Abstract. The effect of equatorial ionospheric scintillations on the operation of GPS receivers is investigated, with special attention given to the effect of scintillation timescales on the code division multiple access (CDMA) protocol used by GPS. We begin by examining the timescales of scintillation fades modeled as a horizontally drifting pattern whose timescales are determined by the Fresnel length and the drift speed. The model is tested by comparing the speed, determined by dividing the Fresnel length by the autocorrelation time (width), with the speed estimated using spaced receivers, and the two independent estimates of speed are shown to possess a linear relationship. Next we show that the scintillation pattern drift speed is given by the difference of the ionospheric drift and the speed of the GPS signal F region puncture point. When the ionosphere and GPS signal puncture point speeds match, the fade timescales lengthen. Additionally, if the fade depth is adequate, during periods of longer fade times the loss of receiver lock on GPS signals is more likely, as shown in several examples; that is, both larger fade depths and longer fade timescales are required to produce loss of tracking. We conclude by demonstrating that speed matching or resonance between the ionosphere and receiver is most likely when the receiver is moving from west to east at speeds of 40-100 m/s (144-360 km/h). This is in the range of typical aircraft speeds.
Abstract. One aspect of the Global Positioning System (GPS) is the potential toconduct geophysical research, and worldwide netw5rks of GPS receivers have been established to exploit this potential. Several research groups have begun using this global GPS data to study ionospheric total electron content (TEC) variations, also referred to as GPS phase fluctuations, as surrogates for ionospheric scintillations. This paper investigates the relationship between GPS amplitude scintillations and TEC variations for the same line of sight using observations from Anc6n, Peru. These Observations were taken under equatorial spread F conditions for three nights in
Abstract-Besides their intended use in radionavigation, global positioning system (GPS) satellite signals provide convenient radio beacons for ionospheric studies. Among other propagation phenomena, the ionosphere affects GPS signal propagation through amplitude scintillations that develop after radio waves propagate through ionospheric electron density irregularities. This paper outlines the design, testing, and operation of a specialized GPS receiver to monitor L-band amplitude scintillations: the Cornell scintillation monitor. The Cornell scintillation monitor consists of a commercial GPS receiver development kit with its software modified to log signal strength from up to 12 channels at a high data rate (50 samples/s). Other features of the receiver include the optional assignment of a channel to monitor the receiver noise level in the absence of signal tracking and the means to synchronize measurements between nearby independent receivers to perform drift measurements and correlation studies. The Cornell scintillation monitor provides characterization of the operational L-band scintillation environment and additionally permits study of the multipath environment of a static antenna. GPS scintillation monitors can provide information about the state of ionospheric irregularities for pure research purposes as well. Here their strength lies in the fact that they are inexpensive and compact and therefore can be readily proliferated. Even a single scintillation monitor can supplement radar spatial coverage of irregularities in a limited way because it monitors several satellite lines of sight simultaneously. This article introduces some of the potential of the scintillation monitor for research, primarily through examples associated with field testing the instrument.
The phase scintillation index (σϕ), equal to the standard deviation of measured phase, is often used to characterize Global Positioning System (GPS) observations in ionospheric environments that may be scintillated. Since σϕ is dominated by large‐scale fluctuations, questions of usage and interpretation exist as will be illustrated here. Beyond traditional concerns with detrending, multipath and receiver phase noise, there are at least two issues to be considered. The first is the marginal suitability of σϕ to characterize a power law phase screen with a poorly defined low‐frequency component (e.g., outer scale). Second, observed σϕ parameters may not be relevant to GPS receiver tracking impacts. These arguments are outlined here in greater detail and are illustrated with simple one‐dimensional phase screen propagation modeling results. The conclusion is that GPS σϕ values depend critically on the circumstances of measurement and are difficult to compare among observations without additional knowledge, particularly of relative ionospheric drift and irregularity orientation, that may not be available from an isolated GPS receiver. The development of suitable alternative measures requires careful consideration of the elements of GPS scintillation and its impacts. The broader GPS scintillation community should take an active role in developing suitable replacement measures for σϕ.
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