scholarly journals Adjusting CCIR Maps to Improve Local Behaviour of Ionospheric Models

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 691
Author(s):  
Haris Haralambous ◽  
Theodoros Leontiou ◽  
Vasilis Petrou ◽  
Arun Kumar Singh ◽  
Marios Charalambides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite System ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Electron Density Profile ◽  
Radiowave Propagation ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Positioning Errors ◽  
Ionospheric Models

The objective of this article is to present a concept for single-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning local ionospheric mitigation over a certain area. This concept is based on input parameters driving the NeQuick-G algorithm (the ionospheric single-frequency GNSS correction algorithm adopted by Galileo GNSS system), estimated on a local as opposed to a global scale, from ionospheric characteristics measured by a digital ionosonde and a collocated dual-frequency Total Electron Content (TEC) monitor. This approach facilitates the local adjustment of Committee Consultative for Ionospheric Radiowave propagation (CCIR) files and the Az ionization level, which control the ionospheric electron density profile in NeQuick-G, therefore enabling better estimation of positioning errors under quiet geomagnetic conditions. This novel concept for local ionospheric positioning error mitigation may be adopted at any location where ionospheric characteristics foF2 and M(3000)F2 can be measured, as a means to enhance the accuracy of single-frequency positioning applications based on the NeQuick-G algorithm.

scholarly journals Deep learning of total electron content

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Memarian Sorkhabi
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Activation Function ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

AbstractOne of the most notable errors in the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is the ionospheric delay due to the total electron content (TEC). TEC is the number of electrons in the ionosphere in the signal path from the satellite to the receiver, which fluctuates with time and location. This error is one of the major problems in single-frequency (SF) GPS receivers. One way to eliminate this error is to use dual-frequency. Users of SF receivers should either use estimation models or local models to reduce this error. In this study, deep learning of artificial neural networks (ANN) was used to estimate TEC for SF users. For this purpose, the ionosphere as a single-layer model (assuming that all free electrons in the ionosphere are in this thin layer) is locally modeled by the code observation method. Linear combination has been used by selecting 24 permanent GNSS stations in the northwest of Iran. TEC was modeled independently of the geometry between the satellite and the receiver, called L4. This modeling was used to train the error ANN with two 5-day periods of high and low solar and geomagnetic activity range with a hyperbolic tangential sigmoid activation function. The results show that the proposed method is capable of eliminating ionosphere error with an average accuracy of 90%. The international reference ionosphere 2016 (IRI2016) is used for the verification, which has a 96% significance correlation with estimated TEC.

scholarly journals Galileo E5 AltBOC Signals: Application for Single-Frequency Total Electron Content Estimations

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 3973
Author(s):  
Artem M. Padokhin ◽  
Anna A. Mylnikova ◽  
Yury V. Yasyukevich ◽  
Yury V. Morozov ◽  
Gregory A. Kurbatov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Binary Offset Carrier ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Galileo E5 ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

Global navigation satellite system signals are known to be an efficient tool to monitor the Earth ionosphere. We suggest Galileo E5 AltBOC phase and pseudorange observables— a single-frequency combination—to estimate the ionospheric total electron content (TEC). We performed a one-month campaign in September 2020 to compare the noise level for different TEC estimations based on single-frequency and dual-frequency data. Unlike GPS, GLONASS, or Galileo E5a and E5b single-frequency TEC estimations (involving signals with binary and quadrature phase-shift keying, such as BPSK and QPSK, or binary offset carrier (BOC) modulation), an extra wideband Galileo E5 AltBOC signal provided the smallest noise level, comparable to that of dual-frequency GPS. For elevation higher than 60 degrees, the 100-sec root-mean-square (RMS) of TEC, an estimated TEC noise proxy, was as follows for different signals: ~0.05 TECU for Galileo E5 AltBOC, 0.09 TECU for GPS L5, ~0.1TECU for Galileo E5a/E5b BPSK, and 0.85 TECU for Galileo E1 CBOC. Dual-frequency phase combinations provided RMS values of 0.03 TECU for Galileo E1/E5, 0.03 and 0.07 TECU for GPS L1/L2 and L1/L5. At low elevations, E5 AltBOC provided at least twice less single-frequency TEC noise as compared with data obtained from E5a or E5b. The short dataset of our study could limit the obtained estimates; however, we expect that the AltBOC single-frequency TEC will still surpass the BPSK analogue in noise parameters when the solar cycle evolves and geomagnetic activity increases. Therefore, AltBOC signals could advance geoscience.

scholarly journals Three Dual-Frequency Precise Point Positioning Models for the Ionospheric Modeling and Satellite Pseudorange Observable-Specific Signal Bias Estimation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 5093
Author(s):  
Ke Su ◽  
Shuanggen Jin
Keyword(s):  
Precise Point Positioning ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Navigation Satellite ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Specific Signal ◽  
Ionospheric Modeling ◽  
Point Positioning

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Precise Point Positioning (PPP) enables the estimation the ionospheric vertical total electron content (VTEC) as well as the by-product of the satellite Pseudorange observable-specific signal bias (OSB). The single-frequency PPP models, with the ionosphere-float and ionosphere-free approaches in ionospheric studies, have recently been discussed by the authors. However, the multi-frequency observations can improve the performances of the ionospheric research compared with the single-frequency approaches. This paper presents three dual-frequency PPP approaches using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) B1I/B3I observations to investigate ionospheric activities. Datasets collected from the globally distributed stations are used to evaluate the performance of the ionospheric modeling with the ionospheric single- and multi-layer mapping functions (MFs), respectively. The characteristics of the estimated ionospheric VTEC and BDS satellite pseudorange OSB are both analyzed. The results indicated that the three dual-frequency PPP models could all be applied to the ionospheric studies, among which the dual-frequency ionosphere-float PPP model exhibits the best performance. The three dual-frequency PPP models all possess the capacity for ionospheric applications in the GNSS community.

scholarly journals Assessing the quality of ionospheric models through GNSS positioning error: methodology and results

GPS Solutions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrià Rovira-Garcia ◽  
Deimos Ibáñez-Segura ◽  
Raul Orús-Perez ◽  
José Miguel Juan ◽  
Jaume Sanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite System ◽  
Ionospheric Delay ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Positioning Error ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Ionospheric Models ◽  
Evaluation Metric ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

Abstract Single-frequency users of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) must correct for the ionospheric delay. These corrections are available from global ionospheric models (GIMs). Therefore, the accuracy of the GIM is important because the unmodeled or incorrectly part of ionospheric delay contributes to the positioning error of GNSS-based positioning. However, the positioning error of receivers located at known coordinates can be used to infer the accuracy of GIMs in a simple manner. This is why assessment of GIMs by means of the position domain is often used as an alternative to assessments in the ionospheric delay domain. The latter method requires accurate reference ionospheric values obtained from a network solution and complex geodetic modeling. However, evaluations using the positioning error method present several difficulties, as evidenced in recent works, that can lead to inconsistent results compared to the tests using the ionospheric delay domain. We analyze the reasons why such inconsistencies occur, applying both methodologies. We have computed the position of 34 permanent stations for the entire year of 2014 within the last Solar Maximum. The positioning tests have been done using code pseudoranges and carrier-phase leveled (CCL) measurements. We identify the error sources that make it difficult to distinguish the part of the positioning error that is attributable to the ionospheric correction: the measurement noise, pseudorange multipath, evaluation metric, and outliers. Once these error sources are considered, we obtain equivalent results to those found in the ionospheric delay domain assessments. Accurate GIMs can provide single-frequency navigation positioning at the decimeter level using CCL measurements and better positions than those obtained using the dual-frequency ionospheric-free combination of pseudoranges. Finally, some recommendations are provided for further studies of ionospheric models using the position domain method.

Analysis of a new regional ionospheric assimilated H2PT model for Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Woźniak ◽  
Anna Świątek ◽  
Mariusz Pożoga ◽  
Łukasz Tomasik
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
International Gnss Service ◽  
Statistical Parameters ◽  
Total Electron

<p>The signal emitted by the GNSS (<em>Global Navigation Satellite System</em>) satellite, on the way to the receiver located on the Earth’s surface, encounters a heterogeneous layer of ionized gas and free electrons, in which the radio wave is dispersed. As the ionosphere is the source of the highest-value errors among the different factors that affect GNSS positioning accuracy, it is necessary to minimize its negative impact. Various methods are used to compensate for the ionospheric delay, one of which is the usage of models.<br>The intensity of the processes occurring in the ionosphere is closely related to the Sun activity. As a consequence, with respect to a given location on the Earth's surface, the activity of the ionosphere changes throughout the year and day. Therefore, a model dedicated to a specific region is especially important in case of high-precision GNSS applications.<br>The assimilated H2PT model was based on the dual-frequency observations from GNSS stations belonging to EPN (<em>EUREF Permanent Network</em>), as well as on ionosondes participating in the DIAS (<em>European Digital Upper Atmosphere Server</em>) project. The H2PT model covers the Europe area, data with a 15-minutes interval were placed in similar to IONEX (<em>IONosphere Map EXchenge</em>) files in two versions of spatial resolution: 1- and 5-degree. Data provided by the H2PT model are the VTEC (<em>Vertical Total Electron Content</em>) values and the hmF2 (<em>maximum height of the F2 layer</em>) parameters.<br>The subject of this research is the comparison of the H2PT model with NeQuick-G model and IONEX data published by IGS (<em>International GNSS Service</em>) in the context of TEC values as well as determining differences between regional hmF2 data and its commonly used fixed value for the entire globe, amounting to 450 km. In order to perform the analysis, appropriate visualizations were made and statistical parameters determined. Additionally, data from selected periods of positive and negative disturbances were analysed in details based on the developed time series.<br>The relatively high temporal and spatial resolution is undoubtedly an advantage of the H2PT model, because unlike global models, the regional one allows conscientious analysis of the ionosphere characteristics for the area of Europe. Importantly, solutions regarding hmF2 show significant deviations from the fixed value approximated for the whole Earth. Taking into account the parameter appropriate for a given location and time during GNSS data processing may improve the obtained positioning quality. </p>

scholarly journals Global Ionospheric Model Accuracy Analysis Using Shipborne Kinematic GPS Data in the Arctic Circle

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 2062
Author(s):  
Di Wang ◽  
Xiaowen Luo ◽  
Jinling Wang ◽  
Jinyao Gao ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Ionospheric Model ◽  
International Gnss Service ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Arctic Circle ◽  
Analysis And Evaluation ◽  
Ionospheric Models

The global ionospheric model built by the International Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Service (IGS) using GNSS reference stations all over the world is currently the most widely used ionospheric product on a global scale. Therefore, analysis and evaluation of this ionospheric product’s accuracy and reliability are essential for the practical use of the product. In contrast to the traditional way of assessing global ionospheric models with ground-based static measurements, our study used shipborne kinematic global positioning system (GPS) measurements collected over 18 days to perform a preliminary analysis and evaluation of the accuracy of the global ionospheric models; our study took place in the Arctic Circle. The data from the International GNSS Service stations near the Arctic Circle were used to verify the ionospheric total electron contents derived from the kinematic data. The results suggested that the global ionospheric model had an approximate regional accuracy of 12 total electron content units (TECu) within the Arctic Circle and deviated from the actual ionospheric total electron content value by about 4 TECu.

Comparative analysis of global ionospheric models used in GNSS data processing based on selected stations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Woźniak ◽  
Anna Świątek ◽  
Leszek Jaworski
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Ionospheric Delay ◽  
Satellite Orbits ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Free Electrons ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Models ◽  
Station Coordinates ◽  
The Difference

<p>Among the many error sources affecting GNSS <em>(Global Navigation Satellite System)</em> positioning accuracy, the ionosphere is the cause of those of the greatest value. The ionized gas layer, where also free electrons are present, extends from the upper atmosphere to 1,000 km above the Earth's surface (conventionally). As the GNSS satellite orbits altitude is more than 20,000 km, the wave transmitted from the satellite to the receiver on the Earth’s ground passes through this layer, but not unscathed. The ionosphere is a dispersive medium for the electromagnetic waves in the microwave band, including UHF <em>(Ultra High Frequency)</em> waves transmitted by GNSS satellites. As a result, the group velocity of the wave decreases, while its phase velocity – increases.</p><p>Ionospheric delay compensation methods include among others multi-frequency measurements;  however, when considering measurements on one frequency, the usage of ionospheric models is an option. The key element is the number of free electrons, its inclusion in the course of calculations is possible thanks to the TEC <em>(Total Electron Content)</em> maps. Taking into account the variability of the coefficient in the daily and annual course, as well as depending on the activity of the Sun and its 11-year cycle, it is important to use the current value for a given place and time.</p><p>For the European Galileo satellite system a dedicated ionospheric model NeQuick-G was developed. As a simple modification of the formula allows it to be applied to other satellite systems, it can be considered in a broader context, regardless of the system and receiver location. In our study the TEC maps published by IGS are used as the comparative data. As a reference, the station located in Warsaw, Poland, is adopted.</p><p>The subject of this research is the reliability and validity of the model in equatorial region. The analysis is performed for the stations belonging to the IGS <em>(International GNSS Service)</em> network, located in the discussed area. For each hour of the day, independently for each month of 2019, statistic parameters are determined for both models as well as for the difference between them. The results are analysed taking into account the local time of individual stations. The decisive element is the comparison of the station position time series during disturbed and quiet ionospheric conditions (selected based on the K-index), using each of the models (single-frequency observations). The station coordinates are determined from GPS <em>(Global Positioning System)</em> data using the PPP <em>(Precise Point Positioning)</em> method; the position determined for the iono-free combination (dual-frequency observations) is used as a reference.</p><p>The ionospheric delay is directly proportional to the value of the TEC parameter. The difference between the models, exceeding on average even 20 TECU <em>(Total Electron Content Unit)</em> during some periods, translates into a station coordinate differences. The presented analysis may indicate the need for local improvement of global ionospheric models in the discussed region, which will consequently affect the GNSS positioning quality.</p>

scholarly journals Improved characterization and modeling of equatorial plasma depletions

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. A38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estefania Blanch ◽  
David Altadill ◽  
Jose Miguel Juan ◽  
Adriano Camps ◽  
José Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Local Time ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Latitude Belt ◽  
Independent Observations

This manuscript presents a method to identify the occurrence of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) with data gathered from receivers of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This method adapts a previously existing technique to detect Medium Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs), which focus on the 2nd time derivatives of total electron content estimated from GNSS signals (2DTEC). Results from this tool made possible to develop a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of EPBs. Analyses of the probability of occurrence, effective time duration, depth of the depletion and total disturbance of the EPBs show their dependence on local time and season of the year at global scale within the latitude belt from 35°N to 35°S for the descending phase of solar cycle 23 and ascending phase of solar cycle 24, 2002–2014. These results made possible to build an EPBs model, bounded with the Solar Flux index, that simulates the probability of the number of EPBs and their characteristics expected for a representative day at given season and local time (LT). The model results provided insight into different important aspects: the maximum occurrence of bubbles take place near the equatorial anomaly crests, asymmetry between hemispheres and preferred longitudes with enhanced EPBs activity. Model output comparisons with independent observations confirmed its soundness.

Performance Evaluation of USTEC Product for Single-Frequency Precise Point Positioning

GEOMATICA ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abd El-Rahman ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Precise Point Positioning ◽  
Ionospheric Delay ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Gps Receivers ◽  
Mitigation Techniques ◽  
Point Positioning

Geodetic-grade dual-frequency GPS receivers are typically used for precise point positioning (PPP). Unfortunately, these receiver systems are expensive and may not provide a cost-effective solution in many instances. The use of low-cost single-frequency GPS receivers, on the other hand, are limited by the effect of ionospheric delay. A number of mitigation techniques have been proposed to account for the effect of ionospheric delay for single-frequency GPS users. Unfortunately, however, those mitigation techniques are not suitable for PPP. More recently, the U.S. Total Electron Content (USTEC) product has been developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which describes the ionospheric total electron content in high resolution over most of North America. This paper investigates the performance of USTEC and studies its effect on single-frequency PPP solution. A performance comparison with two widely-used ionospheric mitigation models is also presented.

scholarly journals Some statistics of Ionospheric total electron content variations at mid-latitude zones of Mongolia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Baatarkhuu Dagva ◽  
Amarjargal Sharav ◽  
Lkhagvajav Chultemiin
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Rotation Of The Earth ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Continuous Gps ◽  
Geomagnetic Activities

This work is focused on the correlation of ionosphere total electron content (TEC) with solar and geomagnetic activities of the space weather at mid-latitude zone.  In our analysis, we investigate the TEC time series obtained from dual-frequency GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) observations at three continuous GPS/GNSS stations HOVD (48.00N, 91.66E), CHOB (48.08N, 114.53E) and DALN (43.56N, 104.42) for 2013. The statistical analyses are performed on 15 minute averaged yearly TEC values, which reveal the semi-annual anomaly and high correlation with the activities of the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Phase overlapping seasonal variations of TEC and Sunspot, and Solar flux (10.7) indices, and Earth rotations (LOD) and Atmospheric angular moment (AAM) are observed in our data analyses. Sudden ionospheric storm changes in TEC with geomagnetic storm induced by the extreme solar flare and 2013 events were investigated. The result shows that GPS derived TEC behaves as an indicator of these events showing sudden increase in TEC during the event.

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