Name: surveying with light and microwave edms
Uploaded: 2025-08-29T12:09:50.000Z
Duration: 1 min 30 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

Alabama Course of Study Science

9-12

Earth and Space Science

Earth's Systems

9-12.ESS.2.8.a

electronic-distance-measuring-instruments

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments (EDM) measure distances precisely using either light waves or microwave signals.&#160;Both methods send an electromagnetic signal from the instrument to a reflector at the target point and back to the device.&#160;The time taken for the signal&#8217;s return allows the EDM to calculate the distance accurately.Instruments using light-based signals are generally effective for shorter, clear-line distances.&#160;These instruments typically use infrared or laser light, which ensures high accuracy when environmental conditions are clear.&#160;On the other hand, microwave-based EDMs are well-suited to longer distances and can operate effectively in challenging weather since microwaves penetrate obstacles like fog and rain.Within these signal types, EDMs measure distances using Phase Shift or Timed-Pulse methods.&#160;Phase Shift EDMs measure the phase difference between the outgoing and incoming signals, achieving high precision over short distances.&#160;Timed-pulse EDMs measure the time it takes for the signal to travel to the target and return, allowing for accurate long-range measurements.&#160;These approaches provide adaptability across various surveying tasks, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in distance measurement.

strumenti elettronici di misurazione della distanza

Gli strumenti elettronici di misurazione delle distanze (EDM) sono strumenti essenziali nella moderna topografia, poich&#232; offrono misurazioni precise della distanza emettendo segnali elettromagnetici e calcolando il tempo necessario a questi segnali per raggiungere un obiettivo e tornare indietro. Negli EDM vengono utilizzati due tipi principali di segnali, onde luminose e microonde, ciascuno adatto a specifici requisiti ambientali e di distanza. Gli EDM basati su onde luminose utilizzano luce infrarossa o laser, fornendo un'elevata precisione su brevi distanze in condizioni meteorologiche limpide. Al contrario, gli EDM basati su microonde sono ottimizzati per misurazioni a lunga distanza. Hanno il vantaggio di poter mantenere la funzionalit&#224; in condizioni meteorologiche avverse, poich&#233; le microonde sono meno influenzate da ostacoli ambientali come nebbia, pioggia o polvere.
Gli EDM a onde luminose si basano su onde elettromagnetiche nello spettro infrarosso o visibile, che consentono misurazioni precise in condizioni ottimali. Tuttavia, fattori come la densit&#224; atmosferica e l'interferenza delle particelle possono influire sulla precisione. Gli EDM basati su laser sono particolarmente preziosi in applicazioni che richiedono un'elevata precisione in ambienti senza ostacoli, come progetti di costruzione o ingegneria. Gli EDM basati su microonde operano nell'intervallo di frequenza delle microonde, consentendo loro di attraversare efficacemente le interferenze atmosferiche e rendendoli ideali per rilievi topografici e valutazioni di posizioni remote.
Gli EDM possono funzionare utilizzando i metodi di misurazione Phase Shift o Timed-Pulse. Gli EDM Phase Shift determinano le distanze confrontando la differenza di fase tra i segnali emessi e riflessi, ottenendo un'elevata precisione per brevi distanze. Questo metodo &#232; particolarmente vantaggioso quando la precisione &#232; fondamentale, come nelle applicazioni geodetiche o ingegneristiche. D'altro canto, gli EDM Timed-Pulse calcolano la distanza in base al ritardo temporale tra il segnale emesso e quello ricevuto. Questo metodo &#232; adatto per misurazioni a lungo raggio in cui la priorit&#224; &#232; l'acquisizione efficiente dei dati su aree estese. Le misurazioni Timed-pulse sono frequentemente utilizzate nella mappatura geospaziale e nella topografia del territorio.
Insieme, queste tecnologie e metodi consentono agli EDM di adattarsi a diverse esigenze di rilevamento, migliorando la precisione e l'efficienza della misurazione delle distanze in varie condizioni ambientali e ambiti di progetto.

Strumenti Elettronici di Misurazione della Distanza

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments (EDMs) are essential tools in modern surveying, offering precise distance measurements by emitting ...

Education

Didattica

JoVE Core

Civil Engineering

Ingegneria Civile

Unit 1

Unità 1

Introduction to Surveying

Introduzione alla topografia

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

TERMINI E CONCETTI CHIAVE

surveying with light and microwave edms

Electronic distance measuring instruments, or EDMs, help surveyors measure distance with electromagnetic signals. The instrument sends a signal to a target and then calculates how long it takes to return. This makes EDMs a precise tool for modern surveying.

EDMs use two main signal types: light waves and microwaves. Light-wave EDMs use infrared or laser light, so they work well over short distances in clear weather. They give high accuracy, but atmospheric density and particles in the air can reduce their precision.

Laser-based EDMs are especially useful when very exact measurements are needed in open, unobstructed settings. They are often used in construction and engineering projects. Microwave-based EDMs are better for long-distance measurements and can still work in fog, rain, or dust because microwaves are less affected by those conditions. That makes them useful for topographic surveying and remote location assessments.

EDMs also use two measurement methods: phase shift and timed pulse. Phase shift EDMs compare the phase difference between the outgoing and reflected signals. This method is highly accurate for short distances and is useful in geodetic and engineering work. Timed-pulse EDMs measure the delay between the outgoing and incoming signal, which makes them a strong choice for long-range surveying and geospatial mapping.

Surveying With Light and Microwave EDMs

introduction to surveying, plane surveying and geodetic surveys

introduction-to-surveying-plane-surveying-and-geodetic-surveys

Surveying Methods for Land and Construction

Surveying is the art and science of mapping the earth's surface. It uses measurements of distance, horizontal and vertical angles, and levels to describe the shape and size of land features. Surveying is also used to find the level of a land area with reference to a chosen point. It helps map land undulations and water bodies. These measurements give clear data for planning and field work. Two main surveying methods are plane surveying and geodetic surveying. Plane surveying treats the earth...

types of surveys

Survey Methods for Land and Water

Survey methods for land and water help define property boundaries and map features near water bodies. Each survey type has a different job. Together, they give accurate information for land-related projects and development. Land surveys mark property lines. Route surveys show the position of properties along nearby highways. Topographic surveys create maps by recording the three-dimensional features of the land. Hydrographic surveys examine underwater shapes and the movement of streams...

survey safety

Surveying Field Hazards and Protection

Surveying in the field can bring hazards from roads, rough ground, and nearby power lines. Safety starts with planning the work area and avoiding direct work on roads whenever possible. Surveyors often use offsets instead. An offset means measuring from a safer spot away from traffic. Highway work is especially dangerous and must include warning signs and flagmen. If surveyors must work along a road, they need to follow all safety guidelines. Bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests,...

errors and mistakes in surveying

Survey Measurement Errors and Common Mistakes

Survey measurements can be affected by errors and mistakes. These issues create inaccuracies in measured values and in the way data is recorded. In surveying, errors are unintentional deviations from the true value. They can come from human sensory limits, imperfect equipment, or outside conditions. Mistakes are different from errors. They happen when the surveyor loses attention, misunderstands a procedure, or makes a bad judgment call. Common examples include writing down the wrong value,...

distance measurements by taping

Survey Taping Tools for Accurate Distance

Survey taping tools help measure short distances accurately in the field. Surveyors use tapes because they are durable, flexible, and suited for outdoor work. Many tapes are made from lightweight, nylon-coated steel, which helps protect them from rust and wear. Standard tapes are often about 30 meters long and marked in meters and millimeters for precise readings. Surveyors choose a tape based on the site and the level of accuracy needed. Lightweight nylon-coated tapes are common because they...

taping over different ground profiles

Measuring Tape on Uneven Ground

Measuring tape on uneven ground requires careful setup to keep distance readings accurate. On smooth, level ground with little vegetation, the tape can rest directly on the ground. A taping team usually works with a head tapeman and a rear tapeman. The rear tapeman holds the tape at the start point and helps guide the head tapeman toward a range pole beyond the end point. They use hand signals or voice signals to stay aligned. On sloping ground, uneven terrain, or in dense underbrush, the tape...

distance corrections

Correcting Survey Distance Measurements

Survey distance measurements often need corrections to stay accurate. In surveying and construction, the first step is to adjust for standardization error, temperature changes, and slope. These corrections help turn an initial tape measurement into a more reliable final distance. Standardization error happens when measuring equipment changes over time. Wear, repairs, and weather can all affect the tape or tool. Surveyors compare the equipment readings with a standard to find any difference...

errors in taping

Survey Tape Measurement Mistakes

Survey tape measurements can be affected by several common mistakes that reduce accuracy. Misalignment of the tape is one major source of error. A rear tapeman can use a telescope to guide the head tapeman, but human limits still allow small mistakes in alignment, pin placement, and tape reading. Reading the tape can also be confusing when markings are worn with age. A surveyor may mistake a six for a nine or make other small visual errors. These reading mistakes become more common as the tape...

electronic distance measuring instruments

Electronic distance measuring instruments, or EDMs, help surveyors measure distance with electromagnetic signals. The instrument sends a signal to a target and then calculates how long it takes to return. This makes EDMs a precise tool for modern surveying. EDMs use two main signal types: light waves and microwaves. Light-wave EDMs use infrared or laser light, so they work well over short distances in clear weather. They give high accuracy, but atmospheric density and particles in the air can...

design example: measuring distance between two points with obstructions

design-example-measuring-distance-between-two-points-with-obstructions

Offset Method for Measuring Across Obstructions

The offset method helps surveyors measure distance across an obstruction such as a lake in a field. It is useful when a measuring tape cannot be stretched in a straight line over the blocked area. The method lets surveyors estimate the true length without direct line measurement. A surveyor starts by setting up a baseline that lines up with the side of the area across the lake. A telescope is used to check the alignment from one end of the side to the other. This creates an imaginary line over...

key terms and concepts

Learn how EDMs measure distance using light or microwave signals, plus phase shift and timed-pulse methods used in surveying, mapping, and engineering.

Surveying With Light and Microwave EDMs | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Civil Engineering provides a foundational exploration of essential construction materials in civil engineering, focusing on bricks, stones, steel, wood, and concrete through easy-to-understand animated videos. This collection covers the properties, manufacturing processes, and practical applications of these materials. Additionally, the accompanied science-in-action videos demonstrate the research experiments performed in laboratories.

civil engineering

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Physical Properties Of Minerals II: Polymineralic Analysis

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4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the geologic conditions and processes that form different Earth materials.

9-12.ESS.2.4

Igneous Intrusive Rock

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Igneous Volcanic Rock

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a. Plan and carry out investigations to explore the processes that form plutonic (intrusive) and volcanic (extrusive) igneous rocks of differing compositions and textures. Example: Conduct a crystallization experiment to determine how speed of cooling affects crystal size.

9-12.ESS.2.4.a

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b. Analyze and interpret data to explain the effects of mechanical and chemical weathering and erosion on Earth's materials by wind, water, ice, and gravity.

9-12.ESS.2.4.b

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c. Construct an explanation using evidence from experiments, models, or data of the processes that create and transform igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

9-12.ESS.2.4.c

Pore Size Distribution

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d. Plan and conduct an investigation on water's effect on surface and subsurface processes. Examples: Use particles of varying sizes to determine how the speed of water impacts particle distribution. Use the porosity and permeability of particles of various sizes to determine how the size and sorting of particles affects water movement.

9-12.ESS.2.4.d

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9-12.ESS.2.4.e

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9-12.ESS.2.5

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a. Analyze and interpret data to sequence events in Earth's history, including relative and absolute dating techniques, principles of superposition and crosscutting relationships, igneous intrusions, radiometric dating, and the fossil record.

9-12.ESS.2.5.a

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b. Construct an explanation based on evidence of how catastrophic and long-term events have impacted life on Earth, including mass extinctions.

9-12.ESS.2.5.b

The Colonization of Land

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c. Construct explanations from evidence of how the flow of energy through Earth's systems has changed over time. Example: Earth's oxygen level was lowest during the Cryptozoic Eon (Precambrian) and highest in the Carboniferous.

9-12.ESS.2.5.c

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An Overview of Alkenone Biomarker Analysis for Paleothermometry

d. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about important tectonic and geologic events that have occurred in Alabama over geologic time. Examples: geologic ages and types of rocks, fluctuations in sea levels, temperature changes

9-12.ESS.2.5.d

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Determining Spatial Orientation of Rock Layers with the Brunton Compass

Source: Laboratory of Alan Lester - University of Colorado Boulder
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Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3&#8211;12 are ...

6. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the theory of plate tectonics.

9-12.ESS.2.6

a. Construct an evidence-based explanation of continental drift, basing conclusions on comparisons of coastlines, fossils, ages of rocks, climate, and magnetic patterns.

9-12.ESS.2.6.a

b. Construct an explanation, based on evidence, of tectonic plate movement, types of plate boundaries, and how boundary type relates to specific tectonic features, including mountain ranges, earthquakes, volcanism, volcanic islands, hotspots, mid-ocean ridges, and faults.

9-12.ESS.2.6.b

c. Develop and interpret a model of Earth's internal structure and composition, including inner core, outer core, asthenosphere, lithosphere, mantle, and crust.

9-12.ESS.2.6.c

d. Analyze data to interpret seismic activity and assess the risk of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in Alabama and other areas in the United States.

9-12.ESS.2.6.d

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9-12.ESS.2.7

a. Obtain and communicate information to explain how water cycles through the atmosphere, including condensation, evaporation, clouds, types of precipitation, relative humidity, and dew point.

9-12.ESS.2.7.a

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9-12.ESS.2.7.b

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Surveying With Light and Microwave EDMs

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