Volumetric Ionospheric Imaging Using Vector Sensor Ionosondes
Abstract
Large plasma density gradients within the ionosphere have major impacts on space weather.-They occur frequently at mid-latitudes dur,ing geospace storms and sometimes under quiet-conditions, and are often associated with irregularity and scintillation events. The m,ulti-scale-nature of these features, and their associated physical mechanisms, remain a community research-frontier as their observa,tional characterization remains a challenging task. Numerous remote-sensors exist in the research community, but many of these have, difficulties such as inability to-resolve specific spatial dimensions or inconsistent time coverage. We propose creating a new-sens,or, based on ionosondes, that can provide high availability, consistent time coverage along-with volumetric ionospheric parameter im,aging.-Ionosondes, a type of HF radar, provide measurements of the bottom-side ionospheric electron-density as a function of height., Recent developments have shown that low power ionosondes can-be constructed using coded transmit waveforms, inverse filtering and M,IMO techniques. By-combining these techniques with an electromagnetic vector sensor as the ionosonde s receiver, a-transformative io,nospheric sensor can be developed. An electromagnetic vector sensor can-perform an estimation of signal polarization and direction o,f arrival with only a single element-allowing for a more physically compact, lower cost, lower power ionosonde than those-convention,ally available. Multiple elements in an array can allow for volumetric imaging of-plasma density and ionospheric drifts.-This new se,nsor will be directly beneficial to several key space science goals for the Office of-Naval Research, including ionosphere character,ization for space weather and radio propagation-impacts on military assets, better understanding of the multi-scale structure of ion,ospheric-gradients, and the potential for expanded space weather sensor networks. Project development,-demonstration, and testing wi,ll employ other well-vetted ionospheric sensors to validate this new-technology. Once vetted, this new sounder will be used for a ta,rgeted scientific investigation-within the mid-latitude sector of the ionosphere.-
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212419
Entities
People
- John Swoboda
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy