scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of VTEC GIMs for Regional Applications during Different Solar Activity Periods, Using RING TEC Values

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1470
Author(s):  
Vincenza Tornatore ◽  
Claudio Cesaroni ◽  
Michael Pezzopane ◽  
Mohamad Mahdi Alizadeh ◽  
Harald Schuh
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Calibration Technique ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Gps Receivers ◽  
The North

This paper presents a comparison of the vertical total electron content (vTEC) estimated over Italy using two different approaches: the GPS Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs) and the so-called “calibration technique” developed by Ciraolo in 2007. The study has been carried out at a regional level by considering three Italian dual-frequency stations of the GPS permanent network “Rete Integrata Nazionale GPS (RING)”. The GPS receivers are permanently installed at Madesimo (geographical coordinates: 46.5 N, 9.4 E), Rome (geographical coordinates: 41.8 N, 12.5 E) and Resuttano (geographical coordinates: 37.7 N, 14.1 E), respectively in the north, center and south of Italy. Time windows selected for the analysis include periods of both low (July 2008 to June 2009) and high (September 2013 to August 2014) solar activity. The two datasets have also been studied considering both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic activity conditions. Moreover, the effects of an extreme geomagnetic storm have been investigated in March 2015 when the well-known St. Patrick storm occurred. Overall, GIM estimated values are always higher than those calibrated by the Ciraolo procedure for all the considered datasets. The differences between the two methods increase as the latitude decreases, and they increase as the solar activity intensifies. The outcomes of this study shall be helpful when applying GlMs at a regional level.

scholarly journals ANALYSES OF TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT VARIATIONS OVER NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NIGERIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aghogho Ogwala
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
The South ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
The North ◽  
December Solstice ◽  
Latitudinal Difference

Total electron content (TEC) is a parameter of the ionosphere that produces great effect on radio signals. We present the diurnal and seasonal variations of vertical total electron content (vTEC) during the ascending phase of solar cycle 24. A moderate solar activity year (2011) with sunspot number, Rz = 55.7 is used in this study. Total electron content (TEC) deduced from the dual frequency GPS measurements obtained at two ground stations namely: ABUZ (Zaria) with longitude 7.39oE in the north and UNEC (Enugu) with longitude 7.30oE in the south are considered. Both stations are located within the same longitude and has a latitudinal difference of 4.74o in the Nigerian equatorial ionosphere (NEI). Comparison of diurnal and seasonal variations of TEC is carried out for both stations. The diurnal variation of TEC shows a steep increase starting from sunrise, reaching daytime maximum between 13 – 15 LT at UNEC and 14 – 16 LT at ABUZ, then falls to a minimum at sunset. Dawn depression occurred at the same local time of 04 LT at both stations. On a seasonal scale, Pre- and post-midnight values were highest during the Equinoxes, followed by December solstice and least in June Solstice season at ABUZ. Pre- and post-midnight values were also higher during the Equinoxes than the Solstice season at UNEC, although they are about the same range. Also, TEC values are observed to be slightly higher for all hours and seasons at Enugu in the south than Zaria in the north except during March equinox at Zaria where TEC values were higher during the daytime. This implies that there could be little variations in TEC even within the same latitudinal zone.

scholarly journals A Least Squares Solution to Regionalize VTEC Estimates for Positioning Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 3545
Author(s):  
Saeed Farzaneh ◽  
Ehsan Forootan
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
South America ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Numerical Application ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Band Limited

A new approach is presented to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) estimates for regional positioning applications. The proposed technique utilises a priori information from the Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs) of the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE), provided in terms of Spherical Harmonic (SH) coefficients of up to degree and order 15. Then, it updates the VTEC estimates using a new set of base-functions (with better resolution than SHs) while using the measurements of a regional GNSS network. To achieve the highest accuracy possible, our implementation is based on a transformation of the GIM/CODE VTECs to their equivalent coefficients in terms of (spherical) Slepian functions. These functions are band-limited and reflect the majority of signal energy inside an arbitrarily defined region, yet their orthogonal property is remained. Then, new dual-frequency GNSS measurements are introduced to a Least Squares (LS) updating step that modifies the Slepian VTEC coefficients within the region of interest. Numerical application of this study is demonstrated using a synthetic example and ground-based GPS data in South America. The results are also validated against the VTEC estimations derived from independent GPS stations (that are not used in the modelling), and the VTEC products of international centres. Our results indicate that, by using 62 GPS stations in South America, the ionospheric delay estimation can be considerably improved. For example, using the new VTEC estimates in a Precise Point Positioning (PPP) experiment improved the positioning accuracy compared to the usage of GIM/CODE and Klobuchar models. The reductions in the root mean squared of errors were ∼23% and 25% for a day with moderate solar activity while 26% and ∼35% for a day with high solar activity, respectively.

Validating the impact of various ionosphere correction on mid to long baselines and point positioning using GPS dual-frequency receivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa A. Elghazouly ◽  
Mohamed I. Doma ◽  
Ahmed A. Sedeek
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite Systems ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Satellite Systems ◽  
Point Positioning ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Due to the ionosphere delay, which has become the dominant GPS error source, it is crucial to remove the ionospheric effect before estimating point coordinates. Therefore, different agencies started to generate daily Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs); the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) values represented in GIMs produced by several providers can be used to remove the ionosphere error from observations. In this research, An analysis will be carried with three sources for VTEC maps produced by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE), Regional TEC Mapping (RTM), and the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). The evaluation is focused on the effects of a specific ionosphere GIM correction on the precise point positioning (PPP) solutions. Two networks were considered. The first network consists of seven Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers from (IGS) global stations. The selected test days are six days, three of them quiet, and three other days are stormy to check the influence of geomagnetic storms on relative kinematic positioning solutions. The second network is a regional network in Egypt. The results show that the calculated coordinates using the three VTEC map sources are far from each other on stormy days rather than on quiet days. Also, the standard deviation values are large on stormy days compared to those on quiet days. Using CODE and RTM IONEX file produces the most precise coordinates after that the values of IRI. The elimination of ionospheric biases over the estimated lengths of many baselines up to 1000 km has resulted in positive findings, which show the feasibility of the suggested assessment procedure.

scholarly journals Geomagnetic storm effects on GPS based navigation

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 2101-2110 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. S. Rama Rao ◽  
S. Gopi Krishna ◽  
J. Vara Prasad ◽  
S. N. V. S. Prasad ◽  
D. S. V. V. D. Prasad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Space Weather ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Storm Activity ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Gps Receivers ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Phase Slips

Abstract. The energetic events on the sun, solar wind and subsequent effects on the Earth's geomagnetic field and upper atmosphere (ionosphere) comprise space weather. Modern navigation systems that use radio-wave signals, reflecting from or propagating through the ionosphere as a means of determining range or distance, are vulnerable to a variety of effects that can degrade the performance of the navigational systems. In particular, the Global Positioning System (GPS) that uses a constellation of earth orbiting satellites are affected due to the space weather phenomena. Studies made during two successive geomagnetic storms that occurred during the period from 8 to 12 November 2004, have clearly revealed the adverse affects on the GPS range delay as inferred from the Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements made from a chain of seven dual frequency GPS receivers installed in the Indian sector. Significant increases in TEC at the Equatorial Ionization anomaly crest region are observed, resulting in increased range delay during the periods of the storm activity. Further, the storm time rapid changes occurring in TEC resulted in a number of phase slips in the GPS signal compared to those on quiet days. These phase slips often result in the loss of lock of the GPS receivers, similar to those that occur during strong(>10 dB) L-band scintillation events, adversely affecting the GPS based navigation.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the IGS–Global Ionospheric Mapping model over Egypt

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Rabah ◽  
Ahmed Sedeek
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
International Gnss Service ◽  
Ionospheric Correction ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
The North ◽  
Using Data

Abstract. Global ionosphere maps (GIM) are generated on a daily basis at CODE using data from about 400 GPS/GLONASS sites of the IGS and other institutions. The vertical total electron content (VTEC) is modeled in a solar-geomagnetic reference frame using a Spherical Harmonics Expansion “SHE” up to degree and order 15. To cover the holes of the first GIM computation stage existing in the North Africa and over the Oceans resulting a shortage of GNSS station in North Africa, an optimum spatial-temporal interpolation technique was developed to cover these holes (Krankowski and Hernandez-Pajares, 2016). The current paper evaluates the ionospheric correction by Global Ionospheric Maps, GIM, provided in (IONEX) files produced by International GNSS Services “IGS”. The evaluation is performed based on investigating the effect of a given GIM ionospheric correction on kinematic relative positioning solutions. The evaluation was done using several baselines of different lengths in Egypt. The results show that there is no significant effect of the provided GIM values on the solution of kinematic processing. The results confirm that although there is a lack of International GNSS Service (IGS stations) over North Africa, GIMs have no effect in mitigating ionospheric error. A new value for the ionosphere correction VTEC values was obtained by a regional, developed algorithm based on zero-differenced phase ionospheric delay (ZDPID) (Tawfeek et al., 2018). These new values of VTEC were fed into GIMs for the specified stations data. A useful result was obtained for correcting the ionospheric error over kinematic solution of many baseline lengths up to 300 km which demonstrates validity of the proposed evaluation method.

Analysis of a new regional ionospheric assimilated H2PT model for Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Woźniak ◽  
Anna Świątek ◽  
Mariusz Pożoga ◽  
Łukasz Tomasik
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
International Gnss Service ◽  
Statistical Parameters ◽  
Total Electron

<p>The signal emitted by the GNSS (<em>Global Navigation Satellite System</em>) satellite, on the way to the receiver located on the Earth’s surface, encounters a heterogeneous layer of ionized gas and free electrons, in which the radio wave is dispersed. As the ionosphere is the source of the highest-value errors among the different factors that affect GNSS positioning accuracy, it is necessary to minimize its negative impact. Various methods are used to compensate for the ionospheric delay, one of which is the usage of models.<br>The intensity of the processes occurring in the ionosphere is closely related to the Sun activity. As a consequence, with respect to a given location on the Earth's surface, the activity of the ionosphere changes throughout the year and day. Therefore, a model dedicated to a specific region is especially important in case of high-precision GNSS applications.<br>The assimilated H2PT model was based on the dual-frequency observations from GNSS stations belonging to EPN (<em>EUREF Permanent Network</em>), as well as on ionosondes participating in the DIAS (<em>European Digital Upper Atmosphere Server</em>) project. The H2PT model covers the Europe area, data with a 15-minutes interval were placed in similar to IONEX (<em>IONosphere Map EXchenge</em>) files in two versions of spatial resolution: 1- and 5-degree. Data provided by the H2PT model are the VTEC (<em>Vertical Total Electron Content</em>) values and the hmF2 (<em>maximum height of the F2 layer</em>) parameters.<br>The subject of this research is the comparison of the H2PT model with NeQuick-G model and IONEX data published by IGS (<em>International GNSS Service</em>) in the context of TEC values as well as determining differences between regional hmF2 data and its commonly used fixed value for the entire globe, amounting to 450 km. In order to perform the analysis, appropriate visualizations were made and statistical parameters determined. Additionally, data from selected periods of positive and negative disturbances were analysed in details based on the developed time series.<br>The relatively high temporal and spatial resolution is undoubtedly an advantage of the H2PT model, because unlike global models, the regional one allows conscientious analysis of the ionosphere characteristics for the area of Europe. Importantly, solutions regarding hmF2 show significant deviations from the fixed value approximated for the whole Earth. Taking into account the parameter appropriate for a given location and time during GNSS data processing may improve the obtained positioning quality. </p>

scholarly journals Annual and semiannual variations of vertical total electron content during high solar activity based on GPS observations

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 865-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Natali ◽  
A. Meza
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Variability ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Sudden Decrease

Abstract. Annual, semiannual and seasonal variations of the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) have been investigated during high solar activity in 2000. In this work we use Global IGS VTEC maps and Principal Component Analysis to study spatial and temporal ionospheric variability. The behavior of VTEC variations at two-hour periods, at noon and at night is analyzed. Particular characteristics associated with each period and the geomagnetic regions are highlighted. The variations at night are smaller than those obtained at noon. At noon it is possible to see patterns of the seasonal variation at high latitude, and patterns of the semiannual anomaly at low latitudes with a slow decrease towards mid latitudes. At night there is no evidence of seasonal or annual anomaly for any region, but it was possible to see the semiannual anomaly at low latitudes with a sudden decrease towards mid latitudes. In general, the semiannual behavior shows March–April equinox at least 40 % higher than September one. Similarities and differences are analyzed also with regard to the same analysis done for a period of low solar activity.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Performance of IRI-2016 Using GPS-TEC Measurements over the Equatorial Region

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1243
Author(s):  
Nouf Abd Elmunim ◽  
Mardina Abdullah ◽  
Siti Aminah Bahari
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Solar Activity Period

Total electron content (TEC) is an important parameter in the ionosphere that is extensively used to study the variability of the ionosphere as it significantly affects radio wave propagations, causing delays on GPS signals. Therefore, evaluating the performance of ionospheric models is crucial to reveal the variety of ionospheric behaviour in different solar activity periods during geomagnetically quiet and disturbed periods for further improvements of the IRI model performance over the equatorial region. This research aimed to investigate the variations of ionospheric VTEC and observe the improvement in the performance of the IRI-2016 (IRI-2001, IRI01-corr, and NeQuick). The IRI-2016 was evaluated with the IRI-2012 using NeQuick, IRI-2001, and IRI01-corr topside electron density options. The data were obtained using a dual-frequency GPS receiver installed at the Universiti Utara Malaysia Kedah (UUMK) (geographic coordinates 4.62° N–103.21° E, geomagnetic coordinates 5.64° N–174.98° E), Mukhtafibillah (MUKH) (geographic coordinates 6.46° N–100.50° E, geomagnetic coordinates 3.32° S–172.99° E), and Tanjung Pengerang (TGPG) (geographic coordinates 1.36° N–104.10°E, geomagnetic coordinates 8.43° S–176.53° E) stations, during ascending to high solar activity at the geomagnetically quiet and disturbed periods in October 2011, March 2012, and March 2013. The maximum hourly ionospheric VTEC was observed during the post-noon time, while the minimum was during the early morning time. The ionospheric VTEC modelled by IRI-2016 had a slight improvement from the IRI-2012. However, the differences were observed during the post-noon and night-time, while the modelled VTEC from both IRI models were almost similar during the early morning time. Regarding the daily quiet and disturbed period’s prediction capability of the IRI-2016 and IRI-2012, IRI-2016 gave better agreement with the measured VTEC. The overall results showed that the model’s prediction performance during the high solar activity period in 2013 was better than the one during the ascending solar activity period. The results of the comparison between IRI-2016 and IRI-2012 in high solar activity exhibited that during quiet periods, all the IRI models showed better agreement with the measured VTEC compared to the disturbed periods.

scholarly journals Accuracy of Global Ionosphere Maps in Relation to Their Time Interval

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 3552
Author(s):  
Beata Milanowska ◽  
Paweł Wielgosz ◽  
Anna Krypiak-Gregorczyk ◽  
Wojciech Jarmołowski
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Gnss Observations

Global ionosphere maps (GIMs) representing ionospheric total electron content (TEC) are applicable in many scientific and engineering applications. However, the GIMs provided by seven Ionosphere Associated Analysis Centers (IAACs) are generated with different temporal resolutions and using different modeling techniques. In this study, we focused on the influence of map time interval on the empirical accuracy of these ionospheric products. We investigated performance of the high-resolution GIMs during high (2014) and low (2018) solar activity periods as well as under geomagnetic storms (19 February 2014 and 17 March 2015). In each of the analyzed periods, GIMs were also assessed over different geomagnetic latitudes. For the evaluation, we used direct comparison of GIM-derived slant TEC (STEC) with dual-frequency GNSS observations obtained from 18 globally distributed stations. In order to perform a comprehensive study, we also evaluated GIMs with respect to altimetry-derived vertical TEC (VTEC) obtained from the Jason-2 and Jason-3 satellites. The study confirmed the influence of GIMs time interval on the provided TEC accuracy, which was particularly evident during high solar activity, geomagnetic storms, and also at low latitudes. The results show that 120-min interval contributes significantly to the accuracy degradation, whereas 60-min one is sufficient to maintain TEC accuracy.

Performance Evaluation of USTEC Product for Single-Frequency Precise Point Positioning

GEOMATICA ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abd El-Rahman ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Precise Point Positioning ◽  
Ionospheric Delay ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Gps Receivers ◽  
Mitigation Techniques ◽  
Point Positioning

Geodetic-grade dual-frequency GPS receivers are typically used for precise point positioning (PPP). Unfortunately, these receiver systems are expensive and may not provide a cost-effective solution in many instances. The use of low-cost single-frequency GPS receivers, on the other hand, are limited by the effect of ionospheric delay. A number of mitigation techniques have been proposed to account for the effect of ionospheric delay for single-frequency GPS users. Unfortunately, however, those mitigation techniques are not suitable for PPP. More recently, the U.S. Total Electron Content (USTEC) product has been developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which describes the ionospheric total electron content in high resolution over most of North America. This paper investigates the performance of USTEC and studies its effect on single-frequency PPP solution. A performance comparison with two widely-used ionospheric mitigation models is also presented.

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