A semiautomatic technique for the interpretation of ionospheric data

The data processing system of the Ionospheric Station at Torino, Italy is described. The system involves an analog and a digital sounder; hourly readings of data are digitized and processed by a minicomputer to permit display on a television monitor screen. Semiautomatic techniques enable the critical frequencies and the virtual height of the ionospheric reflection to be identified efficiently on the display. In addition, maximum usable frequency over a distance of 3000 km can be readily obtained through semiautomatic analysis of the television display. Data storage methods are also mentioned.