Factors That Affect GPS Positioning Accuracy

Factors That Affect GPS Positioning Accuracy
Page content

The GPS System

The Global Position System consists of no fewer than 24 satellites that orbit the earth two times daily in a set pattern. They transmit data over radio signals that indicate which satellite is sending the data, its current location and the current date and time. The satellites are all in synced, so they send these signals simultaneously.

On earth, GPS receivers get the signals, and can then determine the distance from the satellite based on how long it took the signal to reach the receiver. This continues until it gets at least signals from at least four satellites, and then calculates your location and speed with a reasonable degree of certainty. GPS position accuracy is not exact, though, and there is a range of error.

Selective Availability and GPS Positioning Accuracy

NA sattelite image

The military formerly ran a program that degrades the data received on civilian GPS devices as a safety precaution. This practice, known as selective availability, was ended in 2000 by Bill Clinton to “make GPS more responsive to civil and commercial users worldwide,” according to the National Executive Committee on Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing.

Even with the end of Selective Availability GPS positioning accuracy is not exact. Solid object reduce the quality of signal strength, and GPS signals can not pass through objects containing a lot of metal. There are also numerous other errors that can occur that effect the accuracy of your GPS receiver.

Sometimes the signal slows down as it travels to earth, affecting the accuracy of the calculation. Other times, the signal makes it to earth fine, but it bounces off of buildings and other solid objects which cause a delay in reaching your receiver. There may be fewer satellites visible in your current location, which also reduces the accuracy of the unit, or the satellite may inaccurately report its location to the GPS receiver, creating another opportunity for error. The satellites can also be at locations in orbit which are less optimal at a certain time than at other times, which can affect accuracy.

You can generally expect your standard receiver using only GPS signals to be within 50 feet accuracy. For differential GPS receivers, which augment GPS signals with signals on the ground, you can expect accuracy within 10 to 15 feet. Additionally, GPS receivers that utilize GPS signals and WAAS (wide area augmentation system) can be accurate within 10 feet. Not perfect, sure, but pretty amazing, nonetheless.

Resources and References

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: How Does GPS Work: https://www.nasm.si.edu/gps/work.html

GPS For Dummies Cheat Sheat: https://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/gps-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

Satellite Model By User:Strainu (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

North America By Koyos (Own work by uploader, made with NASA World Wind.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Space Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing: Selective Availability https://www.pnt.gov/public/sa/

Garmin: GPS Beginner’s Guide