WAAS capable receivers are able to give position accuracy of less than 3 meters 95 percent of the time

WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. Basically, it is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, providing an even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give a position accuracy of less than 3 meters 95 percent of the time. This is without having to purchase additional receiving equipment or and service fees.

The WAAS program has been developed by the USA Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for use in precision flight approaches. At present GPS alone doesn't meet the FAA's navigation requirements for accuracy, integrity, and availability. The Wide Area Augmentation System made up of 25 ground stations positioned across the United States corrects for any GPS signal errors caused by ionospheric disturbances, timing, and satellite orbit errors, and it provides vital integrity information regarding the health of each GPS satellite.

The WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. The system provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.

Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. However other governments are in the process of developing similar satellite-based differential systems. In Asia, it's the Japanese Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), while Europe has the Euro Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). Eventually, GPS users around the world will have access to precise position data using these and other compatible systems.

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About The Author:

Heath Allison is a successful author and publisher at www.1st-at-gps-tracking.com. Recommending gps equipment and associated products
25-08-04

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