Abstract
Abstract. The ionospheric plasma can significantly influence the propagation of radio waves and the ionospheric disturbances are capable of causing range errors, rapid phase and amplitude fluctuations (radio scintillations) of satellite signals that may lead to degradation of the system performance, its accuracy and reliability. The cause of such disturbances should be sought in the processes originating in the Sun. Numerous studies on these phenomena have been already carried out at a broad international level, in order to measure/estimate these space weather induced effects, to forecast them, and to understand and mitigate their impact on present-day technological systems. SWIPPA (Space Weather Impact on Precise Positioning Applications) is a pilot project jointly supported by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The project aims at establishing, operating, and evaluating a specific space-weather monitoring service that can possibly lead to improving current positioning applications based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This space weather service provides GNSS users with essential expert information delivered in the form of several products - maps of TEC values, TEC spatial and temporal gradients, alerts for ongoing/oncoming ionosphere disturbances, etc.
Highlights
SWIPPA (Space Weather Impact on Precise Positioning Applications) is a pilot project jointly supported by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA)
The Space Weather is defined as the set of all conditions – on the Sun, and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere – that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life
Stankov weather – induced adverse effects on the Earth’s ionosphereplasmasphere system (Jakowski et al, 1998, 1999, 2002a, 2002b, 2003a, 2004b; Langley, 2000; Makela et al, 2001; Stankov, 2002; Skone and Shrestha, 2002). Such effects can cause various types of problems including: range errors, rapid phase and amplitude fluctuations of satellite signals, etc., that may lead to pronounced signal degradation, degradation in the system performance, its accuracy and reliability (Moulsley and Vilar, 1982)
Summary
The Space Weather is defined as the set of all conditions – on the Sun, and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere – that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life. Several studies have already been performed showing clear evidences of space. Since trans-ionospheric propagation effects are responsible for positioning errors in satellite-based navigation and positioning, the GNSS users need to apply appropriate mitigation techniques, such as corrections by the use of: dual frequency techniques, model corrections, local or global augmentation systems. Strong gradients in the horizontal TEC structure and small-scale structures of the ionospheric plasma may seriously complicate or even prevent the resolution of phase ambiguities in precise geodetic and surveying networks. N. Jakowski et al.: Operational space-weather service for GNSS precise positioning
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