Total Station Calibration Using Satellite Data for Surveying
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing land surveying methods using total stations (TS) lack the accuracy and flexibility required for high-precision mapping in regional or national coordinate systems, often relying on survey markers and limited positioning options.
Innovation Solution
A computerized method and system that integrates TS-obtained data with satellite network data to provide real-time, high-accuracy land surveying, eliminating the need for survey markers and offering complete freedom in positioning the TS. This involves a calibration stage to determine absolute coordinates using satellite and TS data, followed by a land surveying stage to measure relative coordinates of locations within the surveyed area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional total station methods are used for land surveying, then the surveying process is simpler, but the accuracy and precision of mapping in regional or national coordinate systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines total station measurements with satellite network data (GNSS) into a unified surveying system. The total station provides precise relative coordinate measurements, while the satellite network provides absolute position references, and the system integrates these two data sources to achieve high-accuracy mapping in regional or national coordinate systems without requiring survey markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a calibration stage as an intermediary process that establishes the transformation between the total station's local coordinate system and the satellite network's global coordinate system. This calibration phase uses measurements from both systems to determine transformation parameters, enabling accurate coordinate conversion without direct physical markers.
2Ease of operation
If survey markers are required for accurate positioning, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning reference function from physical survey markers and transfers it to satellite-based GNSS receivers. By removing the requirement for physical markers, the system gains complete freedom in positioning the total station anywhere with satellite visibility, while maintaining high accuracy through the integrated satellite network data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical survey marker system with an electronic satellite-based positioning system. Instead of using physical markers that require installation and physical line-of-sight measurements, the system uses satellite signals to provide absolute position references, eliminating the need for marker installation and retrieval while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If post-processing of surveying data is used, then measurement precision can be improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a calibration stage in advance that establishes the coordinate transformation parameters between the total station and satellite network systems. This preliminary calibration enables real-time conversion of total station measurements to regional or national coordinate systems without requiring time-consuming post-processing, as the transformation parameters are pre-determined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous real-time surveying operations by integrating total station measurements with satellite network data during the actual surveying process. The system continuously receives satellite signals and combines them with total station measurements in real-time, eliminating the need to stop for post-processing while maintaining high accuracy through the integrated approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a computerized method for land surveying. The method includes a calibration stage and a land surveying stage. The calibration stage includes: placing a total station (TS) at an origin; selecting at least three reference positions, each having good satellite reception and being at a line-of-sight from the TS; using an antenna(s) to obtain satellite coordinates of the reference positions; using the TS to obtain coordinates, relative thereto, of the reference positions; determining absolute coordinates of the origin, based on the obtained satellite coordinates and the coordinates relative to the TS. If the absolute coordinates of the origin are not determined to a required precision, repeating the calibration stage taking into account an additional reference position(s). Else, continuing to the land surveying stage, wherein the TS is used to measure coordinates, relative to the TS of locations in a surveyed area, thereby obtaining absolute coordinates of the locations.