Definitions for "Wide area augmentation system"
U.S. and Canada: The augmentation to global positioning system (GPS) to meet en route and terminal navigation, non-precision approach and precision approach CAT I accuracy, integrity, continuity and availability requirements. The ground system comprises a sparse network of ground reference stations and a master station linked by terrestrial communications. In the space system, an uplink from the master station provides information to geostationary satellites that transmit an integrity message, corrections and a GPS ranging signal to user avionics. abbreviation: WAAS see also: local area augmentation system (LAAS) Fr: système de renforcement à couverture étendue
A system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections for better position accuracy. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters, 95 percent of the time. (At this time, the system is still in the development stage and is not fully operational.) WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. For more information, see What is WAAS?, or visit the FAA's website.
A system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections for better position accuracy. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters, 95 percent of the time. WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.