Construction Surveying Navigation With Fixed Antenna Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveying systems for construction sites are inefficient, requiring multiple skilled surveyors to repeatedly establish and maintain control points and gridlines, which is time-consuming and prone to disruption during construction or inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A surveying navigation system utilizing a restricted antenna system with GPS-enabled handheld devices to precisely locate users within a construction site, allowing for one-time efficient establishment of site control points and displaying location information on site plans or floor plans in real-time, using a combination of fixed location antennas and computing devices to triangulate positions and overlay location data onto construction drawings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surveying methods using total stations and physical targets are used, then control points and gridlines can be established, but multiple skilled surveyors are required and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service surveying where the handheld device automatically determines its position using GPS coordinates from fixed antennas, eliminating the need for skilled surveyors to manually operate total stations and physically move targets. The device independently calculates its location and displays it on construction drawings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying system (total station with physical targets) with an electronic/GPS-based system. The handheld device uses electromagnetic signals from fixed antennas to determine position, substituting mechanical measurement with electronic positioning and display technology.
2Measurement precision
If control points and gridlines are repeatedly re-established during construction, then accuracy is maintained, but the process must be performed frequently causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning by establishing fixed GPS antennas at known coordinates before construction begins. These fixed reference points remain in place throughout construction, allowing continuous positioning without repeated re-establishment of control points.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device continuously receives GPS signals from the fixed antennas throughout construction activities, maintaining continuous positioning capability. This eliminates the need to stop construction work to re-establish control points, ensuring continuous useful action.
3Reliability
If a team of surveyors is used to man total stations and targets, then control lines can be established, but the requirement for skilled personnel increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device automatically performs positioning calculations using GPS coordinates from fixed antennas, eliminating the need for skilled surveyors to manually operate equipment. The system serves itself by independently determining and displaying the user's location on construction drawings.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device combines multiple functions into a single universal tool: it receives GPS signals, calculates position coordinates, processes construction drawing data, and displays integrated information. This replaces the need for multiple specialized surveying instruments and skilled operators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and accurate self-location within construction sites without frequent re-establishment of control points, reducing inefficiencies and allowing single users to navigate and measure locations with high precision, enhancing construction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
By locating the fixed location antennas on known coordinates, the location of the computing device can be precisely triangulated
Implementation Method 2
The fixed location antennas may have GPS units integrated therein to allow for placement at predetermined locations
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.