On the use of empirical models for high-latitude ionosphere

Abstract

Comparative analysis between a global ionospheric empirical model, NeQuick2, with a regional empirical model for high-latitudes, E-CHAIM, has been presented. Based on the calculation of F2-peak parameters from both models and comparing them with one solar cycle data from 18 high-latitude ionosonde stations, it has been shown that E-CHAIM's average improvement over NeQuick2 is less than 0.15–0.2 MHz in foF2 and less than 15–20 km in hmF2. Data from 7 out of 18 stations showed less than or equal to 0.1 MHz improvement in foF2 using E-CHAIM over NeQuick2 including 2 out of 3 stations located in the auroral latitudes. At the other end, data from 13 out of 18 high latitude stations showed less than or equal to 10 km improvement in hmF2 including all three stations located in auroral latitudes, in using E-CHAIM over NeQuick2.