ICEBEAR: Recent Results from a Bistatic Coded Continuous-Wave E-region Coherent Scatter Radar
<p>The Ionospheric Continuous-wave E-region Bistatic Experimental Auroral Radar (ICEBEAR) is located in Canada and has a field of view centered at (58&#176;N, 106&#176;W) overlooking the terrestrial auroral zone. &#160;This 49.5 MHz coherent scatter radar measures plasma density irregularities in the E-region ionosphere using a pseudo random noise phase modulated continuous-wave (CW) signal. &#160;ICEBEAR uses this coded CW signal to obtain simultaneous high temporal (1 s) and spatial (1.5 km) resolutions of E-region plasma density turbulence over a 600 km x 600 km field of view, providing insights into the Farley-Buneman plasma density instability and wave-like structures evident in the coherent scatter. &#160;The initial results from ICEBEAR were obtained with a 1D receiving array, providing azimuthal angle of arrival details of the incoming scattered signal. &#160;This azimuthal determination, along with the range determined using the coded signal, allowed the scatter to be mapped in 2D. &#160;A recent reconfiguration of the receiving array has allowed the elevation angle of the received signal to be calculated, providing 3D determination of the location of the plasma density irregularities. &#160;This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities of ICEBEAR, displaying measurements of highly dynamic plasma density irregularities with wave-like behaviour on 1 second time scales.</p>