Official U.S. Government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
Performance Standards & Specifications
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
4th EditionDownload 1.6 MB
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 Office of the Secretary of Defense issues the document on behalf of the U.S. government. Earlier versions were referred to as "signal specifications" instead of performance standards.
The 4th Edition of the GPS SPS Performance Standard, dated Sep 2008, is currently in effect and supersedes all prior versions.
Prior versions are provided here for historical reference purposes. These documents are no longer in effect.
- 3rd Edition, Oct 2001 (2.1 MB PDF)
- 2nd Edition, Jun 1995 (1 MB PDF)
- 1st Edition, Nov 1993 (5.4 MB PDF)
Return to top of pageGPS Precision Positioning Service (PPS) Performance Standard
1st EditionDownload 1.8 MB
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 Office of the Secretary of Defense issues the document on behalf of the U.S. government.
The initial release of the document, dated Feb 23, 2007, is currently in effect.
GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Performance Standard
1st EditionDownload 1.4 MB
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.
The initial release of the document, dated Oct 31, 2008, is currently in effect.
GPS Civil Monitoring Performance Specification
2nd EditionDownload 444.2 KB
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.
The 2nd Edition of the document, dated Apr 30, 2009, is currently in effect and supersedes all prior versions.
Prior versions are provided here for historical reference purposes. These documents are no longer in effect.
- 1st Edition, Dec 2005 (626 KB PDF)
