveyors are required
to conduct a total station survey.
4. To check the survey work thoroughly it would be necessary to come back to the
office and prepare the drawings by using the right software.
VIII. Comparison to other product
Total station surveying is known for its high precision and versatility, making it ideal
for projects that require very accurate measurements. However, it has a limited range
and is limited by visibility. While the GNSS surveying has a wide range and can be
used in areas with limited visibility. However, it is known for its limited precision and
is dependent on satellite signals.
IX. Recommendation
