Satellite Status Page - Garmin GPS 400W Pilot's Manual & Reference

Satellite Status Page

The Satellite Status Page is helpful in troubleshoot-
ing weak (or missing) signal levels due to poor satellite
coverage or installation problems. You may wish to
refer to this page occasionally to monitor GPS receiver
performance and establish a normal pattern for system
operation. Should problems occur at a later date, you
may find it helpful to have an established baseline
from which to compare.
Sky View
of satellite
positions
Signal
Strength Bars
Satellite
Numbers
Excluded
Satellite
(cyan)
As the GPS receiver locks onto satellites, a signal
strength bar appears for each satellite in view, with the
appropriate satellite number (01-32, WAAS satellites
will have higher numbers) underneath each bar. The
progress of satellite acquisition is shown in the follow-
ing conditions:
• Hollow signal strength bars — the receiver has found
the satellite(s) and is collecting data.
• Cross-hatch cyan signal strength bars — the receiver
has found the satellite(s) but it has been excluded
by the FDE program as a faulty satellite.
• Solid cyan signal strength bars — the receiver has
collected the necessary data, but is not using the
satellite in the position solution.
• Solid green signal strength bars — the receiver has
collected the necessary data and the satellite is being
used in the position solution. The sky view display
ential corrections (e.g. WAAS) are being used for that
satellite.
Acquiring Satellite
Page location
acquired
Satellite,
in NAV group
not ready and used for
position fix
for use
(green)
that must be collected (hollow signal strength bar)
before the satellite may be used for navigation (solid
signal strength bar). Once the GPS receiver has deter-
mined your position, the 400W-series unit indicates
your position, altitude, track and ground speed. The
GPS receiver status field also displays the following
messages under the appropriate conditions:
190-00356-00 Rev B
(at top left corner of the page) shows which satel-
lites are currently in view, and where they are. The
outer circle of the sky view represents the horizon
(with north at top of the page); the inner circle 45°
above the horizon; and the center point directly
overhead.
The "D" character inside the bars indicates differ-
GPS Receiver
Status
Horizontal Figure of Merit
and Vertical Figure of Merit
Estimated Posi-
tion Uncertainty
Satellite acquired, used for
position fix, and has differential
corrections
Each satellite has a 30-second data transmission
• Searching Sky —
The GPS receiver is searching the sky for ANY vis-
ible satellites. You are also informed of this status
with a "Searching the Sky" message.
• Acquiring Sat —
The GPS receiver is acquiring satellites for naviga-
tion. In this mode, the receiver uses satellite orbital
data (collected continuously from the satellites) and
last known position to determine the satellites that
should be in view.
2 - NAV PAGES
Satellite Status Page
55