Total Stations: the Surveyor's Workhorse

摘要

A total station is an angle measuring device, also known as a theodolite, integrated with an electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit. The integration provides the ability to measure horizontal and vertical angles as well as slope distances using the same device at the same time, which benefits the surveyor in terms of portability, convenience and speed. Today, total stations have a wide variety of capabilities and are extensively exploited in cadastral surveying, civil engineering and on construction sites. The author provides a synopsis of features, status and trends.