What does WAAS enhance in GPS signals?

WAAS, or the Wide Area Augmentation System, enhances GPS accuracy by providing correction data signals to improve the reliability and precision of the GPS information received by users. It does this through a network of ground reference stations that collect data about GPS satellite signals, which can be affected by atmospheric conditions and other factors.

WAAS processes this data and generates correction signals that are transmitted to GPS receivers. As a result, users can achieve significantly higher levels of accuracy—often within a few meters—compared to standard GPS data, which can typically have an accuracy of about 10 to 20 meters. This improvement in accuracy makes WAAS particularly valuable for applications in aviation, agriculture, surveying, and any other field requiring precise positioning information.

While signal frequency, spatial resolution, and signal strength are relevant aspects of GPS technology, they do not directly relate to the specific role that WAAS plays. Instead, WAAS’s primary function is to correct errors in GPS signals to enhance overall positional accuracy.