What does the term 'pseudorange' specifically refer to in GPS technology?

The term 'pseudorange' specifically refers to the calculated distance between a GPS satellite and a GPS receiver, derived from the time it takes for a signal to travel from the satellite to the receiver. This calculation relies on the time measurement of the signal's travel, taking into account the satellite's known position. However, this distance is termed 'pseudorange' because it does not account for various factors that can introduce errors, such as atmospheric conditions, signal multipath, and the clock discrepancies between the satellite and the receiver.

In the context of GPS technology, accurately determining one's position requires precise measurements of these distances. While the pseudorange is a crucial component for calculating the actual position, it is inherently an estimate that reflects the complexities involved in GPS signal propagation.