Case study of inclined sporadic E layers in the Earth’s ionosphere observed by CHAMP/GPS radio occultations: Coupling between the tilted plasma layers and internal waves

We have used the radio occultation (RO) satellite data CHAMP/GPS (Challenging Minisatellite Payload/Global Positioning System) for studying the ionosphere of the Earth. A method for deriving the parameters of ionospheric structures is based upon an analysis of the RO signal variations in the phase path and intensity. This method allows one to estimate the spatial displacement of a plasma layer with respect to the ray perigee, and to determine the layer inclination and height correction values. In this paper, we focus on the case study of inclined sporadic E (E_s) layers in the high-latitude ionosphere based on available CHAMP RO data. Assuming that the internal gravity waves (IGWs) with the phase-fronts parallel to the ionization layer surfaces are responsible for the tilt angles of sporadic plasma layers, we have developed a new technique for determining the parameters of IGWs linked with the inclined E_s structures. A small-scale internal wave may be modulating initially horizontal E_s layer in height and causing a direction of the plasma density gradient to be rotated and aligned with that of the wave propagation vector k. The results of determination of the intrinsic wave frequency and period, vertical and horizontal wavelengths, intrinsic vertical and horizontal phase speeds, and other characteristics of IGWs under study are presented and discussed.     

基于STK的GPS/LEO无线电掩星技术仿真研究

GPS/LEO无线电掩星技术反演地球大气参数剖面已经具有较高的精度. 国外开展了多个GPS/LEO掩星项目, 但中国还尚未深入进行相关的实验, 这制约了中国掩星技术的发展. 本文提出基于STK进行GPS/LEO掩星技术研究的方法; 根据GPS/LEO掩星的原理, 推导出掩星事件发生的条件和掩星切点的计算公式; 利用STK对掩星过程进行模拟, 得到掩星数据. 在大气球对称假设和大气模型已知的条件下, 反演得到中性大气折射指数. 通过比较模型和反演数据, 表明反演数据精度较高, 验证了利用STK模拟GPS/LEO掩星实验方法的可行性.      

Evaluation of uncertainty in gravity wave potential energy calculations through GPS radio occultation measurements

The application of the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) method to the atmosphere enables the determination of height profiles of temperature, among other variables. From these measurements, gravity wave activity is usually quantified by calculating the potential energy through the integration of the ratio of perturbation and background temperatures between two given altitudes in each profile. The uncertainty in the estimation of wave activity depends on the systematic biases and random errors of the measured temperature, but also on additional factors like the selected vertical integration layer and the separation method between background and perturbation temperatures. In this study, the contributions of different parameters and variables to the uncertainty in the calculation of gravity wave potential energy in the lower stratosphere are investigated and quantified. In particular, a Monte Carlo method is used to evaluate the uncertainty that results from different GPS RO temperature error distributions. In addition, our analysis shows that RO data above 30 km height becomes dubious for gravity waves potential energy calculations.     

台风影响电离层F2区的一种可能机制

在台风期间,特别是台风登陆前后,强烈的海气、陆气相互作用会增强低层大气中的湍流活动,并可能导致大气湍流层顶的抬升.这种抬升会改变高层大气结构,从而影响高层大气中的光化学过程,最终造成对电离层的影响.在台风活动抬升了湍流层顶的前提下,利用一个一维电离层物理模型,模拟了日本中纬地区(45°N,142°E)电离层F2区的响应.模拟结果很好地定性解释了如下观测事实,台风期间,电离层f0F2会下降,对给定频率电波的反射面会抬升;同时还表明以上过程会导致hmF2上升,这表明台风期间湍流层顶的抬升可能是台风影响电离层F2区的一种十分有效的机制.      

Observation of wave structures in the upper atmosphere by means of radio holographic analysis of the radio occultation data

A radio holographic approach, developed by Pavelyev (1998), Hocke (1999), Igarashi (2000), is applied to observation of wave phenomena in the upper atmosphere using Global Positioning System — “Microlab-1” satellite (GPS/MET) radio occultation data. In the current state the radio holography approach uses the radar focused synthetic aperture principle to obtain high spatial resolution, and to remove the interference part corresponding to scattering from the upper ionosphere. High spatial resolution and accuracy of the radio halographic method is validated by means of revealing the weak signal reflected from the sea in the GPS/MET radio occultation data. The radio holographic method gives a new possibility to measure directly the vertical gradient of the electron density altitude profile in the D-layer using the radio occultation signal. The results of the application of radio holographic analysis to two GPS/MET occultation events (07 February 1997, No. 0447, 0158), in the D-region of the ionosphere, are discussed. Wave structures in the electron density concentration with a vertical spatial period of 1.4–6 km, and variations in the electron density gradient from ±5·10⁹ to ±8·10⁹ [1/(m³km)], have been retrieved from the D-layer data. The features observed in the vertical electron density profiles may be connected with breaking of gravity waves in the D-layer of the ionosphere.     

Supertyphoon Hagibis action in the ionosphere on 6–13 October 2019: Results from multi-frequency multiple path sounding at oblique incidence

The purpose of the present paper is to describe the observations of the variations in the parameters of HF radio waves propagating through the ionosphere when the action of the super typhoon Hagibis on 6–13 October 2019 occurred. The observations have been made with the Harbin Engineering University (the People's Republic of China) multi-frequency multiple path radio system involving the software-defined technology. The action of the super typhoon has been shown to be accompanied by enhanced atmospheric wave activity acting to generate wave processes with periods of 10 to 120 min. Coupling in the atmosphere–upper-atmosphere–ionosphere system has been confirmed to be carried out with atmospheric gravity waves. The ionosphere underwent the greatest impact on those days when the supertyphoon had maximum energy, on 8, 10, and especially 9 October 2019, and when it was found to be in an ～2,500–3,000-km distance range from the propagation path midpoints. Under the action of wave processes, the height of the reflection region was observed to oscillate within the ±(30–90 km) limits. The amplitude of the quasi-periodic variations in the ionospheric F-region electron density was estimated to be 10–12% for periods of ～20 min, and 30–60% for periods of ～60–120 min. The joint action of the dusk terminator and the supertyphoon has been confirmed to enhance wave activity in the ionosphere. Similar effects for the dawn terminator have not been detected.     

基于一维模型的高频电波加热电离层F层数值研究

基于电离层一维仿真加热模型,详细介绍了模型中电子的动量方程、连续性方程、能量方程和各类参量表达式,利用对角矩阵追赶法数值求解电离层F层加热过程,分析了不同时次电子数密度和电子温度的变化,讨论了不同频率和不同功率电波加热的情形.结果表明:当高频电波加热高电离层时,电子温度迅速增加,并很快趋近于饱和状态;电子密度的变化较为迟缓,但在加热过程中其变化幅度却越来越大;电子密度变化量在沿磁场方向上形成空洞和上下稠团两峰一谷构型;频率越大、功率越高的电波加热时,电子密度的变化也越大,但存在一适值频率的电波对电子温度的影响最小.      

Fading in the HF ionospheric channel and the role of irregularities

It is well known that the ionosphere affects radio wave propagation especially in the high frequency (HF) range. HF radio waves reflected by the ionosphere can reach considerable distances, often with changes in amplitude, phase, and frequency. The ionosphere is a dispersive in frequency and time, bi-refractive, absorbing medium, in which multipath propagation due to traveling irregularities is very frequent. The traveling irregularities undulate the reflecting ionospheric layer, introducing variations in signal amplitude (fading). In this multipath time variant channel fading is mainly considered, even though it is not the sole effect. Echo signals from a single reflection, as in ionospheric vertical sounding (VIS) techniques, are affected by a certain degree of variability even in quiet ionospheric conditions. In this work the behavior of the ionospheric channel is studied and characterized by observing the power variation of received echoes using the VIS technique. Multipath fading was analyzed quantifying the power variation of the signal echo due to irregularities on a temporal scale from 0.5 to 256 s. An experimental set-up derived from an ionosonde was implemented and the analysis was performed employing a special numerical algorithm operating off-line on the acquired time sequence of the signal. The gain-loss of the irregularity shapes are determined in some special cases.     

从射电天文观测中提取电离层信息的一种统计方法

本文在分析了法拉第旋转效应、多源观测效应和程差补偿误差等对可见度函数的相位的影响的基础上,确认了:当电离层不规则性尺度较基线长为大时,仅有电离层引起的可见度函数的相位与基线长成正比且具有随时间快变化的特点这一物理事实;从而提出了从米波综合孔径射电望远镜的观测数据中提取电离层信息的统计方法,并分析了该法的特点,给出了统计实例.      

General aspect of GPS data use for atmospheric science

The radio link between a GPS satellite and a GPS receiver is appropriate for bistatic radar sounding of the Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, and ocean surface (latter in case of GPS reflection). Measurements of GPS phases and amplitudes are currently performed by spaceborne, airborne, mountain- and ground-based GPS receivers. In the present paper, an uniform approach based on geometrical optics and spherical symmetry of the atmosphere is applied to various GPS observation configurations. Atmospheric mapping function, influence and retrieval of ionospheric layers/disturbances, tropospheric water vapor, and possible measurement of vertical winds and wave velocities are investigated by use of simulation data of GPS phase path excess and bending angle.     

The physical mechanism of the solar variability influence on electrical and climatic characteristics of the troposphere

Possible mechanisms of solar–climatic connections, which may be of importance over short and long time intervals, are discussed. The variations of energetic balance of Earth’s climatic system for the last 50 years are estimated. It is ascertained that the imbalance between the flux of solar energy that comes to the Earth and radiates to space is of 0.1% for the last ten years. The significance is analyzed for the possible influence of variations of solar constant upon the energetic balance of the atmosphere.The physical mechanism of the influence of solar activity on climatic characteristics and the atmospheric circulation is suggested and theoretically substantiated. The mechanism is based on the redistribution in lower-troposphere of condensation nuclei by the vertical electric field. This electric field is determined by the ionosphere–Earth electric potential, which in the Polar Regions is controlled not only by tropical thunderstorms and by the galactic cosmic-ray intensity but also by solar cosmic-ray fluxes. The height redistribution in the atmosphere of condensation nuclei with a change of the electric field of the atmosphere is accompanied by a change in total latent heat (phase transition of water vapor), by changes in radiation balance, and by subsequent changes of the thermobaric field of troposphere. The results of analysis of thermobaric field variations for the periods of invasion of abnormally powerful solar cosmic ray fluxes and magnetic storms confirm the reality of manifestation of heliogeophysical disturbances.     

月地转移轨道快速设计与特性分析

对采用直接大气再入方式的月地转移轨道,考虑大气再入界面参数和地面落点位置约束,提出了一种基于双二体模型的快速设计方法。该方法分为内外两层迭代循环,内层循环使月心段轨道和地心段轨道在月球影响球边界处连续,并采用Lambert问题与Newton-Raphson法相集合的方法求解满足再入角约束的地心段轨道参数;外层循环通过调整地心段轨道倾角和轨道置入时间使月地转移轨道满足地面落点位置约束。分析表明,存在四种类型的月地转移轨道满足大气再入界面约束,分别为降 降型、降 升型、升 降型和升 升型。在此基础上,对四种类型月地转移轨道的近地点地心距、置入分布点、再入点分布等特性进行了分析。仿真结果验证了所提出方法的有效性。     

大气电波折射引起无线定位误差的试验研究

由于空中大气介质的不均匀性使得电波传播速度减慢射线产生弯曲,从而产生折射误差。因此要提高无线电定位的精度,就必须进行电波折射修正。本文提出了电波折射误差快速算法及修正。     

Electron density retrieval from occulting GNSS signals using a gradient-aided inversion technique

In the coming years, opportunities for remote sensing of electron density in the Earth’s ionosphere will expand with the advent of Galileo, which will become part of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Methods for accurate electron density retrieval from radio occultation data continue to improve. We describe a new method of electron density retrieval using total electron content measurements obtained in low Earth orbit. This method can be applied to data from dual-frequency receivers tracking the GPS or Galileo transmitters. This simulation study demonstrates that the method significantly improves retrieval accuracy compared to the standard Abel inversion approach that assumes a spherically symmetric ionosphere. Our method incorporates horizontal gradient information available from global maps of Total Electron Content (TEC), which are available from the International GNSS Service (IGS) on a routine basis. The combination of ground and space measurements allows us to improve the accuracy of electron density profiles near the occultation tangent point in the E and F regions of the ionosphere.     

Research on the disturbance of ballistic missile to ionosphere by using 3D ray tracing method

This study uses the 3D ray tracing to analyse ionospheric disturbance generated by a ballistic missile plume (which was simulated in our previous work). Ray tracing results show that the 6 MHz radio waves are completely reflected by the ionosphere and cannot reach the ionospheric disturbance zone. The 8 MHz radio waves partially penetrate the ionospheric disturbance zone, producing a focusing effect. Most of the 10 MHz radio waves pass through the ionosphere and the disturbance zone. The focusing effect and focus height are reduced. In the height range 65̃400 km, the ray absorption loss of reflection is greater than the transmitted ray. When the ray is reflected multiple times in the cavity formed by the plume, ray absorption loss greatly increases.     

Lower ionosphere response to external forcing: A brief review

There are two ways of external forcing of the lower ionosphere, the region below an altitude of about 100 km: (1) From above, which is directly or indirectly of solar origin. (2) From below, which is directly or indirectly of atmospheric origin. The external forcing of solar origin consists of two general factors – solar ionizing radiation variability and space weather. The solar ionization variability consist mainly from the 11-year solar cycle, the 27-day solar rotation and solar flares, strong flares being very important phenomenon in the daytime lower ionosphere due to the enormous increase of the solar X-ray flux resulting in temporal terminating of MF and partly LF and HF radio wave propagation due to heavy absorption of radio waves. Monitoring of the sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs – effects of solar flares in the lower ionosphere) served in the past as an important tool of monitoring the solar activity and its impacts on the ionosphere. Space weather effects on the lower ionosphere consist of many different but often inter-related phenomena, which govern the lower ionosphere variability at high latitudes, particularly at night. The most important space weather phenomenon for the lower ionosphere is strong geomagnetic storms, which affect substantially both the high- and mid-latitude lower ionosphere. As for forcing from below, it is caused mainly by waves in the neutral atmosphere, i.e. planetary, tidal, gravity and infrasonic waves. The most important and most studied waves are planetary and gravity waves. Another channel of the troposphere coupling to the lower ionosphere is through lightning-related processes leading to sprites, blue jets etc. and their ionospheric counterparts. These phenomena occur on very short time scales. The external forcing of the lower ionosphere has observationally been studied using predominantly ground-based methods exploiting in various ways the radio wave propagation, and by sporadic rocket soundings. All the above phenomena are briefly mentioned and some of them are treated in more detail.     

电离层Es对HF和VHF传播信号的影响

Es层是存在于电离层中的电子密度非常高的偶发E层（Sporadic E）,其电子密度可达常规E层的100倍.电离层Es能够反射原本穿透F层的VHF低频段（30~150MHz）无线电波,而且对HF高频段（10~30MHz）无线电波传播具有显著影响.运用垂测和斜测观测数据,研究HF频段Es层电波传播特征,得到了不同类型及不同高度Es层的衰减系数.根据f₀E_s的日变化规律,可得HF频段衰减系数的日变化规律,进而分析并得到Es层对短波传播的影响.不存在电离层Es时,通常无法通过电离层实现VHF超远距离通信.为了对VHF链路通过电离层Es的传播衰减进行定量分析,根据EBU多条链路的观测结果,拟合并建立了电离层Es衰减模型.将该模型、ITU模型和观测数据进行对比,发现本文建立的模型准确度更高.利用建立的模型,对电离层Es不同临频f₀E_s条件下接收信号场强和电压随传播距离的变化进行了计算,结果可为VHF链路设计及建立提供参考.      

电离层短波射线追踪

本文以电离层等离子体参量的平均背景模式计算为基础, 给出一种电离层短波射线轨迹计算方法。供短波通信系统、工作于短波段的其它系统(如HF雷达的目标定位系统)及有关研究工作使用参考。      

由高频无线电波反射回波参数反演电离层运动和结构的高度剖面

本文从广义电波射线微分方程组出发,导出了时变、不均匀和各向异性电离层介质中高频无线电波反射回波的可测参数与电离层的运动和结构参数之间的积分方程组,并给出了利用现代数字测高仪中的多普勒图、定向图、频高图和测距图,反演电离层的结构和运动随高度的分布剖面的计算方法.根据这种反演方法,单站探测电离层运动和结构剖面时有多种可测参量的组合方式.文中提出了一种最佳的参量组合方案,为探测设备的改进和观测记录的分析提供了理论依据.      

机动雷达系统中的电波折射修正方法

要提高对空中目标的定位导航精度 ,就必须进行电波折射修正 ,该文提出了在机动雷达系统中利用地面气象参数的电波折射误差快速算法 ,并且也进行了精度检验 ;证明了在 4°以上仰角完全可用快速算法代替射线描迹法 ;从而解决了对于机动雷达系统不能快速进行电波折射误差修正或精度较差的问题。这对于提高机动雷达的测量精度具有重要的意义。