Solving a Least Squares network or traverse generates adjusted coordinates for the points that are not fixed. The solution also generates statistical information about the adjusted coordinates and observations. You can include this information in the report and evaluate the results before updating any points in your survey.
TPC utilizes the observation-equation method in which one equation is written for each observation, relating measured values to their residuals and unknown parameters. A unique solution can be computed as long as the number of equations equals the number of unknowns. If redundant observations are included, then more observation equations can be written than are needed for a unique solution and Least Squares can then determine the most probable values for the unknowns.
The observations are systematically reduced to a set of normal equations which are then solved using matrix methods. These matrixes can be reported by turning on the ‘Report Iterations During Solution’ in the Solve page of the Least Squares Network and Traverse dialogs.
Solving the network does NOT update any of the survey points (the survey points are updated in Step 3 – Update). Some Least Squares programs refer to this as the Pre-Analysis step. The purpose of this Pre-Analysis step is to provide you with information about the solution before you accept it. Now you can decide how good the solution is. If the solution meets your standards you can accept it and update your survey. If not, you can edit the data and re-run the solution.
Because Least Squares solutions use sparsely populated matrixes for their solution, several optimization techniques are available to reduce both the memory and time required for the solution.
Optimizations are enabled in the Solve dialog, allowing you to compute the solution either optimized or un-optimized.
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