Quantifying errors in reflectorless electronic distance measurement for various environments

Winter, Robert (2018) Quantifying errors in reflectorless electronic distance measurement for various environments. [USQ Project]


Abstract

Reflectorless electronic distance measurement can provide significant benefit to surveyors. However, the industry lacks confidence in the technology and its capabilities are not well understood. This study aims to build on existing research and quantify the influence on error caused by material, angle of incidence, range, moisture and instrument wavelength. Ten materials were tested at three different angles, at three different distances and under wet and dry conditions, using both a red 690nm laser and NIR 905nm laser. Of significance to the methodology was the manufacturing of a specific supporting bracket to hold each material, which facilitated comparative measurements for all scenarios.

The study found that 83% of reflectorless observations were within accuracy tolerances at the 95% confidence interval. The measurements outside the tolerance were all consistent with observations to targets at 45° angle of incidence. Accordingly, larger angles of incidence were identified as having the most significant influence on error, which is consistent with existing research. The influence on error of all other variables was broadly insignificant. A milestone of the research was the identification and implementation of correction factors for each test scenario that were independent of material. This was a significant finding and when applied, >99% of observations were within manufacturer’s specifications, at 68% confidence interval, for every test scenario.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours) (Surveying)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: McDougall, Kevin
Date Deposited: 30 Aug 2022 03:49
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2022 02:34
Uncontrolled Keywords: Reflectorless electronic distance measurement; error
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40689

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