Space Weather: Specification of Ionospheric Irregularities by Use of Diffraction Tomography

University Of Southern California, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to capitalize on several mature technologies to obtain regional and global maps of ionospheric irregularities and some of their statistical properties (e.g., second moment) by use of diffraction tomography. In utilizing the GPS signals for 3D mapping of ionospheric irregularities, we are taking advantage of (1) the growing number of space receivers recording GPS phase and amplitude data while occulting behind the ionosphere, (2) the very dense regional networks and large global networks of GPS ground receivers providing over 30 million links per day through the ionosphere, (3) advances made in ionospheric tomography and data assimilation techniques, (4) advances made in diffraction tomography.