Psuedo-Random Code

• GPS satellites and receivers

communicate via pseudo-random-
code (PRC) signals.
• PRC has three advantages:
1. Enhances signal over background
2. Allows synchronization of satellite and
receiver clocks
3. Military can change the code and switch of
system if necessary

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

PRC Signal Amplification
• Uses correlation of
peaks between
generated random
signal and truly
random background
noise to enhance
signal
• Allows receiver to
work without a big
satellite dish!

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

PRC Synchronization
• GPS receiver
generates the same
PRC as satellite, i.e.
they start “counting” at
the same time.
• By determining how far off the satellite and
receiver are in their counting, determines
difference in time it took for signal to reach
receiver.

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

PRC Synchronization
• How do we assure
satellite and receiver
start counting at same
time, i.e. clocks are
synchronized?

• The trick is to use a 4th satellite to over-

specify position. This allow timing to be
corrected by the receiver

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

Accuracy of GPS

Autonomous Accuracy 15 - 100 meters

Differential GPS
Accuracy 0.5 - 5 meters
(DGPS)
Real-Time
Kinematic Float Accuracy 20cm - 1 meter
(RTK Float)
Real-Time
Kinematic Fixed Accuracy 1cm - 5 cm
(RTK Fixed)

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

GPS Signals
GPS satellites broadcast on three different frequencies, and each
frequency (or career wave) has some information or codes on it. You
can think of it as three different radio stations broadcasting several
different programs. The table below lists the signals and the contents:

L1 Career L2 Career L3 Career

19 cm wavelength 24 cm wavelength
1575.42 M Hz 1227.6 M Hz
Data not available
C/A Code P Code
Navigation Navigation Message

•P Code : Reserved for direct use only by the military

•C/A Code : Used for rougher positioning
•For Single frequency use only L1 career is used
•For Double frequency, L1/L2/L3 career is used
•The navigation message (usually referred to as the ephemeris) tells us where the satellites are located, in WGS-84.

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

Different types GPS locations
• Autonomous Positions
(C/A signal, 5-15 m accuracy)
• Real-Time Differential GPS
(C/A signal, 0.5-5 )
• Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Float
(C/A and Carrier, 0.2-1 m)
• Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Fixed
(C/A and Carrier, 1-5 cm)
05/06/24 GLY560: GIS
Differential GPS (DGPS)
• Error due to signal
transmission through
the atmosphere can be
corrected using DGPS
• Atmospheric errors are
the same over short
distances.
• Error in base station,
can be removed from
remote (roving) receiver
position, and code
phase signal.

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

Code vs. Carrier Phase
• Satellites generate Code Phase and
Carrier Phase signals.
• Code phase is used by hand-held
GPS
• Carrier phase used by surveying
instruments, navigational systems

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

Differential Code GPS (Navigation)
• Differential corrections may be used in
real-time or later, with post-processing
techniques.
• Real-time corrections can be transmitted
by radio link. The U.S. Coast Guard
maintains a network of differential
monitors and transmits DGPS corrections
over radio beacons covering much of the
U.S. coastline.

05/06/24 GLY560: GIS

RTK (Differential Carrier GPS)
• RTK is based on using many (~5
satellites) to resolve timing.
• Produces very accurate
measurements because using carrier
phase.
• Requires advance tracking of
satellites, and better signal resolution
(bigger antennae and more power)
05/06/24 GLY560: GIS
Measures of Precision
• The symmetry of the satellites will
control the level of precision
• These symmetry
factors are

known as
• GDOP
• PDOP
• VDOP

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05/06/24 GLY560: GIS
 The “Pseudo-range”
 Satellite sends binary code

0001101011001000100110100101110101110101

0101100100010011010010111010111010100011

 Receiver generates same binary code that it should be

hearing from the satellite at a particular time
• Difference between what it should hear and what it does hear is the
time delay (5 units in diagram)
• Range Distance = Time Delay * Speed of Light
• Not the true range; part of the time delay is due to Receiver Clock
Offset ~ hence “pseudo-range”

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 “Carrier Phase” Measurement
 Distance from the satellite to the user’s antenna can also
be expressed in terms of the number of wavelengths of
the underlying signal carrying the codes.

• Wavelength of GPS L1 carrier = 19 centimetres;

• Fractional part (“phase”) of a given wavelength, can be
measured to 1/100 of a wavelength ~ resolution of 2mm;
• Enables position relative to a known point with centimetre accuracy;
• Dual frequency measurements most reliable but accessing L2 carrier
signal has required expensive receivers – Will full L2C signal availability
change that?

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