Strong Ionospheric Spatial Gradient Events Induced by Signal Propagation Paths Aligned With Equatorial Plasma Bubbles

Autor(es)

Affonso, Bruno Jacobini ; Moraes, Alison ; Sousasantos, Jonas ; Marini-Pereira, Leonardo ; Pullen, Sam

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AEROSPACE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS; v. 58, n. 4, p. 12-pg., 2022-08-01.

Resumo

Low-latitude ionospheric behavior directly interferes with a wide range of applications dependent on signals and information from satellites. The most severe and variable events are plasma bubbles and ionospheric scintillation. During plasma bubble events, large and steep plasma density gradients may intersect transionospheric signal from satellites, especially around the equatorial anomaly region. Large ionospheric spatial gradients (or decorrelations) are a critical component of ionospheric threat models for global navigation satellite systems augmentation systems; however, the models cannot assimilate abrupt changes in ionospheric behavior. In this article, an investigation of the relationship between plasma depletions, the occurrence of scintillation, and strong ionospheric spatial decorrelation events was conducted. The results indicate that strong scintillations occur when large gradients are verified. Additionally, the most critical ionospheric spatial gradients were verified mostly under certain conditions: when satellite signals are aligned with the plasma bubble propagation along geomagnetic field lines. Therefore, even though amplitude scintillation may degrade communications, the critical gradient events seem to be related to a particular configuration of satellite signal across the ionosphere. Thus, it is recommended that ionospheric threat models for augmentation systems in low-latitude regions consider this alignment aspect. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/06158-9 - Estudos estatísticos da variação dos parâmetros ionosféricos e sua relação com eventos do clima espacial
• Beneficiário: Jonas de Sousa dos Santos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 06/04008-2 - GNSS: investigações e aplicações no posicionamento geodésico, em estudos relacionados com a atmosfera e na agricultura de precisão
• Beneficiário: Joao Francisco Galera Monico
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 17/50115-0 - INCT 2014: tecnologia GNSS no suporte à navegação aérea
• Beneficiário: Joao Francisco Galera Monico
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Pesquisa em Políticas Públicas