High Latitude Models, Observations, and Analysis of Ionospheric Scintillations

: In order to provide systems engineers with observations and analysis of the amplitude-fading of radio waves traversing the high latitude ionosphere, several different studies were performed. The concept was to develop descriptive and statistical models for the pattern of occurrence and amplitude of scintillations at high latitudes. Then, long term observations from a limited number of sites could be linked to allow an assessment of the scintillation problem to communication, navigation, and detection systems in the VHF and UHF bands. Then, long terms observations from a limited number of sites could be linked to allow an assessment of the scintillation problem to communication, navigation, and detection systems in the VHF and UHF bands. This report discusses these studies in three chapters. In Chapter 1, general patterns of scintillation occurrence and intensity are presented in the descriptive model of the F-layer irregularities at high latitudes. This is followed in Chapter 2 by a graphical presentation of the data; that is, observations of the 136 MHz beacon of ATS-3. Chapter 3 organizes the observations into a useful format-the cumulative amplitude probability distribution function-for the engineer. A means of adjusting the observations for frequency dependence is provided.