Radio Interferometric Research of Ionosphere by Signals of Space Satellites

Abstract

Abstract. Since 2012, the Radiophysical Research Institute and the Lobachevsky State University at Nizhny Novgorod, Russia and the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre at Irbene, Latvia are making radio interferometric experiments on study of ionosphere parameters in a quiet (natural) state of medium and research of artificial turbulence of the ionosphere, heated by the emission from the SURA facility. Remote diagnostics of the ionosphere is implemented using a method of radio sounding by signals of navigation satellites in combination with the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) method. As a result of spectral and correlation analysis, interferometric responses of the two-element (RRI-UNN) and three-element (RRI-UNN-Irbene) interferometers were received by observations of 12 satellites of the navigation systems GLONASS and GPS. Here the first results are reported.

Receiving System For Ionosphere Research / Uztverošā Sistēma Jonosfēras Pētīšanai

“…The implemented receiver system of RT-32 radio telescope (Irbene) was used in 2012 for the ionosphere studies in VLBI mode as part of the multi-element interferometer consisting -apart from the RT-32 -of RT-14 & RT-1 (Staraja Pustin, Nizhny Novgorod) and RT-2 (State University of Nizhny Novgorod, horn antenna with a 20 cm aperture) [6]. The interferometric echoes in a baseline including the RT-32 antenna have been registered from all observed satellites, which gives proof to the efficiency of the implemented receiver system.…”

Measurements of Interferometer Parameters at Reception of GLONASS and GPS Signals

“…1) [3], [4], [5]. The first experiment on receiving of NSS signals with purpose to study the Earth's ionosphere was implemented in 2010 on the interferometer "Staraya Pustyn -Zimenki" with the baseline of 68 km.…”