Information from Optron Geomatics
Einstein once said that “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Trimble agrees - and has always aimed high to develop the most innovative, leading-edge products but at the same time ensuring ease-of-use.
Since 1998, Trimble’s integrated surveying (IS) solution has embodied this standard - and transformed surveying as we know it. As an important component of Trimble’s connected site model, integrated surveying provides connections to multiple survey devices, seamless data transfer, and the ability to combine data in a single project to create homogenous data sets.
Through Trimble’s successful integration of GPS/GNSS and the latest total station technologies, you can experience unlimited freedom, increased productivity and simplicity as never before.
The Trimble IS Rover
The Trimble IS Rover is the ultimate integrated surveying setup and consists of a GPS/GNSS receiver, placed on the rover pole of a robotic total station.
It is a unique patented Trimble solution that offers surveyors enormous advantages in the field including increased flexibility, greater data collection efficiency, and an increase in productivity for a variety of survey application. Both systems are ready to go at any time and the surveyor can instantly switch between the latest RTK (or even virtual reference station (VRS)) and robotic total station technologies with the press of a button. With the Trimble IS Rover, surveyors can:
- Use the complementary technologies where they truly complement each other: total station in areas with overhead obstructions and GPS in open areas or where line of site is temporarily obstructed.
- Increase efficiency at establishing control by measuring points with either technologies, or both. GPS measurements can be easily transformed to ground control, or coordinates can be established to provide the orientation for total station measurements.
- Improve data integrity by measuring points with both technologies for truly independent verification and confirmation of survey accuracy.
- Operate both technologies independently when required to complete a survey in a timely manner, or to dramatically improve productivity. The survey data can be easily combined in the field or office to create a single, homogenous data set.
Surveying Method | Control | Topographic | Stakeout | Total |
Total station only | 1 hr 53 mins | 2 hrs 20 mins | 54 mins | 5 hrs 07 mins |
GPS/GNSS VRS only | 46 mins | 1 hr 40 mins* | 46 mins | 3 hrs 12 mins |
Using VRS to est. total station coordinates | 1 hr 10 mins | 2 hrs 20 mins* | 54 mins | 4 hrs 24 mins |
Trimble IS Rover (with GPS/GNSS VRS) | 46 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 30 mins | 2 hrs 46 mins |
Table 1. Time taken to complete survey
* GNSS could not be used to locate all points on site. A total station setup had to be used to measure points that were located in obstructed areas.
A case study
To illustrate the effectiveness of the Trimble IS Rover, a case study was conducted to compare the Trimble IS Rover in a “survey off” against three other surveying techniques (detailed methodology and results available on request).
For the test, three tasks had to be performed:
- Establish local control - connect to three known coordinates (within 3 km of a selected test site) and establish three new points.
- Perform a topographic survey of the site.
- Stake out a building form and utility lines.
Four different survey methods were used to perform each task:
- Total station only.
- GPS/GNSS VRS (virtual reference station) network only.
- VRS to establish total station coordinates.
- Trimble IS Rover (using GPS/GNSS VRS).
The results were overwhelming, with the Trimble IS Rover being the best performer by far (see Table 1).
Contact Charles Meyer, Optron Geomatics, Tel 031 566-6221,
cmeyer@optron.com
