GPS Capabilities
Ruxton Design is equipped with state-of-the-art GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment, which is used in the entire range of surveys we conduct. GPS has revolutionized the practice of surveying and enabled a significant reduction in cost due to the equipment's quick setup time (establishing the benchmark) and great precision. Ruxton Design takes full advantage of the data collection features of the equipment and automatically captures the survey data into modern surveying software.
Using GPS (Global Positioning System) and RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) allows us to determine the coordinates of a point on the earth’s surface using NAD 83 for horizontal control, and the point’s elevation using MD NAVD 88 for vertical control. When we use our GPS equipment in connection with an RTK network, the location of points are calculated in real-time in the field, with no post-processing at the end of the day.
The interrelated 1200 Leica system RTK and GPS components that we use allows not only access
to USA orbiting satellites but also provides access to the Russia-based
GLONASS satellite navigation system. GLONASS is an alternative and complementary system to the USA’s GPS
system that provides us with additional satellites that can be used to
obtain readings. This can be an important time-saver in those instances
when USA satellites are not in optimal positions. Rather than dealing with
the downtime involved in waiting for such optimal positions, we simply
take observations using the GLONASS system.
The reductions in time and costs are of special benefit to one of the most important and the most labor intensive factors in the survey process - establishing a control point from which to begin the work. Depending to some extent on the purpose of the survey, the use of GPS eliminates the tedious, time-consuming and inherent inaccuracies involved when work must begin at a control point. These control points that are put in place by the City, County or State may be difficult to find in the field and, worse still, may be located some distance from the survey site. By eliminating the significant effort required to establish a traverse, we can set up in the most convenient location near the survey site and instantly begin the survey. Our GPS technology is adaptable to the entire range of surveying applications in which we participate, and has proven time and time again that it is the most methodical, surest and advantageous system that we can use to better serve our clients. We have been using our GPS instruments for several years now and it has proven invaluable in reducing the duration, and thus the cost, of most surveys.