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Instruments & Technology
Total Station
An electronic surveying instrument that simultaneously measures horizontal and vertical angles, as well as distances to the target.
A total station (or electronic tacheometer) is a modern electronic geodetic instrument that combines the functions of a theodolite and electronic distance meter. It is one of the most commonly used instruments in professional surveying.
Total station functions:
- Angle measurement - horizontal and vertical angles with high precision
- Distance measurement - with laser beam to prism or surface
- Coordinate calculation - automatically from angles and distances
- Data recording - built-in memory for storing measurements
- Stakeout - placing coordinates in the field
Types of total stations:
- Manual total stations - operator turns instrument manually
- Robotic total stations - automatically tracks the prism
- Scanning total stations - combine tacheometry with 3D scanning
Precision classes:
- Highest precision - angle precision 0.5" (high-precision work)
- Standard precision - angle precision 2-5" (daily measurements)
- Construction class - angle precision 5-7" (construction site work)
Total station applications:
- Topographic surveying - detail and terrain measurement
- Stakeout work - placing design in the field
- As-built surveys - control of constructed work
- Deformation measurements - monitoring structure movements
- Tunnels and indoors - where GNSS doesn't work
Advantages compared to GNSS:
- Works indoors and underground
- Higher precision at short distances
- Independent of satellite signal
- Better height precision
In modern surveying, total stations are often used in combination with GNSS, utilizing the strengths of each instrument.