Measurements of possible D- and E-region telecommunications effects during ionospheric heating. Final report

Abstract

For this research project, measurements were made of the effects that heating the ionosphere might have on the passage of radiowaves through the D- and E-regions. The purpose of this work was to simulate the effects of the proposed Solar Power Satellite microwave power beam on the lower ionosphere. The increased electron temperatures produced by the Platteville, Colorado, HF ionospheric heater caused cross-modulation on certain radiowaves when the heater was rapidly modulated (the Luxembourg effect). Small amounts of cross-modulation were detected at four frequencies between 60 kHz and 5 MHz. Attempts were made to detect phase path changes - indicative of electron number density changes - while the heater was slowly cycled on and off. No phase path changes could be seen for radiowaves of frequency 10.2 or 60 kHz. If these results are extrapolated to the powers and frequency of the Solar Power Satellite power beam, then no significant impact from D- and E-region modification on telecommunications services are expected.