Open AccessNumerical simulation of the propagation of electromagnetic waves in ionospheric irregularities
Author(s) -
Jiang ChunHua,
Wei LeHui,
Yang GuoBin,
Zhou Chen,
Zhao ZhengYu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
earth and planetary physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2096-3955
DOI - 10.26464/epp2020059
Subject(s) - ionosonde , ionosphere , high frequency , ionospheric heater , ionogram , ray tracing (physics) , radio wave , international reference ionosphere , geophysics , ionospheric absorption , geology , ionospheric reflection , radio propagation , physics , geodesy , plasma , optics , electron density , total electron content , astronomy , quantum mechanics , tec
The characteristics of high‐frequency (HF) electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation can be affected when EM waves propagate in the ionosphere. When ionospheric irregularities appear in the ionosphere, they can have a serious impact on the propagation of HF EM waves. In this study, the propagation of HF EM waves in ionospheric irregularities was investigated by numerical simulation. First, a two‐dimensional model of plasma bubbles was used to produce ionospheric irregularities in the ionosphere. A ray‐tracing method was then utilized to simulate the propagation of HF radio waves in these ionospheric irregularities. Results showed that the propagation of HF radio waves in the ionosphere was more complex in ionospheric irregularities than without ionospheric irregularities. In addition, corresponding ionograms were synthesized by radio rays propagated in the ionosphere with these irregularities. The synthesized ionograms were then compared with the experimental ionograms recorded by an ionosonde. Results showed that spread F could be simulated on the ionograms when ionospheric irregularities occurred in the ionosphere. This result was consistent with the ionosonde observations.