This project aims at improving the understanding of the ionospheric processes during high solar activity periods, when the disturbances of the ionosphere are more severe, and how they impact the performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
The objectives of the activity are to develop ionospheric models, and adapt existing ones based on experimental data measured in activities during active periods of the solar cycle, able to:
- Reproduce the effects of the ionosphere (ionospheric scintillations and temporal/spatial gradients) with focus in high latitude regions, but also consolidating knowledge in equatorial and mid-latitude regions.
- Reproduce small-scale effects such as bubbles, depletions and other disturbances.
- Understand better the effects of geomagnetic storms in the ionosphere with respect to GNSS users.
- Improve prediction capabilities for ionospheric effects.
- Understand the effects of such phenomena on GNSS at system and user level.
The project has a duration of two years (2015 – 2017). It is formed by a consortium of 5 research groups: Research and Development in Aerospace GmbH (RDA – Switzerland) as prime contractor, three groups from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC– Spain) and the Ebro Observatory (Spain).
