Consumer-Grade Global Positioning System (GPS) Accuracy and Reliability

TLDR

The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of consumer‑grade GPS receivers across diverse landscape settings. Researchers set up three testing courses—open sky, young forest, and closed canopy—in a western Oregon conifer forest and rigorously measured the positional accuracy of six GPS units from established manufacturers. Results showed performance varied by unit and was affected by canopy cover and satellite availability, with top models achieving about 5 m accuracy in open sky, 7 m in young forest, and 10 m under closed canopy.

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 westernOregon 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 thetop 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.