What technology does SBAS utilize to enhance GPS accuracy?

SBAS, or Satellite-Based Augmentation System, enhances GPS accuracy by providing correction information from additional satellites. The primary function of SBAS is to improve the precision and reliability of GPS signals by using a network of geostationary satellites that transmit differential corrections to users on the ground.

These additional satellites, positioned in a geostationary orbit, collect GPS data from ground receiving stations to determine errors in the GPS signals. This process includes analyzing signals for atmospheric interference, satellite positioning, and other factors that may impact accuracy. Once this data is gathered, it is processed and sent back to users in the form of augmentation signals, which help to correct the GPS measurements the user receives.

The use of this technology significantly improves the accuracy of position estimates, making it essential for activities like navigation, surveying, and various applications that require high levels of precision. This method is particularly useful in areas where traditional GPS would struggle due to signal interference or obstructions.