Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2018-121
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2018-121
12 Dec 2018
 | 12 Dec 2018
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ANGEO. A final paper is not foreseen.

Regional Ionosphere Mapping Using Zero Difference GPS Carrier Phase

Heba Tawfeek, Ahmed Sedeek, Mostafa Rabah, and Gamal El-Fiky

Abstract. Ionospheric delay, can be derived from dual frequency GNSS signals, and then converted into the Vertical Total Electron Contents (VTEC) along the signal path. Various models were devised to calculate VTEC. Examples of such models are the polynomial function model and spherical harmonics model. A common hypothesis of these models is that they are constructed based on the assumption that the entire electron content in the ionosphere is concentrated in a single thin shell at a selected height above Earth.

The primary goal of the current research to develop an algorithm capable of producing VTEC maps on an hourly basis, using carrier phase observations from dual frequency GPS receiver. The developed algorithm uses a single GPS station (Zero-difference) to map VTEC over a regional area.

The carrier phase measurements are much more precise than the code pseudorange measurements, but they contain an ambiguous term. If such ambiguities are fixed, thence the carrier phase measurements become as unambiguous pseudoranges, but accurate at the level of few millimeters.

In current research Sequential Least Square Adjustment (SLSA) was considered to fix ambiguity term in carrier phase observations. The proposed algorithm was written using MATLAB and Called (ZDPID). Two GPS stations (ANKR and BSHM) were used from IGS network to evaluate the developed code, VTEC values were estimated over these two stations. Results of the proposed algorithm were compared with the Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs), which is generally used as a reference. The results show that the mean difference between VTEC from GIM and estimated VTEC at ANKR station is ranging from −2.1 to 3.67 TECU and its RMS is 0.44. The mean difference between VTEC from GIM and estimated VTEC at BSHM station is ranging from −0.29 to 3.65 TECU and its RMS is 0.38. Another three GPS stations in Egypt were used to generate regional ionosphere maps over Nile Delta, Egypt. The mean differences between VTEC from GIM and estimated VTEC at SAID station is ranging from −1.1 to 3.69 TECU and its RMS is 0.37, from −1.29 to 3.27 TECU for HELW station with RMS equal 0.39, and from 0.2 to 4.2 TECU for BORG station with RMS equal 0.46. Therefore, the proposed algorithm can be used to estimate VTEC efficiently.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Heba Tawfeek, Ahmed Sedeek, Mostafa Rabah, and Gamal El-Fiky

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Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Heba Tawfeek, Ahmed Sedeek, Mostafa Rabah, and Gamal El-Fiky
Heba Tawfeek, Ahmed Sedeek, Mostafa Rabah, and Gamal El-Fiky

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