GPS Altitude Explained
GPS altitude refers to the measurement of an object’s height or elevation above a reference level, typically sea level. It is determined by Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which calculates altitude values based on an ellipsoid of the entire earth.
It is important to note that GPS altitude values may not necessarily indicate the object’s height above the ground, as it can be affected by various factors such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, and signal accuracy. In addition, the ellipsoid used for GPS altitude calculations does not perfectly match the shape of the earth’s surface, which can also lead to discrepancies between GPS altitude values and the true ground elevation.
Despite these limitations, GPS altitude remains a useful tool for navigation and mapping applications, allowing users to determine their position and height above sea level with a high degree of accuracy.
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