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Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) |
Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) is an enhancement to Global Positioning System that uses a network of fixed ground based reference stations to broadcast the difference between the positions indicated by the satellite systems and the known fixed positions. These stations broadcast the difference between the measured satellite pseudoranges and actual (internally computed) pseudoranges, and receiver stations may correct their pseudoranges by the same amount. The term can refer both to the generalized technique, as well as specific implementations using it. For instance, the FAA's WAAS system uses differential techniques to improve accuracy, broadcasting the corrections via L band satellite transmissions. Other examples of similar systems include the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, Japan's Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System, Canada's CDGPS and the commercial VERIPOS, StarFire and OmniSTAR systems. The term is also often used to refer specifically to systems that re-broadcast the corrections from ground-based transmitters of shorter range. For instance, the United States Coast Guard runs one such system in the US and Canada on the longwave radio frequencies between 285 kHz and 325 kHz. These frequencies are commonly used for marine radio, and are broadcast near major waterways and harbors. Australia runs a similar service for land and air navigation, broadcasting their signal on commercial AM radio stations. |
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