The solar eclipse and its associated ionospheric TEC variations over Indian stations on January 15, 2010

An annular solar eclipse occurred over the Indian subcontinent during the afternoon hours of January 15, 2010. This event was unique in the sense that solar activity was minimum and the eclipse period coincides with the peak ionization time at the Indian equatorial and low latitudes. The number of GPS receivers situated along the path of solar eclipse were used to investigate the response of total electron content (TEC) under the influence of this solar eclipse. These GPS receivers are part of the Indian Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) named as ‘GAGAN’ (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) program. The eight GPS stations located over the wide range of longitudes allows us to differentiate between the various factors induced due to solar eclipse over the equatorial and low latitude ionosphere. The effect of the eclipse was detected in diurnal variations of TEC at all the stations along the eclipse path. The solar eclipse has altered the ionospheric behavior along its path by inducing atmospheric gravity waves, localized counter-electrojet and attenuation of solar radiation intensity. These three factors primarily control the production, loss and transport of plasma over the equatorial and low latitudes. The localized counter-electrojet had inhibited the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the longitude belt of 72°E–85°E. Thus, there was a negative deviation of the order of 20–40% at the equatorial anomaly stations lying in this ‘inhibited EIA region’. The negative deviation of only 10–20% is observed for the stations lying outside the ‘inhibited EIA region’. The pre-eclipse effect in the form of early morning enhancement of TEC associated with atmospheric gravity waves was also observed during this solar eclipse. More clear and distinctive spatial and temporal variations of TEC were detected along the individual satellite passes. It is also observed that TEC starts responding to the eclipse after 30 min from start of eclipse and the delay of the maximum TEC deviation from normal trend with respect to the maximum phase of the eclipse was close to one hour in the solar eclipse path.     

Comparison of GPS TEC measurements with IRI-2007 TEC prediction over the Kenyan region during the descending phase of solar cycle 23

This paper presents an analysis of the Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from the International GNSS Service receiver (formerly IGS) at Malindi (2.9°S, 40.1°E), Kenya for the periods 2004–2006 during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. The diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of the TEC are compared with TEC from the latest International Reference Ionosphere model (IRI-2007). The GPS–TEC exhibits features such as an equatorial noon time dip, semi-annual variations, Equatorial Ionization Anomaly and day-to-day variability. The lowest GPS–TEC values are observed near the June solstice and September equinox whereas largest values are observed near the March equinox and December solstice. The mean GPS–TEC values show a minimum at 03:00 UT and a peak value at about 10:00 UT. These results are compared with the TEC derived from IRI-2007 using the NeQuick option for the topside electron density (IRI–TEC). Seasonal mean hourly averages show that IRI-2007 model TEC values are too high for all the seasons. The high prediction primarily occur during daytime hours till around midnight hours local time for all the seasons, with the highest percentage deviation in TEC of more 90% seen in September equinox and lowest percentage deviation in TEC of less than 20% seen in March equinox. Unlike the GPS–TEC, the IRI–TEC does not respond to geomagnetic storms and does overestimate TEC during the recovery phase of the storm. While the modeled and observed data do correlate so well, we note that IRI-2007 model is strongly overestimating the equatorial ion fountain effect during the descending phase of solar cycle, and this could be the reason for the very high TEC estimations.     

2009年7月22日日全食期间电离层总电子含量变化研究

利用中国区域内五个GPS台站(一个台站处于日全食区域、四个台站处于日偏食区域)观测数据, 研究2009年7月22日日全食期间电离层总电子含量(TEC)的变化, 结果表明, 日全食期间, 电离层TEC值经历了下降和恢复的过程, 最小TEC相对于最大食偏的时间延迟约为1～10min; 台站测得最小TEC的星下点(IPP)越靠近日全食带TEC下降量越大, 在日食期间武汉站(114.35°E, 30.53°N) TEC相对于各参考日期的TEC, 其平均下降量最大, 达到4.58TECU.      

电离层效应的测时误差及其修正

电磁波经过电离层传播时会受到电离层折射的影响而产生延迟, 星载接收机探测到的时间是信号延迟之后的到达时间. 某次实验数据显示, 一些波段的瞬态电测辐射信号的群时延之差可达105ns数量级, 这在对信号源进行时差定位时是不能直接运用的. 为有效消除电离层延迟的影响, 将双频修正法应用于某项工程中, 利用接收到的实验数据求解出电离层的TEC(电离层总电子含量), 并在此基础上对信号到达星载接收机的时间进行修正. 最后,对修正结果进行了验证, 给出了误差来源.      

Characterization of GPS-TEC over African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region during 2009–2016

This study characterizes total electron content (TEC) measured by Global Positioning System (GPS) over African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region for 2009–2016 period during both quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp?≤?1) and normal conditions (1?>?Kp?≤?4). GPS-TEC data from four equatorial/low-latitude stations, namely, Addis Ababa (ADIS: 9.04°N, 38.77°E, mag. lat: 0.2°N) [Ethiopia]; Yamoussoukro (YKRO: 6.87°N, 5.24°W, mag. lat: 2.6°S) [Ivory Coast]; Malindi (MAL2; 3.00°S, 40.19°E, mag. lat: 12.4°S) [Kenya] and Libreville (NKLG; 0.35°N, 9.67°W, mag. lat: 13.5°S) [Gabon] were used for this study. Interesting features like noontime TEC bite-out, winter anomaly during the ascending and maximum phases of solar cycle 24, diurnal and seasonal variations with solar activity have been observed and investigated in this study. The day-to-day variations exhibited ionospheric TEC asymmetry on an annual scale. TEC observed at equatorial stations (EIA-trough) and EIA-crest reach maximum values between ～1300–1600 LT and ～1300–1600 LT, respectively. About 76% of the high TEC values were recorded in equinoctial months while the June solstice predominantly exhibited low TEC values. Yearly, the estimated TEC values increases or decreases with solar activity, with 2014 having the highest TEC value. Solar activity dependence of TEC within the EIA zone reveals that both F10.7?cm index and EUV flux (24–36?nm) gives a stronger correlation with TEC than Sunspot Number (SSN). A slightly higher degree of dependence is on EUV flux with the mean highest correlation coefficient (R) value of 0.70, 0.83, 0.82 and 0.88 for quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp?≤?1) at stations ADIS, MAL2, NKLG, and YKRO, respectively. The correlation results for the entire period consequently reveals that SSN and solar flux F10.7?cm index might not be an ideal index as a proxy for EUV flux as well as to measure the variability of TEC strength within the EIA zone. The estimated TEC along the EIA crest (MAL2 and NKLG) exhibited double-hump maximum, as well as post-sunset peaks (night time enhancement of TEC) between ～2100 and 2300 LT. EIA formation was prominent during evening/post-noon hours.     

GPS derived TEC and foF2 variability at an equatorial station and the performance of IRI-model

The ionosphere induces a time delay in transionospheric radio signals such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal. The Total Electron Content (TEC) is a key parameter in the mitigation of ionospheric effects on transionospheric signals. The delay in GPS signal induced by the ionosphere is proportional to TEC along the path from the GPS satellite to a receiver. The diurnal monthly and seasonal variations of ionospheric electron content were studied during the year 2010, a year of extreme solar minimum (F10.7 = 81 solar flux unit), with data from the GPS receiver and the Digisonde Portable Sounder (DPS) collocated at Ilorin (Geog. Lat. 8.50°N, Long. 4.50°E, dip −7.9°). The diurnal monthly variation shows steady increases in TEC and F2-layer critical frequency (foF2) from pre-dawn minimum to afternoon maximum and then decreases after sunset. TEC show significant seasonal variation during the daytime between 0900 and 1900 UT (LT = UT + 1 h) with a maximum during the March equinox (about 35 TECU) and minimum during the June solstice (about 24 TECU). The GPS-TEC and foF2 values reveal a weak seasonal anomaly and equinoctial asymmetry during the daytime. The variations observed find their explanations in the amount of solar radiation and neutral gas composition. The measured TEC and foF2 values were compared with last two versions of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2007 and IRI-2012) model predictions using the NeQuick and CCIR (International Radio Consultative Committee) options respectively in the model. In general, the two models give foF2 close to the experimental values, whereas significant discrepancies are found in the predictions of TEC from the models especially during the daytime. The error in height dependent thickness parameter, daytime underestimation of equatorial drift and contributions of electrons from altitudes above 2000 km have been suggested as the possible causes.     

用Kriging方法构建中纬度区域电离层TEC地图

提出了中国中北部及周边(30°N～55°N,70°E～140°E范围内)区域电离层电子浓度总含量(TEC)地图(简称CNC TEC Map)的Kriging算法.比较了目前被广泛使用的电离层模型(Klobuchar,IRI和JPLGIM)与真实的TEC分布的符合情况;比较了常数漂移(普通Kriging方法)、线性漂移和二次漂移的Kriging方法;在三种不同的时间分辨率(5min,30min和120min)下,比较了Kriging算法、就近插值算法和多项式回归算法(5阶)绘制CNC TEC Map的效果.结果显示在本文研究区域内常用的电离层模型与真实TEC分布存在较大的区别;使用普通Kriging方法就可以较好的表示华北地区TEC分布;Kriging方法的结果优于其余两种插值算法,尤其是当时间分辨率提高到5 min时,Kriging算法的优势比较明显.      

通过GPS测量数据研究电离层电子总含量的逐日变化

提出了一种直接通过双频GPS伪距测量数据导出接收站附近垂直TEC的方法,这种方法不需要事先知道卫星和接收机电路时延的精确值,前者可在换算过程中自洽地加以修正,而接收机时钟误差则利用IRI模式的夜晚平均值作为参考来订正,这一订正存在一定的绝对误差,但不会影响逐日相对变化,却使数据处理过程大为简化.得到的垂直TEC为天顶周围60锥角内的平均值,能够相当好地反映电离层电子总含量的周日变化.一个计算实例显示了连续三天北京地区TEC的日变化情况,证实了这一方法的实用性.文中还提出一个新概念或问题,即GPS卫星仰角很小时,通常认为多径效应造成大的误差,本文的一些实例似乎表明,这种多径效应的概念应当包括电离层不规则结构的贡献.     

The relationship between ionospheric total electron content (TEC) over East Asia and the tropospheric circulation around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau obtained with a partial correlation method

This paper reports a study on the relationship between ionospheric total electron content (TEC) over East Asia and the tropospheric circulation around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Ionospheric TEC over East Asia are obtained from 25 observatories during 1996–2004. By applying a partial correlation method which can eliminate the influences of solar and geomagnetic activities, we find no significant correlation between TEC and the Asian zonal circulation index (Iz), but find a positive correlation between the day-to-day variability of TEC and Iz. We suggest that the positive correlation is closely related with the topography of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The dynamical effect on airflow of the plateau can generate vortexes, and the vortexes may continuously excite internal gravity waves (IGWs) which transmit up to the ionosphere and cause regional wave disturbances. This study gives evidence for the dynamical mechanism of ionosphere–troposphere coupling and shows the importance of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the ionosphere–troposphere coupling over East Asia.     

一种基于飞机总能量控制飞行速度/航迹的解耦控制系统设计新方法

在分析总能量控制理论的基础上,提出一种简单实用的飞机飞行速度/航迹解耦控制器设计方法,它以飞机能量控制和能量分配为内核,通过选择合适的误差反馈,采用工程上常用的试凑法,即可获得理想的解耦控制效果。以某型飞机为对象,以飞行速度/高度的解耦控制为例,验证了该方法的有效性。