Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)

Abstract Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals strongly depend on the ionospheric conditions, which are composed of electrons and ions generated by solar radiation and particle precipitation. Ionospheric plasma irregularities may cause the scintillation of the GNSS signals or even the lo...

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Main Authors: Junseok Hong, Jong‐Kyun Chung, Yong Ha Kim, Jaeheung Park, Hyuck‐Jin Kwon, Jeong‐Han Kim, Jong‐Min Choi, Young‐Sil Kwak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-10-01
Series:Space Weather
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002536
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author Junseok Hong
Jong‐Kyun Chung
Yong Ha Kim
Jaeheung Park
Hyuck‐Jin Kwon
Jeong‐Han Kim
Jong‐Min Choi
Young‐Sil Kwak
author_facet Junseok Hong
Jong‐Kyun Chung
Yong Ha Kim
Jaeheung Park
Hyuck‐Jin Kwon
Jeong‐Han Kim
Jong‐Min Choi
Young‐Sil Kwak
author_sort Junseok Hong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals strongly depend on the ionospheric conditions, which are composed of electrons and ions generated by solar radiation and particle precipitation. Ionospheric plasma irregularities may cause the scintillation of the GNSS signals or even the loss of signal lock, resulting in the reduction of positioning accuracy and timing precision. Phase scintillation phenomenon is known to occur frequently at high latitudes and primarily related to a significant plasma density gradient, which is due to fast plasma flows in the polar region, energetic particle precipitation in the auroral region, polar cap patches, or several instability mechanisms. Statistical studies are required to understand the characteristics of ionospheric (both phase and amplitude) scintillations at high latitudes. Here, we report the results of ionospheric scintillation measurements at Jang Bogo Station (JBS; 74.62°S, 164.22°E), located inside the polar cap region in Antarctica. The occurrence rates of ionospheric scintillations over the JBS are recorded for 2 years (2017–2018) during solar minimum conditions. The occurrence rates of amplitude scintillations increase only at lower elevation angles (below 30°), which are hard to determine whether the source is ionospheric irregularity or ambient noise such as multipath. In contrast, the occurrence rates of phase scintillations depend on the azimuth angle, season, magnetic activity, magnetic local time, and signal frequency. The results of our analysis suggest that users of the GNSS should consider these parameters to prepare for the degradation of the GNSS performance at high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 1542-7390
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spelling doaj-art-d832db4dbdd94303994c2a5a7e5630132025-01-14T16:35:28ZengWileySpace Weather1542-73902020-10-011810n/an/a10.1029/2020SW002536Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)Junseok Hong0Jong‐Kyun Chung1Yong Ha Kim2Jaeheung Park3Hyuck‐Jin Kwon4Jeong‐Han Kim5Jong‐Min Choi6Young‐Sil Kwak7Space Science Division Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Daejeon South KoreaSpace Science Division Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Daejeon South KoreaDepartment of Astronomy, Space Science and Geology Chungnam National University Daejeon South KoreaSpace Science Division Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Daejeon South KoreaDivision of Polar Climate Sciences Korea Polar Research Institute Incheon South KoreaDivision of Polar Climate Sciences Korea Polar Research Institute Incheon South KoreaDepartment of Earth Sciences National Cheng Kung University Tainan TaiwanSpace Science Division Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Daejeon South KoreaAbstract Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals strongly depend on the ionospheric conditions, which are composed of electrons and ions generated by solar radiation and particle precipitation. Ionospheric plasma irregularities may cause the scintillation of the GNSS signals or even the loss of signal lock, resulting in the reduction of positioning accuracy and timing precision. Phase scintillation phenomenon is known to occur frequently at high latitudes and primarily related to a significant plasma density gradient, which is due to fast plasma flows in the polar region, energetic particle precipitation in the auroral region, polar cap patches, or several instability mechanisms. Statistical studies are required to understand the characteristics of ionospheric (both phase and amplitude) scintillations at high latitudes. Here, we report the results of ionospheric scintillation measurements at Jang Bogo Station (JBS; 74.62°S, 164.22°E), located inside the polar cap region in Antarctica. The occurrence rates of ionospheric scintillations over the JBS are recorded for 2 years (2017–2018) during solar minimum conditions. The occurrence rates of amplitude scintillations increase only at lower elevation angles (below 30°), which are hard to determine whether the source is ionospheric irregularity or ambient noise such as multipath. In contrast, the occurrence rates of phase scintillations depend on the azimuth angle, season, magnetic activity, magnetic local time, and signal frequency. The results of our analysis suggest that users of the GNSS should consider these parameters to prepare for the degradation of the GNSS performance at high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere.https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002536ionosphereGlobal Navigation Satellite Systemscintillationhigh latitudes
spellingShingle Junseok Hong
Jong‐Kyun Chung
Yong Ha Kim
Jaeheung Park
Hyuck‐Jin Kwon
Jeong‐Han Kim
Jong‐Min Choi
Young‐Sil Kwak
Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
Space Weather
ionosphere
Global Navigation Satellite System
scintillation
high latitudes
title Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
title_full Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
title_fullStr Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
title_short Characteristics of Ionospheric Irregularities Using GNSS Scintillation Indices Measured at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica (74.62°S, 164.22°E)
title_sort characteristics of ionospheric irregularities using gnss scintillation indices measured at jang bogo station antarctica 74 62°s 164 22°e
topic ionosphere
Global Navigation Satellite System
scintillation
high latitudes
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002536
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