Combination of Space Geodetic Techniques for Integrated Ionosphere Models

01.03.2007 - 28.02.2010
Research funding project
Aim of the project is to use different space geodetic techniques for ionosphere monitoring and to develop a sound combination procedure for computation of integrated global models. The combined models of the ionosphere should make best use of the advantages of each particular space geodetic technique, having a more homogeneous global coverage, and being more accurate and reliable than the results of each single technique. In a first step, the models will be generated in terms of Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) as a function of latitude, longitude, and time in the form of Global Ionosphere Maps (GIM). Further, the single shell GIM will be expanded by additional layers in order to assess the vertical variations in the ionosphere. In the final stage of the project the combined GIM will be used as basis for developing an integrated 4D global model, representing the ionosphere in latitude, longitude, time, and height. The combined global ionosphere maps will be useful for correcting single-frequency measurements done by many observation techniques using radio frequencies and for validation and improvement of ionosphere parameters derived by other individual techniques as well as of theoretical models. They can also be utilised as information source for the technique-specific instrumental biases, such as the GNSS DCB, which will be estimated as a by-product. Generally, the combined models will contribute to various studies of the physics of the upper Earth atmosphere and the solar terrestrial environment. Space geodetic techniques to be investigated within the research project are the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), satellite altimetry missions, the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), and Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOs).

People

Project leader

Project personnel

Institute

Grant funds

  • FWF - Österr. Wissenschaftsfonds (National) Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Research focus

  • Beyond TUW-research focus: 30%
  • Environmental Monitoring and Climate Adaptation: 70%

Keywords

GermanEnglish
IonosphäreIonosphere
Geodätische RaumtechnikenSpace Geodetic Techniques
DatenkombinationCombination

Publications