Establishment and Evaluation of Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Calibration Baseline

Abstract

Electromagnetic distance measurement (EDM) instrument requires a regular and proper calibration to determine the performance of the instrument and its standardization. This paper aims to describe the field procedures for the establishment of an EDM calibration baseline for distance measurements verification to cover the educational and research activities of the Federal university of Technology, Minna, Gidan-Kwano Campus. An outdoor calibration baseline in a straight line configuration was established for such purpose. The measurement of the baseline was performed using Leica TPS 1200 0.2 second (0.2’’) Total station. The calibration baseline was divided into four bays and a total number of two hundred (200) observations were done in combinations. The analysis of the obtained 200 sample data set yielded the most probable value for the four bays as; instrument constant K= -0.0047m. The standard error of the unknown parameter was determined as; = 0.00058m. The analysis of the obtained 200 sample data set yielded the most probable value for the four bay; X1 =101.650m, X2 =199.7968m, X3 = 299.9189m, X4 =502.6423m. The result of the hypothesis testing reveals that 𝑉𝑇PV = 0.0028, at 95% significance (α) level, with a degree of freedom of 195. The computed value for the chi square is given as; 2 = 4.76980, the lower limit and upper limit as obtained from the statistical table is given as 0.052 and 6.23 respectively. The result of the hypothesis test indicate that the adjustment process was consistent and without distortion. It was concluded that the result obtained can reliably be used for the calibration of Electromagnetic Distance Measuring Equipment in Minna, Nigeria