Further Investigations of Ionospheric Total Electron Content and Scintillation Effects on Transionospheric Radiowave Propagation
Abstract
The effects of the ionosphere on numerous communication, navigation, and surveillance systems continue to be of Air Force concern. In this project, Northwest Research Associates (NWRA) is collaborating with researchers from Air Force Research Laboratory at Hanscom AFB and others to address these concerns in three broad areas. In the most advanced effort, operational code for running a gridded version of the WBMOD ionospheric scintillation model, called WBMGRID, with the full Scintillation Decision Aid (SCINDA) system was delivered to the 50th Weather Squadron (now the 55th Space Weather Squadron). The most extensive of the NWRA efforts involved careful use of two-frequency GPS receivers to measure ionospheric total electron content (TEC), which introduces range errors on operational GPS links. Central tasks in this effort included utilization of receivers at four operational sites of the Ionospheric Measuring System (IMS), continued development and refinement of the IMS employing a fifth receiver located at Hanscom, and assessment and analysis of the resulting data. The newest of the efforts goes beyond passive observation of ionospheric effects on radiowave systems to preparation for active experiments in the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 12, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA345678
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Mazzella
- C. C. Andreasen
- Edward J. Fremouw
- G. S. Rao
- James A. Secan
Organizations
- Northwest Research Associates