What is expected to happen with an increasing value for PDOP?

When the value for Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) increases, it indicates that the geometry of the satellites that are being used for positioning is poor. PDOP is a measure of how well the satellite positions intersect when calculating a receiver's position; a lower PDOP value signifies a more favorable configuration of satellites. Conversely, as PDOP increases, the satellite configuration becomes less optimal, leading to a greater susceptibility to errors in the positioning calculations.

This deterioration in geometric configuration contributes to a decrease in positional accuracy because the various satellites being used do not provide as reliable or precise information regarding the receiver’s location. When satellites are poorly positioned relative to each other, the mathematical equations used to triangulate position are less effective, resulting in a spread of positional uncertainty. Thus, an increasing PDOP directly leads to a decrease in positional accuracy, making it the correct answer.

Evaluating the other options helps clarify why they do not fit the context. An increase in multipath errors is not a direct result of PDOP but is more closely associated with nearby reflective surfaces affecting the signals. A greater number of visible satellites would lead to a lower PDOP, not a higher one. Finally, an increase in positional accuracy is the opposite of what happens with a