Morden Surveying Instruments

INTRODUCTION
In conventional surveying, chain and tape are used for making linear
measurements while compass and ordinary theodolites are used for
making angular measurements. Levelling work is carried out using a
Dumpy level and a levelling staff. With such surveying instruments,
survey work will be slow and tedious.
Hence modern surveying instruments are becoming more popular and

they are gradually replacing old surveying instruments such as compass
and Dumpy level. With modern surveying instruments, survey work will
be precise, faster and less tedious. Modern surveying instruments
provides faster and more precise surveying than conventional
instruments. Some of the modern surveying instruments are discussed in
this report.
MODERN SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS
Following are the modern surveying instruments which are used for
surveying:
• Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Instruments

• Total Station
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Automatic Level
ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT (EDM)
INSTRUMENTS
Direct measurement of distances and their directions can be obtained by

using electronic instruments that rely on propagation, reflection and
reception of either light waves or radio waves. They may be broadly
classified into three types:
a. Infrared wave instruments
b. Light wave instruments
c. Microwave instruments
a. Infrared Wave Instruments

These instruments measure distances by using amplitude modulated
infrared waves. At the end of the line, prisms mounted on target are
used to reflect the waves. These instruments are light and economical
and can be mounted on theodolites for angular measurements. The
range of such an instrument will be 3 km and the accuracy achieved is ±
10 mm.
Example: DISTOMAT DI 1000 and DISTOMAT DI 5
DISTOMAT DI 1000: It is a very small, compact EDM, particularly useful

in building construction and other Civil Engineering works, where distance
measurements are less than 500 m. It is an EDM that makes the
meaning tape redundant. To measure the distance, one has to simply
point the instrument to the reflector, touch a key and read the result.
Figure: DISTOMAT DI 1000
b. Light Wave Instruments
These are the instruments which measures distances based on
propagation of modulated light waves. The accuracy of such an
instrument varies from 0.5 to 5 mm / km distance and has a range of
nearly 3 km.
Example: Geodimeter
GEODIMETER: It is an instrument which works based on the propagation

of modulated light waves, was developed by E. Bergestand of the Swedish
Geological Survey in collaboration with the manufacturer M/s AGA of
Swedish. The instrument is more suitable for night time observations and
requires a prism system at the end of the line for reflecting the waves.
Figure: GEODIMETER
c. Microwave Instruments
These instruments make use of high frequency radio waves. These
instruments were invented as early as 1950 in South Africa by Dr. T.L.
Wadley. The range of these instruments is up to 100 km and can be used
both during day and might.
Example: TELLUROMETER
TELLUROMETER: It is an EDM which uses high frequency radio waves

(micro-waves) for measuring distances. It is a highly portable instrument
and can be worked with 12 to 24-volt battery.
For measuring distance, two Tellurometers are required, one to be

stationed at each end of the line, with two highly skilled persons, to take
observations. One instrument is used as a master unit and the other as a
remote unit.
Just by pressing a button a master can be converted into remote unit and
vice-versa. A speech facility (communication facility) is provided to each
operator to interact during measurement.
Figure: TELLUROMETER
TOTAL STATION
Total Station is a lightweight, compact and fully integrated electronic
instrument combining the capability of an EDM and an angular measuring
instrument such as wild theodolite.
Total Station can perform the following functions:
• Distance measurement
• Angular measurement
• Data processing
• Digital display of point details
• Storing data is an electronic field book
The important features of total station are:
1. Keyboard-control: all the functions are controlled by operating key

board.
2. Digital panel: the panel displays the values of distance, angle,

height and the coordinates of the observed point, where the
reflector (target) is kept.
3. Remote height object: the heights of some inaccessible objects such

as towers can be read directly. The microprocessor provided in the
instrument applies the correction for earth’s curvature and mean
refraction, automatically.
4. Traversing program: the coordinates of the reflector and the angle

or bearing on the reflector can be stored and can be recalled for
next set up of instrument.
5. Setting out for distance direction and height: whenever a particular

direction and horizontal distance is to be entered for the purpose of
locating the point on the ground using a target, then the instrument
displays the angle through which the theodolite has to be turned
and the distance by which the reflector should move.
Figure: TOTAL STATION
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
Global Positioning System (GPS) is developed by U.S. Defence
department and is called Navigational System with Time and Ranging
Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) or simply GPS.
For this purpose, U.S. Air Force has stationed 24 satellites at an altitude
of 20200 km above the earth’s surface. The satellites have been
positioned in such a way, at least four satellites will be visible from any
point on earth.
The user needs a GPS receiver to locate the position of any point on
ground. The receive processes the signals received from the satellite and
compute the position (latitude and longitude) and elevation of a point
with reference to datum.
Figure: GPS and its segments
AUTOMATIC LEVEL
An automatic level is a special leveling instrument used in surveying
which contains an optical compensator which maintains line of sight or
line of collimation even though instrument is slightly tilted.
Example: Wild NAK2 Automatic level

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INTRODUCTION

Hence modern surveying instruments are becoming more popular and

MODERN SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

• Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Instruments

Direct measurement of distances and their directions can be obtained by

a. Infrared wave instruments

b. Light wave instruments

a. Infrared Wave Instruments

Example: DISTOMAT DI 1000 and DISTOMAT DI 5

DISTOMAT DI 1000: It is a very small, compact EDM, particularly useful

GEODIMETER: It is an instrument which works based on the propagation

TELLUROMETER: It is an EDM which uses high frequency radio waves

For measuring distance, two Tellurometers are required, one to be

Total Station can perform the following functions:

The important features of total station are:

1. Keyboard-control: all the functions are controlled by operating key

2. Digital panel: the panel displays the values of distance, angle,

3. Remote height object: the heights of some inaccessible objects such

4. Traversing program: the coordinates of the reflector and the angle

5. Setting out for distance direction and height: whenever a particular

Example: Wild NAK2 Automatic level

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