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 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 corner cube prism reflectors for the EDM signal. A typical total station can measure distances with an accuracy of about 1.5 millimeters (0.0049 ft) + 2 parts per million over a distance of up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft)
Reflectorless total stations can measure distances to any object that is reasonably light in color, up to a few hundred meters.
Distances are measured using two methods: the phase shift method, and the pulsed laser method:
Phase shift method
This technique uses continuous electromagnetic waves for distance measurement. Although these are complex in nature, electromagnetic waves can be represented in their simplest from as periodic waves.
The wave completes a cycle when moving between identical points on the wave and the number of times in one second the wave completes the cycle is called the frequency of the wave. The speed of the wave is then used to estimate the distance.
Pulsed laser distance measurement
In many total stations, distances are obtained by measuring the time taken for a pulse of laser radiation to travel from the instrument to a prism (or target) and back. As in the phase shift method, the pulses are derived an infrared or visible laser diode and they are transmitted through the telescope towards the remote end of the distance being measured, where they are reflected and returned to the instrument.
Since the velocity v of the pulses can be accurately determined, the distance D can be obtained using 2D = vt, where t is the time taken for a single pulse to travel from instrument – target – instrument.
This is also known as the timed-pulse or time-of-flight measurement technique. The transit time t is measured using electronic signal processing techniques.
Although only a single pulse is necessary to obtain a distance, the accuracy obtained would be poor. To improve this, a large number of pulses (typically 20,000 every second) are analysed during each measurement to give a more accurate distance.
The pulse laser method is a much simpler approach to distance measurement than the phase shift method, which was originally developed about 50 years ago.
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