technology&more technology&more

A Publication for Geospatial Professionals • Issue 2013-1

technology&more

European Central Bank’s New Headquarters Double Tower Challenges Surveyors

Measuring Mountains

Planet Action Global Projects Help Protect Environment technology&more technology&moreWelcome to the Latest Issue of Technology&more!

technology&moreDear Readers,

Whether the construction of a • India pg. 10 tunnel in the depths of the San Studying Seismic Activity Francisco Bay or the quest to measure the world's highest peaks, this issue of Technology&more highlights some of the most innovative projects (and adventures) our • Korea pg. 14 customers are involved in Surveying Ships around the globe. You’ll read about measuring mountains Chris Gibson: Vice President in Antarctica and Nepal; construction surveying for the European Central Bank’s new headquarters in Germany; studying seismic activity in India; surveying for shipbuilding in Korea; protecting • U.S. pg. 16 the environment in France, Mexico and Chile; and many Northstar Surveys other projects.

Each issue of Technology&more seeks to showcase projects around the world that demonstrate the enhanced productivity that can be gained through the use of Trimble® technology. As always, we hope that one or more of the • China pg. 18 articles will provide useful ideas and information that will Lunar Test benefit you and your business today—and tomorrow.

You’ll also find our new “Day in the Life” feature in this issue. Profiling a geospatial professional on the cutting-edge of their industry, this issue spotlights Rich Freese, PLS, of Published by: Northstar Surveys in Southern California. Watch for more Trimble Engineering & Construction profiles in future issues. 10355 Westmoor Drive Westminster, Colorado 80021 Phone: 720-887-6100 And finally, thank you to all who attended Trimble Dimen- Fax: 720-887-6101 sions 2012. It was the most exciting conference to date and Email: [email protected] offered a wide variety of educational, networking and social www.trimble.com opportunities over three days in Las Vegas. For those who Editor-in-Chief: Shelly Nooner were unable to attend, you’ll find an overview inside. Editorial Team: Lea Ann McNabb; Lindsay Renkel; Omar Soubra; Angie Vlasaty; Heather Silvestri; If you’d like to share information with Technology&more Eric Harris; Kelly Liberi; Susanne Preiser; Christiane Gagel; Anke Becker; Lin Lin Ho; readers about your own innovative project, we’d like to hear Bai Lu; Echo Wei; Maribel Aguinaldo; about it: just email: [email protected]. We’ll even Stephanie Kirtland, write the article for you. Survey Technical Marketing Team Art Director: Tom Pipinou

© 2013, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble, the Globe & Triangle logo, eCognition, Geo- And now, enjoy this issue of Technology&more. Explorer, Juno, TSC2 and TSC3 are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited or its subsidiaries, registered in United States Patent and Trademark Office. Access, NetR9, Maxwell, RTX, SurePoint, Survey Controller, VISION, VRS, VX and xFill are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the Chris Gibson property of their respective owners. www.northstarstudio.com technology&more technology&more

technology&more

Mining a Profit A Nevada Mine Uses Advanced Technology to Control Costs and Improve Safety

long the east side of Nevada’s Big Smoky Valley, the Like most production operations, labor and consumables Round Mountain Gold Mine sits near the town of are primary cost components. At Round Mountain, major AHadley, roughly 6,000 ft (1,830 m) above sea level. consumables include fuel and tires for the trucks and The climate is extremely dry, and the little precipita- loaders. Musselman’s team knows that haul road design tion that does fall comes mainly as snow in the bitterly and construction can affect the mine’s operating costs. cold winters. In the summer, temperatures top 105°F By designing and staking roads with proper grades and (40°C). The enormous mine—its permit boundary cov- superelevations, the team can help tires stay cooler and ers more than 14,500 acres (5,870 hectares)—operates avoid damage while reducing fuel consumption. The year round, which means its employees and equipment effort has not gone unnoticed—Round Mountain has are exposed to the challenging weather conditions. In become a world leader in reduced tire wear. 2011, the mine produced 375,000 oz (10,630 kg) of gold and employed more than 800 people in its min- In addition to its surveying operations, Round Mountain ing, processing and support operations. has an advanced Trimble monitoring system. The mine uses two Trimble S8 total stations installed in monitoring Working under the supervision of Chief Surveyor Richard buildings at opposite ends of the pit, together with six Musselman, Round Mountain’s team of surveyors and GNSS/optical control stations that combine Trimble NetR9 support engineers handles the surveying for mining op- GNSS receivers with prism targets for the total stations. The erations, planning and construction. Round Mountain’s entire system is controlled by Trimble 4D Control software. surveyors provide stakeout and quality control for con- The monitoring system can spot motion in slopes and struction projects such as roads, leach pads and tailings highwalls and alert the geologists and engineers before impoundments. The team also performs extensive work a problem occurs. for as-built and volumetric surveys and provides gen- eral support to mining operations. Open skies and low While the high-tech surveying and monitoring systems vegetation enable the vast majority of Round Mountain’s make clear contributions on the financial side, the mine’s surveying work to take place using Trimble RTK GNSS. The bottom line is safety. “That’s what it’s really about,” Mus- mine’s Trimble NetR9™ GNSS reference station is the posi- selman said. “I can actually sleep better at night knowing tioning basis for Round Mountain’s surveying, monitoring that we are providing a safe place for our people to work.” and mine operations. The survey crews are equipped with Trimble R8 GNSS receivers and Trimble TSC3® controllers See feature article in POB's November 2012 issue: running Trimble Access™ software. www.pobonline.com

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technology&more ECB’s Double Tower Challenges Surveyors

ising 185 m (610 ft) over the skyline of Frankfurt am Main, the most striking fea- Rture of the European Central Bank’s new premises is nearing completion. This complex of two polygonal office towers connected by an atrium, presents a unique silhouette—and plenty of headaches for the surveying team—thanks to its twisted architecture.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is constructing its new headquarters on the site of the historic Großmarkthalle (wholesale market) in Frankfurt. The design of Vienna-based architects COOP HIMMELB(L)AU consists of three main elements: the former Großmarkthalle with new internal structures; a 185-m (610-ft) asymmetric double office tower with connecting atrium; and an entrance building. The entrance building creates a visual and functional link between the high-rise and the Großmarkthalle and houses the press conference area.

Once ready for occupancy, the facility will provide employment for around 2,300 workers, mainly in the office towers. The restored Großmarkthalle will largely retain its appearance and provide a historic venue for the ECB’s public functions, with a lobby, visitor center, conference area, library, ex- hibition spaces and a restaurant. Gross floor area of the premises—scheduled for completion by the end of 2013, with staffing by 2014—will total approximately 185,000 m2 (45.7 ac or 1.99 million ft2).

Technology&more -2- Creative Design The Right Equipment The design of the double office tower is creative, to say the The complex geometry and required measurement accuracy of least. The north tower, whose east side is inclined by 9 degrees, +/- 8mm (0.3 in) in core areas, +/- 6mm (0.24 in) for other setout begins on a rectangular base with sides of 16x79 m (52x260 ft); points and +/- 5mm (0.2 in) for flatness presented a significant by the 45th floor, it has become a trapezium with side lengths surveying challenge. To meet this challenge, Gemmer & Leber of 8x59x25x56 m (26x194x82x184 ft). The south tower is just the used five calibrated Trimble S6 total stations, which achieve an opposite: It starts at the base as a trapezium with side lengths accuracy of 0.3 mgon (1 arcsecond) for direction measurements, of 5x55x27x59 m (16x180x89x194 ft), changing to a rectangle enable distance measurements to be made with an accuracy of with sides of 15x55 m (49x180 ft) by the 43rd floor. 2 mm (0.08 in)+2 ppm and compensate for levelling errors up to an accuracy of 1.5 mgons (5 arc seconds). The special architecture of the towers, with inclines, overhangs and continuously changing floor plans, means that the whole “Trimble total stations are very user-friendly and have an structure looks completely different when viewed from different almost self-explanatory menu operation,” said Dipl. Ing. Bernhard angles. It also places high demands on the surveying team. Engelbreit, project manager for the surveying work. “Using robotic total stations with cable-free Trimble TSC2® control- Werneck-based engineering company Gemmer & Leber was lers, our surveyors could control the instruments remotely responsible for the survey work. “A structure with such unusual in most cases, enabling us to be at the actual measurement architecture would be a challenge for any surveyor,” said Dipl. point instead of with the instrument.” Points could therefore Ing. Willi Almesberger, who developed the surveying concept be surveyed very quickly, making it possible for the surveying for the new ECB premises at Gemmer & Leber. “But there was an work to keep up with the progress of ongoing construction. additional difficulty in the case of the ECB building: The decon- Adds Engelbreit: “It would not have been possible to meet structivist design of the two towers meant that, as construction the requirement to complete a new floor every six days using progressed, the increased loads not only caused the usual set- different equipment.” tling, but also tilting and twisting of the towers.” Engelbreit’s team first set up a coordinate system for the site. These unavoidable deformations were particularly noticeable in At the beginning of construction work, reference points were the lower floors, and by level 25 they had reached a maximum established in the form of fixed posts; these reference points value of 16 cm (0.52 ft). To compensate for them and finally were later placed in the structure, when building progress achieve a dimensionally stable structure, the whole building meant they could no longer be seen. To do this, the surveyors had to be specifically constructed to oppose the expected set up four plumbing points in the basement of the south deformations. The structure was therefore predeformed during tower, six in the north tower and four in the atrium to form the construction—in other words, the plans were modified to pro- new reference network. The coordinate system was aligned on actively compensate for the torsion-induced deformation—so the grid of the lowest level, with height control carried out by it would achieve the specified dimensions when all the loads fine levelling. acted together.

-3- Technology&more By means of openings in each slab above the plumbing points, Saving Time and Effort permanently mounted zenith lasers could transmit reference “To set out these initially virtual points and place the formwork points to the relevant working level. The vertical (or “plumb”) in the correct position, we used the total station’s ‘3D axis’ lines allowed reference points to be transmitted to the top mode,“ explains project manager Engelbreit. “This made it pos- edge of the concrete slab when a floor was completed. sible to set out inaccessible virtual points, as they were correctly calculated in the total station from real points which were ac- The plumb lines were set up to be as free from distortion as cessible on the formwork.” possible, and were isolated from the towers’ deformation due to solar radiation, wind or the action of loads from cranes and This conversion could have been done at a desk, but that concrete pumps. This meant the Gemmer & Leber surveying approach would have entailed an additional effort of roughly team had to start carrying their total stations to work at 4:00 24 hours per floor. Construction work would have been am to ensure they were ready when construction work began significantly delayed, as individual work steps were closely at 7:00 am. interlocked. For example, all concreting work could only be carried out after measuring the column formwork. Delays in Dimensional Stability surveying would therefore have inevitably caused delays in the To ensure the required predeformation was achieved, the whole construction project. deformation parameters of each individual floor had to be con- sidered when setting out the individual points. The surveyors “The ECB project was extremely demanding in all respects, with received these parameters from the technical office of Ed. Züb- unusually intensive surveying requirements and a tight sched- lin AG from Stuttgart, the company in charge of construction ule,” concludes Almesberger. “The fact that we could manage for the ECB project. this huge and complex project without significant problems is due to our team’s commitment and our excellent equipment. The initial point was shown in a CAD plan, which contained the The well-designed, practical functions of Trimble total stations specified dimensions of the completed building. made our work considerably easier, saving us a lot of time and effort. They also helped us stay on schedule and complete the Almesberger explains the procedure: “The structural engineers preliminary building work for the new ECB premises in the best specified the deformation parameters for each level, such as ro- possible time.” tation points, rotational angles and translation vectors. We then transferred these parameters to the measured points of the CAD plan, and changed the original floor plan to compensate for the expected load deformations.”

The resulting adjusted reference points were measured out from the CAD plan and entered into the total stations. A whole range of measurement points could now be set out on slab edges, columns, recesses or concrete cores, all corrected by the amount of predeformation.

Due to predeformation, almost none of the approximately 25 columns per floor were poured exactly vertical. Each column was erected with a unique inclination; even columns that were to be upright in their final state sometimes had to be poured with inclinations of up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in).

Each individual column therefore had to be individually mea- sured. The measurement points referred to the upper edge of the next concrete slab. The predeformation parameters were accounted for in each of the measurement points. That pre- sented an additional challenge: The top points of the columns were indicated in the plans to align with the column formwork, but in fact they were present only after the 30-cm (12-in) slab had been completed. A surveyor takes observations on an upper level of the building. Using two closely spaced instruments provided an efficient way to gather redundant measurements along the narrow sight lines in the structure.

Technology&more -4- technology&more technology&more

technology&more

Measuring Mountains The Use of GNSS Technology to Measure Mountains has Risen Steadily; It is Now as Commonplace on Climbing Expeditions as Ropes

Stephen Chaplin descends from the summit of Mt. Gardner (4573 m/15,003 ft), Antarctica's fourth-highest mountain. In the background stretches the northern Sentinel Range. ©Damien Gildea / www.antarcticmountains.com

ven if you made your way to the top of the world, you may not know just how high that top is. Today, the majority of the world’s Ehighest mountains do not have official, agreed-upon heights. Debate even still swirls around the true elevation of Mount Everest, which has long been accepted as the world’s highest mountain.

Why the uncertainty? There is no official international body to oversee summit measurements or resolve conflicting claims; summit expedi- tions are costly; locating and accessing the highest exposed rock for accurate measurement is problematic; and measuring mountains is dangerous—for mountaineers, a good day is returning alive.

“I was amazed myself that we don’t know the exact height of some of these mountains,” said Damien Gildea, an Australian mountaineer, author and explorer who has climbed for more than 15 years. Gildea used Trimble GPS technology to measure some of Antarctica’s highest mountains; the high-precision GPS data collected by Gildea and his team has helped create better maps of the region, including Gildea’s 1:50,000 topo map of the Vinson Massif and Sentinel Range. “With the improved accessibility and quality of GNSS technology, we are gaining a much better perspective and understanding of the world’s mountains.”

Measuring Up at the Bottom of the World Trimble GPS technology was first used on an ascent of Mt. Everest in 1999 and its use to measure mountains has been rising steadily; it is now as commonplace on such expeditions as ropes. “We’re climbers, not surveyors,” explained Gildea. “We need a lightweight system that we can carry to the top of a mountain,” adding that ease-of-use and ruggedness are prime requirements. “Because once you’re on the Damien Gildea sets up the Trimble 5700 GPS receiver on the summit of Mt. Shinn (4660 m/15,288 ft), Antarctica's third-highest mountain, your own safety comes first.” mountain; behind him is the Vinson Massif. Photo by Rodrigo Fica.

-5- Technology&more L: Stephen Chaplin and Camilo Rada at base camp on Patton Glacier, Sentinel Range, Antarctica. From here, Gildea's team attempted to climb and measure Mt. Tyree (4852 m/15,918 ft), Antarctica's second-highest mountain. R: MSU geologists affixed a Trimble NetR9 GNSS base station antenna to a teahouse roof in Gorak Shep, the last Nepali village before Everest Base Camp. Photo by Dave Lageson.

Gildea knows whereof he speaks. He’s led eight Antarctic going collision of India with Asia, Everest is rising about a 0.76 mountaineering expeditions and used Trimble GPS technol- cm (0.33 in) annually and moving northeast at a rate of about ogy to measure many of that continent’s highest mountains. 8 cm (3 in) a year, according to Dr. David Lageson, a structural The high-precision data collected by Gildea and his teams geology professor at Montana State University (MSU). But have helped create better maps and greater understanding of while its growth rate is known, what remain uncertain are this remote region. the details of the geologic evolution of Everest, particularly the origin and deformational history of the rocks that comprise Everest’s Allure the summit pyramid. “Most of the rocks above 6,000 m (19,685 In contrast to the rarely climbed Antarctic mountains, Mt. Everest ft) have not yet been directly studied—or how and when the has been topped by more than 3,000 climbers since 1953. major faults that cut through the mountain were formed, However, 233 people have died trying since the first recorded including the major faults that slice through the upper part attempts in 1922; many of their bodies still rest on the moun- of the mountain,” he said. tain, serving as chilling reminders for those who seek to climb the world's highest peak. So when Lageson was offered the opportunity to explore Everest in March 2012 and gather rock samples, he eagerly Any ascent is challenging from the start, but once climbers reach accepted. the “Death Zone” above 8,000 m (26,000 ft), mere survival is para- mount: temperatures can fall below –30º F (–35º C); high winds An Everest Education dramatically increase the risk of freezing and cut visibility; and Sponsored by The North Face in partnership with National the scant oxygen in the thin air can notably slow the pace— Geographic, the National Science Foundation and MSU, the progressing a single mile (1.7 km) can take up to 12 hours. historic expedition commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first successful American ascent of Mt. Everest and was led Along with luring hundreds of climbers each year, Everest also by professional alpinist and author Conrad Anker. The expedi- draws numerous scientific and surveying expeditions. More tion also was termed the Everest Education Expedition (EEE), than 10 surveys were performed between 1847 and 2005, us- designed to provide the adventure and its science to grade ing methods ranging from huge theodolites located 240 km 5–9 classrooms throughout Montana and other states. (150 mi) away in India (1852) to modern GPS technology (1999 and 2005). Nonetheless, the peak’s exact height is still a matter Lageson’s objectives for this expedition were to re-measure of some debate. Everest’s current, highest bedrock elevation at the summit with Trimble GNSS technology and collect rock samples from the Adding to the uncertainty, the mountain itself is still moving. base camp to the summit for further research. He also led the Part of a dynamic tectonic environment created by the on- EEE education outreach program.

Technology&more -6- L: Corthouts (front) works with mountaineer Conrad Anker (back) to track a granite boulder's movement on the Khumbu Glacier. The boulder had moved 2.8 m (9.2 ft) over two weeks. R: In Base Camp, Corthouts holds the Trimble R8 GNSS receiver that was carried to the summit of Mt. Everest. - Images courtesty of Travis Corthouts.

Typically, Mt. Everest climbing teams establish four ascend- To the Top ing camps on the mountain to enable them to acclimatize, The ascent team of five climbers and two Sherpa reached the rest, store supplies and prepare for the next ascent leg. After summit on May 25th. However, high winds and hordes of climb- Base Camp was set up at about 5,365 m (17,600 ft), Lageson ers made the placement of the two Trimble R8 GNSS receivers and his geology team established geodetic control for the quite challenging. One Sherpa set an R8 receiver, mounted summit survey and geological research. They set a Trimble atop a 1-m-long (3.3-ft) pole, on bedrock about 3 m (9.8 ft) NetR9 GNSS base station on the only place with continuous vertically down from the summit and recorded data for one electricity—the roof of a tea house at Gorak Shep about hour, while the other Sherpa collected rock samples. Although 4.5 km (2.8 mi) from Base Camp. not taken from the exact summit, preliminary analysis of the measurement data indicated an elevation of 8,846 m (29,021 Lageson and geology graduate student Travis Corthouts ft)—only a few feet off previous recorded heights. Considering then methodically explored the region’s geology for nearly the mountain conditions that day, the off-summit recordings two months as they followed the climbing team’s phased as- were testament to the tenacity and fortitude of these experi- cents part-way to the summit. At Base Camp, they explored enced mountaineers. the Khumbu Glacier and recorded locations of specific finds using two Trimble GeoExplorer® 6000-series handheld “There were only a handful of summit window days favorable receivers while collecting rock samples for further analysis. for a climb to the top,” said Lageson. “So our team, carrying They also used the GNSS receivers to measure the pace of extra GNSS equipment, had to contend with dozens of other glacier movement at various locations. people all climbing the same route at the same time, in ex- treme high-wind conditions. Despite all that, the team made Lageson and Corthouts’ geological investigations reached it to the top, and Danuru Sherpa and Jangbu Sherpa did the Camp 2, at 6,706 m (22,000 ft). From there, the Sherpa support best they could to place the GNSS receiver on such a crowded team would carry the Trimble GNSS equipment to the summit summit. An Everest expedition is an extremely complicated and collect the higher-elevation rock samples. equation of skill, risk and luck.”

“We probably retrieved one of the most complete rock col- Measuring mountains does indeed require alpinists to walk lections ever to come off of Mount Everest,” said Lageson. a very tenuous line between the need-to-know and the risk “The sophisticated, handheld GNSS technology gave us to one’s life. However, as mountains continue to rise to new the mobility and precision to easily locate our positions heights, so too will mountaineers endeavor to measure them. and our sample locations. That information, plus the rocks And Trimble GNSS technology will be there, wherever “there” is. themselves, will greatly aid our analysis of Mount Everest’s history.” See feature in Professional Surveyor’s February issue: www.profsurv.com

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technology&more Action for Our Planet

© Photo by Daniel Koopman

ew would argue that environmental protection is a supports both biodiversity and the return of human interest critical and growing challenge. But in order to protect the in the land. environment, you have to be able to measure it—and F These are just three of the projects tackled by Planet Action in that, as Planet Action knows, is anything but trivial. Planet Ac- tion, co-founded in 2007 by satellite data provider Spot Image 2012. They all required satellite imagery to classify and map the (now Astrium GEO-Information Services) and GIS provider Esri, land cover for very different environment types: mangroves, provides geospatial technology and expertise to organizations dense forests and an alpine ecosystem. The project managers working on climate change causes, impacts and solutions. needed a system that could go beyond the traditional pixel- Planet Action has supported more than 600 nonprofit projects based approaches to land cover classification as shape size, and worldwide, targeting varied domains such as biodiversity, context, in addition to the spectral information, were crucial forestry and water resources. Through the donation of satel- to the feature extraction process. The answer was Trimble’s lite images, GIS solutions and image processing systems eCognition® image analysis software. There was just one by program partners, Planet Action supports small, local problem: The project managers had the necessary software, agencies such as NGOs, universities and research centers as but they lacked the in-house resources to do the job. well as large agencies such as UNESCO, WWF, the Green Belt Enter the University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Laboratory Movement and IMAZON. (SAL). SAL uses eCognition software extensively for biodiversity Measuring the Land Cover analysis, land-cover mapping and urban tree-canopy assess- What about the measurement challenge? First consider these ments. This work has been so successful that Director Jarlath facts: Mexico loses on average 350,000 ha (865,000 acres) O’Neil-Dunne was able to establish the university’s eCognition of forested land every year, an area about the size of Rhode Center of Excellence (now Trimble Imaging Innovation Island. Colombia loses nearly 200,000 ha (494,000 acres) ha of Program) in 2009 to further advance the lab's prestige and forests every year, though the true figure may be higher due to the educational opportunities it could provide to students. illegal clearing. A mountainous region in the French Pyrenees, formerly used for agricultural purposes but now abandoned Pairing Technology with Resources and naturally reforested, faces an uncertain environmental Trimble played matchmaker, connecting O’Neil-Dunne with future; France wants to create a balanced ecosystem that the three Planet Action projects in need of image analysis

Technology&more -8- L-R Color infrared image from the SPOT 5 satellite; land cover classification derived using eCognition software; classification results visualized in oblique view with Google Earth. help—perfect timing, since five students involved with the lab In Colombia, the objective was to map the existing mangrove were looking for a way to become more proficient in object- forest, as well as other wetlands affected by logging, mining, based image analysis. O’Neil-Dunne created a work-study class, and clearing for agriculture and ranching. The students were enabling both the students and the project managers to learn able to deliver detailed maps of the mangrove forest and the capabilities of the software through hands-on, real-world associated wetlands; these maps support community-driven projects with deadlines and specific deliverables. initiatives to halt deforestation and forest degradation. After a two-week tutorial on eCognition software, the students In France, the primary objective was to produce a land- were given four months to acquire the available geospatial cover classification map of a 2452 km (95 mi2) area in the imagery, process it and deliver the required maps to the end southwestern part of the country. Producing land-cover maps users. To ease communication and support technology knowl- for mountainous areas such as the Vicdessos Valley—a French edge transfer between the students and project managers, long-term Observatory of Human-Nature Interactions (OHM) Trimble offered the use of its dedicated online platform called site—has been problematic for traditional land-classification eCognition Community where they could discuss issues, ex- technologies; slopes, sun and satellite acquisition angles cause change ideas and blog results. the spectral properties of an individual land cover class to vary widely. The advanced image analysis technology in eCognition For all three projects, the students were provided with imagery made it possible to map these regions with an accuracy that from Spot and supplemental data such as digital elevation could not previously be achieved. In four months, the student models (DEMs). Using eCognition, they incorporated the assigned to France had developed the needed process tree to imagery into the software and created customized “rule distinguish and map 11 different class types, including valley, sets”—expert system workflows to automatically classify spe- intermediate and mixed alpine grasslands, snow, coniferous cific vegetative types and other land cover features—which forest, deciduous trees and wetlands. Although the rule set were then mapped according to user specifications. In addi- required months to build, it took only 10 minutes to run the tion to the detailed classification maps, O’Neil-Dunne required workflow and create the classification map. the students to provide the customized eCognition rule sets to their partner organizations, thereby insuring that the entire Project Success classification workflow was documented and preserved. Although they represent only a small sample of the environ- mental issues facing the planet, these three successful projects Mexico, Colombia, and France move the world closer to environmental sustainability, the For Mexico, the students produced hard-copy thematic ultimate goal for the hundreds of projects supported by Planet maps of the Sierra de las Cruces region, a 200,000-ha Action. And there is a positive side note: Not only did the five (494,000-acre) forested area west of Mexico City; the maps students meet all project requirements over the course of a definitively show urban areas, water resources, grasslands single semester, but their eCognition experience also helped and specific forest types including pine, fir and oak. This them secure full-time jobs in the geospatial industry. “I think land-cover classification serves as the basis for collecting these projects were big selling points on their resumes,” said further ecological field data. It also supports ongoing analy- O’Neil-Dunne. sis of landscape patterns, with the ultimate aim of helping to curb rampant deforestation. See feature article in Earth Imaging Journal’s January issue: www.eojournal.com

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technology&more

A Country in Motion Scientists in India Use GNSS to Study the Nation’s Seismic Activity

A GNSS observation station in the Indian Himalaya mountains. The station uses a Trimble choke ring antenna and Trimble NetR9 GNSS receiver.

bout 200 million years ago, when the superconti- gists and other researchers. The data will be archived nent Pangaea began to break apart, the landmass and distributed by the Indian National Center for Ocean Awe today know as India existed as a large island off Information Services (INCOIS). the coast of Australia. The Indian plate began to move northward, moving as much as 9 m (30 ft) per century In Hyderabad, the Council of Scientific and Industrial and eventually ramming into the Eurasian plate. The col- Research–National Geophysical Research Institute of lision marked the beginning of the formation of the India (CSIR-NGRI) has taken the lead in work to under- Himalaya Mountains as Earth’s crust buckled and heaved stand the crustal deformation. As part of this effort, the upward. Today, the Indian plate continues to move to Institute has become very active in establishing and uti- the northeast at roughly 5 cm (2 in) per year, pushing lizing GNSS networks. CSIR-NGRI has analyzed data from the Himalayas higher as the two plates grind together. about 30 permanent GNSS sites located on the Indian While the relative motion of the plates has slowed, India plate. The data suggest that the internal deformation of remains a region of frequent earthquakes. Because of the Indian plate is very low (<1-2 mm/year or <0.08in/year). its large population and susceptibility to damage from This means that the interior region of the entire plate earthquakes and tsunamis, India has taken a prominent largely behaves as a rigid plate. The CSIR-NGRI studied role in seismic research. the Narmada Son failed rift region, which is the most prominent tectonic feature within the Indian plate and In the past two decades, researchers have made sig- a major source of earthquakes. The study indicated that, nificant progress in understanding the Indian plate—its contrary to earlier understanding, Narmada Son does not motion, internal deformation and convergence with the seem to segment the Indian plate. Eurasian plate in the north and Sunda plate in the east. Much of the progress has come from GNSS and its abil- The deformation within Narmada Son and other rifts of the ity to make precise measurements over large areas. The stable India plate is very localized. Studies of the Godavari work has been a combination of campaign GNSS and failed rift (GFR) reveal localized deformation (up to 3.3 ± continuously operating reference stations (CORS). Re- 0.5 mm/year or 0.1 ± 0.02 in/year). This implies that com- searchers have used campaign GNSS measurements to pression on steep faults located on the southern margin document deformation in specific regions. At the same of the GFR is coincident with the region characterized by time, a number of permanent GNSS CORS stations have high-level, low-magnitude seismicity of the past six years. been installed to measure plate motion and deformation It also implies strain accumulation that could produce across plate margins. Data from roughly 100 permanent future moderate- to strong-magnitude earthquakes in the GNSS sites are available online for geodesists, seismolo- region. The researchers found that localized deformation

Technology&more -10- is consistent with current understanding about defor- mation in such regions where seismicity migrates and deformation rate changes with time.

Along the plate margins, CSIR-NGRI has established GNSS networks in the Andaman Nicobar and Garhwal Kumaun regions as well as in northeast India. Located in the Bay of Bengal roughly 1,400 km (870 mi) east of Chennai, the Andaman Nicobar and Sumatra region has experienced more than five great earthquakes (magnitude 8 or higher) since the 2004 Sumatra Andaman earthquake. CSIR-NGRI has installed eight Trimble NetR9 GNSS receivers in the islands as permanent observation stations. GNSS mea- surements during and after the earthquakes have helped seismologists understand the plate kinematics and the mechanism of deformation through various phases of the GNSS recorded position changes of more than 20 mm during the earthquake cycle. The scientists can also use the data to April 11, 2012 earthquakes in the Indian Ocean. develop approximate recurrence intervals of great and giant earthquakes.

Recently, another great earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean region. The quake, which occurred on April 11, 2012, produced about 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) of coseismic deformation at Port Blair and Campbell Bay. Measured at magnitude 8.6, it was the largest strike-slip intraplate earthquake ever recorded. According to studies by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s seismic waves may have triggered large aftershocks worldwide.

India continues to expand its GNSS efforts for seismic studies. CSIR-NGRI is working to establish a new permanent GNSS observation station at the Barren vol- cano. Barren is an active volcano located about 150 km (90 mi) east of Port Blair in the Andaman Sea. The data A GNSS reference site at Port Blair monitors motion on Andaman Island. from the site’s Trimble NetR9 will help Indian research- ers to better understand the deformation caused by volcanic eruptions and how they relate to the tectonics of the frontal and back arc of the Sumatra Andaman subduction zone.

The plate boundary regions of India feature frequent earthquakes and significant deformation, and NGRI con- ducts regular measurements in the areas along the faults and plate margins. To work in these locales, researchers must deal with harsh climate, rugged terrain and dif- ficult access. Permanent GNSS observation stations are especially important, because they can capture both in- terseismic and coseismic motion. The work calls for GNSS equipment that is sturdy, rugged, compact and reliable. At the same time the system should be user friendly. The NGRI teams selected the Trimble NetR9 GNSS receiver for its state-of-the-art GNSS performance and suitability for difficult environments and remote locations. Realizing the worldwide importance of GNSS networks in seismo- logical studies, the institute looks forward to seeing more and more GNSS observatories installed for seismic and Site velocity vectors derived from GNSS data. The consistent speed tectonic studies. supports the theory of a rigid plate.

-11- Technology&more technology&more technology&more Cadastral Revolution technology&more New, Comprehensive Cadastral Systems Add Value and Efficiency to Land and Property Administration

onsider this scenario: At the request of a client, a surveyor conducted a property survey and prepared a paper map of Ca property including its dimensions and improvements. The map, often generated in conjunction with a property transfer or other financial transaction, might contain information that would be useful to adjoining properties and their owners. And while some cadastral information about the property—ownership, size and encumbrances—is public record, much of the information collected by the surveyor may never be seen or shared. The days of paper maps and time-consuming record searches are quickly fading as record systems evolve to digital data. But a scanned document or CAD file, even if available online, offers no more information than the original paper map. Its only benefit is ease of access. The next stage of the evolution is to change the nature and volume of the cadastral information itself. That change is driven by the increasing numbers of users and applications for cadastral and land information. Recognizing the value of electronic information storage, local, regional and national government agencies are rapidly moving into the digital age. It’s a revolutionary step that has opened the door to an even more important change in how cadastral information is collected, managed and utilized. Part of the change is understanding the distinction between maps and databases. Surveyors who collect and manage cadastral data must think in terms of object-oriented data. Rather than collec- tions of points and lines, cadastral information can be presented as features or objects. Instead of delivering simple maps and reports, surveyors can provide intelligent objects with richer and deeper data content. Implementing an object-style approach to cadastral data management poses a number of challenges. While the new approach touches many parts of the surveyor’s workflow, these changes are easily manageable. The more impressive work takes place on the administrative and database side, where decades (or centuries!) of data must be brought together into a cohesive, consistent body of information. The transformation is underway in many regions, and Germany is leading the way. In 1997, Germany began to develop a cadastral model that could serve the country’s 16 states. Known by the acronym “ALKIS®,” the new model utilizes GIS techniques in data management while preserving the high precision required in positioning of

Technology&more -12- property monuments and features. ALKIS uses the same data veyor might also note ownership information and the number structure as the German topographical system “ATKIS®,” which of families living in the building. Photos and other notes may enables direct interaction between cadastral and topographic supplement the field measurements. information. A third information system, “AFIS®,” manages data on Germany’s geodetic control stations. Known as the “AAA Gathering information for ALKIS—or any detailed cadastral initiative” the work brings the three systems together into an project—requires the field crew to follow specified procedures integrated information model. for measurement to ensure that positions meet specified accuracies. Surveyors use Trimble Business Center software Defining the ALKIS database proved to be a formidable task. A to define feature code libraries that guide the field crews in single structure for the ALKIS model is required, but it’s crucial collecting the needed information. The libraries can be used to retain the existing information from each state. Despite a fair by Trimble Access field software on all Trimble survey field level of standardization (in coordinate systems, for example) controllers, and also on Trimble handheld GIS data collection the states had differing requirements for collecting, managing field equipment. The field data are downloaded into Trimble and reporting on cadastral data. While ALKIS has preserved the Business Center, where the measurements are analyzed and local standards, moving onto a new cadastral system is not a adjusted as necessary. The results can then be transferred to simple task. cadastral and land information systems using shape files or a number of standard or user-definable formats. A major part of the transition has fallen to the field and office software packages serving the German market. From its head- While the new cadastral systems offer important business quarters in Braunschweig, HHK Datentechnik GmbH develops opportunities to surveyors, they come with some interesting geomatics software to support German surveyors in cadastral challenges. The systems can increase the volume and com- and other applications. HHK technical support manager plexity of data that surveyors must collect and manage while Norbert Sperhake said that the effects on local surveyors are maintaining the required levels of accuracy and precision. The manageable. “The survey companies need to reduce the effects value of the cadastral information can translate into additional of the change on the field surveyors,” he said. “Local regulations revenue for the increased work. This demands an increase in and procedures won’t change much. There are some changes productivity and efficiency in the way surveyors operate in the to names of some attributes and values, but that is generally field and office. “Collecting information for the new cadastral easy to manage.” systems is a blend of workflows for surveying and GIS,” Sper- hake said. “Field data collection is the key to accuracy and The benefits of ALKIS extend far beyond the technical aspects. profitability. The most effective firms will have surveyors in the For example, during construction of a house a surveyor would field and office who can operate in both modes.” collect the position of the structure as usual. But to meet ALKIS requirements, the surveyor will also record the address, type of See feature article in POB's October 2012 issue: construction (wood, brick, etc.) and number of stories. The sur- www.pobonline.com

-13- Technology&more technology&more technology&more technology&moreFlagship Industry

Innovative Surveying Helps Korean Shipbuilders Stay in Command

modern ship is a high-tech marvel. Ranging from cableways, utilities and other equipment. By installing as enormous super tankers and container ships to much equipment as possible during the construction of A luxurious cruise liners, today’s ocean-going ves- each block, the shipyard can reduce the time and effort sels are larger, faster and more efficient than ever before. needed to complete the final assembly of a ship. Because shipbuilding employs a large number of people in many different trades, it is a very desirable industry for But the high degree of assembly within each block comes a nation’s economy. Since the mid-1900s, Japan, China with a price. Shipyards must make sure that dozens of and South Korea have experienced rapid growth in ship- fixtures and attachment points are in the correct location. building, overtaking the traditional leaders in Europe and During the process of connecting blocks to the ship, any the U.S. In South Korea, shipbuilding has grown to play misalignment can result in costly delays and rework. To a key role in the economy. The country has been atop prevent this, builders must make a large number of mea- the global shipbuilding industry for years; in 2011 South surements to capture and analyze a block’s shape and the Korea had more than 37 percent of the global market for location of its components. large ships. For years, these measurements were made manually. The market for shipbuilding is intensely competitive, and Shipyard workers used measuring tapes, calculators and shipyards are constantly seeking new ways to improve analog tools to capture a block’s dimensions. Many points construction and quality processes. One of the most were difficult to access, which required the teams to important approaches came with the advent of the block climb the face of the block to make the necessary mea- construction method. surements. It was slow, often hazardous work. But when surveying total stations were introduced, shipbuilders For centuries, ships were assembled in a single loca- saw an opportunity for significant improvements in pro- tion, with construction progressing from the keel up to ductivity and safety. Among the leaders in innovation is the decks and superstructure. The block construction Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), one method involves fabricating the ship in large sections of South Korea’s largest shipbuilders. or “blocks.” Within each block, workers construct the various decks and structural components, including the At its facilities on Geoje Island, DSME builds a variety of ship’s hull and superstructure. The blocks are assembled large ships, including ultra-large container ships, tankers in separate locations in a shipyard and then moved into and ore carriers as well as ships to carry liquid natural position on the building dock and attached to the ship. gas (LNG), cars and passengers. DSME was the first large Since a block exposes the entire cross section of the ship, shipbuilder to use total stations in block fabrication and it’s much easier to install many interior components. assembly. But even this advance had room for improve- In modern construction, blocks may include piping, ment. Workers still needed to climb the blocks to place

Technology&more -14- A surveyor measures the dimensions of ship blocks using a Trimble M3 total station with onboard Blocksync software. reflective targets, and the total station operators integrated shipyard workflows into the Trimble M3’s on- needed to use external devices (usually tablet comput- board user interface to eliminate the need for external ers or PDAs) to collect measurements for analysis. Each controllers. The Trimble M3’s visible laser and direct re- block can require more than one hundred separate flex measurement makes precise measuring quick and measurements, and the simple act of picking up the easy. Because the busy shipyard environment makes it PDA for each measurement added considerable time necessary to move the instrument frequently, rapid set- and inconvenience. The analyst then needed to manu- ups and measurement are essential. BlockSync uses 3D ally enter and manipulate the data to compare the resection techniques to orient the instrument into the measured points against the design. Even for highly coordinate system for each block. The approach does experienced technicians, the work was slow and car- not require leveling of the instrument, which further ried a risk of error. speeds and simplifies the measurement process.

The challenges are compounded by the need for accu- For analysis, coordinates of design points can be rate measurement on the large structures. A block can loaded directly into the Trimble M3, including a series be as large as 30 m (100 ft) high and 50 m (164 ft) wide, of reference points to ensure the instrument is correctly and dimensions between points must be accurate to oriented with the block. Then, when the surveyor mea- roughly ±2-5mm (0.08-0.2 in). In a shipyard teeming sures a point, BlockSync can automatically compare with workers, materials and heavy machinery, collecting the measurement with the design coordinates. The and analyzing such precise data demands intense measured points are stored for later use by DSME in concentration by survey teams. processing and analysis. GeoSystems is working to utilize the Trimble M3 Bluetooth™ and USB communica- To solve these issues, DSME teamed with GeoSystems, tions to provide real-time delivery of measurements to Inc., of Seoul to develop a more efficient method of mea- network servers and computers. surement and analysis. GeoSystems teams interviewed shipyard workers to gain firsthand understanding of The simple, automated approach of BlockSync enables the work processes and environment. GeoSystems then DSME to use the Trimble M3 for an array of additional developed software tailored specifically to shipbuilding tasks, including installation of in-hull structures, piping and block construction. Given the name BlockSync, the and shaft alignment. The GeoSystems solution can be new software speeds and simplifies the measurement used for measuring and checking accuracy of nearly all processes, reduces errors and automates data checking. of a ship’s structures and parts. BlockSync is spreading to other shipbuilders, as the industry follows DSME’s GeoSystems developed BlockSync to run onboard the lead in streamlining block construction techniques. Trimble M3 total station. Utilizing a software develop- Someday soon, you may drive a car that was carried on ment kit provided by Trimble, GeoSystems developers a ship built using Trimble technology!

-15- Technology&more technology&more technology&more A Day in the Life: technology&more Steady Focus

ore than just one day, this surveyor’s career trajec- provide future opportunities. Clients tend to gravitate toward tory showcases how technology can strengthen people and contractors they know and trust. Our success has Mand advance a surveyor’s role, a business, even an been based on this trust in the services we provide.” entire career. Northstar evolved from a startup firm to one with a solid Rich Freese, PLS, saw his first difficult economic cycle in the base of clients. But the roller-coaster economy of recent years 1980’s and it wouldn’t be the last. Working with his father as made for a challenging business environment. Freese, with a construction surveyor in Alaska, Freese was familiar with his partners Craig Zelinski and Jerry Lopez, developed a seasonal work and harsh conditions. When falling oil prices three-pronged strategy that would do more than keep the slowed the Alaskan economy, he saw the booming markets company open. First, Northstar kept pace with the rapid of Southern California as an opportunity to make a change. technology changes in surveying, positioning and technical Freese made the adjustment to the mild climate and busy support. Second, they focused on large, long-term projects. construction environment—and he’s been there ever since. Third, and in Freese’s mind the most important, was to attract and retain a strong team of surveyors and technicians in the Moving to California in 1988, Freese worked for large engineer- field and office. ing firms and general contractors that provided land and construction survey services. In 1999, after working for the Adopting new technology isn’t easy, even in a small firm contractor through the completion of a large earthen dam where decisions can be made quickly. In addition to upfront project, Freese decided to go out on his own. The nature of the costs and training, surveyors are concerned about clients ac- joint venture project gave him the opportunity to purchase cepting new approaches. But in some cases, the clients help the survey truck and equipment at a reduced rate. His new drive the new systems. Managers at Rancho Mission Viejo company, Northstar Surveys, Inc., was to specialize in surveying (RMV), a development of more than 8,100 ha (20,000 acres) and construction management support for land developers in southern California, recognized the value of 3D design and and general contractors. In getting started, Freese utilized two operations for their projects—and looked to Northstar to help important assets. them embrace it. “They saw 3D as the future and wanted to team with a small surveying company flexible enough to try The first asset was Rich Freese himself. In his years of work, he and implement new technology and procedures,” Freese said. had established a strong reputation for performance, reliability This vision has resulted in increased efficiency, reduced field and integrity. His second asset was a broad network of contacts costs while providing more detailed and useful information to developed over his years in California. “Construction project the client. Northstar’s technology fleet has grown over time. In managers and supervisors often change roles, locations and the field, Northstar utilizes Trimble equipment including GNSS companies as they move from one project to the next,” Freese rovers and base stations, robotic total stations, scanners, TSC3 explains. “Maintaining this network is critical, as it grows, to controllers and digital levels. They also take full advantage

Technology&more -16- of the Trimble VRS™ network operating in Southern California. The Northstar staff currently includes three to four field crews and a small team of managers and office technicians.

Part of the decision to adopt the 3D business ad- dressed concerns that Northstar might lose fieldwork to the automated processes. But the opportunities in the office proved to be vital. For example, developers often require their engineers and contractors to work in 3D beginning with preliminary grading plans through the use of machine control grading operations. By embracing the new technology, Northstar provides 3D modeling for use in construction, bid quantity take-offs and design conflict resolution. In addition to the surveying still required, Northstar takes on more of a quality control role to ensure 3D designs are being used correctly. “What we have sacrificed in the field is more than made up in the office,” Freese said.

The tradeoff is working, and Northstar’s commitment to technology is generating revenue indoors and out. One example is their Trimble VX™ spatial station. Northstar uses the spatial station for traditional survey tasks as well as design as-builts and measurements for earthwork quantities. Using the Trimble VX, Northstar can develop models of large cut slopes and removal areas faster and with better accuracy than traditional methods. The models ensure that Northstar clients get a more accu- rate quantity of earthwork moved or finished 3D picture of a completed product.

A second Northstar client is Skanska USA, a global contractor in charge of construction of the Expo 2 light rail in Los Angeles. Consistent with Northstar’s strategic focus on large, long-term projects, the work is expected to run into 2015. Northstar crews take advantage of the communications network and Trimble Access software to transfer data to and from the field. Northstar has also worked on the region’s infrastructure, including projects for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, county highway projects tied to the RMV development and 3D modeling projects for general contractors. Freese credits the infrastructure projects and new clients requiring 3D design models with helping his company survive the slowdown.

As a small business owner, Freese is adept at handling overall business operations and survey project man- agement while relying on a small group of versatile employees to provide additional management, techni- cal services and field surveys. Freese remains devoted to new equipment and techniques. “You have to embrace the new technology,” he said. “Becoming more produc- tive and efficient can’t help but create new opportunities in the future.”

-17- Technology&more technology&more

technology&more

technology&more Testing for a Moon Visit —in China

Figure 1. Technical engineer Guangdong Qiao helps set up the lunar rover simulation test in China's Tianmo Desert.

an has been fascinated by the moon—Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor—since he first saw it. Finally, in the middle of the 20th century, rapid technology developments have enabled humans to explore the moon in a variety of ways: by Mtelescopic photography, radar images, lunar orbiters and probes, and finally, in person. China began the Chang’e lunar expedition program in the early terrain, which resembles the lunar surface in many aspects. The 2000s, and the program is currently in its third phase, Chang’e team would collect data and evaluate the processing results 3. (Chang’e is the name of the Chinese goddess of the moon.) using specialized software. In this test, accurate, real-time The primary purpose of Chang’e 3 is to explore the moon’s positioning information was needed while the radar data were surface, collect and analyze soil samples and send the data back collected. With assistance from Guangdong Qiao, technical to Earth. Research and development of an unmanned, robotic engineer of Beijing Mag Group, a Trimble R8 GNSS system was lunar rover vehicle to do this is currently underway. installed on the test rover. The Trimble R8 collected positions using both real-time and post-processing modes and sent the The lunar rover is China's most advanced robot, with complete information to the data-processing terminal in the rover. automatic navigation and operations. It will be powered by the sun during the day and by nuclear power during the night. For the tests, the radar and other equipment together with the The lunar days and nights last for approximately 14 earth days Trimble R8, a Trimble TSC2 controller, and the data-processing each. Daytime temperatures can reach 150o C (300o F); during terminal were mounted in a four-wheel wagon that simulated the nights, they can plunge to –200o C (–330o F). Since the the lunar rover unit (Figure 1). Electrical power was provided by instruments and equipment on board the rover have nominal two solar panels. This “rover” had no engine, so team members operating ranges, typically from –40o C to +40o C (–40o F to +104o F), pulled it—no easy task in the desert heat of mid-day and on complex protection systems and temperature-control devices uneven terrain. The air temperature was 38o C (100o F), and the are required to keep them running in the lunar environment. surface temperature of the rover and the laptop was above 50o C (122o F). In August 2011, the lunar rover research and development team from the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Electronics Figure 2 shows the geographic location of the test and the traveled to Tianmo Desert in Hebei Province, 90 km (55 mi) route of the rover. The data from the Trimble R8 system were from Beijing. Their goal was to test the operation of the rover’s processed using Trimble Business Center (TBC) software. The ground-penetrating radar and other equipment in the desert results were written in KML format, and the data could be

Technology&more -18- imported into Google Earth for convenient viewing. 2D and 3D views, such as those of the rover’s route shown in Figure 3, can be created from the post-processed data in TBC. The images can be matched in scale and overlaid with data from the radar to increase the readability of the exploration results.

The rover’s data processing terminal processed the three co- ordinates received in real time. The receiver was configured to send NMEA strings of 3D coordinates (based on the WGS84 co- ordinate system) to the computer via the RS232 port. Additional data were collected using the continuous surveying function of the Trimble TSC2 controller running Trimble Survey Controller™ software. For this test, the time interval was set to record one RTK point per second, which matches the sampling frequency of the radar data collection.

The radar’s data processing software was designed to receive and process GNSS positioning data in real-time only; it cannot measure or store 3D coordinates. So it was necessary to record the corresponding RTK surveying data in the controller. The data for post-processing will be used as reference data when the radar data has abnormal values.

The test team members were not professional surveyors and were not familiar with GNSS products. With only a brief introduc- tion by Guangdong Qiao and the simple user interface, the team quickly mastered the use of the Trimble R8 and the Trimble TSC2 and completed the test with no user errors.

Back in the office, the rover’s data processing terminal displayed terrain exploration information based on the time stamps on the field data, but the information included some abnormal values and as well as more normal data. The radar data needed to be classified and matched with accurate po- sitioning information in order to conduct further research on the data; to make the matches the team relied on the accurate time and position data from the Trimble R8. All data-matching work could be completed in TBC. The integrated advanced selection function can accurately match the coordinates and time to within 1 second.

Figure 2. The rover's route through the desert, tracked by GNSS. The resulting coordinates can be deleted or output directly by TBC. Custom output formats can be defined to meet the data format requirements of the data processing terminal. This capa- bility helped to ensure seamless integration between TBC and third-party software.

The desert test project was successfully completed in one run of less than two hours. The performance of the radar in the desert environment met the requirements and the collected data were very accurate. The team members confirmed that the Trimble R8 GNSS receiver and Trimble Business Center were easy to use and essential to the success of the test. The same combination will be Figure 3. 3D and 2D views of the rover’s route created from the used in a future test on Snow Mountain. post-processed data in TBC.

-19- Technology&more technology&more technology&more

technology&more

Taking a Step Up with Integrated Precision and Productivity

y integrating multiple technologies for positioning, visualization and data management, Trimble has set new standards for productivity. The new Trimble R10 GNSS system delivers major advancements in GNSS Bperformance, while Trimble VISION offers increased flexibility, safety and productivity in the field. Trimble R10—Productivity and Flexibility The Trimble R10 introduces a new approach to GNSS processing that provides reduced convergence times and instantaneous point measurements. Rather than focusing on the conventional “fixed versus float” approach, the new Trimble HD-GNSS core processing engine provides precision-based measurements that let users focus on the precision of the position itself. The system continuously delivers the best possible positions, together with estimates of precision. RTK initialization commonly requires only a few seconds.

When using RTK in difficult areas, interruptions to radio or cellular data links can disrupt the stream of RTK correction data for single-base or Trimble VRS™ Network RTK. To help overcome these challenges, the Trimble R10 includes support for Trimble xFill™ as a standard feature. Based on Trimble RTX™ positioning technology, Trimble xFill employs L-band satellite transmissions to provide centimeter-level positioning during times of interrupted RTK correction streams. Trimble xFill enables survey-grade point measurements to continue for short periods, and may enable brief excursions into areas masked from reference radio signals but still visible to GNSS constellations. As a result, surveyors experience less downtime on the job.

In the field, the simple task of plumbing the receiver pole can be time-consuming and a potential source of error. To solve this, the Trimble R10 uses Trimble SurePoint™ technology adapted from Trimble S-Series total stations to

Technology&more -20- continuously measure the tilt of the pole. In Trimble into the Trimble S-series total stations and Trimble VX™ Access™ field software, the eBubble display indicates spatial station, Trimble VISION brings the instrument’s if the pole is within tilt tolerance needed to measure a view to the field controller. point. When the pole is sufficiently plumb, the system can even automatically initiate measurement and record Instead of looking through the telescope, the operator the point. Pole tilt measurements are stored with each can use Trimble VISION to aim the instrument at desired measured point for analysis and quality control. survey targets. With a simple tap on the video display, the instrument turns to the selected point and uses Trimble As satellite technology evolves and expands, new Direct Reflex (DR) technology to automatically measure frequencies and signals are in place, and entire new and store the point’s location. Measured and design satellite constellations are emerging. To help surveyors points can be displayed on the Trimble VISION image, realize maximum benefit from the new satellites, the enabling the surveyor to check that needed points have Trimble R10 can utilize available signals from existing been collected. and currently planned GNSS constellations and aug- mentation systems. The Trimble R10 uses Trimble 360 Surveyors also use Trimble VISION to operate the instru- technology to provide 440 individual GNSS channels. ment by remote control. In areas of hazardous conditions The receiver can track signals from existing and planned or restricted access, Trimble VISION makes it possible to GNSS constellations including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, collect survey points quickly and safely while maintain- Compass and QZSS. In addition, the Trimble R10 can ing the needed precision. utilize augmentation systems including WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS and GAGAN. Trimble VISION opens an entirely new door for increased productivity. Survey field crews can collect multiple The Trimble R10 is a compact, lightweight receiver that images that are tied together based on the instrument provides the highest level performance for RTK and location and orientation. In the office, technicians can post-processed surveying. It’s supported by Trimble use photogrammetry functions in Trimble Business Access software running on Trimble TSC3 and TCU field Center software to measure additional 3D points. The controllers and the Trimble Tablet rugged PC. image quality and precise positioning greatly simplify the photogrammetric process. By combining reflector- Trimble VISION—A New View of Surveying less measurement and photogrammetry, surveyors can Trimble VISION™ brings digital imaging to the survey capture detailed information quickly, safely and without workflow and dataset. By integrating a digital camera costly revisits.

-21- Technology&more technology&more technology&more

technology&more

rom its source in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Hetch Hetchy water system provides water to more Fthan 2.4 million residents and businesses in the San Fran- cisco area. But the aging system needs upgrades and repair. In Working 2002, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission embarked on a multi-billion dollar project to modernize the system. A major component is a new tunnel under San Francisco Bay. The Bay Tunnel, 4.6 m (15 ft) in diameter and 8 km (5 mi) long, Under lies roughly 30 m (100 ft) beneath the seabed about 48 km (30 mi) south of San Francisco. The tunnel project contractor, Michels/Jay Dee/Coluccio Water Joint Venture (MJC), elected to use an earth pressure balance tunnel-boring machine (TBM), a type of tunneling system Precision Surveying Guides a Massive well suited to the compressed clay that makes up much of the bay floor. MJD launched the TBM from a shaft 18 m (59 ft) Machine Towards a Tiny Target in diameter on the west side of the bay. In most TBM-built tunnels, vertical access shafts are built at intervals along the tunnel. The shafts enable project surveyors to connect geodetic control on the surface to control points in the tunnel, making adjustments and corrections as the TBM moves ahead. Because the Bay Tunnel is under a body of water, the shafts aren’t possible. As a result, all the survey control (essential to steering the TBM) is tied to one end of the tunnel. Guidance for the TBM relies on difficult, precise surveying. The task went to project surveyor Sean Fitzpatrick, PLS, of Towill, Inc. Fitzpatrick and his team initially established control points in the launching shaft to provide orientation for the TBM. As the TBM moves ahead in the tunnel, the surveyors extend their network of control points using Trimble S6 1” total stations. The instruments are mounted on brackets attached to the tunnel lining. Fitzpatrick uses precise measurements and rigorous network adjustments to maintain tight tolerances for positioning and orientation. Network orientation is supple- mented by the use of a DMT Gyromat 2000. Near the TBM itself, a Trimble 5600 total station measures prisms onboard the TBM to provide continuous guidance to the enormous mining machine. When the TBM arrives at the receiving shaft on the east side of the bay, a large steel sleeve with an elastomeric gasket seal will connect it to the shaft. From 8 km (5 mi) away, the sleeve is a tiny target. The clearance between the TBM and seals is just 40 mm (1.6 in) and the TBM’s grinding face must not contact the seals. Yet Fitzpatrick is not nervous about guiding the TBM to the required location. He’s keenly tuned in to the capabilities of his instruments and procedures. Everything is designed to reduce or trap blunders, and all equipment is field calibrated once per week. “I trust my math, adjustments and Towill's Sean Fitzpatrick, PLS, uses a Trimble S6 to measure control points measurements,” Fitzpatrick said. “You can’t be a cowboy but in the tunnel. The custom bracket provides a stable, precise mounting you’ve got to have a little bit of that risk-taking gene in you. point for the instrument. This sort of work is not for every surveyor.”

See feature article in POB's January issue: www.pobonline.com

Technology&more -22- technology&more technology&more PHOTO CONTEST technology&more

ur Facebook fans have spoken once again: after our editors chose the top three photos, the Facebook Trimble Survey fans (www.facebook.com/TrimbleSurvey) chose the top two winners. First place—and a Trimble 3-in-1 all-weather jacket— Ogoes to “Journey to the Bottom of the World,” which received the most Facebook fan votes. Second place—and an iPod Shuffle—goes to “Vulture Mining.” See the other options, which are also prize winners, and be part of the action: check out Trimble Survey Division on Facebook for the next issue’s photo contest contenders.

Journey to the Bottom of the World Germany’s Sibylle Vey sent in this unique shot; the image shows Vey at the Argentinian Antarctica station “Jubany” during the Antarctica Summer Campaign 2009. The expedition’s aim was to service the GNSS instruments used in ongoing joint research by the Alfred Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI: Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung) and the Argentine Antarc- tic Institute (IAA: Instituto Antártico Argentino). Along with the Trimble 4000SSI GPS reference station on St. George Island (Jubany), the project uses a Trimble NetR5 GNSS permanent reference station in San Martin. The project monitors plate kinematics and the postglacial land uplift while seeking to improve ice melt appraisal in Antarctica. The Argentinian Beagle Channel ship is in the background. Vey works in research and innovation at the Institute of Geodesy (Institut für Erdmessung), Leibniz University.

Vulture Mining Jim Sommerville, PLS, took this intriguing photo during a 2011 control survey of the Vulture Gold Mine in northern Arizona. This location is on the 110-m (350-ft) level, about 120 m (400 ft) into a side drift that continued horizontally for an additional 760 m (2500 ft). “Setting up the Trimble S6 total station so close to this timber made me a bit nervous to say the least,” Som- merville said. The shadows behind the instrument hide a room that was mined out and partially caved in. Sommerville used the instrument's DR mode to measure numerous areas that were too dangerous to enter. Next to the timber is a Union Carbide can that held carbide fuel for the miners’ lamps. This level was mined sometime around 1873. Sommerville is head of surveying for Merritt LS LLC in Grand Junction, Colorado.

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technology&more

technology&more Trimble Dimensions 2012 Delivers

f the packed corridors were any indication, Trimble Dimensions In his keynote address, Trimble CEO Steve Berglund emphasized the 2012 was the most successful and productive Trimble user conference theme, “Transforming the Way the World Works.” Each Iconference to date. Attendees could be found in small groups key Trimble development, innovation and acquisition, he said, was comparing notes, enthusiastically sharing discoveries with col- undertaken to fulfill Trimble’s customers’ needs and transform the leagues, reuniting with peers, collaborators and friends from all way they work through advanced technology, improved processes over the globe, and establishing important new connections. With and data-rich environments. 3,500 registered attendees from 80 countries and 483 presentations and hands-on training sessions, Trimble Dimensions was indeed “I was very impressed with the direction Trimble is taking. True the largest so far. systems integration as a starting point will allow new users to build their technical capabilities at a very dynamic pace. I look forward “I’ve been to countless survey seminars on countless topics. After to the future development of this philosophy.” three days at Trimble Dimensions, I have taken home more - Chad Boggs, PSM, RLS, Group Manager, information than at all the seminars I have attended put together.” National Geomatics Division, Atkins N/A - Brian Flaherty, NCPLS, ESP Associates, U.S The exhibit hall and outdoor pavilion complemented the Las Vegas Like Trimble as a company, the Dimensions conferences have conference space with a wide variety of equipment on display, transformed in size as well as scope. Trimble has responded to ranging from a D6 dozer, Gatewing Unmanned Aerial Systems feedback from customers and past attendees, not only broadening (UASs) tethered from above, to a 26-foot aluminum survey boat the conference content, but adding depth: for any given product bristling with hydrographic and navigation gear. or solution, attendees can choose from introductory presentations, academic lectures on the underlying science and technology, to “Every Dimensions’ participant is seeking to satisfy a common hands-on training in the classroom, computer lab or outdoor pavil- need: achieving accurate, precise and reliable positioning. I have ion, or even live offsite demonstrations. been impressed by the results of Trimble’s applied research. I was proud to be there as a surveyor.” "I enjoyed the software training from Trimble experts. It allowed me - Didier Michel-Villaz, BANIAN Network Admin, to ask questions and gain hands-on experience on product usage Government of New Caledonia and workflows. Attending Dimensions provided me with better product understanding, which enables me to make our work There were a number of “stars of the show”—and it was often processes smoother and faster." the first time many attendees had been able to see, try and learn - E. Victor Erickson, Washoe County, about some of the new products and solutions. For survey, the new Nevada, Dept. of Public Works, U.S. Trimble R10 GNSS receiver (with a number of features unique to the

Technology&more -24- industry) attracted attention along with the Gatewing X100 UAS. “Trimble Dimensions 2012 was the best and most informative Mapping, GIS and asset inventory offered new entries in the GNSS conference I have been to. The learning and networking opportu- handheld Juno® and GeoExplorer® product lines. Plus, Trimble staff nities afforded were unmatched; I definitely plan on attending the was always on hand to answer attendees’ questions. With so many next one.” new products and services offered for a variety of market segments, - Andrew Klingenberg, P.E., District Project Engineer, the exhibit hall took on the look of 007’s gadget-master “Q’s” lab— Wyoming Department of Transportation, U.S. especially during the popular (and appropriately “Bond”-themed) welcome reception. Some of the most compelling presentations focused on how Trimble solutions have been applied to help solve the challenges of “This is my sixth Trimble Dimensions. They’re so valuable I just a growing and transforming world, like ambitious cadastral registra- keep coming back! Dimensions provides great exposure to new tion projects in India and Africa. The sheer scale of some of these technology, lots of networking and I always gain a lot of new and projects was represented in an example from the UK’s Royal Mail, different ideas about how to implement Trimble technology on our which has tapped Trimble solutions to resolve position informa- job sites.” tional for every address in the UK. - LeRoy Shepherd, HK Contractors, U.S. “Dimensions was a great conference, providing us with more input In addition to the opening address by Berglund, keynote speakers on hardware and software technology to support our data capture kicked off each day. Bestselling “The Carrot Principle” author Adrian solution. It also was invaluable for networking with other suppliers Gostick offered successful strategies for employee motivation. The and customers who use the Trimble solutions as well as with the Science Channel series “Build It Bigger” host Danny Forster inspired Trimble teams that support our solution on data capture.” a packed audience with extraordinary architecture from around - Dennis Doves, Data Capture Manager, Royal Mail, UK the world; and Extreme Leadership Institute founder Steve Farber motivated attendees to lead with passion and audacity. For many who attend, this is the premier event of its kind: an op- portunity to learn, network, develop new markets, enjoy good food “The seminars I attended were very professional and the keynote and good friends, and have fun as well. But, as always, the attendees speakers gave a lot of good input. I now understand all the pos- said it best: Trimble Dimensions is “a very worthwhile investment for sibilities for interaction and education available at Dimensions and geospatial professionals.” will do my utmost to participate again.” - Lennart Gimring, Technical Director “Dimensions is one of the only conferences that provides real ben- Geographic Information, Vectura, Sweden efits to our company by allowing us direct access to hardware and software developers, enabling us to provide direct input into future In addition to the expanded schedule of presentations and classes technology developments. The number and range of individual by Trimble experts and developers, many customers shared real- break-out sessions offers a unique opportunity for exposure to life projects and implementations, which were quite popular and other sectors of the industry—a very worthwhile investment for covered each key product and service. geospatial professionals.” - Alex Handley, General Manager, Handley Surveys, Australia

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technology&more A DAY IN THE LIFE Wants You! Whether you’re a surveyor in a large city or the back country, whether you work alone or as part of a crew, on spectacular construction projects or setting up cadastre in developing countries, tell us about your day—and we may share it with others. If you’d like to be profiled in A Day in the Life please send a brief paragraph highlighting what your day looks like with your name, contact info and a photo or two to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you—and potentially spotlighting your “Day in the Life.”

To subscribe to Technology&more for free, go to: www.trimble.com/t&m. You can also send an email to: [email protected]. You can also view Technology&more online at www.trimble.com/t&m.

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