GPS Signal Structure and Performance Characteristics

Abstract

Details of the gps signal structure are discussed as relates to the signal generation and the performance of the navigation system. GPS performance objectives, orbit geometry, and propagation effects are summarized in order to gain better understanding of the signal and what characteristics it must provide. With these performance objectives as a preface, the details of the signal are described, showing the details of the dual frequency transmission and both the precision P and clear/acquisition C/A codes and their characteristics. Finally, the basic performance of simplified receivers operating on this received signal is discussed. It is shown that an rms position error of less than 10 meters is well within the achievable performance bounds of the system.