Totalstöðva

Totalstöðva, or total station, is a surveying instrument that combines electronic distance measurement (EDM), angular measurement from a theodolite, and a digital data recorder into a single device. It is used to determine precise three-dimensional coordinates of points by measuring distances and angles from a known position and storing the results for later processing.

A totalstöðva works by targeting a prism or, in some models, measuring without a prism. The EDM unit measures the distance to the target, while the theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles. The instrument’s integrated computer computes the coordinates of the target point relative to the instrument’s station and stores the data for transfer to field sheets or office software. Robotic or motorized totalstöður can automatically follow a moving prism, enabling rapid staking and surveying without manual re-aiming.

Typical applications include land surveying, construction staking, topographic mapping, and the establishment or verification of control networks for civil engineering projects. In practice, field workflows involve setting up the instrument on a known point, taking backsight readings, measuring multiple target points, and exporting the data to CAD or GIS programs for analysis and design.

Advantageous features of modern totalstöðvar include increased accuracy and efficiency, onboard data storage, rugged construction for field use, and multiple data transfer options such as USB, Bluetooth, or Wi‑Fi. They have evolved from combining EDM with digital theodolites and now come in variants with reflectorless measurement and robotic targeting to suit a range of surveying tasks.