On the use of ScintPi to monitor and study ionospheric irregularities

The use of distributed arrays of small instruments can contribute to our understanding of fundamental physical processes associated with the genesis, evolution and decay of ionospheric irregularities. The use of a network of low-cost instruments can also contribute to our assessment of the potential impact of these irregularities on different types of technological systems that rely on trans-ionospheric radio propagation.

ScintPi is a low-cost, easy-to-build ionospheric scintillation monitor developed using Raspberry Pi and peripherals. Each system costs roughly $100.00 USD and uses GNSS signals to monitor ionospheric irregularities. As a test of the system, a ScintPi prototype operated continuously for over a year In Brazil and was used to successfully monitor the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities associated with equatorial spread F. Additional details of the system and discussion of observations can be found in Rodrigues and Moraes, Earth and Space Science, (2019), doi: 10.1029/2019EA000588.

In this talk, we will provide information about ScintPi, present examples of observations, and discuss recent modifications and results. Then, we will discuss how ScintPi can help us better understand the evolution and impact of ionospheric irregularities causing scintillation.