The time structure of transionospheric radio wave scintillation

The time structure of a representative set of weakly and strongly scintillating transionospheric beacon signals is analyzed. Under conditions of weak scatter, the coherence time of the signal intensity is a monotonic function of the Fresnel radius divided by the effective scan velocity. The shape of the function, however, is controlled by the power law index. Data from a Peruvian station show evidence of a slightly steeper spectral distribution than do data from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. Under conditions of strong scattering, the intensity coherence time depends only on the perturbation strength. The strong scatter data show remarkably little dispersion when they are plotted against the perturbation strength. The data are all consistent with a phase spectral slope somewhat less than 3, which is independently verified by using phase scintillation data.