This document provides instructions for setting up and using a Topcon Total Station for surveying procedures. It describes leveling the instrument, connecting the data collector, and preparing new or existing data files on the collector. It then explains how to obtain initial backsight readings and subsequent sightings, close down the instrument, move it to a new location, and download data files for use in MATLAB.

1. Topcon: survey procedure
Setting up the Total Station
Leveling the instrument
• Center instrument above maker point using the optical plumb-bob, moving two legs of
the tripod to maneuver the Total Station.
• Press tripod feet into ground.
• Center bull's eye level, first using tripod leg adjustments, then using the three knuckle
screws for finer adjustment. After centering bull's eye, center line level, first using two
knuckle screws concurrently; then turn Total Station 90 degrees, and use third knuckle
screw to finally center the line level.
Preparing instrument
• Connect the data collector with the 18 inch coiled cable to the Total Station.
• Turn on the Total Station (with data collector off).
• Break plane by moving scope up and down.
• Measure height of instrument with tape measure, to center mark on side of scope.
Preparing data collector
Creating new data file
• Press F-2 "Collect data"
• Press F-1 "Job File" Type in Job File name followed by ENTER
• Press F-2 "Job Prompt" Select FIELDM followed by ENTER.
• Press F-3.
• Enter JOB I.D.
• Enter JOB #
• Enter PARTY CHIEF
• Enter INSTRUMENT ID -- goes to next screen
Adding to existing data file
• Press F-2 "Collect data"
• Press F-1 "Job File" Use arrows to select file. Press ENTER.
• Press F-3.
• Press F-1.-- goes to next screen
Obtaining first back sight for Total Station
• Enter OCC. PT# (occupied point, normally numbered 1)
• Enter OCC. ID (occupied point id., descriptive label for marker point)
• Enter INST. (instrument height) in meters.
• Enter OCC.NORTH. Press ENTER to accept default, or type in new north coordinate.
• Enter OCC.EAST

2. • Enter OCC.ELEV
• Press ENTER
• Enter Back sighting point, normally point number 0.
• Enter Azimuth of back sighting point.
• Aim Total Station at back sighting point and press enter of data collector.
• Press F1 for Angles. The azimuth on the Total Station LCD should show the entered
azimuth.
• Recheck the back sighting point in scope, and press ENTER on data collector.
• Angles in both horizontal and vertical direction are shown in the LCD.
Obtaining sighting with the Total Station
• Next point # will be shown in the LCD, it will increment up, press enter to accept next
point or use digit keys to change point #.
• Enter ID (target point description).
• Enter Target Height (in meters).
• Collect next point appears, enter COARSE (F2).
• Continue acquiring (Y/N question). Yes continues, No repeats at section 2.3..
• Collect TOPO POINTS (F3).
• Enter OCC.PT# (what point is the Total Station at).
• Enter OCC.ID (Same as before).
• Enter INST.HEIGHT (in meters).
• Instrument will enter auto mode, if the target height does not change, then use F1 to
acquire target, if rod height or data label is changed, use F2 to obtain a new topo point.
Closing down the Total Station
• Hit F0 to exit to top menu.
• Enter Y to query "Exit <Y/N>"
• Enter Y to query "Generate NEZ <Y/N>"
• At top menu, turn Total Station off.
Moving instrument
• Move station to new point.
• Set up as described in sections 1.1 and 1.2.
• Back sight on previously shot point, following instruction in section 2.2.
• Follow instructions in section 3.0
Down Loading Data
• Log on to a DEC station with FC-4 connected to /dev/tty0 (at the rear) via RS-232
cable.
• Turn on FC-4
• Enter "File Manager" (F-3)
• Select "Data Transfer" (F-2)

3. • Select "Send A File" (F-1)
• Select "Send FC-4 Data" (F-1)
• At prompt type pcomm (to start Pro Comm program).
• Type <ctrl>A D select TOPCON from menu
• Type <ctrl>A N select ASCII (#6)
• Type in FILENAME then press RETURN
• Use FC-4 arrow keys to select data file then press ENTER...
• When finished transfering file press Enter to send a new file
• Repeat:
Type <ctrl>A N select ASCII (#6)
Type in FILENAME then press RETURN
Use FC-4 arrow keys to select data file then press ENTER..
until all files are transfered.
• Exit out of Pro Comm. Type <ctrl>A X.
• If problems arise in transfering data be sure to check that the FC-4 and ProComm have
the same settings "N (parity not checked) 8 (data bits) 1 (stop bit)" and the same baud rate.
Baud rates of 9600 and higher have been known to have problems in transfering all the data
in a file.
Preparing Data Files for MATLAB.
• Using a xxxx.n file from the Topcon. (NEZ files).
• Type the following at the Unix prompt:
tr `012' ` ` <xxxx.n >xxxx.txt
in other words-- tr (a Unix command) (one space) ` (single quote) 012 (ASCII code for a carriage
return) ' ` (a single quote, followed by a space and another single quote) ` (then a space followed
another single quote) < filename (`less than' character and input file name) >filename ( `greater
than' character followed by output file name).
The above converts the Topconto a single string.
• Use NOTEPAD (dxnotepad) or other file editor to insert a carriage return after each
data lable in the file.
This converts the file to five columns containing:
| Point Number | Northings | Eastings | Elevation | Data Label |