Parameterization of ionospheric height variations by antenna pattern synthesis technique

Abstract

This paper introduces a new alternative in representing temporal ionospheric height of peak electron density, h max , variations using array antenna parameters. The use of polar cyclic diagram based on antenna radiation pattern is proposed. The height variations are illustrated using arrays of two-element arrays with array spacing in the x-direction of λ /8, and phase of π /3, and with element spacing in the y-direction of λ /4, and phase of zero. The antenna equivalent model of peak height variations may complement the classical way of representing h max temporal variations and acts as a signature to any ionospheric height of peak density variations. It constitutes the novelty of the study.