Abstract
Ionospheric dynamics over low latitudes, especially in Brazil, are highly active, with several phenomena resulting from the complex interaction between space weather and atmospheric elements. These phenomena may cause disruptions to aviation communications, navigation and surveillance systems. Motivated by the issues posed by the ionosphere to the operation of ground-based augmentation of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in Brazil, this review paper presents fundamental physical aspects of space weather and low-latitude ionospheric dynamics to show how and why the ionosphere over Brazil is much more challenging for satellite-based positioning technologies. Solar influence, geomagnetic field configurations under quiet and storm periods, and the ensuing ionospheric dynamics over low latitudes occasionally lead to the development of structures known as equatorial plasma bubbles. These structures can produce strong plasma gradients within the ionosphere and cause scintillation on transionospheric signals. The consequences of these structures for GNSS users are specifically addressed.
Highlights
In the first of this two-part series of survey papers, the main aspects of ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) technology and the influence of the ionosphere on its performance were presented, with emphasis on integrity
Motivated by the issues posed by the ionosphere to the operation of ground-based augmentation of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in Brazil, this review paper presents fundamental physical aspects of space weather and low-latitude ionospheric dynamics to show how and why the ionosphere over Brazil is much more challenging for satellite-based positioning technologies
This paper is devoted to providing an explanation of the low-latitude space weather dynamics that cause such a strong influence on global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based technologies, like GBAS
Summary
In the first of this two-part series of survey papers, the main aspects of ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) technology and the influence of the ionosphere on its performance were presented, with emphasis on integrity. Geomagnetic field configurations under quiet and storm periods, and the ensuing ionospheric dynamics over low latitudes occasionally lead to the development of structures known as equatorial plasma bubbles.
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