ETS-II experiments. V - Effect of ionosphere

Propagation characteristics of gigahertz and very high frequency waves through the mid-latitude ionosphere have been studied applying the coherent beacon signals of 1.7, 11.5, and 34.5 GHz and the 136-MHz telemetry signal emitted from the geostationary Engineering Test Satellite Type II (ETS-II). Total electron content (TEC) was obtained by measuring the differential phase shift between 1.7 and 11.5 GHz waves and also by the Faraday rotation of the 136-MHz carrier, the former method being more sensitive than the latter one for detecting fluctuating TEC. The techniques for the ETS-II ionospheric wave propagation experiment are presented, including a description of the coherent receiver system in the gigahertz frequency range at Kashima and a description of the 136-MHz Faraday rotation receiver at Kokubunji. The capabilities of the facilities for monitoring the mid-latitude ionosphere by giving some observational results are also discussed.