GPS amplitude and phase scintillation associated with polar cap auroral forms

Abstract

Global Positioning System (GPS) signal amplitude and phase scintillation occurrence were observed in close association with polar cap auroral forms. Scintillation were present on most GPS ray paths irrespective of the ray path's location and orientation relative to arc alignment, motion and the direction of E × B drift. Spectra of amplitude and phase scintillation show similar power law behaviour with close to identical power law coefficients. The distribution of power law coefficients shows an average power law coefficient of ∼−2.3, which is different from the spectral characteristics of equatorial and low latitude scintillation.