<p>In this paper, we propose a novel approach for obtaining high-precision vertical deflection measurements via a commercial imaging total station. The imaging total station survey model is introduced as the basis of astronomical coordinate determination. We analyze the main error sources of altitude observations and propose a self-adaptive astronomical positioning algorithm, which is designed to compensate for systematic errors in altitude observations. Furthermore, we employ an intelligent star selection algorithm based on the definition of the geometric dilution of precision contribution, which is essential for automatic and high-precision measurements. Using two types of Leica Company imaging total stations, TS50 and TS60, 30-night field tests were conducted in Central China over the past 1.5 years, and these field tests indicated good performances of our models, algorithms and methods. Twelve-minute observations of 12 stars produced precisions of 0.25–0.31″, which improved to 0.15–0.19″ by increasing the observation time to 36 min, and the nightly observations further improved the precision to 0.11–0.14″. The coincident degrees of the digital zenith camera system (DZCS) and the imaging TSs are smaller than 0.2″ in terms of both <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="190_2025_1940_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="13" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\xi$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mi>ξ</mi> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> and <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="190_2025_1940_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="12" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="13" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\eta$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mi>η</mi> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>. Unlike digital zenith cameras, the imaging total station provides a universal, high-precision, inexpensive and lightweight means of vertical deflection measurement, which will likely be used for large-scale regional gravity fields and geoid refinement. We are confident in the precision and efficiency improvements if the video GeoCOM interface is opened by the Leica Company in the future.</p>

Theory and precision analysis of astrogeodetic vertical deflection determination using an imaging total station

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发表日期：

2025年6月5日

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Yinhu Zhan,
Chao Zhang,
Wenlong Zhou,
Shaojie Chen,
Xinxing Li

摘要

In this paper, we propose a novel approach for obtaining high-precision vertical deflection measurements via a commercial imaging total station. The imaging total station survey model is introduced as the basis of astronomical coordinate determination. We analyze the main error sources of altitude observations and propose a self-adaptive astronomical positioning algorithm, which is designed to compensate for systematic errors in altitude observations. Furthermore, we employ an intelligent star selection algorithm based on the definition of the geometric dilution of precision contribution, which is essential for automatic and high-precision measurements. Using two types of Leica Company imaging total stations, TS50 and TS60, 30-night field tests were conducted in Central China over the past 1.5 years, and these field tests indicated good performances of our models, algorithms and methods. Twelve-minute observations of 12 stars produced precisions of 0.25–0.31″, which improved to 0.15–0.19″ by increasing the observation time to 36 min, and the nightly observations further improved the precision to 0.11–0.14″. The coincident degrees of the digital zenith camera system (DZCS) and the imaging TSs are smaller than 0.2″ in terms of both $\xi$ $ξ$ and $\eta$ $η$ . Unlike digital zenith cameras, the imaging total station provides a universal, high-precision, inexpensive and lightweight means of vertical deflection measurement, which will likely be used for large-scale regional gravity fields and geoid refinement. We are confident in the precision and efficiency improvements if the video GeoCOM interface is opened by the Leica Company in the future.