Ionospheric total electron content and critical frequencies over Europe at solar minimum

The paper presents results obtained by analyzing high-resolution ionospheric vertical total electron content (vTEC) data set evaluated from a chain of European ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) stations and its equivalent slab thickness, as well as the F2-layer critical frequency foF2 and propagation factor M(3000)F2 from nearby ionosonde stations over the period 2006–2007. The study covers data within an area between 36°N and 68°N geographic latitude, and 7°W and 21°E geographic longitude during these last two years of minimum solar activity in the 23rd solar cycle. It reveals 15 extraordinary events, all of which exhibited some form of large short-lived vTEC and foF2 enhancements of the duration of small-magnitude solar-terrestrial events. The results clearly show a well-defined vTEC and foF2 storm-like disturbance patterns developed under these conditions. They prove that there are still some open questions related to the large electron density variations during weak disturbances that require additional study for both their relevance to different Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) applications and their role in the formation and evolution of the daytime ionosphere at middle latitudes.     

Equatorial plasma bubbles studied using African slant total electron content observations

Equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) are field-aligned depletions of F-region ionospheric plasma density that grow from irregularities caused by the generalized Rayleigh–Taylor instability mechanism in the postsunset equatorial sector. Although they have been studied for some decades, they continue to be an important subject of both experimental and theoretical investigations because of their effects on trans-ionospheric radio communications.In this work, calibrated data of slant total electron content (sTEC) taken every 10 min from EGNOS System Test Bed Brazzaville (Congo), Douala (Cameroon), Lome (Togo) and N’Djamena (Chad), and International GNSS Service Ascension Island, Malindi (Kenya), and Libreville (Gabon), stations are used to detect plasma bubbles in the African equatorial region during the first 6 months of 2004. To identify these irregularities, the trend of every curve of sTEC against time is subtracted from the original data. The size of the EPBs is estimated by measuring its amplitude in the de-trended time variation of sTEC.     

Correlation analysis of vertical total electron content

It is necessary to model and analyze the ionospheric effects due to a direct relationship between Global Positioning System (GPS) applications and changes in the ionosphere. In order to monitor these changes, the ionosphere can be represented by the vertical total electron content (VTEC) which can be used to analyze ionospheric conditions from a variety of stations. In this study, 21 stations were used to carry out analysis and estimation of VTEC. Three days during a geomagnetic storm, namely, 7, 8, and 9 January 2005, are chosen for investigation. In addition, the de-correlation time of the VTEC was estimated to define ionospheric variations in time using autocorrelation analysis. The de-correlation time of the ionosphere is based on correlation times estimated by using autocorrelation functions. From the high-latitude stations, the mean of the correlation times decreased from 8 to 6 epochs during a storm. In this time period, it was found from the station results that the ionosphere was more affected at the high-latitude than at the mid-latitude region.     

Prediction of global positioning system total electron content using Neural Networks over South Africa

Global positioning system (GPS) networks have provided an opportunity to study the dynamics and continuous changes in the ionosphere by supplementing ionospheric studies carried out using various techniques including ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars and satellites. Total electron content (TEC) is one of the physical quantities that can be derived from GPS data, and provides an indication of ionospheric variability. This paper presents a feasibility study for the development of a Neural Network (NN) based model for the prediction of South African GPS derived TEC. Three South African locations were identified and used in the development of an input space and NN architecture for the model. The input space included the day number (seasonal variation), hour (diurnal variation), Sunspot Number (measure of the solar activity), and magnetic index (measure of the magnetic activity). An analysis was done by comparing predicted NN TEC with TEC values from the IRI-2001 version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), validating GPS TEC with ionosonde TEC (ITEC) and assessing the performance of the NN model during equinoxes and solstices. For this feasibility model, GPS TEC was derived for a limited number of years using an algorithm still in the early phases of validation. However, results show that NNs predict GPS TEC more accurately than the IRI at South African GPS locations, but that more good quality GPS data is required before a truly representative empirical GPS TEC model can be released.     

Principal component analysis of global maps of the total electronic content

In this paper we present results of the spatial distribution analysis of the total electron content (TEC) performed by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with the use of global maps of TEC provided by the JPL laboratory (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, USA) for the period from 2004 to 2010. We show that the obtained components of the decomposition of TEC essentially depend on the representation of the initial data and the method of their preliminary processing. We propose a technique for data centering that allows us to take into account the influence of diurnal and seasonal factors. We establish a correlation between amplitudes of the first components of the decomposition of TEC (connected with the equatorial anomaly) and the solar activity index F10.7, as well as with the flow of high energy particles of the solar wind.     

利用GPS三频数据计算电离层垂直总电子含量变化率

研究了通过采样间隔为1 s的GPS三频载波相位观测数据计算1 Hz电离层垂直总电子含量变化率（RVTEC）的方法,推导了直接采用双频载波相位观测量计算RVTEC的公式,对一般空间环境与电离层活动剧烈两种条件下L1L2、L1L5、L2L5三种载波相位组合计算的RVTEC进行了一致性分析,给出了通过三频载波相位观测数据计算电离层RVTEC的修正方法,比较了X射线太阳耀斑期间RVTEC与由传统方法计算的总电子含量变化率（ROT）响应,在双星串飞编队测高模式下对计算方法进行了应用.结果表明,L1L2、L1L5两种组合之间的一致性较好,由L1L2、L1L5组合计算的RVTEC的中误差约为0.004 TECu/s,RVTEC较ROT更能体现TEC变化的细节,在双星串飞编队测高模式下海面高梯度的计算中,电离层延迟之差可以忽略.

     

Automated daily process for global ionospheric total electron content maps and satellite ocean altimeter ionospheric calibration based on Global Positioning System data

The accuracy of single-frequency ocean altimeters benefits from calibration of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere below the satellite. Data from a global network of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers provides timely, continuous, and globally well-distributed measurements of ionospheric electron content. For several months we have been running a daily automatic Global Ionospheric Map process which inputs global GPS data and climatological ionosphere data into a Kalman filter, and produces global ionospheric TEC maps and ocean altimeter calibration data within 24 h of the end-of-day. Other groups have successfully applied this output to altimeter data from the GFO satellite and in orbit determination for the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. Daily comparison of the global TEC maps with independent TEC data from the TOPEX altimeter is performed as a check on the calibration whenever the TOPEX data are available. Comparisons of the global TEC maps against TOPEX data will be discussed. Accuracy is best at mid-to-high absolute latitudes (∣latitude∣>30°) due to the better geographic distribution of GPS receivers and the relative simplicity of the ionosphere. Our highly data-driven technique is relatively less accurate at low latitudes and especially during ionospheric storm periods, due to the relative scarcity of GPS receivers and the structure and volatility of the ionosphere. However, it is still significantly more accurate than climatological models.     

Diurnal variations of the total electron content under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions

The morphology of averaged diurnal variations of total electron content (TEC) under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions for all latitudinal bands and various longitudes has been studied using Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) datasets. The diurnal TEC variation maximum is generally registered at 14–15 LT. The maximum is 38±5, 14±2, 10±2 TECU (TECU is generally accepted TEC unit) at the equatorial, middle and high latitudes. The nighttime TEC minimum is within 5–7 TECU regardless of a season, latitude and longitude. At the equatorial latitudes TEC exhibits the most significant daily/season variations and the asymmetry of its behavior in the hemispheres near the equinox. Abnormal diurnal TEC variations (evening maximum, near-noon minimum) are observed at middle and high latitudes in summer due to atmospheric wind effects. The comparison of the averaged diurnal TEC variations with the behavior of the ionospheric F2-layer critical frequency indicated that GIMs describe daily/annual TEC variations reasonably well.     

Effectiveness of using correcting multipliers in calculations of the total electron content according to the IRI2007 model

A comparison of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere calculated using different correcting multipliers in the IRI2007 model with experimental data indicates that this model, which is not empirical with respect to the TEC, does not adequately reflect the quantitative and qualitative features of the TEC behavior. The situation can be improved by using new empirical models of the critical frequency and equivalent thickness of the ionosphere and new methods for determining the TEC.     

A neural network approach for regional vertical total electron content modelling

A Neural Network model has been developed for estimating the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere. TEC is proportional to the delay suffered by electromagnetic signals crossing the ionosphere and is among the errors that impact GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) observations. Ionospheric delay is particularly a problem for single frequency receivers, which cannot eliminate the (first-order) ionospheric delay by combining observations at two frequencies. Single frequency users rely on applying corrections based on prediction models or on regional models formed based on actual data collected by a network of receivers. A regional model based on a neural network has been designed and tested using data sets collected by the Brazilian GPS Network (RMBC) covering periods of low and high solar activity. Analysis of the results indicates that the model is capable of recovering, on average, 85% of TEC values.     

Sibsonian and non-Sibsonian natural neighbour interpolation of the total electron content value

In radioastronomy the interferometric measurement between radiotelescopes located relatively close to each other helps removing ionospheric effects. Unfortunately, in case of networks such as LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR), due to long baselines (currently up to 1500 km), interferometric methods fail to provide sufficiently accurate ionosphere delay corrections. Practically it means that systems such as LOFAR need external ionosphere information, coming from Global or Regional Ionospheric Maps (GIMs or RIMs, respectively). Thanks to the technology based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), the scientific community is provided with ionosphere sounding virtually worldwide. In this paper we compare several interpolation methods for RIMs computation based on scattered Vertical Total Electron Content measurements located on one thin ionospheric layer (Ionospheric Pierce Points—IPPs). The results of this work show that methods that take into account the topology of the data distribution (e.g., natural neighbour interpolation) perform better than those based on geometric computation only (e.g., distance-weighted methods).     

Physical mechanism of ionospheric total electron content perturbations over a seismoactive region

A mechanism for the total electron content (TEC) perturbation in the ionosphere during seismic activity strengthening is proposed. The spatial distribution of the TEC perturbation is shown to be determined by the joint effect of the following two factors: the heating of the ionosphere by electric current and the plasma drift in the electric field of this current. The TEC perturbation behavior depends on the relationship between these processes. The current arises in a global electric circuit as the EMF, which is related to the dynamics of charged aerosols injected into the atmosphere, and comes into being in atmospheric surface layers. The developed model allows calculation of the spatial TEC distribution in the ionosphere for a prescribed horizontal distribution of the charged aerosol concentration at the Earth’s surface.     

Climatology of total electron content near the dip equator under geomagnetic quiet-conditions

This study analyzes the TEC data during 1998–2007, observed by the AREQ (16.5°S, 71.5°W) GPS station to investigate the equatorial ionospheric variations under geomagnetic quiet-conditions. The diurnal TEC values generally have a maximum value between 1330 and 1500 LT and a minimum around 0500 LT. For the seasonal variation, the semi-annual variation apparently exists in the daytime TEC with two peaks in equinoctial months. In contrast, this semi-annual variation is not found in the nighttime. Furthermore, the results of the annual variation show that the correlation between the daytime TEC value and the solar activity factor is highly positive.     

Model calculations of the total electron content for the system of GPS satellites

The numerical global self-consistent model of the Earth’s thermosphere, ionosphere and protonosphere (GSM TIP), which makes it possible to calculate all the main parameters of the near-Earth plasma, is used to calculate the total electron content (TEC). Calculations have been performed along the radiosignal propagation trajectory between a surface receiving point and a GPS satellite. The TEC value calculated from the satellite data have been compared with such a “true model” TEC value for magnetically quiet conditions of the spring equinox and moderate solar activity. The relative errors in determining the satellite data-based TEC for two European (Troms have been calculated. It has been indicated that an increase in the number of satellites not always results in an increase in accuracy of the TEC value measured on satellites.     

Physical mechanism and mathematical modeling of earthquake ionospheric precursors registered in total electron content

The physical mechanism by which the regions with increased or decreased total electron content, registered by measuring delays of GPS satellite signals before strong earthquakes, originate in the ionosphere has been proposed. Vertical plasma transfer in the ionospheric F ₂ region under the action of the zonal electric field is the main disturbance formation factor. This field should be eastward, generating the upward component of plasma electromagnetic drift, in the cases of increased total electron content at midlatitudes and deepened minimum of the F ₂ layer equatorial anomaly. Upward plasma drift increases electron density due to a decrease in the O⁺ ion loss rate at midlatitudes and decreases this density above the equator due to an enhancement of the fountain effect (plasma discharge into the equatorial anomaly crests). The pattern of the spatial distribution of the seismogenic electric field potential has been proposed. The eastward electric field can exist in the epicentral region only if positive and negative electric charges are located at the western and eastern boundaries of this region, respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed mechanism was studied by modeling the ionospheric response to the action of the electric field generated by such a charge configuration. The results of the numerical computations indicated that the total electron content before strong earthquakes at middle and low latitudes is in good agreement with the observations.     

The response of the total electron content to the interplanetary magnetic sector boundary crossing

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Seasonal variation of the total electron content, maximum electron density and equivalent slab thickness at a South-American station

Total electron content (TEC) and foF2 ionosonde data obtained at Tucumán (26.9°S; 65.4°W) from April 1982 to March 1983 (high solar activity period) are analyzed to show the seasonal variation of TEC, NmF2 (proportional to square of foF2) and the equivalent slab thickness EST. Bimonthly averages of the monthly median for January–February, April–May, July–August and October–November have been considered to represent summer, autumn, winter and spring seasons, respectively. The results show that the higher values of TEC and maximum electron density of F2-layer NmF2 are observed during the equinoxes (semiannual anomaly). During daytime, both in TEC and in NmF2 the seasonal or winter anomaly can be seen. At nighttime, this effect is not observed. Also, the observed NmF2 values are used to check the validity of International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) to predict the seasonal variability of this parameter. In general, it is found that averaged monthly medians (obtained with the IRI model) overestimate averaged monthly median data for some hours of the day and underestimate for the other hours.     

基于多种度量的电离层TEC混沌预测分析

利用东经120°,北纬45°上空的2008年年积日101～150 d时间段内共600个电离层格网TEC数据为时间序列样本,分析了该点上空电离层TEC参数的混沌特性,发现其关联维数为2.2632,嵌入维数为5,最大Lyapunov指数为λ=0.0833,表明该点上空电离层TEC时间序列具有混沌的特征,存在混沌现象.采用加权一阶局域法对TEC时间序列进行预测时,在有效预报尺度内,利用各种度量进行预报得到的中误差都随着预报天数的增加而逐渐增大,但预报的相对误差却是在一定幅度范围内上下波动.采用四种距离度量以及皮尔森相关系数和Jaccard相似系数进行预报,其预测结果或者平均中误差较大,或者平均相对误差较大,结果不理想.其中,采用标准化欧氏距离得到的平均中误差最大,达到5.107TECU,而采用皮尔森相关系数得到的平均中误差最小,为5.078TECU;对于平均相对误差而言,由切比雪夫距离得到的平均相对误差最大,为0.185,而Jaccard相似系数得到的平均相对误差最小,为0.166.而采用余弦相似度得到的预测结果,其平均中误差和平均相对误差都很小,分别为5.079TECU和0.167.因此,在一阶局域混沌预测时,采用余弦相似度作为衡量相空间轨迹的差异性是较为合适的.