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Radar ionospheric refraction corrections by a digital ionosonde
Author(s) -
Paul A. K.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs008i012p01119
Subject(s) - ionosonde , ionosphere , radar , refraction , remote sensing , geodesy , geology , electron density , physics , computer science , geophysics , optics , electron , telecommunications , quantum mechanics
Ionospheric refraction is one of the factors limiting the accuracy of radar systems tracking objects in or beyond the ionosphere. In advanced systems it may be desirable to perform accurate corrections for these effects in real time, and because of the extreme variability of the ionosphere, this presupposes real time, local ionospheric measurements, e.g., by a modern digital ionosonde. The ionosonde could then be required to monitor the state of the ionosphere, compare it with model conditions, and forecast the radar refraction environment in real time. One component in this problem is the calculation of the radar refraction effects, given the ionospheric electron density profile, the apparent radar range, and look angle. Assuming that the electron density depends on height only, this paper describes such a procedure suitable for use within the Dynasonde or a similar digital ionosonde interfaced to an active radar system.