What does "ephemeris" refer to in GPS technology?

The term "ephemeris" in GPS technology refers to a set of data that provides the positions of satellites at specific times. This data is crucial for the accurate calculation of a GPS receiver's position on Earth, as it allows the receiver to know where each satellite is located in its orbit at any given moment. GPS satellites continuously transmit their ephemeris data, which includes information on their orbital parameters and timing, enabling the receiver to determine distance through time delays in signal transmission. Understanding satellite positions is fundamental to achieving accurate positioning and navigation results in GPS technology.