Windows CE-based surveyor uses laser, cameras

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Mar. 14, 2008

Topcon has added to its line of surveying instrument based on Windows CE. The IS Imaging Station features WiFi and Bluetooth, dual digital cameras, remote control operation, and an EDM (electronic distance meter) that measures distances up to 3.1 miles, Topcon says.

(Click here for a larger view of the Topcon IS)

Like other "total stations," the IS uses a laser beam to perform line-of-sight distance measurements, while internal sensors determine the device's angle. The device then determines the location of a surveyed point through trigonometric calculations.

To this core functionality, Topcon has added two 1.3-megapixel cameras. One camera has a wide-angle lens with 4x zoom, and the other has a telephoto lens with 20x zoom. Images are gathered simultaneously with laser scans, and can be streamed at up to 10 fps.

According to Topcon, the cameras' output can be used to supplement data captured by the laser, reducing the number of points that must be scanned. The cameras are also said to make it easier to control the total station: To define an area to be scanned, an operator merely needs to use a stylus to select points within the image (pictured, right) shown on the device's QVGA touchscreen display.

The IS can measure distances up to 2000m (~1.2 miles) without a reflector. Using prisms to reflect the EDM's laser beam increases operating distance, as follows:

One prism -- 3000m (~1.9 miles)
Two prisms -- 4000m (~2.5 miles)
Three prisms -- 5000m (~3.1 miles)

Topcon's FC-2200 field controller
(Click image for further information)

Extending the unit's range via reflectors naturally requires an operator or assistant to take them to the point being measured. For that reason, the IS is operable remotely via Topcon's FC-2200 field controller. Like the IS itself, it includes a touchscreen display, WiFi, Bluetooth, and remote-control radio modules.

Topcon says the IS uses a Marvell PXA255 processor clocked at 400MHz, but did not provide details of memory or any expansion capabilities. In addition to showing live images, its display provides an icon-driven user interface based on Windows CE 4.2.

The company used Windows CE in an earlier total station as well, the GPT-900A. This is similar to the IS but does not include its digital cameras.

The IS is available now, though Topcon did not provide pricing or availability information.

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