An Operational Data Assimilation Model of the Global Ionosphere

Authors

Robert W. Schunk, Utah State UniversityFollow
L. Scherliess
Jan Josef Sojka, Utah State UniversityFollow
D. C. Thompson
L. Zhu

Document Type

Conference Paper

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Proceedings of the Ionospheric Effects Symposium

Publisher

JMG Associates, Ltd.

Publication Date

5-2005

First Page

512

Last Page

518

Abstract

Physics-based data assimilation models of the ionosphere were developed at Utah State University as part of a DoD Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program. The USU effort was called Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM). One of the USU Data assimilation models has been selected for operational use at the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA in Omaha, Nebraska. This model is a Gauss-Markov Kalman Filter model, and it uses a physic-based model of the global ionosphere and a Kalman filter as a basis for assimilating a diverse set of real-time (or near real-time) measurements. The model has been designed to be modular and flexible. It can assimilate four different data types from an arbitrary number of stations. Quality control algorithms are an integral part of the model and latent data of up to three hours can be taken into account. The Gauss-Markov modell can also be applied to just a region (e.g., North America or Europe) with a simple change to the setup file. The configuration of the model and its current status are presented.

Comments

Publised by JMG Associates, LTD. Article available for download through link above.

Recommended Citation

Schunk, R. W., L. Scherliess, J. J. Sojka, D. C. Thompson, and L. Zhu, An operational data assimilation model of the global ionosphere, Proceedings of the Ionospheric Effects Symposium, (Ed. J. M. Goodman), JMG Associates, Ltd., 2005.