SAGE Laboratory

The Surveying and Geospatial Engineering (SAGE) Laboratory at UNSW is a hub for teaching and research in surveying and geospatial technologies. Equipped with advanced instruments and software, it offers hands-on experience in modern surveying, spatial data analysis, and emerging innovations.

Photo of engineering student

SAGE Laboratory Overview

The SAGE Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art surveying instruments and advanced software packages, enabling users to stay abreast of the latest technological developments in surveying and geospatial engineering.

Surveying Instruments

  • Modern surveying instruments, including robotic total stations, digital total stations, and digital levels.
  • GNSS receivers, GNSS signal replicators, and a CORSnet station.
  • Leica terrestrial laser scanners and handheld laser scanners.
  • High-performance desktop workstations, multi-GPU Linux systems, and satellite imagery servers.
  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for aerial photogrammetry, remote sensing, and LiDAR applications.
  • Close-range photogrammetry devices.
  • GNSS and IMU data processing software (e.g., Waypoint Inertial Explorer).
  • Close-range photogrammetry software (e.g., Australis, iWitnessPro, Photomodeler).
  • GIS, aerial photogrammetry, and remote sensing software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ERDAS, ENVI, Pix4D, Correlator3D).
  • LiDAR data processing and visualization software (e.g., Quick Terrain Modeler, LAStools).
  • Surveying and geospatial data processing applications (e.g., Leica Infinity, Cyclone, Magnet/Topcon Office, AutoDesk Civil3D, FixIT4).

Software Packages

  • ArcGIS Pro – Mapping and geographic information analysis.
  • ENVI (including SARscape) – Geospatial imagery processing and analysis.
  • MATLAB – Programmable data analysis, design, and visualization.
  • Waypoint Inertial Explorer – GNSS and IMU data processing.
  • Leica Infinity – Survey design and drafting; GNSS, total station, and leveling data processing.
  • Leica Cyclone – Terrestrial laser scan data processing.
  • Topcon/Magnet Office – Survey design and drafting; GNSS, total station, and leveling data processing.
  • Autodesk Civil3D – Survey design and drafting.
  • Pix4Dmapper – UAV photogrammetry.
  • Australis / iWitnessPro – Close-range photogrammetry.
  • Quick Terrain Modeler – LiDAR data processing and visualization.
  • LAStools – LiDAR data processing.
  • FixIT – Least Squares Adjustment.

Laboratory Access

  • Access is granted by the Lab Manager with approval from the academic supervisor.
  • An in-lab induction will be provided by technical staff.
  • Training may be required to operate surveying instruments.
  • All users must comply with UNSW and School health and safety guidelines. Refer to the UNSW Health and Safety website.
  • Report any WHS hazards to lab technical staff, your supervisor, or the School’s WHS Officer.
  • Do not remove instruments, equipment, peripherals, or accessories from the lab without authorization.
  • For borrowing equipment:
    • Book online where available.
    • If online booking is not available, record the loan in the lab’s loan book, including your name and mobile number.

Lab Acesss
  • Access can be granted by the lab manager with academic supervisor's approval. An in-lab induction will be provided by technical staff.
  • Training may be required to operate surveying instruments.
  • Lab users must follow UNSW & the School’s health and safety guidelines. Please refer to UNSW Health and Safety website. 
  • Report any WHS hazards to Dr Yincai Zhou or your supervisor or the School’s WHS officer in school office.
  • Do not remove any instruments, equipment, peripherals or accessories from the lab unless it is authorised.
  • If you borrow anything from the lab, please book online. If not available for online booking, please record it in the loan book in the lab with your name and mobile number.