Analysis of Polar Ionospheric Scintillation Characteristics Based on GPS Data

Abstract

Ionospheric scintillation is one of the important factors that affect the performance of satellite navigation system, so ionospheric scintillation monitoring has been drawn more attention. Based on ionospheric scintillation monitoring data at South Pole station in Antarctica, we are able to investigate ionospheric scintillation characteristics over there. Through analyzing scintillation data of 354 days at this site in the year of 2011 we can estimate the statistical occurrence rate of phase scintillation and amplitude scintillation. The temporal, diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of the characteristics of ionospheric phase scintillation have been studied, as well as the correlation between phase scintillation and geomagnetic disturbance index (Kp). Statistical results show that phase scintillation activities are more pronounced than amplitude scintillation activities at South Pole. The Antarctic ionospheric scintillation were relatively quiet and the phase scintillation index (Sigma phi) with Sigma phi >0.3 took place infrequently only with the occurrence rate of is 0.14 % throughout the year. The occurrence rate of phase scintillation in March, April, September and October is higher than that in other months. The highest occurrence rate is in April and October and the lowest in January. In April, September and October, phase scintillation mainly appeared on the 12–18 UTC, and the different intensities of phase scintillation have a similar time variation characteristics. As shown in the results, higher kp always correlates with stronger phase scintillation.