GPS - GPS accuracy

Author

GPS accuracy

Peter A

2008-02-15, 12:34 pm

I have navigation software (TomTom) on an HP Handheld (Windows Mobile) with
separate GPS receiver connected by Bluetooth, and have been wondering
whether it would be worthwhile purchasing a new, better GPS receiver.
I guess, from what I have seen so far on the net, that a different receiver
might have improved sensitivity and therefore be able to pick up th
satellite messages under more difficult circumstances.
But what about accuracy? Is it reasonable to expect that a 'better' GPS
receiver might provide higher accuracy in positioning, or are there
intrinsic limitations in the existing GPS satellite network that mean thre
are no significant differences to be expected in this respect between one
receiver and another? Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks
Peter

Darren Griffin - PocketGPSWorld.Com

2008-02-15, 3:33 pm

On 2008-02-15 17:29:04 +0000, "Peter A" <as6ey6j@6lanet.nl> said:

> I have navigation software (TomTom) on an HP Handheld (Windows Mobile) with
> separate GPS receiver connected by Bluetooth, and have been wondering
> whether it would be worthwhile purchasing a new, better GPS receiver.
> I guess, from what I have seen so far on the net, that a different receiver
> might have improved sensitivity and therefore be able to pick up th
> satellite messages under more difficult circumstances.
> But what about accuracy? Is it reasonable to expect that a 'better' GPS
> receiver might provide higher accuracy in positioning, or are there
> intrinsic limitations in the existing GPS satellite network that mean thre
> are no significant differences to be expected in this respect between one
> receiver and another? Can someone enlighten me?
>
> Thanks
> Peter

Within the limits of current consumer design accuracy is approximately
+/-10m. Newer chipsets such as SiRFIII and the like will aquire a fix
quicker and maintain lock in situations that earlier designs would not.

What receiver do you have currently?

--
Darren Griffin
PocketGPSWorld - www.PocketGPSWorld.com
The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums

Peter A

2008-02-15, 3:33 pm

Thanks Darren. I currently have the TomTom receiver that was packaged with
the TomTom navigation software. It says 9821x on the back and is about 2 1/2
years old.
Judging by the performance of the navigation system, I would think that the
+/- 10m limit is in any case achieved. I understand, then, from what you
say, that if my system is already performing to that accuracy a new receiver
will not improve matters.
Perhaps the higher sensitivity and quicker fixing alone make a new receiver
worth while nevertheless...

--
Peter Aspey
E-mail: replace 6 by p

"Darren Griffin - PocketGPSWorld.Com" < darren@pocketgpsworl
d.com> wrote in
message news:200802151939017
5249- darren@pocketgpsworl
dcom...
> On 2008-02-15 17:29:04 +0000, "Peter A" <as6ey6j@6lanet.nl> said:
>
>
> Within the limits of current consumer design accuracy is approximately
> +/-10m. Newer chipsets such as SiRFIII and the like will aquire a fix
> quicker and maintain lock in situations that earlier designs would not.
>
> What receiver do you have currently?
>
> --
> Darren Griffin
> PocketGPSWorld - www.PocketGPSWorld.com
> The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums
>

Sam Wormley

2008-02-15, 10:33 pm

Peter A wrote:
> I have navigation software (TomTom) on an HP Handheld (Windows Mobile) with
> separate GPS receiver connected by Bluetooth, and have been wondering
> whether it would be worthwhile purchasing a new, better GPS receiver.
> I guess, from what I have seen so far on the net, that a different receiver
> might have improved sensitivity and therefore be able to pick up th
> satellite messages under more difficult circumstances.
> But what about accuracy? Is it reasonable to expect that a 'better' GPS
> receiver might provide higher accuracy in positioning, or are there
> intrinsic limitations in the existing GPS satellite network that mean thre
> are no significant differences to be expected in this respect between one
> receiver and another? Can someone enlighten me?
>
> Thanks
> Peter
>
>

Better requires differential corrections, multipath mitigation, and
or multiple frequency receivers.
http://edu-observatory.org/gps/gps_accuracy.html

Darren Griffin - PocketGPSWorld.Com

2008-02-16, 4:33 am

On 2008-02-15 20:03:58 +0000, "Peter A" <as6ey6j@6lanet.nl> said:

> Thanks Darren. I currently have the TomTom receiver that was packaged with
> the TomTom navigation software. It says 9821x on the back and is about 2 1/2
> years old.
> Judging by the performance of the navigation system, I would think that the
> +/- 10m limit is in any case achieved. I understand, then, from what you
> say, that if my system is already performing to that accuracy a new receiver
> will not improve matters.
> Perhaps the higher sensitivity and quicker fixing alone make a new receiver
> worth while nevertheless...

The 9821 is a Leadtek using a SiRFStarII Chipset. Positional accuracy
will not be improved with a new receiver. However speed of aquisition
will be markedly better as will its ability to hold onto a signal in
marginal conditions with a current model receiver.

--
Darren Griffin
PocketGPSWorld - www.PocketGPSWorld.com
The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums

Peter A

2008-02-16, 7:33 am

Many thanks!

"Darren Griffin - PocketGPSWorld.Com" < darren@pocketgpsworl
d.com> wrote in
message news:200802160942545
0073- darren@pocketgpsworl
dcom...
> On 2008-02-15 20:03:58 +0000, "Peter A" <as6ey6j@6lanet.nl> said:
>
>
> The 9821 is a Leadtek using a SiRFStarII Chipset. Positional accuracy
> will not be improved with a new receiver. However speed of aquisition
> will be markedly better as will its ability to hold onto a signal in
> marginal conditions with a current model receiver.
>
>
> --
> Darren Griffin
> PocketGPSWorld - www.PocketGPSWorld.com
> The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums
>

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