Performance Standards & Specifications

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These documents specify the levels of technical performance that users can expect from GPS and related systems.

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GPS Standard Positioning Service (SPS) Performance Standard

Diagram of GPS signal in space interface with user segment This document defines the levels of performance the U.S. government makes available to users of the GPS Standard Positioning Service, also known as the civilian GPS service. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration issues the document on behalf of the Department of Defense and the U.S. government. Earlier versions were referred to as "signal specifications" instead of performance standards.

This version of the document, dated September 2008, is currently in effect and supersedes all previous versions.
3rd Edition This older version of the document, dated October 4, 2001, been superseded and is no longer in effect. This was the first update following the deactivation of GPS Selective Availability in 2000. It is provided here for historical reference purposes.
2nd Edition This older version of the document, dated June 2, 1995, has been superseded and is no longer in effect. It is provided here for historical reference purposes.
1st Edition This older version of the document, dated November 5, 1993, has been superseded and is no longer in effect. It is provided here for historical reference purposes.

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GPS Precision Positioning Service (PPS) Performance Standard

Diagram of GPS signal in space interface with user segment This document defines the levels of performance the U.S. government makes available to authorized users of the GPS Precise Positioning Service, also known as the military GPS service. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration issues the document on behalf of the Department of Defense and the U.S. government.

This version of the document, dated February 23, 2007, is currently in effect.

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GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Performance Standard

This document defines the levels of performance the U.S. government makes available to users of the GPS SPS augmented by the Wide Area Augmentation System. The Vice President for Technical Operations, Federal Aviation Administration, issues the document on behalf of the Department of Transportation and the U.S. government.

This version of the document, dated October 31, 2008, is currently in effect.

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GPS Civil Monitoring Performance Specification

The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive compilation of requirements for monitoring the GPS civil service and signals based on top level requirements to monitor all signals all the time. It is published and maintained at the direction of the Program Manager for Civil Applications, GPS Wing, on behalf of the Department of Transportation and the U.S. government.

This version of the document, dated April 30, 2009, is currently in effect and supersedes all previous versions.
This older version of the document, dated December 1, 2005, has been superseded and is no longer in effect. It is provided here for historical reference purposes.

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