Abstract
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
operations involve trans-ionospheric radio wave propagation that
can be affected by space weather phenomenon like geomagnetic
storms. The occurrence of these geomagnetic storms causes
significant changes in the ionosphere layer; which is also the
biggest source of error in GNSS positioning and timing
applications. In absence of high frequency scintillation monitoring
receivers, the levels of ionosphere irregularities and their evolution
can be studied using common non-scintillation receivers. The
study demonstrates the feasibility of using existing network of
permanent GNSS stations around the globe to monitor the changes
in Total Electron Content (TEC) during a geomagnetic storm. In
order to depict the effect of geomagnetic storm on the ionosphere
layer TEC, the transient variation of rate of TEC (ROT) and rate
of TEC index (ROTI) are estimated in this research using GPS
observations. The results in case of moderate and minor storms
are presented in this paper and demonstrate the TEC fluctuations
during quiet ionosphere as compared to geomagnetic storms. The
research presented in this paper indicates the crucial threat that
geomagnetic activity has for GNSS and its associated applications.
Maria Mehmood, Najam Abbas Naqvi, Sajid Saleem. (2019) GNSS Total Electron Content (TEC) variability during geomagnetic storms, Journal of Space Technology , Volume 9, Issue 1.
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