Global Positioning System Ray Paths Research Articles

Determination of the Refractive Contribution to GPS Phase “Scintillation”

AbstractAs L‐band radio waves travel through the ionosphere, such as those transmitted by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, changes in the electron density along the ray path may induce refractive and/or diffractive variations in the signal's phase; where refractive variations are deterministic and diffractive variations are stochastic. Typically, the refractive component of these variations is thought to be slow varying, associated with frequencies less than 0.1 Hz. Therefore, if the refractive contribution is assumed to be associated with frequencies less than 0.1 Hz, the frequencies greater than 0.1 Hz are then assumed and treated as diffractive. These variations are usually referred to as scintillation. In scintillation studies the deterministic refractive variations are very often ignored. We propose that rapid changes in the electron density, and therefore changes in the refractive index along the ray path of the GPS signal, can induce dominantly refractive variations at frequencies greater than 0.1 Hz. The increased drift speeds observed in the high‐latitude region create conditions suitable for these high‐frequency refractive variations; the GPS ray path will sweep through large‐scale irregularities at higher speeds, resulting in high‐frequency refractive variations. Using recent advances in GPS, most importantly an improved signal tracking technique, we present examples of rapid refractive variations in the GPS signal's phase. These high‐frequency variations are shown to be refractive using a combination of techniques, one adapted from a previous technique used for the low‐frequency refractive contributions and a new technique only possible with advances in GPS tracking.

GPS amplitude and phase scintillation associated with polar cap auroral forms

Global Positioning System (GPS) signal amplitude and phase scintillation occurrence were observed in close association with polar cap auroral forms. Scintillation were present on most GPS ray paths irrespective of the ray path's location and orientation relative to arc alignment, motion and the direction of E × B drift. Spectra of amplitude and phase scintillation show similar power law behaviour with close to identical power law coefficients. The distribution of power law coefficients shows an average power law coefficient of ∼−2.3, which is different from the spectral characteristics of equatorial and low latitude scintillation.

GPS total electron content variations associated with a polar cap arc

We report an example of total electron content (TEC) variations, using Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements, associated with a polar cap arc detected by an all‐sky imager and ionosonde at a polar cap station. During the transit of the arc, GPS signals along the arc length showed an increase of ∼2 TEC units whereas GPS signals perpendicular to the arc showed only an increase of ∼0.3 TEC units. This indicates that the GPS TEC variations associated with a polar cap arc are dependent on the geometry of the GPS raypaths with respect to the arc. Ionosonde measurements confirm that this arc was an E region feature at ∼110 km with peak electron density of 5.4 × 1011 el/m3. Estimated speed of the arc using a GPS triangulation method was about 300 m/s.

GPS-Based Radio Tomography With Edge-Preserving Regularization

A tomographic forward and inverse model is presented for deriving 3-D images of ionospheric electron density from ground-based dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements and ionosonde data. The GPS observation geometry is discretely modeled, and a linear algebraic relationship is derived between the integrated electron density measurements and the ionospheric electron density. Because the inverse problem is ill conditioned, regularization is used to stabilize the solution in the presence of noise. In this paper, we regularize the inverse problem by incorporating neighborhood smoothness and continuity constraints applicable to general ionospheric conditions. To avoid oversmoothing of edges, nonconvex regularizing functionals are used to capture potential localized ionospheric density structures. A deterministic relaxation technique is used to minimize the proposed cost function. The specific formulation of the reconstruction geometry is directly related to the sparseness and the nonuniform distribution of the GPS ray paths. The grid boundaries, the regularization parameters, the model order, and the grid placement are selected in conjunction with available remote sensing data and appropriate optimality criteria. The algorithm is tested using simulations of ionospheric structures with actual GPS observation geometry. These simulations demonstrate the effectiveness in detecting and reconstructing ionospheric height and density fluctuations, and illustrate the statistical performance and bounds of the inversion technique.

Global plasmaspheric TEC and its relative contribution to GPS TEC

The plasmaspheric electron content is directly estimated from the global positioning system (GPS) data onboard JASON-1 Satellite for the first time. Similarly, the ground-based GPS total electron content (TEC) is estimated using about 1000 GPS receivers distributed around the globe. The relative contribution of the plasmaspheric electron content to the ground-based GPS TEC is then estimated globally using these two independent simultaneous measurements; namely ground-based GPS TEC and JASON-1 GPS TEC. Results presented here include data from 3 months of different solar cycle conditions (October 2003, May 2005, and December 2006). The global comparison between the two independent measurements was performed by dividing the data into three different regions; equatorial, mid- and high-latitude regions. This division is essential as the GPS raypaths traverse different distances through the plasmasphere at different latitudes. The raypath length through the plasmasphere decreases as latitude increases. The relative contribution of the plasmaspheric electron content exhibits a diurnal variation that depends on latitude with minimum contribution (∼10%) during daytime and maximum (up to 60%) at night. The contribution is also maximum at the equatorial region where the GPS raypath traverses a long distance through the plasmasphere compared to its length in mid- and high-latitude regions. Finally, the solar cycle variation of plasmaspheric contribution is also reported globally.

A new technique for mapping of total electron content using GPS network in Japan

The dual frequency radio signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS) allow measurements of the total number of electrons, called total electron content (TEC), along a ray path from GPS satellite to receiver. We have developed a new technique to construct two-dimensional maps of absolute TEC over Japan by using GPS data from more than 1000 GPS receivers. A least squares fitting procedure is used to remove instrumental biases inherent in the GPS satellite and receiver. Two-dimensional maps of absolute vertical TEC are derived with time resolution of 30 seconds and spatial resolution of 0.15° × 0.15° in latitude and longitude. Our method is validated in two ways. First, TECs along ray paths from the GPS satellites are simulated using a model for electron contents based on the IRI-95 model. It is found that TEC from our method is underestimated by less than 3 TECU. Then, estimated vertical GPS TEC is compared with ionospheric TEC that is calculated from simultaneous electron density profile obtained with the MU radar. Diurnal and day-to-day variation of the GPS TEC follows the TEC behavior derived from MU radar observation but the GPS TEC is 2 TECU larger than the MU radar TEC on average. This difference can be attributed to the plasmaspheric electron content along the GPS ray path. This method is also applied to GPS data during a magnetic storm of September 25, 1998. An intense TEC enhancement, probably caused by a northward expansion of the equatorial anomaly, was observed in the southern part of Japan in the evening during the main phase of the storm.

Real-time national GPS networks for atmospheric sensing

Real-time national global positioning system (GPS) networks are being established in a number of countries for atmospheric sensing. The authors, in collaboration with participating universities, are developing one of these networks in the United States. The proposed network, named “SuomiNet” to honor meteorological satellite pioneer Verner Suomi, is funded by the US National Science Foundation to exploit the recently shown ability of ground-based GPS receivers to make thousands of accurate upper and lower atmospheric measurements per day. Phase delays induced in GPS signals by the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere can be measured with high precision simultaneously along a dozen or so GPS ray paths in the field of view. These delays can be converted into integrated water-vapor (if surface pressure data or estimates are available) and total electron content (TEC), along each GPS ray path. The resulting continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time GPS moisture data will help advance university research in mesoscale modeling and data assimilation, severe weather, precipitation, cloud dynamics, regional climate and hydrology. Similarly, continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time TEC data have applications in modeling and prediction of severe terrestrial and space weather, detection and forecasting of low-latitude ionospheric scintillation activity and geomagnetic storm effects at ionospheric mid-latitudes, and detection of ionospheric effects induced by a variety of geophysical events. SuomiNet data also have potential applications in coastal meteorology, providing ground truth for satellite radiometry, correction of synthetic aperture radar data for crustal deformation and topography studies, and detection of scintillation associated with atmospheric turbulence in the lower troposphere. In this paper we describe SuomiNet, its applications, and the larger opportunity to coordinate national real-time GPS networks to maximize their scientific and operational impact.

Real-time national GPS networks: Opportunities for atmospheric sensing

Real-time national Global Positioning System (GPS) networks are being established in a number of countries for atmospheric sensing. UCAR, in collaboration with participating universities, is developing one of these networks in the United States. The network, named “SuomiNet” to honor meteorological satellite pioneer Verner Suomi, is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. SuomiNet will exploit the recently-shown ability of ground-based GPS receivers to make thousands of accurate upper and lower atmospheric measurements per day. Phase delays induced in GPS signals by the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere can be measured with high precision simultaneously along up to a dozen GPS ray paths in the field of view. These delays can be converted into total electron content (TEC), and integrated water vapor (if surface pressure data or estimates are available), along each GPS ray path. The resulting continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time upper and lower atmospheric data create a variety of opportunities for atmospheric research. In this letter we describe SuomiNet, its applications, and the opportunity to coordinate national real-time GPS networks to create a global network with larger scientific and operational potential.

SuomiNet: A Real–Time National GPS Network for Atmospheric Research and Education

“SuomiNet,” a university-based, real-time, national Global Positioning System (GPS) network, is being developed for atmospheric research and education with funding from the National Science Foundation and with cost share from collaborating universities. The network, named to honor meteorological satellite pioneer Verner Suomi, will exploit the recently shown ability of ground-based GPS receivers to make thousands of accurate upper- and lower-atmospheric measurements per day. Phase delays induced in GPS signals by the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere can be measured with high precision simultaneously along a dozen or so GPS ray paths in the field of view. These delays can be converted into integrated water vapor (if surface pressure data or estimates are available) and total electron content (TEC), along each GPS ray path. The resulting continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time GPS moisture data will help advance university research in mesoscale modeling and data assimilation, severe weather, precipitation, cloud dynamics, regional climate, and hydrology. Similarly, continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time TEC data have applications in modeling and prediction of severe terrestrial and space weather, detection and forecasting of low-altitude ionospheric scintillation activity and geomagnetic storm effects at ionospheric midlatitudes, and detection of ionospheric effects induced by a variety of geophysical events. SuomiNet data also have potential applications in coastal meteorology, providing ground truth for satellite radiometry, and detection of scintillation associated with atmospheric turbulence in the lower troposphere. The goal of SuomiNet is to make large amounts of spatially and temporally dense GPS-sensed atmospheric data widely available in real time, for academic research and education. Information on participation in SuomiNet is available via www.unidata.ucar.edu/suominet.

The contribution of the protonosphere to GPS total electron content: Experimental measurements

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites have orbital altitudes of about 20,200 km, while satellites in the Navy Ionospheric Monitoring System (NIMS) constellation are in circular orbits at heights of about 1100 km. Independent measurements of the electron content in the ionized atmosphere can be made using the radio signals from both satellite constellations. Differences between the two estimates can be related to the electron content on the GPS ray paths above 1100 km, through the tenuous plasma of the protonosphere. Results are reported from some 21 months of simultaneous observations of both GPS and NIMS transmissions at a European midlatitude station at solar minimum. It is shown that the average differences between the electron contents measured by the two systems are in broad agreement with the predictions from an earlier modeling study of the effects of the protonosphere on GPS total electron content. The expected influence of ray path / flux tube geometry and the rapid depletion and slow refilling of the protonosphere in response to geomagnetic storm activity can be seen in the averaged measurements.

The influence of the protonosphere on GPS observations: Model simulations

The accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation system can be degraded by propagation effects on ray paths through the ionized atmosphere. The bulk of the plasma resides in the F layer, and models of total electron content have been developed to compensate for the effects of this ionization. However, use of the GPS system involves long ray paths through the tenuous hydrogen‐based plasma of the protonosphere, and little is known about the electron content in this region. In the present study, the Sheffield University plasmasphere ionosphere model has been used to determine the electron content on the protonospheric section of GPS ray paths. Results are presented for stations at midlatitudes in the European and American sectors at both extremes of the solar cycle. The results are discussed in terms of the geometry of the flux tubes and the known behavior of the plasma.

Sensing integrated water vapor along GPS ray paths

We demonstrate sensing of integrated slant‐path water vapor (SWV) along ray paths between Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and receivers. We use double differencing to remove GPS receiver and satellite clock errors and 85‐cm diameter choke ring antennas to reduce ground‐reflected multipath. We compare more than 17,000 GPS and pointed radiometer double difference observations above 20° elevation and find 1.3 mm rms agreement. Potential applications for SWV data include local and regional weather modeling and prediction, correction for slant wet delay effects in GPS surveying and orbit determination, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. The method is viable during all weather conditions.