Investigation of Methods for Validating Ionospheric Products Using Ionosonde Data

• Grant number: 23/15681-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 20, 2024
• End date: August 19, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geodesy
• Principal Investigator: Daniele Barroca Marra Alves
• Grantee: Letícia Nunes de Campos
• Supervisor: Manuel Hernandez-Pajares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/12339-1 - ESTIMATION AND EVALUATION OF ELECTRON DENSITY PROFILES FROM GNSS RADIO OCULTATION, BP.IC

Abstract

The ionosphere, a layer situated between 50 and 1000 kilometers in altitude, comprises ions and free electrons, affecting GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) signals due to its composition. Total Electron Content (TEC) is directly related to refraction effects in GNSS signals and varies over the Earth's geographical location. The Brazilian region, notable for its geographical diversity, serves as a crucial study area due to its high susceptibility to ionospheric effects, which shows the significance of research for a more comprehensive understanding and modeling of this atmospheric layer. For ionospheric products validation, one possible approach is the use of ionosondes, which are radar systems measuring ionospheric electron density with altitude, enabling data comparisons and analyses. In this sense, this project aims to investigate methods to validate ionospheric products using ionosonde data and verify its application to the Brazilian region. Therefore, the study should contribute to a better understanding of the Brazilian ionosphere.