Lesson 9:  Answers/hints for Exercises
  1. Usefulness of GPS applications varies with their tolerance for error in their computation of coordinates. For each of the following error magnitudes, describe a GPS application for which the given error provides accuracy that is necessary and sufficient for the application.
    • 100 meters
      Maps of large areas, e.g. maps of the forests in the Rocky Mountains, a map of the Indian Ocean

    • 10 meters
      A map, with some detail, of Sawyer Camp Road in San Mateo County; a map showing locations of benches in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

    • 1 meters
      A map of traffic signals in any city; a map showing locations of trees on the campus of College of San Mateo

    • 1 centimeter
      A surveyors map of the buildings on college campus; records of locations of archeological finds, e.g. small fragments embedded in rock

    2.  

  2. Describe the role of a data dictionary in the collection and use of GPS data.
    See How GPS works

    3.  

  3. Describe some causes of degradation of signals from GPS satellites.
    See Differential GPS Explained by Trimble Navigation

 

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Materials developed by-
Prof. Wm. Rundberg
College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, Ca. 94402
650.574.5258
rundberg@smcccd.cc.ca.us