What factors influence GPS accuracy?

Satellite geometry, atmospheric conditions, and multipath effects are critical factors that directly influence GPS accuracy.

Satellite geometry refers to the relative positions of the GPS satellites at any given time. When satellites are well distributed in the sky, particularly with some at a high angle, the geometric positioning is favorable, which enhances accuracy. Conversely, when satellites cluster together, especially low on the horizon, the resultant geometry may result in higher positional errors.

Atmospheric conditions also play a significant role. The signals transmitted by satellites must travel through the atmosphere, which can introduce delays due to ionospheric and tropospheric variations. Such atmospheric interference can distort the GPS signal, thereby affecting the precision of the measurements.

Multipath effects occur when GPS signals bounce off surfaces like buildings or large structures before they reach the receiver. This reflection can cause the signals to take longer paths than they should, leading to erroneous positioning results.

While the other choices mention aspects that can affect GPS operations and data handling, they do not encapsulate the primary sources of error that directly challenge the accuracy of GPS positioning in the manner that the selected choice does.