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A status report on applying discrete inverse theory to ionospheric tomography
Author(s) -
Fremouw E. J.,
Secan J. A.,
Bussey R. M.,
Howe B. M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of imaging systems and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.359
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1098-1098
pISSN - 0899-9457
DOI - 10.1002/ima.1850050206
Subject(s) - ionosphere , inverse , tomography , inverse theory , inverse problem , computer science , geodesy , mathematics , geology , geophysics , mathematical analysis , physics , geometry , optics , telecommunications , surface wave
Discrete inverse theory (DIT) provides an orderly framework in which to combine measurements of total electron content (TEC) with a priori information to image the ionosphere tomographically. We have developed a DIT‐based tomographic processor for use with relative TEC data. The processor's a priori information comprises the global mean of over 17,000 profiles generated from an ionospheric model, for use as a “generic background”; empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) spanning the same model profiles, for use as vertical basis functions; and a red power‐law horizontal spectrum. Relative TEC data are used to evaluate coefficients multiplying the EOFs and harmonics, thus quantifying a perturbation electron‐density field. The perturbation field, which need not be small, is added to the a priori background to produce the image. We present here several images produced by employing the processor with simulated TEC data based on in situ ionospheric measurements and incoherent‐scatter radar observations.©1994 John Wiley & Sons Inc