Some of these receivers may have the ability to display aeronautical or marine charts from data cards. The antenna may be detachable for mounting outside a vehicle. These receivers are used to determine the three dimensional position an object with respect to the earth. These receivers use multiple antennas, the relative placement of which must be known. These receivers are optimized for aviation navigation and can display aeronautical charts.
Accuracies vary depending on the class of aircraft in which the device is to be used.
Receivers integrated into the navigation suite of a commercial passenger aircraft may be capable of using local area differential broadcasts, increasing the precision of the aircraft's navigation system to the point that the aircraft can land automatically. These receivers are mounted in cars, trucks and trains. The purpose of the receiver may vary depending on the application but the characteristics will be similar. Receivers used in cars are generally intended for driver navigation or for sending the position of a car to an emergency response center in case of accident. GPS receivers used on busses, trucks and trains will generally be intended for fleet tracking.