Total electron content models and their use in ionosphere monitoring

Abstract

In Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) using L band frequencies, the ionosphere causes signal delays that correspond to link-related range errors of up to 100 m. Whereas this error can be corrected in dual-frequency measurements by a linear combination of L1 and L2 phases, in single-frequency measurements, additional information is needed to mitigate the ionospheric error which is proportional to the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere. This information can be provided by TEC maps deduced from corresponding GNSS measurements or from model values. Besides direct range error correction in navigation and remote sensing applications, TEC or electron density models play a key role in ionospheric monitoring and forecasting. In this paper we discuss the development and use of TEC models for calibrating TEC, reconstructing reliable TEC maps, and forecasting TEC behavior based on GNSS measurements. European and global TEC maps and corresponding 1 h ahead forecasts are distributed via the operational space weather and ionosphere data service (http://swaciweb.dlr.de) to the international community. The Neustrelitz TEC Model is a basic approach for a family of regional and global TEC models used in different types of applications. The model approximates typical TEC variations depending on the location, time, and level of solar activity with only a few coefficients.