A comparison of IRI‐TEC predictions with GPS‐TEC measurements over Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model has been widely adopted as the international standard for specifying ionospheric parameters. An evaluation on the performance of the IRI model (version 2007) over Nsukka, Nigeria (Geographic: 6.87°N, 7.38°E; Geomagnetic: 8.47°N, 81.07°E) is presented in this work. We compare Total Electron Content (TEC) values for year 2010 from the IRI model with corresponding TEC data from the SCINDA (Scintillation Network Decision Aid) GPS receiver installed at Nsukka so as to evaluate the performance of the model over the Nsukka region. Given the proliferation of dual‐frequency GPS receivers over the African continent, data from these equipment is proposed for use in TEC modeling over the continent together with the IRI model. Knowledge on the performance of the IRI over various regions of the continent will inform the extent to which the model will be used. The development of more accurate TEC maps find useful applications in enhancing the extent to which ionospheric influences on radio signals (as in single frequency GPS receivers) are corrected. Our results show very good diurnal correlations (above 0.88) between the IRI‐TEC predictions and the GPS‐TEC measurements for the days examined, and so reveal the potential of the IRI model as a good candidate for an enhanced TEC modeling over the African region.