DGPSDGNSS

DGPSDGNSS is a term used to describe differential correction techniques applied to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to improve positioning accuracy. In practice, the acronym often encompasses two related concepts: Differential GPS (DGPS), which generally refers to local, ground-based correction services, and Differential GNSS (DGNSS), a broader umbrella that includes networks and augmentation systems delivering differential corrections for multiple GNSS constellations. The combined term is sometimes used in vendor and industry literature to denote the family of systems that provide differential corrections to enhance GNSS positioning.

The core principle behind DGPS and DGNSS is to use reference stations with precisely known positions to compute the error between the true range to each satellite and the range measured by a receiver. These error corrections are then transmitted to user receivers, which apply them to their own measurements, yielding a more accurate position estimate. Corrections can be distributed in several ways, including local radio beacons, satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), the Internet, or dedicated networks. DGPS typically delivers corrections over a localized area, while DGNSS networks can provide wide-area coverage through distributed reference stations.

Accuracy benefits range from improvements of a few meters with basic DGPS to sub-meter results with more advanced DGNSS configurations, depending on the correction method, satellite geometry, and environmental conditions. Some high-precision variants, such as RTK (which uses carrier-phase measurements), operate within the broader DGPSDGNSS framework but aim for centimeter-level accuracy.

Applications of DGPS and DGNSS include marine and land navigation, aviation, land surveying, precision agriculture, and autonomous systems. Limitations can include dependence on reliable correction signals, potential latency, and susceptibility to interference or outages in the correction service.