Consumer-Grade Global Positioning System (GPS) Accuracy and Reliability
Authors: Wing, Michael G.1; Eklund, Aaron2; Kellogg, Loren D.3
Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 4, June 2005 , pp. 169-173(5)
Abstract:
Our primary study objective was to test the accuracy and reliability of consumer-grade GPS receivers in a variety of landscape settings. We established three measurement testing courses in open sky, young forest, and closed canopy settings within a conifer-dominated forest in western Oregon and rigorously tested the positional accuracy of six different GPS. All units were produced by established GPS manufacturers. We found that performance varied, in some cases considerably, among units and appeared to be influenced by canopy cover and satellite availability. Among the top GPS performers, we determined that users could expect positional accuracies within approximately 5 m of true position in open sky settings, 7 m in young forest conditions, and 10 m under closed canopies.Keywords: GPS; evaluation; geospatial technology; mapping; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Regular article
Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor Forest Engineering Department Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331, Email: michael.wing@oregonstate.edu 2: Graduate Student Forest Engineering Department Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331, Email: aaron.eklund@oregonstate.edu 3: Lematta Professor of Forest Engineering Forest Engineering Department Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331, Email: loren.kellogg@oregonstate.edu
