Easy surveying in difficult terrain.
The GEO Group is one of the leading independent engineering firms for surveying work on land and at sea in Germany. The Homberg branch near Efze has recently started using an innovative RTK receiver: the ppm10xx zero records highly accurate position data even on slopes and makes it easier for employees to take measurements in rough terrain.
“The system is incredibly easy and convenient to use, so that anyone can operate it within a very short time,” says Harald Mielke, graduate engineer in surveying and head of the GEO Group branch in Homberg. “We use it primarily in areas where the usual measuring systems are too unwieldy and complex.”
The compact RTK receiver ppm10xx zero weighs just 170 grams and is mounted on a measuring rod with an integrated helix antenna. All heavier components are installed in the middle of the measuring rod to avoid the system becoming top-heavy. The device also requires fewer cables, which makes handling even easier.
Hydrography: flexibility is king
The advantages of the ppm10xx zero are particularly evident in the area of water measurement:
‘The GEO Group has been creating river profiles that serve as the basis for flood risk assessment maps since 2004,’ says Mielke. ‘Especially when surveying rivers, the rough terrain repeatedly presents our employees with major challenges. This is where the ppm10xx zero scores with its flexibility: even if it is not possible to get directly to a measuring point, for example because dense bushes are blocking access, our employees can simply position the measuring rod at an angle and record the data.’
The integrated IMU allows measurements with an inclination of the measuring rod of up to 60° because it reliably compensates for the inclined position. The system also eliminates the need to look at a circular level to check the vertical position of the measuring rod.
With all this flexibility, the ppm 10xxzero also scores points for its high measuring accuracy, even if the requirements for this are not always met. Branch manager Mielke explains the situation as follows:
‘Especially near riverbanks, there are many bushes and trees that interrupt the GNSS signal. Accurate measurements are then not possible with the total stations, but the ppm10xx zero still provides data with an accuracy in the centimetre range.’
This is possible because the ppm10xx zero processes the signals of several satellite navigation systems. In addition to the US GPS, there is also the European GALILEO as well as BEIDOU from China and GLONASS from Russia. This means that sufficient satellite signals are always available, even in difficult locations.
High level of user-friendliness
Thanks to its very simple handling, even employees with little experience can record measurement data. A Samsung tablet is used to record the data, which is mounted on the measuring rod using a bracket supplied. Data acquisition is intuitive.
‘We sometimes have measuring assistants in use who can record measuring points independently after a short briefing on the device,’ says Mielke.
As it is not necessary to set up the GNSS antenna pole vertically, a large number of points can be recorded in a very short time. This is an important advantage when measuring new power lines, for example.
To ensure that work can be carried out without interruption, the ppm 10xx is equipped with a rechargeable battery that provides 24 hours of power. If the tilt sensor is activated, more than a full working day is covered with 14 hours.
The captured data can be exported as DXL files for subsequent integration into the Autodesk Civil 3D programme, which is used by the GEO Group for the creation and documentation of plans.
‘You could say that the ppm10xx literally makes work easier. At the same time, the device has significantly increased our efficiency in certain tasks,’ says Mielke.
About GEO Group
The GEO Group was founded in 1997 and is now one of the leading independent engineering firms for surveying work on land and at sea in Germany. Using state-of-the-art technology, the GEO Group offers its customers the entire spectrum from classic engineering surveying on land to special offshore tasks at sea. The GEO Group has 13 branches in Germany and Poland and employs around 200 people.