In horizontal positioning, measured angles at, and at distances from, known points are used to determine the positions of other points. Traditionally, survey measurements were made with optical and mechanical surveying instruments, such as a theodolite to measure angles, and more accurate electronic and electro-optical devices such as lasers for measuring distances. A more modern instrument is a total station, which is a theodolite with an electronic distance measurement device. Since the introduction of total stations, there has been a technological shift from the use of optical-mechanical devices to fully electronic systems incorporating a computer and relevant software.
Though satellite receivers are used for terrestrial surveying, total stations are still used widely, along with other types of surveying instruments, because of their accuracy, and area of operation: satellite systems do not work well in areas with dense tree cover or a high density of buildings.
Describe and explain standard spatial (and non-spatial) data input techniques (non RS) including the management of the data collection process (level 1 and 2).