Combining multiple, inexpensive GPS receivers to increase accuracy and reliability.

摘要

GPS is a technology that allows for accurate tracking of various parameters, namely speed and location. Many modern systems and tools require a rapidly-refreshing report of their speed and/or location, but the GPS technology available to most users may not be accurate enough for some applications. Methods currently exist to improve GPS accuracy, but many or all of these methods are expensive, difficult, or simply not available without special technology and permission.;The research presented in this thesis describes an attempt to improve the accuracy and/or reliability of GPS, without using any expensive or restricted methods. The ability for any user to improve the accuracy/reliability of their reported speed and/or location could enable significant changes in how even consumer-level technology affects our lives. Personal vehicles, robots, rescue operations, and measurement devices are but a few examples of what improved GPS accuracy could enhance.;The method used in this study is the combination of multiple, inexpensive GPS receivers and corresponding microcontrollers into one system, in both a centralized and a decentralized configuration. Data from the receivers is processed and averaged internally, allowing the system to produce one output that conforms to NMEA standards. Producing an output that is syntactically indistinguishable from the output of any NMEA-compatible GPS receiver makes the system "hot-swappable" with most current, GPS-enabled systems.