Ionospheric Propagation Predictions Using Satellite Beacon

This receiver sets forth a plan to utilize commercial GPS receivers for real time ionospheric prediction at a remote location. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of using TEC measurements and evaluate the accuracy and applicability of these measurements for improvements in HF propagation. For this we assess the predictability of the slab thickness parameter T towards solar and geophysical parameters. Numerical models of thermosphere-ionosphere and the protonosphere will be used to obtain a self consistent physical description of the electron density distribution, slab thickness and their constituent parameters. Results of these simulations will not only allow a coherent assessment of the predictability of T and its constituent parameters but also will allow "parameterization" of the complex situation. These parameters will then be used to drive a simple self consistent 2-D ionospheric model for real time update.