88 5. Kinematic <strong>Laser</strong> Scanningmirror about one axis. The missing third dimension is generated by the motion <strong>of</strong> the scanner bya test trolley.means <strong>of</strong>The following sections discuss the key elements that are necessary to perform kinematic applications. First,the test trolley, the calibration track line <strong>and</strong> the characteristics <strong>and</strong> particularities <strong>of</strong> the test laboratory aredescribed. Second, the laser scanner is investigated regarding the determination <strong>of</strong> a rotation time that maydefine a time tag. The third part involves the total station, which determines the position <strong>of</strong> the moving testtrolleyon the calibration track line. Thefocus is on the processing <strong>of</strong> the acquired data with the purpose<strong>of</strong> using this data for kinematic applications. Last, someaspects regarding the synchronization <strong>of</strong> the data,which were acquired by the two instruments, the laser scanner <strong>and</strong> the total station, are discussed.Although the data acquisition <strong>and</strong> registration processes differ for static laser scanning applications <strong>and</strong>kinematic laser scanning applications, data processing <strong>and</strong> modeling <strong>and</strong> visualization aspectsare similar.Thus, the remarks <strong>of</strong> Chapter 4 regarding these aspects are also applicable for kinematic laser scanning.5.1 Test Trolley on <strong>Calibration</strong> Track LineThe laser scanner is mounted on the test trolley, which moves alongthe calibration track line. The laserscanneroperates in the pr<strong>of</strong>iler mode. This means the laser beam only rotates in a 2D plane. The resultingcoordinates, regarding the relative local scanner system, are only2D coordinates. Theas well as the missing third dimension for 3D coordinates, have to be acquired byabsolute position,additional sensors. Thethird dimension is generated by an automated total station, which is tracking the moving test trolley.use <strong>of</strong> a total station also allows for the inclusion <strong>of</strong> the 3D coordinates in an absolute reference system.TheSurveying in kinematic applications requires not only the position <strong>of</strong> the moving trolley in 3D coordinates,but also additional information on the orientation <strong>of</strong> the test trolley. The latter is essential since varyingorientations <strong>of</strong> the trolley lead to variations in the local reference system. The orientation can be describedby three attitude angles, which define the orientation <strong>of</strong> the local system with respect to the absolute system.In summary, the information required to generate 3D point clouds, which are acquired by the moving laserscanner, in an absolute coordinate system are:• position vectors <strong>of</strong> the point cloud in the local scanner system x\• rotation matrices described by three attitude anglesthat define the orientation <strong>of</strong> the local scannersystem with respect to the absolute coordinate system• position vectors <strong>of</strong> the moving local scanner system with respect to the absolute coordinate systemxa.Mathematically, the position vectors for the point cloud with respect to the absolute reference system canbe calculated byp = xa + R- xi. (5.1)The rotation matrix R influences the position vectors p such that with growingdistances from the laserscanner, an erroneous rotation increases errors in the position <strong>of</strong> the points.This is known as the lever armeffect. The shorter the object range, the less the position error. In addition, the translation vector xa onlycauses a constant shift <strong>of</strong> all the points.each point.The setup for kinematic laser scanning is shown in FigureThus, an erroneous translation vector has the same influence on5.1. The laser scanner is mounted on the testtrolley <strong>and</strong> is equipped with a prism on top <strong>of</strong> the laser scanner. The trolley moves alongthe track line <strong>and</strong>
moving observationnormal levellingused.The 3.4), scanner 5.2.derivinglaserextensionFigureEachcf. 2000,specifictoadded, numbercalibrationplaced90 °has (pillarmountedrotatedthatangleaxis by determiningaspheredeterminealong meanslocatedpr<strong>of</strong>iles.away trolley This point track azimuthalrelativewhichpositionedachieved orientation,scanning addingtherefore,such test line. centeressentialpillar,nearlye.g. direction,oriented.chosenfrom procedure<strong>and</strong>are parts5.1 Test Trolley on <strong>Calibration</strong> Track Line 89the automated total station tracks the prism. The laser scanner generates 2D pr<strong>of</strong>iles <strong>of</strong> the environment.The following sections describe the setup for the kinematic application performedon the calibration trackline. The setup is optimized <strong>and</strong> applied to the present situation, but the considerations are in a generalway <strong>and</strong> can also be adapted to other setups.Figure 5.1: <strong>Laser</strong> scanner mounted on the test trolley <strong>of</strong> the calibration track line. The test trolley is moving along thecalibration track line. The laser scanner is operated in the pr<strong>of</strong>ile mode <strong>and</strong> is tracked by an automated total station.5.1.1 Relative Position <strong>and</strong> OrientationThe laser scanner defines the relative coordinate system, which moves along the calibration track line. Thedata acquired by the laser scanner refer to the local scanner system. Since the pr<strong>of</strong>ile mode is used, the laserbeam isdeflected only in a 2D plane <strong>and</strong> the resulting coordinates for each point <strong>of</strong> the generated pointcloud show two varying coordinates describing a 2D plane while the information requireddimension is not collected.for the thirdThe relative position is defined by a centering device installed on the test trolley. This centering deviceallows for the positioning <strong>of</strong> geodetic instruments to a high degree <strong>of</strong> accuracy, i.e.tenths <strong>of</strong> a millimeter.An instrument can be attached directly on the centering device or indirectly by using traditional surveyingaccessories like adapters <strong>and</strong> tribrachs. Thus, the position <strong>of</strong> the laser scanner on the test trolley<strong>and</strong> the accuracy for independent <strong>and</strong> repeated measurements is guaranteed.is definedThe relative orientation <strong>of</strong> the laser scanner can be divided into two aspects.The first aspect refers to thelevelling procedure <strong>and</strong> the second aspectlevelling procedure,the instrument is levelledrefers to the azimuthal direction <strong>of</strong> the laser scanner.horizontally by usingIn thescrews <strong>and</strong> a level attached on thelaser scanner. The azimuthal orientation defines the orientation <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>iles that are acquired byscanner.pillars.The azimuthal orientation can be done by usingSpecifically,orientation.the laserthe calibration track line <strong>and</strong> the observation