From GNSS Signal Propagation Effects to Remote Sensing Products in the Central Arctic

Abstract

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) provide a world-wide coverage of services. These services comprise classical navigation and remote sensing that exploit signal propagation effects (e.g. scintillation and reflection). The main goal of this study is to establish GNSS remote sensing products for sea-ice monitoring and for ionospheric scintillation detection. The ship-based application and the Arctic with its sparse data coverage of ionosphere observations are challenging points. High-rate GNSS data of reflectometry and scintillation receivers are analyzed. The data were gathered in the MOSAiC time frame (autumn 2019 to autumn 2020) on research vessels (German Polarstern, Norwegian Kronprins Haakon) and at the Ny-Ålesund research station, Svalbard. Profiles of sea-surface reflectivity are derived and compared to model prediction. The results reveal the layered ice structure in agreement with a multilayer ice reflection model. Furthermore, the S4 scintillation index is determined. The weak scintillation regime (S4 < 0.5) is dominating. However, for low elevation angles (< 30°) a 20%-increase of ship-based S4 is found over the year. Respective reasons (e.g. reflection effects in the S4 results) are still under investigation.