Total Station

5.1 Introduction
A Total Station is a combination of an electronic theodolite, an electronic distance meter
(EDM) and a small microprocessor. The combination makes it possible to determine the
coordinates of a reflector by aligning the instrument cross hair on the reflector and
simultaneously measuring the vertical and horizontal angles and slope distance.. A microprocessor in the instrument takes care of recording, reading and necessary computations.
The data is easily transferred to a computer where it can be used to generate a map.

Figure 5.1 Parts of a total station instrument(Courtesy

Leica Geosystems, Inc.)

5.2 How it works

5.2.1 Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM)

One of the fundamental measurements in surveying is distance. Obviously with a
distance and an angle, one can establish a coordinate system and locate the relative
positions of objects or observations. The angle defines the orientation and the distance of
the scale. The direct measurement of distance in the field is one of the more troublesome
of surveying operations, especially if a high degree of accuracy is desired. With the help
of electromagnetic instruments, the direct measurement of distance with high precision is
possible
When a distance is measured using an EDM instrument, some form of electromagnetic
wave (in our case, infra-red--IR--radiation) is transmitted from the instrument towards a
reflector where part of the transmitted wave is returned to the instrument. Electronic
comparison of the transmitted and received signals allows for computation of the
distance.
Electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic waves can be represented by a sinusoidal wave motion. The number of
times in 1 second that a wave completes a cycle is called the frequency (f), and is
measured in Hz. The length of one cycle is called the wavelength (), which can be
determined as a function of the frequency from

(1)
where v is the speed of propagation of the wave.
The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is called the speed of light, c, and is
taken to be 3.0 lakh m/s. The accuracy of an EDM instrument depends ultimately on the
accuracy of the estimated velocity of the electromagnetic wave through the atmosphere.
The EDM instrument will calculate the time of travel of EM waves from instrument to
reflector and then back to instrument. Using this time it will calculate the distance
between EDM and Reflector.
d=v.t/2
Where v is the speed of propagation of the wave.
t is the time of travel of EM waves from instrument to reflector and then back to
instrument
d is distance between EDM and reflector

5.2.2 Electronic Theodolite

The Electronic Theodolite is an accurate horizontal and vertical angle measuring device
with a telescope and on board electronics for data storage and EDM operation. The angles
are measured and recorded accurately and electronically, avoiding the need for us to read
a vernier and record data manually as is typical on transits and optical theodolites. This
electronic theodolite contains circular encoders which sense the rotations of the vertical
and horizontal spindles of the telescope, and converts those rotations into horizontal and
vertical angles electronically, and displays the values of the angles on a display of the
instrument.
The integrated EDM/Theodolite combination is often called a "Total Station" or "Total
Geodetic Station." Output from the horizontal and vertical circular encoders and from the
EDM are stored in a data collector. The instrument may convert the data (horizontal and
vertical angles and the slope distance) electronically into Easting and Northing
coordinates, height difference, and horizontal distance.

5.3 Working with Total Station:

5.3.1 Temporary Adjustment of Total Station or any surveying instruments
At each station point, before taking any observation, it is required to carry out some
operations in sequence. The set of operations those are required to be done on an
instrument in order to make it ready for taking observation is known as temporary
adjustment. Temporary adjustment of a consists of following operations:
o
o
o
o

Setting,
Centring,
Leveling and
Focussing.

Setting
The setting operation consists of fixing the instrument with the tripod stand along with
approximate leveling and centring over the station. For setting up the instrument, the
tripod is placed over the station with its legs widely spread so that the centre of the tripod
head lies above the station point and its head approximately level (by eye estimation).
The instrument is then fixed with the tripod by screwing through trivet. The height of the
instrument should be such that observer can see through telescope conveniently. After
this, a plumb bob is suspended from the bottom of the instrument and it should be such
the plumb bob should point near to the station mark.
Centring

The operation involved in placing the vertical axis of the instrument exactly over the
station mark is known as centring. First, the approximate centring of the instrument is
done by moving the tripod legs radially or circumferentially as per need to the
circumstances.
It may be noted that due to radial movement of the legs, plumb bob gets shifted in the
direction of the movement of the leg without seriously affecting the level of the
instrument. On the other hand, when the legs are moved side ways or circumferentially,
the plumb does not shift much but the level gets affected. Sometimes, the instrument and
the tripod have to be moved bodily for centring. It must be noted that the centering and
leveling of instrument is done recursively. Finally, exact centring is done by using the
shifting head of the instrument. During this, first the screw-clamping ring of the shifting
head is loosened and the upper plate of the shifting head is slid over the lower one until
the plumb bob is exactly over the station mark. After the exact centring, the screw
clamping ring gets tightened.
Leveling

Leveling of an instrument is done to make the vertical axis of the instrument truly
vertical. Generally, there are three leveling screws and two plate levels are present in a
theodolite instrument. Thus, leveling is being achieved by carrying out the following
steps (Figure 5.2):

Step 1: Bring one of the level tube parallel to any two of the foot screws, by rotating the
upper part of the instrument.

Fig 5.2
Step 2: The bubble is brought to the centre of the level tube by rotating both the foot
screws either inward or outward. The bubble moves in the same direction as the left
thumb. [Figure 3.1]

Step 3: The bubble of the other level tube is then brought to the centre of the level tube
by rotating the third foot screw either inward or outward [Figure 3.1)]. [In step 1 itself, the
other plate level will be parallel to the line joining the third foot screw and the centre of
the line joining the previous two foot screws.]
Step 4: Repeat Step 2 and step 3 in the same quadrant till both the bubble remain central.
Step 5: By rotating the upper part of the instrument through 180, the level tube is
brought parallel to first two foot screws in reverse order. The bubble will remain in the
centre if the instrument is in permanent adjustment.
Otherwise, repeat the whole process starting from step1 to step5.
Focusing
To obtain the clear reading, the image formed by the objective lens should fall in the
plane of diaphragm and the focus of eye-piece should also be at the plane of diaphragm.
This is being carried out by removing parallax by proper focusing of objective and eyepiece. Thus, focusing operation involves two steps:
Focusing of the eye-piece lens: The eye-piece is focused to make the appearance of
cross hairs distinct and clear. This is being carried out in steps: First, point the telescope
towards the sky or hold a sheet of white paper in front of the objective; Next, move the
eye-piece in or out by rotating it gradually until the cross hairs appear quite sharp and
clear.
Focusing of eye-piece depends on the eye-sight of observer and so for each observer it
needs to adjusted accordingly.
Focusing of the objective lens: It is done for each independent observation to bring the
image of the object in the plane of cross hairs. It includes following steps of operation:
First, direct the telescope towards the object for observation. Next, turn the focusing
screw until the image of the object appears clear and sharp as the observer looks through
properly focused eye-piece. If focusing has been done properly, there will be no parallax
i.e., there will be no apparent movement of the image relative to the cross hairs if the
observer moves his eye from one side to the other or from top to bottom.

5.3.2 Instrument Station Reference Location

The point over which the Total Station is set up is called an instrument station. Such a
point should be marked as accurately as possibly on some firm object. On many surveys,
each station is marked by a wooden stake, concrete pillars etc,. The Total Station
measurements and reductions are made relative to the instrument station (E0, N0, and H0-where E refers to distance East, N distance North, and H elevation, and the subscript 0

indicates a reference value). These values must be predetermined by other means

(triangulation, previous survey location, Global Positioning System, etc., or they may be
arbitrary). In fact, for most local surveys, with only one survey set up, the instrument
station is commonly taken in such a way that we will get no negative reading .
5.3.3 Determination of Easting, Northing, and Elevation
The actual observations made by the Total Station are the horizontal and vertical angles
(Hz and V), and the slope length (D)--these are called fundamental measurements.
Clearly, from these data, one can determine the relative coordinates of the instrument and
reflector (Figure 5.3). Let HD is the horizontal distance between Instrument and target
HD=D.cosV
Figure 5.3. Surveying geometry.

In the upper portion of Figure 9, the map view reductions from the fundamental
measurements are shown. Because we are interested in the map relations of the surveyed
objects or observations, the distances East (E) and North (N) may be determined in the
following way:
E=HD.SinHz +Eo
N=HD.cosHz+No
H=HD. sinV+Ho

5.3.4 Backsighting
One of the main task when working with total Station is backsighting. Backsighting is
done when instrument will move from one station to another station. It is required to
orient the instrument at new station point.
Let E0, N0, H0 are the coordinates of reference station and you want to shift the
instrument at station which has coordinates E1, N1, H1.
The procedure of backsighting is as follows
1. Set the instrument at new station and enter the station coordinates E1, N1, H1 and
height of instrument.
2. Go to back sighting option of Total Station and enter the coordinates of first station or
reference station E0, N0, H0.
3. Now sight the reflector at reference station and press enter in total station key board.
4. To check whether you have done correct backsighting or not record the coordinates of
first station. If it is same as E0, N0, H0 with small error in mm then it means that you
have done correct orientation. Otherwise repeat the procedure once again.
5.4 Precision
The angular accuracy at one standard deviation of the Theodolite is 3", and the linear
accuracy at one standard deviation of the EDM is 5 mm 5 ppm of the slope length.
5.5 Applications of Total Station
5.5.1 Topographical Mapping: Total Station is used for the preparation of topographical
map of an area. For plane tabling first make the rough sketch of area in the paper. Then
set the instrument at station and enter the station coordinates and horizontal angle. Now
start recording coordinates of different features (like trees, building and road etc.) and
boundary in the field with total station by keeping the reflector at various points. For
contouring record the coordinates of various points in the ground. Location of points in
the field should be such that it will give the real idea about the topography of the field.
Try to take the points in uniform spacing. After taking all the points in the field,
download the data into computer. Now open the point data in any mapping software like
AutoCAD. Plot the different features in the mapping software by joining different points
by lines. For point features like tree use the various symbols.
For contouring use any software which has facility to make the contour from given data
points. AutoCAD Land Desktop, Surfer and Microstation are some of the software which
has facility to make contours. Using these software contour maps can be prepared.

5.5.2. Setting out points: Total station can be used for setting out the required points in
the field from base map. Generally the coordinates or angles of the points, to which we
have to set out, are known to us. For setting out first we will set the instrument at any
known point in the field. Then we will do the orient our instrument by taking the
backsight towards second known point. The known point may be a control point or we
can get the position of known point by using GPS. Now press the setting out option in
total Station. Either it will ask for coordinates of points to be located or will ask for
reference direction and distance of points to be located from the instrument station. On
the basis of this input data instrument will automatically calculate the horizontal angle at
which we have to sights and distance to locate the unknown point. Now set the
instrument at required direction and keep the target somewhere in that line and take the
horizontal distance reading. If it is equal to required distance then it means that the target
point is required point otherwise move the target towards or away from you till we get the
required point.
In spite of this two main applications in surveying total station may be used to
find out the height of various features lie building, towers etc. total Station may be used
to find the verticality of structure. We may be used for the alignment of roads, bridges,
Transmission line etc.

5.6 Precaution while working with Total Station:( Operator manual

Sokkia)

Do not use the unit in areas exposed to high amounts of dust or ash, in areas
where there is. Inadequate ventilation, or near combustible materials. An
explosion could occur.
Do not perform disassembly or rebuilding. Fire, electric shock, burns, or
hazardous radiation exposure could result.
Never look at the sun through the telescope. Loss of eyesight could result.
Do not look at reflected sunlight from a prism or other reflecting object through
the telescope. Loss of eyesight could result.
When securing the instrument in the carrying case make sure that all catches,
including the side catches, are closed. Failure to do so could result in the
instrument falling out while being carried, causing injury.
When mounting the instrument to the tripod, tighten the centering screw securely.
Failure to tighten the screw properly could result in the instrument falling off the
tripod, causing injury.
Tighten securely the leg fixing screws of the tripod on which the instrument is
mounted. Failure to tighten the screws could result in the tripod collapsing,
causing injury.
Do not carry the tripod with the tripod shoes pointed at other persons. A person
could be injured if struck by the tripod shoes.

Keep hands and feet away from the tripod shoes when fixing the tripod in the
ground. A hand or-foot stab wound could result.
Tighten the leg fixing screws securely before carrying the tripod. Failure to
tighten the screws could lead to the tripod legs extending, causing injury.
Make sure that moisture or dust particles do not come in contact with the inside of
the battery cover, terminal or connectors.
Protect the instrument from heavy shocks and vibration
Never carry the instrument on the tripod to another site.
Turn the power off before removing the battery
Make sure inside of carrying case and the instrument are dry before closing the
case, it may cause instrument to rust.
Always operate the instrument in the operating temperature range specified by the
manufacturer.

5.7 Maintenance of Total Station

Always clean the instrument before returning it to the case. The lens requires
special care. First, dust it off with the lens brush to remove tiny particles. Then,
after providing a little condensation by breathing on the lens, wipe it with a soft
clean cloth or lens tissue.
If the display is dirty, carefully wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. To clean other parts,
of the instrument or the carrying case, lightly moisten a soft cloth in a mild
detergent solution. Wring out excess water until the cloth is slightly damp, then
carefully wipe the surface of the unit. Do not use any organic solvents or alkaline
cleaning solutions.
Store the SET in a dry room where the temperature remains fairly constant.
Check the tripod for loose fit and loose screws.
If any trouble is found on the rotatable portion, screws or optical parts (e.g. lens),
contact your instrument manufacturer.
When the instrument is not used for a long time, check it at least once every 3
months.

SPECIFICATION FOR TOTAL STATION

Telescope
Magnification
Image
Resolving Power
Field of view
Minimum Focus

30 X
Erect
3"or better
120' to 130'
1 meter to 1.2 meter

Angle Measurement
Angular accuracy
Least count
Dual axis compensator range

At least 5"
1"
3"

Distance Measurement
Distance range with single prism
Distance measure without reflector
Accuracy in distance measurement
With single prism

4000 meter or better

350 m or better
(3+2ppm X D) mm or better

Data Storage
Internal Memory

10000 points or better

Power Supply
Battery backup
Charging Time

should be at least 10 hrs.

should be less than 2 hrs.

General
Sensitivity of plate level Bubble
Sensitivity of Circular level Bubble

30" / 2mm
10" / 2mm

Weather Condition

All weather construction

On Board Application Software

Missing Line Measurement, Remote Elevation, 3-D Coordinate Measurement, Resection,
Offset Measurement, Setting Out, Set out Line, Point Projection, Area & Perimeter
Calculation, Time stamping on all measurement records, Data viewing and editing
facility.

Accessories
Total station with 2 batteries, charger, Tubular Compass, Plumb bob, Tool kit, Operators
manual and carrying case. 1 no. Wooden or aluminium tripod stand, 1 no cable and one
software for data downloading and 1 prism assembly complete with tripod.