Differential GPS (DGPS) is now the principal system used in hydrographic surveying to

accurately determine the position of seabed features. These error corrections are then
broadcast through a radio link to the ships in the vicinity. By applying the corrections to the
signals received, a user can typically improve the accuracy in the order of 5 metres or less
depending on the quality of the receivers.
C) i) Working Principles of DGPS

1. Differential GPS (DGPS) works by placing a GPS receiver that is a reference

station at a known location.
2. The station measures the ranges to each satellite.
3. Then it uses the measured ranges and the actual ranges calculated from its
known position.
4. Measured ranges can contain errors such as ephemeris data errors or
internal receiver noise.
5. The difference between measured and calculated ranges becomes a
“differential correction”.
6. The differential correction is then transmitted to the DGPS receivers.
ii) Components and Functions
Differential GPS working principal can be explain through several stages. First and foremost,
two receivers one of which is stationary and the other moving around making position
measurements. GPS receivers calculate distances by using the time signals take to travel from
satellites. This satge needs signals from at least four satellites minimumly. Each of these
signals has some errors due to different factors like disturbances in the atmosphere. These
errors can effect the final result in the GPS data due to cumulative error. However the
satellites are so far away in space, the distances we travel on earth are soo much insignificant
in comparison. This way the signals two receivers within a distance of a few hundred
kilometers receive have the same amount of errors, as they have traveled the same amount of
distance in atmosphere. So,the principal put to use in DGPS start with the stationary or
reference receiver is placed at a point that has been very accurately marked and surveyed.
This station is considered to receive the same GPS signals with the same amount of error as
the moving receiver. The stationary receiver then works backwards on the equation. This
means that instead of using timing signals to work out its position, it uses its already
measured position to calculate timing. It then compares how long the signals should take to
travel with the actual time they took to reach the station. The difference in the two readings
gives the error component which is common to it and the moving receiver. The stationary
receiver repeats this process for all the visible satellites, encodes the information into a
standard format and then relays the information to the moving receiver. The moving receiver
is thus able to make appropriate corrections. Error Transmissions DGPS receivers cannot
transmit the corrections on their own, but use attached radio transmitters for the corrections.
The moving receiver gets a complete list of errors, meaning errors with reference to each
satellite, and applies whichever data is applicable to them. Limits Differential GPS can
eliminate only those errors that are common to both the stationary and moving receivers. This
does not include multi-path errors , as these are happening very close to the receiver. Further,
DGPS cannot account for any internal errors within an individual receiver.