Scintillations effects on satellite to Earth links for telecommunication and navigation purposes

Abstract

Radio wave scintillations are rapid fluctuations in both amplitude and phase of signals propagating through the atmosphere. GPS signals can be affected by these disturbances which can lead to a complete loss of lock when the electron density strongly fluctuates around the background ionization level at small spatial scales. This paper will present recent improvements to the theoretical Global Ionospheric Scintillation Model (GISM), particularly tailored for satellite based navigation systems such GPS coupled with Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS). This model has been improved in order to take into account GPS constellation, signals, and receiver response to ionospheric scintillation environments. A new modelling technique, able to describe the scintillation derived modifications of transionospheric propagating fields is shown. Results from GPS derived experimental measurements performed at high and low magnetic latitudes will show preliminary assessments of the scintillation impact on real receivers and system operations. Nevertheless, comparisons between theoretical scintillation models, such as WBMOD and GISM, with GPS derived experimental data will be shown.