Space Weather & Physics
Real-Time Ionospheric Characterization (RTIC)
Potential Uses
- TEC values, calculated using 3-D output, can improve geolocation through such satellite navigation systems as GPS.
- 3-D profile in conjunction with 3-D ray tracing can improve communication systems, emitter localization, and OTH radar coordinate registration.
- HF communication propagation calculations.
- foF2 and hmax values can be used for LUF and MUF predictions using time varying model.
- Diagnostic for other facilities such as HARRP.
- Ionospheric research.
Operational Needs
- Software runs on Windows 95.
- Preferred configuration includes 64 Mb RAM, 1Gb Hard Drive, and 233 MHz Pentium.
- Real-time data obtained through network of GPS/NNSS satellite receivers and/or ionosonde network and/or propagation data.
The software is divided into two programs. The first is a simulation program, used to generate a model ionosphere and calculate TEC values based on user-defined receiver arrays and satellite constellations. The simulations are global, allowing the ionosphere over any portion of the world to be simulated. The second program uses the TEC output from the first, and reconstructs the ionosphere in four dimensions. Each allows native visualization of electron density in contour, three-dimensional, and false color plots, as well as contours of peak density and peak height. TEC values can be displayed versus time for all receivers and satellites, and a three-dimensional interactive plot of the geometry is included.
Ongoing work includes the adaptation of the current four-dimensional ionospheric tomography software to simulate and investigate the effect of satellite-based receivers on the tomography problem. The software can place any number of ground- and satellite-based receivers into any possible orbit. Satellite-based receivers may be equipped with their own beacons, increasing the amount of TEC data. In addition, the actual GPS constellation, or any other satellite or satellites, may be loaded into the software.
Research Highlights:
RTIC:
- Potential Uses & Operational Needs
- Specification Issues & Key Features
- Specification Modules