Abstract. By using the CHAllenge Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) radio occultation (RO) data, a description of different types of the ionospheric impacts on the RO signals at the altitudes 30-90 km of the RO ray perigee is given and compared with the results of measurements obtained earlier in the satellite-to-Earth communication link at frequency 1.5415 GHz. An analytical model is introduced for describing propagation of radio waves in a stratified medium consisting of sectors with spherically symmetric refractivity distribution. This model gives analytical expressions for the phase, bending angle, and refractive attenuation of radio waves and is applied to the analysis of radio wave propagation phenomena along an extended path including the atmosphere and two parts of the ionosphere. The model explains significant amplitude and phase variations at altitudes 30-90 km of the RO ray perigee and attributes them to inclined ionospheric layers. Based on this analytical model, an innovative technique is introduced to locate layers in the atmosphere and ionosphere. A necessary and sufficient criterion is obtained for a layer to be located at the RO ray perigee. This criterion gives both qualitative and quantitative estimation of the displacement of an ionospheric and/or atmospheric layer from the RO ray perigee. This is important, in particular, for determining the location of wind shears and directions of the internal wave propagation in the lower ionosphere, and, possibly, in the atmosphere.

Conditions for communication, navigation, and remote sensing in the ionosphere and atmosphere depend strongly on the ionospheric impact on the radio waves propagation. By use of the CHAllenge Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) radio occultation (RO) data a description of different types of the ionospheric contributions to the RO signals at the altitudes 30–90 km of the RO ray perigee is introduced and compared with results of measurements obtained earlier in the communication link satellite-to-Earth at frequency 1.5415 GHz. An analytical model is introduced for description of the radio waves propagation in a stratified medium consisting of sectors having the spherically symmetric distributions of refractivity. Model presents analytical expressions for the phase path and refractive attenuation of radio waves. Model is applied for analysis of the radio waves propagation effects along a prolonged path including the atmosphere and two parts of the ionosphere. Model explains significant amplitude and phase variations at the altitudes 30–90 km of the RO ray perigee as connected with influence of the inclined ionospheric layers. An innovative eikonal acceleration technique is described and applied for the identification of the inclined ionospheric layers contributions and their location. Possibility to separate the influence of layered structures from contributions of irregularities and turbulence is analyzed