An Empirical Model of the Ionospheric Sporadic E Layer Based on GNSS Radio Occultation Data
Bingkun Yu, Xianghui Xue, Christopher J. Scott, Xinan Yue, Xiankang Dou
Abstract
Abstract The intense plasma irregularities within the ionospheric sporadic E ( E s ) layers at 90–130 km altitude have a significant impact on radio communications and navigation systems. As a result, the modeling of the E s layer is very important for the accuracy, reliability, and further applications of modern real‐time global navigation satellite system precise point positioning. In this study, we have constructed an empirical model of the E s layer using the multivariable nonlinear least‐squares‐fitting method, based on the S4max from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate satellite radio occultation measurements in the period 2006–2014. The model can describe the climatology of the intensity of E s layers as a function of altitude, latitude, longitude, universal time, and day of year. To validate the model, the outputs of the model were compared with ionosonde data. The correlation coefficients of the hourly f o Es and the daily maximum f o Es between the ground‐based ionosonde observations and model outputs at Beijing are 0.52 and 0.68, respectively. The model can give a global climatology of the intensity of E s layers and the seasonal variations of E s layers, although the E s layers during the summer are highly variable and difficult to accurately predict. The outputs of the model can be implemented in comprehensive models for a description of the climatology of E s layers and provide relatively accurate information about the global variation of E s layers.