Which component is essential for DGPS to function effectively?

For Differential GPS (DGPS) to function effectively, additional correction factors are essential. DGPS improves the accuracy of GPS signals by utilizing ground-based reference stations that know their exact positions. These stations calculate the difference between their known location and the position indicated by the GPS.

The information regarding these discrepancies is then transmitted as correction factors to surrounding GPS receivers. This allows the receivers to adjust their reported positions accordingly, thus enhancing the overall accuracy of the GPS system, often to within a few centimeters. The fundamental principle behind DGPS is that while satellite signals contain inherent errors (due to factors like atmospheric conditions, satellite orbits, and signal reflections), these errors can be monitored and corrected by the reference stations using precise mathematical adjustments.

While high-powered antennas, standard GPS receivers, and a single satellite signal play roles in telecommunications and navigation, they do not address the core functionality that DGPS relies upon to improve positional accuracy through real-time correction data.