The Calculation of Mid-Latitude Meridional Neutral Winds from an Improved Servo Model Approximation Method
Abstract
The theoretical servo model of Rishbeth, Ganguly and Walker provided the impetus for a physically more practical version of a servo model, called the USU servo model. The USU servo model was developed to automatically calculate, with a personal computer, meridional neutral wind of the upper thermosphere for any mid-latitude location from F2-peak layer heights. F2-peak layer heights were input into the USU servo model from three different sources for calculation of meridional neutral winds. The International Reference Ionosphere provided mid-latitude, geomagnetically quiet, monthly averages of F2-layer heights for different solar cycle conditions. The International Reference Ionosphere also provided a means of comparison with ionosonde F2-peak layer height deduced winds. F2-layer heights from different mid-latitude ionosondes were determined by using scaled ionosonde critical frequencies from an empirical equation developed by Bradley and Dudeney. Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar provided a means to compare the USU servo model with other neutral wind calculation techniques, including radar-derived winds. Results of this investigation indicate that the USU servo model is a valuable tool in the calculation of mid-latitude meridional neutral winds and compare well with radar-deduced wind data during quiet to moderate geomagnetic activity. When combined with F2-layer heights produced by the International Reference Ionosphere, the USU servo model can become a meridional neutral wind prediction tool, computing solar cycle and latitudinal variations in neutral wind calculation patterns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA249874
Entities
People
- Theodore R. Ballard
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology