Satellite-based augmentation systems: A novel and cost-effective tool for ionospheric and space weather studies

Abstract

Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBASes) are designed to provide additional accuracy and robustness to existing satellite-based radio navigation systems for all phases of a flight. However, similar to navigation systems such as GPS which has proven its worth for the investigation of the ionosphere, the SBASes do have certain advantages. In the present paper, we propose and demonstrate SBAS applicability to ionospheric and space weather research in a novel and cost-effective way. The recent commissioning of the Indian SBAS, named GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), covering the equatorial and low-latitude regions centered around the Indian longitudes provides the motivation for this approach. Two case studies involving different ionospheric behavior over low-latitude regions vindicate the potential of SBAS over extended areas.