Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Radio Science

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Publication Date

1-15-2015

Journal Article Version

Accepted Manuscript

First Page

1

Last Page

17

Abstract

By monitoring the effects of the ionosphere on multiple space originating radio frequency (RF) beacons, characterizing parameters can be derived which can then be ingested into global assimilative models to improve ionospheric specification and to estimate ionosphere-induced degradation of communication and navigation signals across the electromagnetic spectrum. This paper describes the requirements, design and construction of a ground-based beacon receiver for measuring total electron concentration and amplitude and phase scintillation of the ionosphere. The design achieves very low cost by using the latest in commercial RF and software defined radio technology. The receiver can simultaneously observe three tones spanning ultra-high frequency (UHF) to S-band. The receiver can be installed at a remote site and run autonomously. It can also be investigated remotely. Multiple copies of this ground-based sensor are expected to be key components in future efforts for characterizing and monitoring the ionosphere and its effects on communication and navigation systems. Multiple field campaigns to demonstrate the technology were conducted at Ascension Island (UK territory) and in Logan, Utah.

Comments

An edited version of this paper was published by AGU. Published 2015 American Geophysical Union.

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