Originally Posted by
9Aplus
Yes it is called MULTILATERATION and works in time-domain just like
the GPS. True is that data is not accurate like WAAS assisted aviation
GPS (better than 7,5 m x,y,z error) but it is within 50 m of real x,y,z
in relation to WGS84 so that z may be in question to real ground but
not in relative loss of high. FR "radar site" is getting time and positon
from GPS running full time like this:
Indeed, it is called multilateration - unfortunately a term that a lot of people aren't familiar with.
Where does the accuracy of 50m for x,y,z come from? I've never heard of a specific accuracy for FR24 but would be interested to know if its implentation of MLAT really is that accurate.
I'm afraid that the "radar site" getting time and position from a GPS attached to the receiver is outdated by several years. Whilst a GPS can be used, flightradar allows users to enter X,Y and Z of their receiver (or more specifically their antenna) without ever having to connect to a GPS. If the GPS was (still) a requirement then the data would likely be a fair bit more reliable.
Edit: Just googled - Here is the official accuracy statement for MLAT from the flightradar blog: "MLAT position calculations have a general accuracy of 10-100 meters and 1000 meters in the worst cases."