A Study of Effects of Ionospheric Scintillation Intensity Using Gps Data at Low Latitudes
Abstract
Low latitude areas are highly exposed to the effects of ionospheric scintillations caused by the activities
in the sun’s corona. Ionospheric scintillation occurs when there are rapid deviations in the signal
amplitude or phase frequency as radio signals travel through areas of non-uniformity in the ionosphere.
These changes cause adverse effects on Global Navigation and Satellite Systems (GNSS) by producing
propagation impairment hence disturbing the satellite systems accuracy in positioning. When
scintillations are stronger, satellite receivers can lose lock posing threats to GNSS applications and
positioning. Scintillation effects worsen during solar maximum. The receiver-satellite geometry is poorly
messed up when the effects of scintillations are higher. Due to the adverse effects posed by irregularities
in the ionosphere, there is need to carry out research to study the extent to which scintillation effects can
affect navigation tools and propose solutions to improving precision on positioning as well as receiver
satellite geometry. This research work presents a detailed study of occurrence of scintillations in the
region of Darwin, Australia, at latitude 12.4637° S, a low latitude area. Ionospheric data for Darwin from
sws.bom.gov.au/aims are used to analyze the extent of scintillations for the period ranging between
January 2020 and April 2021. Amplitude scintillation index and phase scintillation index are used to plot
graphs using the gnuplot. The results from the graph show that scintillation is prevalent throughout the
period of study, an indication that radio frequency signals passing through the ionosphere is affected
adversely. Being a low latitude area, GPS stations located in this place, will need to be monitored for
scintillation. Ground based GPS data receivers can be positions at angles that lower the receiver distance
from the space satellites. Radio signals with scintillations will have to be corrected before they can give
a clear signal for communication.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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