What is the purpose of GPS receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM)?

The purpose of GPS receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) is to verify the integrity of GPS signals. RAIM is a technique used in aviation to ensure that the navigation data received from GPS satellites is accurate and reliable. It does this by cross-referencing signals from multiple satellites to detect any anomalies or errors in the information being provided. If a signal is determined to be faulty, the RAIM system can alert the user or may even disregard the erroneous signal, ensuring that the navigation solution remains dependable.

This process is critical for aviation safety, as it provides confidence in the navigational data being used for flight operations. Furthermore, RAIM is particularly important when GPS is the primary means of navigation, because pilots need assurance that the positional information they are receiving can be trusted during critical phases of flight.