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GDOP General dilution of precision. The relationship between errors in receiver position, time and receiver to satellite range. This is sometimes mis-called Geometric DOP. GDOP2 = PDOP2 + TDOP2 See also: Dilution of Precision
Geocentre The centre of the Earth.
Geodesy The science related to the determination of the size and shape of the Earth (geoid) by direct measurements.
Geodetic Datum A mathematical model designed to best fit part or all of the geoid. GPS uses WGS 84. A model is defined by an ellipsoid together with the relationship between the ellipsoid and a point on the topographic surface established as the origin of datum. This relationship can be defined by several quantities, one method is to define the geodetic latitude, longitude, and the height of the origin, the two components of the deflection of the vertical at the origin, and the geodetic azimuth of a line from the origin to some other point. Another is to define differences with respect to WGS 84 in the position of its centre (dy,dy,dz), its rotations (ex,ey,ez) and any error in scale.
Geodetic surveys Global surveys done to establish control networks (comprised of reference or control points) as a basis for accurate land mapping.
Geoid The particular equipotential surface that coincides with mean sea level and that may be imagined to extend through the continents. This surface is everywhere perpendicular to the force of gravity.
Geoid Height The height above the geoid is often called elevation above mean sea level.
GGA An NMEA sentence in latitude, longitude, and altitude
GLL An NMEA sentence in latitude and longitude.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) This is the Russian counterpart to GPS. GLONASS provides worldwide coverage, however, its accuracy performance is optimized for the northern latitudes. and is specificed as identical to that of GPS SPS.
GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite System Organizing concept of a European system that would incorporate GPS, GLONASS, and other space-based and ground-based segments to support all forms of navigation.
GPS The U.S. Department of Defense Global Positioning System: A constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the earth at a very high altitude. GPS satellites transmit signals that allow one to determine, with great accuracy, the locations of GPS receivers. The receivers can be fixed on the Earth, in moving vehicles, aircraft, or in low-Earth orbiting satellites. GPS is used in air, land and sea navigation, mapping, surveying and other applications where precise positioning is necessary.

The space segment (24 NAVSTAR satellites in six different orbits)

The control segment (five monitor stations, one master control station, and three upload stations).

The user segment (GPS receivers).

NAVSTAR satellites carry extremely accurate atomic clocks and broadcast coherent simultaneous signals.

GPS ICD 200 The GPS interface Control Document is a government document that contains the full technical description of the interface between the satellites and the user. GPS receivers must comply with this specification if they are to receive and process GPS signals properly.
GPSIC GPS Information Center (USCG)
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) See universal time. This is a few seconds different to GPS time. GMT and Universal time are often used interchangeably.
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