Fieldwork GPS report - Essay Example

The first type is the Total Station, which is classic equipment and is not only a GPS system. The other two types of equipment used are the Trimble Juno SB handheld and Leica antenna. These two types of equipment are used in similar ways to position points, but the Leica antenna is more accurate and expensive. On the other hand, the Trimble is cheaper than the Leica antenna. This report will show how the devices can be used and a comparison between all three based on the results each type of equipment’s accuracy.

Aim: To understand how GPS systems work by using different types of equipment, and to know which device is most accurate. List of equipment: GPS Leica antenna Total Station GPS Trimble Juno SB handheld Explanation and results of fieldwork: (Figure 1: Wild Park area from Google maps) The field work was conducted at Wild Park in Brighton (Figure 1). The first step was set two points as references by using Leica antenna GPS devices. The benefit of these two points is to make the work more accurate.

The group started with using a handheld Trimble for each student. Firstly, we opened the device and added information to it. We then made a line across the valley. Finally, each student took random points to show the land in the valley. The map for the points was done using the geographical information system ARCGIS programme, and the results are shown on this one map for the points and contours as well as a 3d map (Figure 3): (Figure 2: Contours map of Trimble device) (Figure 3: 3d map of Trimble handheld points using ARCGIS programme) The second lot of work was done through using a Lieca antenna device.

For this step, we only used one piece of equipment. We started by taking points across the valley. Then, random points were taken. The map used ARCGIS programme; one map is a contours map (Figure 4) and the other is a 3d map (Figure 5). (Figure 4: Contours map of antenna GPS points) (Figure 5: 3d map of antenna points) The last piece of equipment used was a total station. Through this device, two lines across the valley were taken. One line went across the valley, while the other line went the length of the valley.

The points of the total station are presented in a diagram by using Excel and the ArcGIS programme of the Wild Park valley (Figure 6 and 7). (Figure 6: Diagram from Excel file of total station points) (Figure 7: Image of total station points using the ARCGIS programme) Discussion and comparisons between the three devices and methods: The Trimble Juno handheld and antenna dGPS devices used a GPS system to show the points on the map. The system used three satellites to present the easting, northing, and latitude, or X, Y and Z of the points.

The accuracy of the position of points will be more accurate when the device uses an accurate clock and can read the signal from the satellite even when the weather is not good. The total station does not use the GPS system, and the accuracy of the points depends on the control points and if the devices have sets on it very well or not. From the points in the Excel file, the maps, which were drawn using an Arc map or arc scene programmes, and type of reading of equipment, I will make a comparison between the devices.

Firstly, the Lieca antenna dGPS equipment or differential GPS is a receiver antenna (rover) that receives a signal from a station base that is reserved in a big area. The advantage from this way of using a GPS