The Rate of TEC Index and Global Ionospheric Irregularity Map
Abstract
The rate of total electron content (TEC) index (ROTI) [Pi et al., 1997] characterizes random fluctuations of ionospheric TEC, which occur when the radio signals traverse ionospheric irregularities. The index can be derived from dual-frequency carrier phase data of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals tracked using geodetic-type GNSS receivers. Compared to the traditional ionospheric scintillation measurements, major characteristics of ROTI include: (1) measurements of integrated ionospheric irregularities; (2) not susceptible to receiver local oscillator error; (3) applicable to detection of irregularity-induced phase fluctuations at different carriers; (4) applicable to GNSS-based systems to mitigate the effects of ionospheric scintillation. ROTI data can be obtained from thousands of existing geodetic survey stations. ROTI measurements have been applied to the assessment of GNSS positioning degradation due to scintillation effects [Pi et al., 2017]. Using ROTI, global ionospheric irregularity maps (GIIMs) can be generated at 5-minute cadence. GIIMs capture global and regional activities of ionospheric irregularities under nominal geophysical conditions and during space weather storms. Prototype systems for global and regional nowcast of ionospheric irregularities using ROTI and GIIM have been developed and tested with real-time GNSS networks. This presentation will give an overview of ROTI and GIIM, discuss pros and cons of the ROTI vs. the traditional ionospheric scintillation measurements, and report the development of prototype nowcast systems. Highlights of science investigations and technology applications using ROTI and GIIM will also be presented.References:X. Pi, A. J. Mannucci, U. J. Lindqwister, and C. M. Ho, Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol. 24, No. 18, pp. 2283-2286, Sept. 15, 1997.Xiaoqing Pi, Byron A. Iijima, and Wenwen Lu, Navigation, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp.3-22, Spring 2017.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E2660P