Studying characteristics of traveling ionospheric disturbances using U-shaped traces on vertical incidence ionograms

This paper presents a case study when due to the descending additional U-shaped trace on vertical incidence ionograms, increased critical frequency stabilizes. This corresponds to an ionospheric disturbance that moves toward the ionosonde and then stays overhead.Within a 2D model, traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are superimposed on the inverted background ionosphere. So ray tracing is used to obtain propagation paths through non-stratified ionosphere thus synthesizing the disturbed ionogram traces. Investigated are changes in the cusp shape caused by varying TID parameters. A cusp-fitting method to determine the TID amplitude, spatial scale, and horizontal drift velocity are shown.     

Adaptation of the bottomside electron density profile of the IRI model to data of topside radiosounding

A method is proposed for reconstructing the electron density profiles N(h) of the IRI model from ionograms of topside satellite sounding of the ionosphere. An ionograms feature is the presence of traces of signal reflection from the Earth's surface. The profile reconstruction is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the N(h) –profile is calculated from the lower boundary of the ionosphere to the satellite height (total profile) by the method presented in this paper using the ionogram. In this case, the monotonic profile of the topside ionosphere is calculated by the classical method. The profile of the inner ionosphere is represented by analytical functions, the parameters of which are calculated by optimization methods using traces of signal reflection, both from the topside ionosphere and from the Earth. At the second stage, the profile calculated from the ionogram is used to obtain the key parameters: the height of the maximum hmF2 of the F2 layer, the critical frequency foF2, the values of B0 and B1, which determine the profile shape in the F region in the IRI model. The input of key parameters, time of observation, and coordinates of sounding into the IRI model allows obtaining the IRI-profile corrected to real experimental conditions. The results of using the data of the ISIS-2 satellite show that the profiles calculated from the ionograms and the IRI profiles corrected from them are close to each other in the inner ionosphere and can differ significantly in the topside ionosphere. This indicates the possibility of obtaining a profile in the inner ionosphere close to the real distribution, which can significantly expand the information database useful for the IRTAM (IRI Realmax Assimilative Modeling) model. The calculated profiles can be used independently for local ionospheric research.     

敏捷数字电离层测高仪系统研制及初步观测

在小型天线和低发射功率条件下，保证电离层测高仪观测数据质量和提高观测速度一直是电离层垂测的技术难点.针对这一问题，基于新近发展的高速数字芯片和射频器件，采用窄带跟踪滤波、脉冲压缩、编码复用和天线均衡匹配等技术，设计和研制一种敏捷数字电离层测高仪.该系统采用数米高的小型收发天线和便携式主机系统，配置任意频率扫描方式频高图、高分辨率多普勒频高图和斜向探测等多种工作模式，具有可流动观测布站、系统参数灵活捷变及适合快速电离层扰动探测等能力.敏捷数字电离层测高仪为组网观测获得大范围电离层时空变化和电离层快速扰动及传播提供了一种有效的探测手段.      

高精度多普勒频高图的获取和分析

电离层高频反射回波的多普勒频移是研究电离层扰动的一个重要参数。在数字测高仪探测中，高分辩率的多普勒频移一般在漂移测量中获得，但这种测量方式探测的频点少，不能获得扰动的高度剖面；而在频高图模式下，虽然工作的频点多，能够获得电子浓度的高度剖面的信息，但探测的多普勒频移的分辩率低，无法用来精确检测电离层扰动。实际的电离层高频回波一般为窄带信号，由此本文中提出了一种新的分析方法，利用DGS-256数字测高仪频高图模式下记录的16个多普勒通道的数据，通过反傅里叶变换还原成时域信号，采用最小二乘法估计相邻时间点的相位差，获得高精度多普勒频高图。作为实例，利用该方法分析武汉电离层观象台数字测高仪观测站的观测数据，得到了多频点的多普勒频移曲线。结果表明：在DGS-256数字测高仪频高图模式下能够得到高精度多普勒频高图，这在电离层扰动探测和研究中很在意义。     

Method of the HF wave absorption evaluation based on GIRO network data

High frequency (HF) communication is strongly dependent on the state of the ionosphere, which specifies the mode structure of the radio wave propagating in ionosphere. Another core factor defining the strength of the HF signal at the receiving site is the ionospheric absorption. Accurate modelling the effect of absorption is an essential part of many studies of the HF propagation in the ionosphere.This paper proposes a method for estimating the absorption. The method is based on analysis of vertical sounding ionograms. The main idea of the approach is to compare the main parameters retrieved from measured and simulated ionograms. The combination of Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory (GIRO, http://giro.uml.edu) data and ionograms modelling allows for developing the empiric absorption model available at near real-time. The ionogram simulation taking into account absorption utilizes the NIM-RT (North Ionospheric Model and Ray Tracing) software. As a result, the proposed technique provides more reliable and accurate evaluation of minimum frequency at which echoes are observed in vertical incidence ionosonde soundings. The values of these frequencies should be used in the following simulation to optimize parameters in the empirical formulae for defining absorption HF wave in ionosphere.The ultimate objective of this work is the designing the method, which allows the simulating of HF radio channel accounting for regular absorption due to UV radiation of the Sun. Eventually it could be considered as some kind of the HF propagation forecasting.     

Comparison between ionospheric peak parameters retrieved from COSMIC measurement and ionosonde observation over Sanya

In this paper we compared the ionospheric peak parameters (peak electron density of the F region, NmF2, and peak height of the F region, hmF2) retrieved from the FORMASAT-3/COSMIC (COSMIC for short) satellite measurement with those from ionosonde observation at Sanya (18.3°N, 109.6°E) during the period of 2008–2013. Although COSMIC NmF2 (hmF2) tends to be lower (higher) than ionosonde NmF2 (hmF2), the results show that the ionospheric peak parameters retrieved from COSMIC measurement generally agree well with ionosonde observation. For NmF2 the correlation between the COSMIC measurement and the ionosonde observation is higher than 0.89, and for hmF2 the correlation is higher than 0.80. The correlation of the ionospheric peak parameters decreases when solar activity increases. The performance of COSMIC measurement is acceptable under geomagnetic disturbed condition. The correlation of NmF2 between COSMIC and ionosonde measurements is higher (lower) during the nighttime (daytime), while the correlation of hmF2 is lower (higher) during the nighttime (daytime).     

Ground and satellite-based observations of ionospheric plasma bubbles and blobs at 5.65° latitude in the Brazilian sector

This investigation uses simultaneous observations from all-sky imager system and an ionosonde collocated at Araguatins (5.65° S, 48.07° W and dip-latitude of 4.17° S), a near-equatorial region in Brazil. These simultaneous observations were used to investigate the occurrence of plasma bubbles and blobs in the field of the imaging system and their association with atypical range Spread-F signature in ionograms. Also, in-situ observation of plasma density from Swarm satellites were used to support the ground-based observations. Using a few cases, a methodology will be established to identify in the plasma blobs (atypical ESF) in the ionograms when there is the simultaneous observation of plasma bubbles and blobs in the field of view of the ionosonde. For this purpose, simultaneous sequence of OI 630.0 nm nightglow images and ionograms are presented for different case studies; 1. when there is the absence of a plasma bubble or blob, 2. when there is only the occurrence of plasma bubbles and 3. when there is the occurrence of plasma bubbles and blobs, in order to compare traces in the ionogram in all these case studies. With these we can cover all kinds of signatures in the ionograms corresponding to no irregularities, plasma bubbles only and plasma bubbles-blobs. These OI 630.0 nm nightglow and ionograms recorded simultaneously make it possible to establish a novel methodology to recognize in ionograms cases when there is the occurrence of Spread-F signature associated with bubble-blob in the FOV of the ionosonde.     

A new method for improving the performance of an ionospheric model developed by multi-instrument measurements based on artificial neural network

There are remarkable ionospheric discrepancies between space-borne (COSMIC) measurements and ground-based (ionosonde) observations, the discrepancies could decrease the accuracies of the ionospheric model developed by multi-source data seriously. To reduce the discrepancies between two observational systems, the peak frequency (foF2) and peak height (hmF2) derived from the COSMIC and ionosonde data are used to develop the ionospheric models by an artificial neural network (ANN) method, respectively. The averaged root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of COSPF (COSMIC peak frequency model), COSPH (COSMIC peak height model), IONOPF (Ionosonde peak frequency model) and IONOPH (Ionosonde peak height model) are 0.58 MHz, 19.59 km, 0.92 MHz and 23.40 km, respectively. The results indicate that the discrepancies between these models are dependent on universal time, geographic latitude and seasons. The peak frequencies measured by COSMIC are generally larger than ionosonde’s observations in the nighttime or middle-latitudes with the amplitude of lower than 25%, while the averaged peak height derived from COSMIC is smaller than ionosonde’s data in the polar regions. The differences between ANN-based maps and references show that the discrepancies between two ionospheric detecting techniques are proportional to the intensity of solar radiation. Besides, a new method based on the ANN technique is proposed to reduce the discrepancies for improving ionospheric models developed by multiple measurements, the results indicate that the RMSEs of ANN models optimized by the method are 14–25% lower than the models without the application of the method. Furthermore, the ionospheric model built by the multiple measurements with the application of the method is more powerful in capturing the ionospheric dynamic physics features, such as equatorial ionization, Weddell Sea, mid-latitude summer nighttime and winter anomalies. In conclusion, the new method is significant in improving the accuracy and physical characteristics of an ionospheric model based on multi-source observations.     

电离层虚高的高精度测量与分析

为了提高电离层虚高测量精度,介绍了利用电离层回波相位实现高精度虚高测量的方法,并以CADI(Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde)电离层数字测高仪为研究平台,进行组合脉冲控制和回波相位测量分析,开展了一系列虚高测量实验,并与传统的利用回波时间延迟的虚高测量方法进行了分析比较.实验结果表明,基于回波相位的测量分析方法与回波时延测量分析方法相比,其虚高测量精度高一个量级以上,这对精确反演电离层峰下电子浓度剖面及研究电离层精细结构具有重要意义.      

电离层数字测高仪被动接收观测模式研究

利用CADI(Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde)电离层数字测高仪平台,实现了新的电离层数字测高仪被动接收观测模式.利用新开发的观测模式,在观测台站开展了一系列实验观测研究,经过信号处理和信息提取,获得了电离层特征参量f0F2回归方程,高频信道背景噪声分布,电离层D层对电波的吸收等电离层探测信息.实验观测结果表明,所获取的f0F2与主动探测结果相关性在0.84以上,高频信道背景噪声分布以及电离层D层吸收状况与电离层实际分析结果相吻合.     

Progress in ionospheric informatics based on electron-density profile analysis of ionograms

Evolution of techniques for electron-density profile analysis of ionograms attests to a close coupling with ionospheric modelling. Advanced achievements in both fields are used in the International Reference Ionosphere, IRI, the selection being made by criteria of internal consistency. This paper presents the results of comparisons of modern methods of calculating electron-density profiles from ground-based vertical-incidence ionograms. It is shown that the shapes of the resulting electron-density profiles depend upon the peak height and electron density of the E and F-layers. Formulae for the F2-layer sub-peak electron density, the E-F valley and their relation to the peak height of the ionosphere are presented as functions of solar-zenith angle. Implementation of such relationships allows refinement and considerable simplification of representations in the IRI, depending on the solar and geophysical controlling parameters.     

Collocated ionosonde and dense GPS/GLONASS network measurements of midlatitude MSTIDs

To analyze midlatitude medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) over Kazan (55.5°N, 49°E), Russia, the sufficiently dense network of GNSS receivers (more than 150 ground-based stations) were used. For the first time, daytime MSTIDs in the form of their main signature (band structure) on high-resolution two-dimensional maps of the total electron content perturbation (TEC maps) are compared with ionosonde data with a high temporal resolution. For a pair of events, a relationship between southwestward TEC perturbations and evolution of F2 layer traces was established. So F2 peak frequency varied in antiphase to TEC perturbations. The ionograms show that during the movement of plasma depletion band (overhead ionosonde) the F2 peak frequency is the highest, and vice versa, for the plasma enhancement band, the F2 peak frequency is the lowest. One possible explanation may be a greater inclination of the radio beam from the vertical during the placement of a plasma enhancement band above the ionosonde, as evidenced by the absence of multiple reflections and the increased occurrence rate of additional cusp trace. Another possible explanation may be the redistribution of the electron content in the topside ionosphere with a small decrease in the F peak concentration of the layer with a small increase in TEC along the line-of-sight. Analysis of F2 peak frequency variation shows that observed peak-to-peak values of TEC perturbation equal to 0.4 and 1 TECU correspond to the values of ΔN/N equal to 13% and 28%. The need for further research is evident.     

一种数字电离层测高仪系统中O波与X波的分离方法

电离层测高仪系统中,O波与X波的分离非常重要.本文提出一种新的O波与X波分离的实现方法,根据电离层回波的极化特性,通过在接收电路上采用数字方法合成圆极化波的方式,实现了对O波与X波的有效分离.与现有DPS-4测高仪系统采用模拟域电信号合成圆极化波的方法相比,本文方法通过在数字下变频处理过程中引入±90°相移,消除了在模拟域电信号合成方法中相移器的带宽限制和非线性问题.另外,该方法在实现发射和接收信号的极化状态转换时不需要连续切换多个模拟开关,从而提高了整个系统的稳定性.      

Ionospheric observations made by a time-interleaved Doppler ionosonde

Mid-latitude HF observations of ionospheric Doppler velocity as a function of frequency are reported here as observed over a quiet 24-h period by a KEL IPS71 ionosonde operating at a 5-min sampling rate. The unique time-interleaving technique used in this ionosonde provided a Doppler resolution of 0.04 Hz over a Doppler range of ±2.5 Hz at each sounding frequency via FFT processing and is described here for the first time. The time-interleaving technique can be applied to other types of ionosonde as well as to other applications. The measurements described were made at a middle latitude site (Salisbury, South Australia). Doppler variations (<30 min) were ever present throughout the day and showed short-period TID characteristics. The day-time Doppler shift was found to closely follow the rate-of-change of foF2 as predicted by a simple parabolic layer model. The descending cusp in short-period TIDs is shown to mark an abrupt change with increasing frequency from negative towards positive Doppler shift with the greatest change in Doppler shift being observed below the cusp. The “smilergram” is introduced as observed in both F2 and Sporadic E. The characteristic curve in Doppler versus group height at a single frequency is described and related to changes in reflection symmetry, velocity and depth of moving ionospheric inhomogeneities.     

Controlling role of maximum usable frequencies in ionospheric informatics

Considering peak parameters of the ionospheric F region which might be observed/modelled/predicted a few relations connecting such data are pointed out. It is pointed out that the sub-peak semi-thickness of the profile depends on the peak height of the F2-layer. The dispersion range of monthly measurement of the MUFs (maximum usable frequency) inferred from M(3000)F2 is compared with that of the critical frequencies foF2 and found to be larger. The inverted Shimazaki formula yields straight-forward values of MUF from the F2 layer critical frequency and the peak height ZmF2. When comparing MUF-3000 values scaled routinely from ionograms with those obtained from foF2 and ZmF2 of the profile analysis, good agreement is obtained. It is felt that the parameter MUF-3000 is a valuable means for checking data obtained by measurements or by models or by predictions.     

电离层中小尺度扰动的多频多普勒快速探测与分析

电离层反射回波的高频多普勒频移测量是研究电离层扰动的重要方法之一.利用基于单频信号相位变化率测量的实时探测方法,获取连续高精度多频多普勒频高图,以实现中小尺度电离层扰动的快速探测研究.该方法被应用于敏捷式高性能电离层无线电多频探测系统样机平台.经验证在该平台上获取的多普勒频移分辨率可达0.039Hz,频高图探测周期最短小于1min.基于这种快速探测方法和平台在武汉观测站进行了较长时间的观测和数据采集,获得高精度多普勒频移并反演出电子浓度等值面法向运动速度,得到电离层反射寻常波的多普勒频高图和垂直扰动速度等信息,进而推演出电离层扰动随时间和空间的实时变化特征.对这些时域信号进行频谱分析,初步结果显示这些扰动主要是由极区活动激发的中国中部地区冬季出现率较高的中尺度TID.此外,对三种常用的电离层扰动反演分析方法进行了对比研究,结果显示电离层扰动的变化趋势基本一致,说明观测数据和研究方法可靠稳定,为多频多点电离层扰动的传播特性观测研究提供了基础.      

A new design of low-power portable digital ionosonde

The Ionospheric Laboratory of Wuhan University is interested in upgrading its instrumentation replacing the WIOBSS (Wuhan Ionospheric Oblique Backscattering Sounding System) with a more flexible and automatic ionosonde. Then the updated ionosonde WMI (Wuhan Multifunctional Ionosonde) with automatic ionogram scaling has been developed to satisfy future research. The new system not only inherited some classic techniques from WIOBSS, such as the pulse compression and the coherent integration techniques, but also made great improvements in hardware design and software updating. This paper mainly introduces evolutions of this new ionosonde in both digital transceiver and digital signal processing domain, and also presents some observations.     

Electron density profile calculation technique for Autoscala ionogram analysis

An electron density profile model with free parameters is introduced. Initially the parameters are calculated on the basis of the ionospheric characteristics automatically obtained from the ionograms by Autoscala and considering the helio-geophysical conditions. The technique used to adjust the free parameters to the particular ionograms recorded is presented.     

A global study of meridional winds in the thermosphere

We present neutral meridional winds derived from existing ground-based measurements of the height of the F2-layer maximum electron density (h_max). The method of calculation uses an ionospheric model to determine the relationship between h_max and the neutral wind along a magnetic meridian. The meridional wind is derived from a comparison of the modeled layer height with the measured height. This method is used in the global mapping of thermospheric winds using radar and ionosonde measurements from the Global Thermospheric Mapping Study at the summer and winter solstices. The diurnal behavior of the meridional wind is calculated for the two seasons from Millstone Hill radar measurements and from several ionosonde stations. The major features of the winds calculated from Millstone Hill radar data are a 200 m/s southward wind between 0200 and 0400 hours local time at the summer solstice and a northward daytime wind in winter. A sampling of winds derived from ionosonde data shows the diurnal pattern to vary with geographic latitude and longitude. Nighttime equatorward winds are found to be larger in Europe than at other locations of similar latitude.     

Variations in the ionospheric scale height parameter at the F2 peak over Grahamstown,South Africa

The Grahamstown, South Africa (33.3°S, 26.5°E) ionospheric field station operates a Lowell digital pulse ionospheric sounder (Digisonde) whose output includes scaled parameters derived from the measured ionogram. One of these output parameters is the ionospheric scale height parameter (H), and this paper presents an analysis of the seasonal, diurnal, and solar activity variations of this parameter over the Grahamstown station. Ionosonde data from three years 2002, 2003, and 2004 were used in this study. The data was subjected to a general trend analysis to remove any outliers and then the monthly median data were used to explore the different variations. The results of this analysis were found to be similar to what has already been presented in the literature for low latitude stations, and are presented as well as the correlation at this mid-latitude station between the H parameter, the IRI shape parameter (B0), and the peak electron density (NmF2).