Small-scale Ionospheric Irregularities Research Articles

Observations of ionospheric irregularities during a geomagnetic storm based on the C-band sentinel-1

ABSTRACT Disturbances in the ionosphere can severely affect synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquisition and also the accuracy of differential SAR interferometry (D-InSAR) techniques. Focusing on the mid-latitudes, we report for the first time the effect of small-scale ionospheric irregularities on the interferograms generated by the C-band Sentinel-1 satellite. The interferograms obtained during the geomagnetic storm on 4 November 2021 showed finger-like stripes of phase artefacts, while the interferograms obtained on non-storm days did not show such anomalies. Such phase artefacts introduce an error greater than ± 3π in the interferogram. By further checking the gridded total electron content (TEC) from the ground-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) network, as well as the in-situ electron density measured by ESA’s Swarm satellite, the finger-like stripes in the interferograms are found to be correlated with ionospheric bulge structures generated during the geomagnetic storm. Since both the interferogram stripes and the ionospheric bulges exhibit a comparable east-west extension, it is believed that the interferograms can also be used to reflect the small-scale structures of ionospheric bulge fringes. For example, in this case, the latitudinal width of each finger-like stripe reaches about 8 km. Our result implies that the C-band interferogram has the potential to probe the two-dimensional ionospheric structures with unprecedented resolution, which cannot be achievable by the gridded GNSS-TEC.

Solar Flare Effects Observed over Mexico during 30–31 March 2022

Manifestations of two solar flares of March 2022 were studied over Mexico. The flare effects in the lower ionosphere had a ~3 min delay from the X1.3-flare onset and ~5 min from the M9.6-flare onset. The maximal impact on the HF signal amplitude was ~(14–15) min after the onset of both flares. The X1.3-flare provoked the shortwave fadeout during ~6 min. The effects in the lower ionosphere lasted longer than the flares and the effects at the F2 region and higher altitudes only during the flares. The interpretation of results showed the following. (1) Based on the absorption level estimated with minimum frequency and signal amplitude on ionograms, the major role of X-ray radiation in the electron concentration increase in the lower ionosphere was confirmed. At the same time, the EUV radiation impact on the lower ionosphere cannot be totally discarded. The lower ionosphere recovery began before and lasted after the X1.3-flare end, being more rapid at Eglin than in Mexico. During M9.6-flare, the responses at the two observation points were rather synchronized due to the more similar illumination conditions at the two meridians. (2) According to the dI variations characterizing the F2 region and higher, the M9.6-flare provoked medium-scale and the X1.3-flare provoked both medium- and small-scale ionospheric irregularities. The response duration corresponded to the dI series filtered with (10–20) min windows. The dI curve during the flares was characterized by the И-form and depended more on the active region position and the flare class than on the solar zenith angle. The available data do not allow us to unambiguously identify the reason for the negative dI: the applied filtering procedure or the physical effect. (3) During both flares, the major EUV impact on the lower ionosphere was by the flux at 133.5 nm and on the F2 region and higher altitudes at 25.6 nm. In addition, during the M9.6-flare, EUV 28.4, 30.4 and 121.6 nm spectral bands also played an important role in the F2 response. During the X1.3-flare, the EUV 25.6 nm flux and X-ray flux impacts on the F2 region were of the same level. The weakest impact was caused by the emission in the EUV 28.4 nm spectral band on the absorption in the lower ionosphere during both flares and on the electron density in the F2 region and higher during the X1.3-flare.

Nonlinear Simulation of Ionospheric Irregularities at Mars

Abstract Motivated by the observations and linear theory analysis of ionospheric irregularities at Mars, we performed numerical simulations of the nonlinear evolution of the electromagnetic gradient drift instability in the Martian ionospheric dynamo region. The seeding source of ionospheric irregularities is perturbation zonal neutral wind. We found that the perturbation electric fields induced by the gradient drift instability can convect lower density plasma into higher density plasma at higher altitudes. Then, the associated perturbation magnetic field and electric field can cause the velocity shear of the plasma, which induced the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability at higher altitude. The Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities furthermore lead to smaller-scale irregularities in plasma density, magnetic field, and electric field in the Martial ionosphere. Key points: (1) Nonlinear simulation of small-scale ionospheric irregularities at Mars was present. (2) Ionospheric irregularities at Mars can be seeded by the perturbation neutral winds. (3) Model results are comparable to linear theory analysis and satellite observations.

Уточненный метод определения интервала пространственной корреляции замираний в однолучевой декаметровой радиолинии.

In this articlea a refined method have been developed for determining the spatial correlation interval for fading in a decameter radio link with one discrete beam (mode), which are caused by wave diffraction on small-scale ionospheric irregularities. A refined dependence of the spatial correlation interval of fading in a single-beam decameter radio line on the parameters of small-scale ionospheric irregularities, the equivalent length of the radio line and the choice of the operating signal frequency through the value of the root-mean-square deviation of fluctuations of the wave phase front at the output of the inhomogeneous ionosphere is obtained. It is shown that under conditions of disturbances (diffuseness) of the ionosphere, as well as the approach of the operating frequency of the radio line to the maximum applicable frequency, when fluctuations of the phase front of the wave at the output of the ionosphere exceed 1.25 radians, the well-known simplified expression for estimating the interval of spatial correlation of fading can be used in a single-beam decameter radio links with an error of no more than 5%.

РОССИЙСКАЯ ВЫСОКОШИРОТНАЯ СЕТЬ НАКЛОННОГО ЗОНДИРОВАНИЯ ИОНОСФЕРЫ

The network for monitoring the high-latitude ionosphere by the method of oblique ionospheric sounding deployed in the Russian Arctic region is considered. The study describes the main results of operational data processing for studying the high-latitude ionosphere and determining the conditions for the optimum operation of radio communication systems and over-the-horizon radars in this region. The study demonstrates the potential of the network as a tool for the remote diagnostics of parameters of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities induced by powerful HF radio waves in the mid-latitude ionospheric F-region.

A measure of ionospheric irregularities: zonal velocity and its implications for L-band scintillation at low-latitudes

We estimate the zonal drift velocity of small-scale ionospheric irregularities at low latitude by leveraging the spaced-receivers technique applied to two GNSS receivers for scintillation monitoring installed along the magnetic parallel passing in Presidente Prudente (Brazil, magnetic latitude 12.8°S). The investigated ionospheric sector is ideal to study small-scale irregularities, being located close to the expected position of the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly. The measurement campaign took place between September 2013 and February 2014, i.e. equinox and summer solstice seasons under solar maximum, during which the probability of formation of small-scale irregularities is expected to maximize. We found that the hourly average of the velocity increases up to 135 m/s right after the local sunset at ionospheric altitudes and then smoothly decreases in the next hours. Such measurements are in agreement with independent estimations of the velocity made by the Incoherent Scatter Radar located at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory (magnetic latitude 0.1°N), by the Boa Vista Ionosonde (magnetic latitude 12.0°N), and by applying a recently-developed empirical regional short-term forecasting model. Additionally, we investigated the relationship with the percentage occurrence of amplitude scintillation; we report that it is exponentially dependent on the zonal velocity of the irregularities that cause it.

New observations of the total electron content and ionospheric scintillations over Ho Chi Minh City

In January 2018, a Trimble NetR9 GNSS receiver was installed at International University - Vietnam National University (IU-VNU), which is located at 10°52'N, 106°48'E in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The GNSS signals recorded from the receiver are useful for studying the ionospheric variations over this station as well as the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling effects, therefore, we aim to preliminarily process and evaluate data recorded from this new station. Based on the data obtained with this GNSS receiver, we first estimated the total electron content (TEC) using the carrier-phase method which is a combination of code and phase measurements. We then calculated the rate of change of TEC index (ROTI) with respect to time and investigated its day-to-day variations. Our results show some typical features in the diurnal and seasonal TEC and ionospheric scintillation variations during 2018-2019. The distributions of ROTI over these two years of solar minimum show significant occurrences of scintillation, which are caused by small-scale ionospheric irregularities in the equatorial ionosphere. In addition, we found a significant increase of TEC in the latest strong geomagnetic storm in August 2018. The disturbance dynamo appears to have suppressed plasma bubbles after sunset and enhanced their formation at midnight. Thus, the disturbance dynamo effectively caused a delay of ionospheric scintillations. The TEC observed in HCMC also contributes to the data of ground-based observational receiver systems along 105o E longitude for studying ionospheric variations in low-latitude and equatorial regions. Our preliminary results indicate that the GNSS data collected at IU-VNU station is a valuable reference dataset for further research of the ionosphere.

Small-Scale Ionospheric Irregularities of Auroral Origin at Mid-latitudes during the 22 June 2015 Magnetic Storm and Their Effect on GPS Positioning

Small-scale ionospheric irregularities affect navigation and radio telecommunications. We studied small-scale irregularities observed during the 22 June 2015 geomagnetic storm and used experimental facilities at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISTP SB RAS) located near Irkutsk, Russia (~52°N, 104°E). The facilities used were the DPS-4 ionosonde (spread-F width), receivers of the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter Radar (Cygnus A signal amplitude scintillations), and GPS/GLONASS receivers (amplitude and phase scintillations), while 150 MHz Cygnus A signal recording provides a unique data set on ionosphere small-scale structure. We observed increased spread-F, Cygnus A signal amplitude scintillations, and GPS phase scintillations near 20 UT on 22 June 2015 at mid-latitudes. GPS/GLONASS amplitude scintillations were at a quiet time level. By using global total electron content (TEC) maps, we conclude that small-scale irregularities are most likely caused by the auroral oval expansion. In the small-scale irregularity region, we recorded an increase in the precise point positioning (PPP) error. Even at mid-latitudes, the mean PPP error is at least five times that of the quiet level and reaches 0.5 m.

L-band geosynchronous SAR imaging degradations imposed by ionospheric irregularities

It is well known that the ionospheric scintillation caused by small-scale ionospheric irregularities is a major distortion source for low-frequency spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. For L-band geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) SAR, the orbit height is ultra-high and the integration time is ultra-long, thus ionospheric irregularities may cause more significant distortions on the imaging focusing. To evaluate this effect, the generalized ambiguity function (GAF) is employed to establish the analytical model. The imaging resolution can be studied by calculating the second moment of GAF. Furthermore, since the scanning velocity of the ionospheric penetration point (IPP) for GEO SAR is much slower than that of low earth orbit (LEO) SAR, the convection velocity of the ionospheric irregularities is no longer negligible. Taking this into account, we derive a more accurate expression of ionospheric irregularities effect. The theoretical derivation is validated by numerical analyses and signal-level simulations.

SCINTILLATION EFFECTS AND THE SPATIAL POWER SPECTRUM OF SCATTERED RADIO WAVES IN THE IONOSPHERIC F REGION

Differential equation for two-dimensional spectral function of the phase fluctuation is derived using the modify smooth perturbation method. Second order statistical moments of the phase fluctuations are calculated taking into account polarization coefficients of both ordinary and extraordinary waves in the turbulent collision magnetized plasma and the diffraction effects. Analytical and numerical investigations in the ionospheric F region are based on the anisotropic Gaussian and power law spectral functions of electron density fluctuations including both the field-aligned anisotropy and field-perpendicular anisotropy of the plasma irregularities. Scintillation effects in this region are investigated for the small-scale ionospheric irregularities. The large-scale background plasma structures are responsible for the double-humped shape in the spatial power spectrum taking into account diffraction effects. Numerical calculations are based on the experimental data of the navigation satellites.Â

Investigation of ionospheric effects on SAR Interferometry (InSAR): A case study of Hong Kong

Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) has demonstrated its potential for high-density spatial mapping of ground displacement associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geologic processes. However, this technique may be affected by the ionosphere, which can result in the distortions of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, phases, and polarization. Moreover, ionospheric effect has become and is becoming further significant with the increasing interest in low-frequency SAR systems, limiting the further development of InSAR technique. Although some research has been carried out, thorough analysis of ionospheric influence on true SAR imagery is still limited. Based on this background, this study performs a thorough investigation of ionospheric effect on InSAR through processing L-band ALOS-1/PALSAR-1 images and dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) data over Hong Kong, where the phenomenon of ionospheric irregularities often occurs. The result shows that the small-scale ionospheric irregularities can cause the azimuth pixel shifts and phase advance errors on interferograms. Meanwhile, it is found that these two effects result in the stripe-shaped features in InSAR images. The direction of the stripe-shaped effects keep approximately constant in space for our InSAR dataset. Moreover, the GPS-derived rate of total electron content change index (ROTI), an index to reflect the level of ionospheric disturbances, may be a useful indicator for predicting the ionospheric effect for SAR images. This finding can help us evaluate the quality of SAR images when considering the ionospheric effect.

Drift Velocity of Small-Scale Artificial Ionospheric Irregularities According to a Multifrequency HF Doppler Radar. II. Observation and Modeling Results

We present the results of observations of the Doppler frequency shift for the radar radio signals of broadcast and exact-time RWM stations, which are scattered by small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities. By the method described in our previous paper [1] and using the multifrequency HF Doppler radar, estimates were made for a three-dimensional vector of the drift velocity of irregularities. It is shown that the drift velocity of irregularities can vary considerably both in magnitude and direction for short periods of time. The velocity lies in a wide range of values, 20–270 m/s, but sometimes it exceeds 500–700 m/s. The most probable drift velocity ranges from 40 to 70 m/s.

Drift Velocity of Small-Scale Artificial Ionospheric Irregularities According to Multifrequency HF Doppler Radar. I. Method of Calculation and Its Hardware Implementation

The method of calculating the total drift velocity vector of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities as measured by the effective Doppler frequency shift of aspect-scattered signals from several diagnostic illumination transmitters operated at different frequencies is discussed. The technique of adaptive simulation of decameter radio waves propagating in an inhomogeneous magnetized ionosphere with allowance for the aspect scattering effects due to small-scale field-aligned irregularities is developed. A multifrequency HF Doppler radar for simultaneous measurement of the Doppler spectra of radio signals at a set of frequencies is described.

Ionospheric scintillation modeling for high- and mid-latitude using B-spline technique

Ionospheric scintillation is a significant component of space-weather studies and serves as an estimate for the level of perturbation in the satellite radio wave signal caused due to small-scale ionospheric irregularities. B-spline functions are used on the GPS ground based data collected during the year 2007–2012 for modeling high- and mid-latitude ionospheric scintillation. Proposed model is for Hornsund, Svalbard and Warsaw, Poland. The input data used in this model were recorded by GSV 4004b receivers. For validation, results of this model are compared with the observation and other existing models. Physical behavior of the ionospheric scintillation during different seasons and geomagnetic conditions are discussed well. Model is found in good coherence with the ionospheric scintillation theory as well as to the accepted scintillation mechanism for high- and mid-latitude.

Dependence of the Pc4 magnetic pulsation parameters on the radiated power of the EISCAT HF heating facility

The interaction between the Earth’s ionosphere and magnetosphere in a situation when artificial disturbances are generated in the F region of the auroral ionosphere with the EISCAT/Heating facility is studied. An experiment was performed in the daytime when the facility effective radiated power changed in a stepwise manner. Wavelike disturbances with periods of (130–140) s corresponding to Pc4 pulsations were simultaneously registered by the method of bi-static backscatter and with ground magnetometers. The variations in the Doppler frequency shift were correlated with the changes in the facility power. Incoherent scatter radar measurements at a frequency of 930 MHz (Tromso) and numerical calculations were used in an analysis. It has been indicated that the ionospheric drift of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities was modulated by magnetospheric Alfven waves. The possible effect of powerful HF radioemission on the Alfven wave amplitude owing to the modification of the magnetospheric resonator ionospheric edge reflectivity and the generation of an outgoing Alfven wave above the region where the ionospheric conductivity is locally intensified has been considered.

Ionospheric and hardware fluctuations of the optical path during radio occultation sounding of the earth’s atmosphere in the COSMIC experiment

Ionospheric and hardware fluctuations of optical paths are the most significant sources of errors in determination of the parameters of the neutral atmosphere using the radio occultation method at altitudes above 8 km. The paper presents a spectral analysis of the fluctuations in the optical path during radio occultation measurements in two channels of the GPS system for the perigee altitudes of probing beams in the range from 80 to 100 km, where the contribution of the neutral atmosphere is negligibly small. For analysis, a data set of 300 measurements made during the COSMIC experiment was used. The spectral analysis revealed the maximum cross-correlation of the fluctuations in two channels at a spatial frequency of 2.5 rad/km. Weaker correlation for lower spatial frequencies is determined by hardware noise. Weaker correlation for higher spatial frequencies is determined by the effects of diffraction by small-scale ionospheric irregularities.

Cluster structure of artificial ionospheric turbulence according to the data of the radar measurements by the radio-direction finder ionosonde

We present the results of experimental studies of an artificial ionospheric turbulence, which were obtained using the radio-direction finder ionosonde with linear frequency chirp of output signal. Several scattered signals with close distance-frequency and angular-frequency characteristics were observed, which is related to radio-wave scattering by various clustered areas. The features of the aspect scattering of radio waves on the IZMIRAN–“Sura”–Rostov-on-Don path were simulated. The spatial dimensions and the structure of the region filled by small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities are estimated. The displacement of some clusters from the main region is of the order of 10–40 km with the smaller and larger displacements observed in the daytime and evening ionospheres, respectively.

A New Theoretical Approach of Wavelet-Based Multifractal Characterization of HF Channel Scattering Function: Theoretical and Physical Interpretations

In high-frequency (HF) ionospheric communications, the dynamic nature of the high-latitude ionosphere creates small-scale ionospheric irregularities capable of scattering HF radio waves. In addition, there are large-scale irregularities which may be identified using some specific methods. However, small-scale irregularities cannot be easily identified and characterized. The aim of this paper is to introduce a new wavelet-based multifractal dimension mapping approach for the identification and the quantification of the small-scale irregularities. Numerical results show the improvement of the proposed methods compared to those obtained by the classical Legendre multifractal analysis. In our analysis, we have used the scattering function as a tool for the HF channel characterization. Our analysis deals with experimental scattering functions measured during the solar eclipse on August 11, 1999.

Results of Russian experiments dealing with the impact of powerful HF radiowaves on the high-latitude ionosphere using the EISCAT facilities

We present the results of complex experiments dealing with the impact of powerful HF radiowaves on the high-latitude ionosphere using the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT) facilities. During the ionospheric F-region heating by powerful extraordinary (X-mode) polarized HF radiowaves under the conditions of heating near the critical f H frequency f H ≈ f x F2 of the extraordinary wave of the F2-layer, we were first to detect the excitation of intense artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities (ASIs), accompanied by electron temperature increases by approximately 50%. The results of coordinated satellite and ground-based observations of the powerful HF radiowave impact on the high-latitude ionosphere are considered. During ionospheric F-region heating by powerful HF radiowaves of ordinary polarization (O-mode) during evening hours, the phenomenon of ion outflow accompanied by electron temperature increases and thermal plasma expansion was revealed. Concurrent DMSP-F15 satellite measurements at a height of about 850 km indicate an O+ ion density increase. The CHAMP satellite observations identified ULF emissions at the modulation frequency (3 Hz) of the powerful HF radiowave, generated during modulated emissions of the powerful HF radiowave of O-polarization and accompanied by a substantial increase in the electron temperature and ASI generation.

Modification of the high-latitude ionosphere by high-power hf radio waves. 2. Results of coordinated satellite and ground-based observations

We present the results of coordinated satellite and ground-based observations of the high-latitude ionospheric phenomena induced by high-power high-frequency (HF) radio waves. The ion outflow phenomenon accompanied by a strong increase in the electron temperature and thermal expansion of plasma was observed in the evening hours, when the high-latitude ionospheric F region was heated by high-power O-mode HF radio waves. The DMSP F15 satellite recorded an increase in the ion number density O+ at an altitide of about 850 km in that period. Ultralow-frequency (ULF) radiation at the modulation frequency 3 Hz of the high-power HF radio waves, which was generated in the ionosphere irradiated by high-power O-mode HF radio waves and accompanied by a strong increase in the electron temperature and the generation of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities, was recorded by the CHAMP satellite during the heating experiment in Tromso in November 5, 2009. The results of the DEMETER satellite observations of extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation at the modulation frequency 1178 Hz of the high-power radio waves in the heating experiments were analyzed using the event of March 3, 2009 as an example.