Definition
A display screen on a GPS receiver that shows the status and reception quality of signals from each GPS satellite currently being tracked, typically including which satellites are in view, their signal strength, and whether each is being used in the position solution.
Plain English
A page on the GPS unit that tells you how well it is hearing each satellite, and which satellites it is using to figure out where you are.
Context Anchor
Seen on a GPS unit when checking satellite reception, especially when investigating possible GPS errors or before relying on GPS navigation.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to confirm adequate GPS performance and detect conditions that could produce navigation errors before relying on the system.
Intuition Check
Do not read “quality” as a general rating of the whole GPS unit. Here it means how usable the received satellite signals are.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the approach, the pilot checked the signal quality data page to confirm the GPS was tracking enough satellites with strong signals.
Example Sentence 2
Weak readings on the signal quality data page prompted the crew to cross-check position with another navigation source.