In its present form, using Hatanaka and standard Unix compression tools, it is quite an efficient format to store GPS data on a daily, or even hourly basis. However, both existing and new applications of GPS have a tendency to go to real-time operation and use higher sample rates. In order to support these applications there is a need for a binary receiver independent exchange format.
All records are self supporting.
They include a record length and time tag. Thereby, the data can be send as a continuous stream, or in bins of various sizes, and archived in files of various sizes.