Expanding the diagnostic capabilities of incoherent scatter radar technique

Abstract

In the paper we consider the radiolocation equation for Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) method, which accounts for refraction effect and Faraday rotation in VHF frequency domain. Investigation shows that refraction cannot be ignored in incoherent scatter data processing when lag product is used for obtaining of ionospheric characteristics. Effect of refraction is responsible for specific distortions of incoherent scatter spectrum and shows that together with “ion line” of incoherent scatter spectrum a relatively small “electron line” also plays a significant role in forming of ionosphere response as an additional wide band “radar induced” radiolocation signal that depends on ionospheric temperature and ion composition. The presence of the wide band “electron line” plays significant role in three dimensional forming of the ionosphere response inside the ISR antenna diagram pattern. During the testing experiment we found that ISR “electron line” can be measured at much higher altitudes comparing to the “ion line”, so that the results of the present study can be implemented for improvement of incoherent scatter technique. • Radiolocation equation with account for refraction is developed for Incoherent Scatter technique. • First result of electron scattering measurements on Irkutsk ISR is presented.