What is the purpose of a Free Station setup in surveying?

The purpose of a Free Station setup in surveying is to use unknown positions to triangulate coordinates. This technique allows surveyors to establish a measurement point without prior knowledge of fixed control points, thus creating a flexible and efficient system for determining locations in the field. In a Free Station setup, a total station is positioned at a point where the coordinates are not predetermined. From this location, the surveyor can take angular and distance measurements to multiple objects or points, enabling them to calculate their coordinates based on these observations.

This method is particularly useful in contexts where traditional control points are not available or feasible to use, allowing surveyors to derive positions based on geometry rather than relying on an established network of control. The triangulation process, which involves measuring angles from this free position to other known points, is key to determining the coordinates of the target points accurately.

Other options might discuss different aspects of surveying but do not specifically encapsulate the nature of Free Station setups as effectively.