Observation of Ionosphere Scintillation and Total Electron Content (TEC) Characteristic at Equatorial Region

Abstract

Ionosphere scintillation and total electron content (TEC) measurement were investigated in terms of value at Equatorial based on GPS/GNSS measurement. This paper presents the analysis month-to-month variation of Scintillation (S4) and Total Electron Content (TEC) based on during night time and day time activity. This paper also presents the analysis of scintillation (S4) and Total Electron Content (TEC) during equinox and solstice. The analysis presented from January to December 2016. The measurement and recorded data of scintillation (S4) and Total Electron Content (TEC) was done by GPS Ionosphere Scintillation and TEC Monitoring (GISTM), installed at UKM, Malaysia (2.92°N 101.78°E). Strong Scintillation (S4) was obtained from PRN 135 with S4 ≥ 0.4 (0.430368) on 11:33 UTC (19:33 UT). The maximum Total Electron Content (TEC) was found on midday, generally the daily peak is around 5:00 to 10:00 UTC (13:00 to 18:00LT). April shows that the highest Total Electron Content (TEC) about 152 TECU. For seasonal variation, Scintillation (S4) highest on equinox and lowest on solstice, meanwhile Total Electron Content (TEC) highest on equinox and lowest on solstice. The disturbance will cause error in distance measurement for positioning and navigation.