Ag Leader GPS 5100 User Guide - Manual (Page 19)

GPS 5100 Receiver User Guide 1 3
Overview 2
2.7
Sources of Error in GPS Positioning
The GPS positioning method influences the accuracy of the GPS
position that is output by the GPS 5100 receiver. The factors described
in Table 2.5 also affect GPS accuracy.
Table 2.5 Factors that influence the accuracy of GPS positions
Condition Optimum
value Description
Atmospheric
effects GPS signals are degraded as they travel through the
ionosphere. The error introduced is in the range of 10 meters.
The error is removed by using a differential or RTK positioning
method.
Number of
satellites used > 5 To calculate a 3D position (latitude and longitude, altitude, and
time), four or more satellites must be visible. To calculate a 2D
position (latitude and longitude, and time), three or more
satellites must be visible. For RTK positioning, five satellites are
needed for initialization. Once initialized, four or more satellites
provide RTK positions. The number of visible satellites
constantly changes and is typically in the range 5 through 9.
The GPS 5100 receiver can track up to 12 satellites
simultaneously.
Note – To see when the maximum number of GPS satellites are
available, use the
planning software and a current ephemeris
(satellite history) file. Both files are available free from the
Trimble website at www.trimble.com.
Maximum PDOP < 4 Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) is a unitless, computed
measurement of the geometry of satellites above the current
location of the receiver. A low PDOP means that the positioning
of satellites in the sky is good, and therefore good positional
accuracy is obtained.