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History of Electronic Distance Measurement

This document provides an overview of the history and development of electronic distance measurement (EDM) equipment in surveying. It discusses the transition from early mechanical measurement methods that were laborious and time-consuming to the development of EDM technologies starting in the 1940s. The summary outlines the key generations of EDM development, from the earliest models in the 1940s-1950s using light and radio waves to measure distance, to the emergence of total stations and digital recording in later decades. Current EDM technologies integrate robotic capabilities and allow one-person operation.

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Ganeshkumar Sunderajoo
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245 views19 pages

History of Electronic Distance Measurement

This document provides an overview of the history and development of electronic distance measurement (EDM) equipment in surveying. It discusses the transition from early mechanical measurement methods that were laborious and time-consuming to the development of EDM technologies starting in the 1940s. The summary outlines the key generations of EDM development, from the earliest models in the 1940s-1950s using light and radio waves to measure distance, to the emergence of total stations and digital recording in later decades. Current EDM technologies integrate robotic capabilities and allow one-person operation.

Uploaded by

Ganeshkumar Sunderajoo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

Introduction to EDM
SGU 2043 Lecture - Week 2

Contents

EDM - Introduction Distance measurement by mechanical method Limitation in conventional means of distance measurement EDM development history

EDM - Introduction
Electronic distance measurement (EDM) equipments were the earliest electronic instrumentation in surveying

Digital theodolite

Digital level

Digital gyro theodolite

EDM - introduction
Prior to EDM distances were measured by mechanical means or using optical method. Mechanical chain wires and/or invar tapes. Optical subtense bar system.

Distance measurement by mechanical method

Catenary taping

Conventional distance measuring - limitations Laborious (man-power)

Time consuming

Limited length

unproductive

EDM invention

EDM development history

1. 2. 3. 4.

Earlier era (late 40s - early 50s) Second generation (late 50s) Third generation (in 70s) New generation (80s ~ 90s) Current generation new millennium (2000 - )

5.

EDM - Pioneer era

The patent of Geodimeter

The first EDM (1947) Dr Erik Bergstrand Geodimeter AGA EDM using light wave

Invented by Dr Erik Bergstrand

EDM AGA Model 1 (1953)

EDM AGA Model 1 (1953) The first commercial EDM

EDM - Pioneer era

EDM AGA Model 1

What is AGA ? Aktiebolaget Gasacumulator Co Swedish / Svenska term A largest electro-optical in Sweden
AGA 6A (1964)

(1953)

Earlier EDM
In some references the name of AGA EDM is quoted as Geodimeter NASM

Geodimeter NASM 2A (1955)

Geodimeter Early History

Size ? - Huge

Weight ?

Distance range ? 30 35 km Why?

EDM - Earlier era

The second type of EDM (1957) Dr Trevor L Wadley (South Africa) Tellurometer EDM using radio wave The first commercial product MRA 101 (1962)
Tellurometer MRA 101 (1962)

Second Generation EDM (late 50s & 60s) The continued development of earlier AGA EDM model 4/4A (1958); 4B (1959) and 4D (1963) Increase in distance range for shorter range EDM (up to 3 miles/5km) Model 4L (1968) capable to measure up to 21km in daylight and 42 km during night Model 8 (1967) long range EDM using He-Ne laser Model 76 (1972) short range EDM using laser

Second generation EDM (late 50s 60s)

AGA Model 6A (1964)

The third generation (in 70s)


The earlier era of EDM was dominated by AGA Geodimeter but by 70s saw the emergence of new competitor - Wild Heerbrugg of Switzerland Wild has produced Distomat DI10 in 1968

Wild Distomat DI10 (1968)

Distance measured is display in digital form

EDM the third generation (contd.)


Beside Wild there is yet another competitor Hewlett-Packard (HP) based in the USA HP model 3800 (1970) The emergence of a new class of EDM - total station Among the earliest total stations were AGA 700 (1970) and AGA 710 (1971) By late 70s the EDM industry was imitated by the Japanese company eg. Sokkisha SDM-1C (1976); Topcon DM-C2 (1979); Nikon ND-250/160 (1981)

History of EDM - The new generation (in late 80s and 90s)

The introduction of automation capability in surveying The emphasis on digital recording of observation data (eg. electronic fieldbook) The introduction of field to finish concept
Total station + Electronic field book

Current generation of EDM - new millennium (2000 - ..) The current trend includes robotic instrumentation and one-man operation

Trimble 5600 Robotic Total Station

Capable of incorporating the possibility to integrate with the GPS system Zeiss S20 Robotic Total Station

SGU 2043
http://elearning.utm.my

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