The Conversion of Off-Vertical Observations of Total Electron Content into Equivalent Vertical-Incidence Values.
Abstract
Observations of total electron content along off-vertical paths are normally converted into an equivalent vertical incidence total content before their application in studies of the ionosphere or in communications predictions. The errors in this conversion have been studied using a numerical model of the ionosphere. The errors are found to vary with the azimuth and elevation of the satellite, the altitude at which the conversion is made, the presence of ionospheric gradients along the ground-satellite path, and with the well-known variations of the ionosphere itself. For elevation angles of 20 deg or greater, the relative errors are usually less than about 10% and often less than about 5%, for a wide range of conditions. Errors of up to 20% are obtained for equatorial stations and for stations near the high latitude trough, especially for low angles of elevation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA132624
Entities
People
- Leo F. Mcnamara
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory