1. A Software Tool for the True Height Analysis of Ionograms Using the Iterative Gradient Correction (IGC) Method.
- Author
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Ankita, M. and Tulasi Ram, S.
- Subjects
ELECTRON distribution ,RADIO wave propagation ,ELECTRON density ,SHORTWAVE radio ,ARTIFICIAL satellites in navigation - Abstract
Deriving the precise true height electron density profile from the measured ionosonde virtual heights is quite a challenging problem. Recently, Ankita and Tulasi Ram (2023, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023RS007808) presented a new method, Iterative Gradient Correction (IGC) method, for true height analysis that uses HF radio wave propagation path computations to reconstruct the true height profile. Through iterative corrections on electron density gradients between successive points, the IGC method minimizes errors below a specified tolerance at each point and reconstructs a complete electron density profile. The derived profiles from the IGC method are found to be accurate when compared with Incoherent Scatter Radar and Global Navigation Satellite System—Radio Occultation observations. To facilitate true height analysis by IGC method for a wider user community, a MATLAB‐based software has been developed and is outlined in this report. The software can be installed on any Windows platform and is designed with a user‐friendly interface for easy and efficient application by the users. It can analyze multiple scaled ionograms in a single run and outputs the real height profiles in ASCII format. Further, the software also captures important ionospheric parameters such as the base altitudes and peak frequencies of E‐ and F‐layers (e.g., hE, hF, foE, and foF2) etc., from the computed true height profiles and tabulates in a separate output file for the ready use. The software also provides the option for extrapolation of true height profile into top‐side ionosphere up to a user‐specified height and reconstructs the complete vertical electron density profile. Key Points: A new software with user‐friendly interface is developed for true height analysis of ionograms using Iterative Gradient Correction methodIt can compute multiple true height profiles in one run with an option to extrapolate into top‐side ionosphere up to a user‐specified heightIt also captures the important ionospheric parameters such as hE, hF, foE, foF2, etc., for ready use in research/practical applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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