Determination of the ionosperic scintillation on gps signals
Abstract
The ionosphere has practical importance in GPS (Global positioning system) applications because it influences trans ionospheric radio wave propagation. Among various phenomena in the ionosphere, ionospheric scintillation is charecterised by rapid fluctuation and fading of the received signal intensity due to electron density irregularities inside the ionosphere.
this book investigates the effects of ionospheric scintillation on gps signals by studying total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere usin the data obtained from Mbarara students projects for the dates of 4 june 2015 and on 30 October 2012. The diurnal variation of TEC is determined by plotting a graph of VTEC against time. The results shows that TEC gradually increase from sun rise until it reaches the maximum around midday and it starts to decrease again as the sun sets down. Since TEC in the atmosphere is directly proportional to ionospheric scintillation, and the more the electrons in the ionosphere the more the GPS signals is affected and the vice versa. So this means gps signals is affected more around midday when VTEC reaches its maximum.