Current Help System: PC-DMIS Portable (View Core Help)

## Using Bundle Alignments

Bundle alignments are used for large or complex measurements where it is possible to create a number of stations in a common network by moving the same sensor to different positions around the object. As measurements are taken from different station positions around the object, measured information is bundled into one network. With all stations belonging to one single network, all measured data is part of the same coordinate system.

Note: Bundle Alignments can be used with any portable devices as long as you have purchased this functionality for your portable device. In this case, your portlock must be programmed to allow this functionality.

The decision to use more than one station needs to be made well in advance of taking measurements. In fact when planning for a station location, the following points should be taken into account:

Station Planning Trackers and Total Stations

1. Points used for computing a network should have reasonable intersecting angles (40°-140°). In the example, station (2) should be located somewhere between the 40° and 140° angles in relation to the representative line between station (1) and the common measured points.

2. Points used for computing a network have to be visible to more than one station (position). In the example, station (2) indicated with the green check mark will work, where station (2) with a red X will not work since the line of sight to the common features is blocked.

3. The object points and the common points used for the network calculation must remain stable for the whole measuring process.

4. Avoid station locations that do not vary significantly in position to other station locations.

The bundle adjustment is a least squares optimization. It takes the "bundles" of instrument pointings (measurements of each of the points included in the alignment) and makes successive "adjustments" to the network parameters until there is a best fit between the mathematical model of the network and the actual measurements.

A system may contain a single tracker which is moved to different stations, or you could have multiple trackers which may be moved to different stations. A station is defined as a location where the tracker is placed.

Creating Bundle Alignments

Select the Insert | Alignment | Bundle menu option to begin creating a Bundle Alignment. The following topics discuss the process of creating Bundle Alignments and moving stations in the Bundle Alignment:

- Adding and Removing Stations

- Setting Fit Options

- Bundle Alignment Setup

- Bundle Alignment Results

- Bundle Alignment Command Text

- Moving Bundle Alignment Stations