Real-time Monitoring of the Ionosphere Using Cell Phone GNSS Technology

Abstract:

Accurate characterization of the ionosphere in response to space weather events has important implications for the effective use of high-frequency (HF) communications in civilian and military operations, to include emergency services, amateur radio, aviation, and over-the-horizon radar. This study investigates the use of cell phone Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to monitor and study highly variable phenomena in the ionosphere, such as the aurora at high-latitudes or scintillation at the equator. An analysis of GNSS measurements collected during a field campaign at Thule Air Base, Greenland in June 2018 will be presented. The high-latitude location enabled data collection from at least 28 GNSS satellites at all times. Furthermore, 24-hr daytime conditions resulted in minimal diurnal changes to the structure of the ionosphere, allowing for easier detection and characterization of geomagnetic storm and substorm effects. New methods to extract meaningful information about the ionosphere using single-frequency GNSS data will also be discussed. Because billions of people now have access to cell phone GNSS technology, real-time monitoring and measuring of the ionosphere can occur on an unprecedented global scale for a variety of applications.