Anomalous modification of the ionospheric total electron content prior to the 26 September 2005 Peru earthquake

This paper investigates the features of pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies in the total electron content (TEC) data obtained on the basis of regular GPS observations from the International GNSS Service (IGS) network. For the analysis of the ionospheric effects of the 26 September 2005 Peru earthquake, Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) of TEC were used. The possible influence of the earthquake preparation processes on the main low-latitude ionosphere peculiarity—the equatorial anomaly—is discussed. Analysis of the TEC maps has shown that modification of the equatorial anomaly occurred a few days before the earthquake. In previous days, during the evening and night hours (local time—LT), a specific transformation of the TEC distribution had taken place. This modification took the shape of a double-crest structure with a trough near the epicenter, though usually in this time the restored normal latitudinal distribution with a maximum near the magnetic equator is observed. Additional measurements (CHAMP satellite) have also confirmed the presence of this structure. To compare the vertical TEC measurements obtained with GPS satellite signals (GPS TEC), the International Reference Ionosphere, IRI-2001, was used for calculating the IRI TEC.     

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.     

电离层TEC卡尔曼滤波成像研究

随着太空探测技术的进步,对TEC(Total Electron Content,简称TEC)探测精度要求越来越高.本文利用COSMOS 2414卫星数据资料获得观测TEC,在电离层NeQuick模型下,得到电离层电子密度,并使用卡尔曼滤波算法反演电子密度,最后结合电离层测高仪数据对实验结果进行判定.结果发现利用卡尔曼滤波反演信标资料算法,可以获得可靠的二维电子密度场.     

Tomographic imaging of the ionosphere using the GPS/MET and NNSS data

The earlier experiments of ionospheric tomography were conducted by receiving satellite signals from ground-based stations and then reconstructing electron density distribution from measures of the total electron content (TEC). In June 1994, National Central University built up the low-latitude ionospheric tomography network (LITN) including six ground stations spanning a range of 16.7° (from 14.6°N to 31.3°N) in latitude within 1° of 121°E longitude to receive the naval navigation satellite system (NNSS) signals (150 and 400 MHz). In the study of tomographic imaging of the ionosphere, TEC data from a network of ground-based stations can provide detailed information on the horizontal structure, but are of restricted utility in sensing vertical structure. However, an occultation observation mission termed the global positioning system/meteorology (GPS/MET) program used a low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite (the MicroLab-1) to receive multi-channel GPS carrier phase signals (1.5 and 1.2 GHz) and demonstrate active limb sounding of the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere. In this paper, we have implemented the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART) to reconstruct and compare two-dimensional ionospheric structures from measured TECs through the receptions of the GPS signals, the NNSS signals, and/or both of the systems. We have also concluded the profiles retrieved from tomographic reconstruction showing much reasonable electron density results than the original vertical profiles retrieved by the Abel transformation and being in more agreement in peak electron density to nearby ionosonde measurements.     

Analysis of observations backing up the existence of VLF and ionospheric TEC anomalies before the Mw6.1 earthquake in Greece,January 26, 2014

The present work integrates ground-based ionosphere measurements using very-low-frequency radio transmissions with satellite measurements of the total electron content to draw common conclusions about the possible impact that the Mw6.1 earthquake that took place in Greece on January 26, 2014, had on the ionosphere.Very-low-frequency radio signals reveal the existence of an ∼4-day anomaly in the wavelet spectra of the signals received inside the earthquake preparation zone and a significant increase in the normalized variance of the signals prior to the earthquake (approximately 1 day before).Through total electron content analysis, it was possible to identify a clear anomaly from 15:00 until 20:00 UT on the day before the earthquake that appears again on the day of the earthquake between 07:00 UT and 08:00 UT. The anomalous values reach TEC1Sigma ∼4.36 and 3.11, respectively. Their spatial and temporal distributions give grounds to assume a possible link with the earthquake preparation. The geomagnetic, solar and weather conditions during the considered period are presented and taken into account.This work is an initial and original step towards a multi-parameter approach to the problem of the possible earthquake-related effects on the ionosphere joining observations made from both ground stations and satellites. A well-founded knowledge of these phenomena is clearly necessary before dealing with their application to earthquake prediction purposes.     

基于星载SAR信号的TEC反演新方法

由于星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)系统工作于电离层之上,其信号不可避免地将受到电离层的影响. 背景电离层以及电离层电子密度不规则体多重散射效应可引起距离向图像质量的下降, 在强起伏情况下, 多重散射效应对信号的延迟影响不可忽略. 针对此问题, 本文提出了一种基于SAR回波信号的三频相位自适应TEC反演新方法, 利用反演的结果对电离层的影响进行校正. 给出了校正前后的点目标成像仿真, 结果显示此方法充分考虑了多重散射效应引起的TEC估计误差, 可以有效地补偿电离层对距离向成像的影响, 提高了距离向点目标图像质量.     

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.     

Dependence of the ionospheric response on the solar flare parameters based on the theoretical modeling and GPS data

The measurements of an increase in the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere during solar flares, obtained based on the GPS data, indicated that up to 30% of TEC increments corresponded to the ionospheric regions above 300 km altitude in some cases, and TEC increased mainly below altitudes of 300 km in other cases. The theoretical model of the ionosphere and plasmasphere was used to study the obtained effects. The altitude-time variations in the charged particle density in the ionospheric region from 100 to 1000 km were used depending on the solar flare spectrum. An analysis of the modeling results indicated that an intensification of the flare UV emission in the 55–65 and 85–95 nm spectral ranges results in a pronounced increase in the electron density in the topside ionosphere (above 300 km). The experimental dependences of the ionospheric TEC response amplitude on the localization and peak power of flares on the Sun in the X-ray range, obtained based on the GPS data, are also presented in the work.     

Geomagnetic and Ionospheric Responses to the Interplanetary Shock Wave of March 17, 2015

The propagation of perturbation caused by the interplanetary shock wave of March 17, 2015 from the solar wind through the magnetosheath, magnetosphere, and ionosphere down to the Earth’s surface is analyzed. The onboard satellite measurements, global magnetometer network data, and records by the receivers of the global positioning system (GPS) providing the information about the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere are used for the analysis. By the example of this event, various aspects of the influence of the interplanetary shock wave on the near-Earth environment and ground-based engineering systems are considered. It is shown which effects of this influence are well described by the existing theoretical models and which ones need additional research. The formation of the fine structure of the magnetic impulse of the storm sudden commencement (SC)—the preliminary impulse (PI) and main impulse (MI)—is considered. The MI and compression of the magnetospheric magnetic field is observed by the GOES and RBSP satellites and on the geomagnetically conjugate stations; however, the PI was only noted on the Earth. The PI was detected in the afternoon sector practically simultaneously (within 1 min) with the shock wave impact on the magnetopause. The wave’s response to the SC includes the strongly decaying resonant oscillations of the magnetic shells and the magnetoacoustic cavity mode. This study supports the possibility of detecting the ionospheric response to the SC by the GPS method. The TEC response to the MI was detected in the auroral latitudes although not on every radio path. The TEC modulation can be associated with the precipitation of superthermal electrons into the lower ionosphere which is undetectable by riometers. The burst in the intensity of the geomagnetically induced currents caused by an interplanetary shock wave turns out to be higher than the currents during the storm’s commencement, although the SC’s amplitude is noticeably lower than the amplitude of the magnetic bay related to the substorm.     

电离层GPS掩星观测改正TEC反演方法

电离层掩星观测中,当低轨卫星（LEO）轨道高度较低时,轨道以上的电离层电子总含量（TEC）对掩星反演的影响不能忽略.目前,一般采用指数函数等外推方法来处理该问题,对反演结果可能引起较大误差.为提高电离层掩星反演精度,本文研究利用LEO处于非掩星一侧GPS观测数据的改正TEC新反演方法.用三维射线追踪程序计算出电离层掩星观测模拟数据,分别应用改正TEC方法和外推方法进行反演,将反演结果与所用模式值进行比较.结果表明：对于轨道高度约800km的GPS/MET掩星模拟数据,外推方法和改正TEC方法反演结果都与模式值基本一致;对于轨道高度约400km的CHAMP掩星模拟数据,外推方法误差较大,改正TEC方法反演结果与模式值相符得较好.将改正TEC方法应用于GPS/MET实测数据的反演,取得了合理的结果.这些说明,改正TEC算法是一种有效的电离层掩星反演方法,尤其是对于轨道较低的LEO的电离层掩星观测反演特别有用.     

电离层预报模型研究

当利用无线电电磁波进行远程通信、卫星导航时,传递信号要受到电离层的影响,因此,对电离层中电子含量的研究显得特别重要.虽然国际上有几种电离层的电子含量预报模型,但其预报只能精确到电子含量的50%～60%.本文提出了一种新的电离层电子含量预报方法:即用球谐函数对IGS(国际GPS服务)所给出的离地面450 km高的球面上的每一网点的电离层电子含量进行拟合,对不同的时间所得到的拟合系数所形成的时间序列用时间序列分析理论中的ARMA(p,q)模型进行预报,从而实现全球的电离层电子含量预报.利用本方法对2004年和2005年IGS所给电离层电子含量资料在地理框架中做了分析预报,5天内电子含量预报相对精度在90%左右.     

顾及电离层变化的层析反演新算法

区别于以往GPS电离层层析研究主要关注迭代模型的思路,本文从两方面入手提高GPS电离层层析迭代算法的反演精度:一方面,顾及传统电离层层析迭代模型仅与对电子密度误差起放大作用的GPS射线截距权重相关的不足,提出考虑层析像素格网中的电子密度对GPS TEC的贡献建立新的迭代模型,在不同电子密度像素格网内重新分配GPS TEC实测值与其反演值之间的差距;另一方面,顾及电离层层析迭代算法中松弛因子对反演结果的影响,提出考虑电子密度变化构造新的松弛因子,抑制传播噪声对电子密度反演精度的影响.实验结果显示,相对于传统代数重构算法(ART),新方法反演的电离层电子密度剖面更接近于电离层测高仪观测的电子密度剖面,提高了电子密度反演精度.     

Ionospheric effects of Poincaré waves in the observations of the total electron content

Disturbances of the daily variations in the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere during and after geomagnetic storms, obtained from the observations of the GPS satellite signals, are considered. The specific features of these disturbances consist in the intensification of the variations with periods of 4–6 h, the amplitude of which increase at midlatitudes, and in a weak dependence of local maximums on latitude and their considerable longitudinal variability. The possibility of explaining observed disturbances of the considered daily variations by the generation of standing planetary Poincaré waves is discussed. The estimated periods of Poincaré waves, latitudinal structure of these waves, and their ionospheric effects make it possible to qualitatively explain the observed specific variations in TEC.     

电离层GPS掩星反演技术研究

GPS无线电掩星技术是崭新的、高效的地球大气层和电离层探测技术,但仍在发展和完善之中.本文详细推导了Abel积分和绝对TEC电离层反演方法,研究了如何解决Abel积分产生的上下限异常问题;用COSMIC发布的GPS原始数据进行了反演计算,将结果与地面电离层测高仪数据进行了比较,最后讨论了周跳对反演结果的影响问题.结果表明：（1）在较高轨道高度（约800 km）,Abel积分与绝对TEC方法的反演结果基本一致,都与电离层测高仪反演结果符合良好;在较低轨道高度（约500 km）,绝对TEC反演精度优于Abel积分反演精度;（2）绝对TEC反演的最大电子密度N_m较Abel积分法获得的结果更接近于电离层测高获得的峰值电子密度N_mF₂,绝对TEC反演法更加严密和有效;（3）周跳对绝对TEC反演结果的影响较Abel积分反演结果的影响更为敏感,但无论哪种方法,周跳对反演精度都造成严重损失.综合而言,绝对TEC反演法是更优的方法.     

中国西南区域孕震区电离层TEC变化长时间序列分析

通过中国地壳运动网络提供的GPS观测数据,获取了高精度电离层TEC分布,采用滑动四分位法分析了中国西南区域2008年4—10月(太阳和地磁活动平静时段)6次连续的MW6.0以上地震期间孕震区电离层TEC长时间变化及其异常分布;并在此基础上利用GIM数据对比分析了全球TEC变化特征。鉴于电离层主要受到太阳和地磁等空间天气的影响,将TEC变化与太阳EUV辐射、行星际磁场南向分量IMF Bz以及地磁活动指数Dst和Kp进行了比较。结果发现,该时段内电离层TEC异常扰动与太阳和地磁活动有很好的相关性;除汶川地震外,其他地震前没有发现明显的跟地震相关的TEC异常扰动现象。同时,对比分析了与上述研究区位于同一地磁纬度的"检验区"(30°~50°E,15°~35°N)的GPS TEC随时间变化和异常分布情况,结果显示TEC异常分布的时空特征与研究区域较为一致。由于电离层是一个复杂的系统,其扰动具有多源性,而且地震电离层扰动现象是复杂多变的,因此需要联合地基和天基手段共同观测,并加强其机理研究。     

Ionospheric imaging at mid-latitudes using both GPS and ionosondes

Measurements from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites provide a valuable source of information about the ionosphere in the form of ray-path integrations of electron density. Total electron content (TEC) through the ionosphere can be estimated for specific satellite-to-ground paths using the two GPS frequencies and knowledge of the dispersive properties of the ionosphere. One approach used is the ionospheric imaging tool Multi Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS), which uses differential phase data from a number of GPS satellites and receivers to create an ionospheric movie of electron density. This paper addresses the accuracy with which MIDAS images the electron density at the F-layer peak. Firstly, the image accuracy is tested using a simulation of the imaging technique, representative of 1 year of data. Experimental GPS phase data are then used to image the electron density during a period of disturbed geomagnetic activity during April 2002. The images are compared to independent measurements from three ionosondes located across Europe and confirm the underestimate in peak electron density that was found in the simulation. Regardless of the peak density errors the vertical TEC in the images remains accurate. The accuracy of the imaged peak electron density is shown to improve across the image when measurements from ionosondes are included in the inversion process.     

Variations of the electromagnetic fields and ionospheric parameters in the Baikal Rift Zone

Variations in the geomagnetic and electric fields and variations of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere recorded in the Baikal Rift Zone (BRZ) during the expeditions in 2009 and 2010 are analyzed. Synchronous bursts in the geomagnetic field on the ground and in the ionosphere, which are caused by propagation of electromagnetic disturbances (spherics) generated by the remote lightning discharges, are revealed. The analysis of the occurrence frequency of the electromagnetic disturbances at an altitude of ∼700 km shows that there is a preferred region of predominant propagation of these disturbances from the Earth-ionosphere waveguide to the upper ionosphere. When the ionospheric penetration point moves through this preferred region, the frequency spectrum of TEC variations changes, and the northern boundary of the region of spectral alteration is located at ∼54°N. The bursts in TEC that map on the zones of the main faults in the Tunka valley are identified. The results probably suggest a relation between the electromagnetic phenomena in the ionosphere and the structures in the lithosphere.     

LEO GPS接收机仪器偏差估计

LEO GPS观测已成为空间电离层研究重要手段之一,通过GPS双频观测值获取的TEC则是电离层探测的一个重要参量,为获取高精度TEC需估计和消除GPS接收机仪器偏差（DCB）.本文旨在探索一种全新的LEO GPS接收机仪器偏差的估计方法：基于电离层球对称的假设,利用CHAMP和COSMIC原始GPS观测数据,采用几何映射函数,通过最小二乘解算出GPS接收机仪器偏差.结果表明：(1)2008年1月份期间,通过上述方法解算的仪器偏差都较稳定,相比COSMIC网上发布结果,标准偏差都在0.6 ns以内;（2）COSMIC（轨道高度大约800 km）仪器偏差估计结果优于CHAMP（轨道高度大约400 km）的结果,原因为：对于不同轨道高度LEO GPS仪器偏差估计,其较高轨道高度的电离层球对称假设影响较小.     

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.