Ionospheric Sensor Developments for the Year-2000 Solar Maximum
Abstract
This report summarizes research during the third year of a contract for investigating (a) natural variations in ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and (b) plasma and electromagnetic effects produced by transmitting high-powered HF waves into the ionosphere. The efforts included collecting, processing, and analyzing TEC data from USAF Ionospheric Measuring Systems (IMS) and Real-Time Monitors (RTM) deployed at various sites, maintaining and operating those MS and RTM units, negotiating the "Year-2000 transition, developing 20-Hz GPS data-collection systems for deployment. and initial developments toward extending current IMS capabilities. in addition to recording TEC variations by means of two-frequency GPS receivers at several locations, work during the year enhanced and exploited several diagnostic instruments deployed for the High frequency Active Aurora Research Program (HAARP). Under HAARP, measurements employing both GPS and coherent VHF-UHF signals transmitted from satellites in low-earth polar orbit resulted in time histories and latitudinal scans of absolute TEC over Maska, and enhanced operation of the HAARP classic riometer resulted in essentially continuous observations of 30-MHz radiowave absorption over south-central Alaska. Analysis of a thermal instability expected to enhance generation of ELF/VLF waves by amplitude modulation of an HF heating wave has been extended into the non-linear regime.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA419928
Entities
People
- A. J. Mazzella Jr.
- E. J. Fremouw
- G. S. Rao
Organizations
- Northwest Research Associates