Hybrid Total Station Tracking With GNSS Pole Tilt Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic total station surveying methods rely on optical tracking, which consumes power, requires line of sight, and can lock onto incorrect reflective objects, and traditional leveling is cumbersome for roving poles, especially in environments with obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a GNSS receiver with a robotic total station and a rover, using inclination sensors to generate real-time tilt data for virtual leveling, allowing continuous tracking and orientation without line of sight and reducing the need for optical tracking, while preventing incorrect measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical tracking is used to track the prism, then continuous distance measurements can be maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical tracking system with a GNSS-based tracking system. The robotic total station uses GNSS receivers to determine the position of the prism carrier and automatically orients itself toward the prism based on GNSS coordinates, eliminating the need for continuous optical tracking and significantly reducing power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If optical tracking is used to track the prism, then distance measurements can be obtained, but line of sight is required which limits operation behind obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes GNSS-based positioning for optical tracking, allowing the robotic total station to locate and track the prism carrier without requiring direct line of sight. The system uses GNSS coordinates to determine positions and calculate orientations, enabling operation in environments with obstructions such as trees or buildings.
3Reliability
If optical tracking is used, then the robotic total station can lock onto the prism, but it may incorrectly lock onto other reflective objects like car windows or safety reflectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection with GNSS-based position detection. The robotic total station identifies the prism carrier through its unique GNSS receiver and calculates the orientation to the prism based on coordinate differences, eliminating the risk of mistakenly locking onto other reflective objects that do not have the associated GNSS receiver.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional bubble levels are used for leveling the rover pole, then the pole can be leveled, but the process is cumbersome and requires stopping and observing the bubble level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an electronic level sensor on the rover pole that automatically measures the pole's orientation and provides real-time feedback to the robotic total station. The system continuously monitors and communicates leveling status without requiring the operator to manually observe bubble levels, enabling automatic compensation and significantly improving ease of operation.
5Manufacturing precision
If the operator manually levels the pole by observing the bubble level, then leveling can be achieved, but time is lost repeatedly stopping and adjusting at each data collection location
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic level sensor on the rover pole automatically and continuously monitors leveling status, eliminating the need for the operator to repeatedly stop, observe, and manually adjust the pole. The real-time feedback enables continuous operation and significantly improves data collection productivity while maintaining leveling accuracy.
6Use of energy by moving object
If GNSS tracking is used instead of optical tracking, then power consumption is reduced and line of sight is not required, but the system complexity increases with integration of GNSS receiver and inclination sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the GNSS receiver, inclination sensors, robotic total station, and data processor into an integrated system. The GNSS receiver and inclination sensors are merged with the existing robotic total station components, sharing common processing and control architecture, which manages the increased complexity while achieving the benefits of reduced power consumption and improved adaptability.
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
Enhances surveying efficiency by maintaining accurate measurements even behind obstructions, conserving battery life, and improving data collection accuracy by automatically tracking and leveling the rover pole, reducing operator intervention and errors.
Implementation Method 1
a GNSS receiver configured to generate three-dimensional location data (GNSS-derived position measurements) for the GNSS receiver
Implementation Method 2
The RTS is configured to rotate on the tripod to point towards the rover and generate an RTS-position measurement of the rover by transmitting and capturing a reflection of an optical signal from the prism
Implementation Method 3
Inclination sensors disposed on the range pole in operative engagement with the GNSS receiver generate inclination data for the range pole along mutually orthogonal x and y axes
Implementation Method 4
The virtual level component is configured to use the inclination data along with the height of the range pole to calculate and display with the GUI, a horizontal distance and direction to move the top of the range pole to level the GNSS receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A Robotic Total Station (RTS) system includes an RTS disposed for at least two-axis rotation on a tripod, and a rover including a pole mounted prism and GNSS receiver with inclination sensors. The RTS rotates on the tripod to point towards the rover and generate an RTS-position measurement using an optical signal reflected by the prism. The RTS is communicably coupled to the data collector and/or the GNSS receiver, and receives and uses the GNSS-derived position measurements and the inclination data for the range pole in real-time, to automatically track and point the RTS towards the prism.