Ionospheric scintillation modeling for high- and mid-latitude using B-spline technique

Abstract

Ionospheric scintillation is a significant component of space-weather studies and serves as an estimate for the level of perturbation in the satellite radio wave signal caused due to small-scale ionospheric irregularities. B-spline functions are used on the GPS ground based data collected during the year 2007–2012 for modeling high- and mid-latitude ionospheric scintillation. Proposed model is for Hornsund, Svalbard and Warsaw, Poland. The input data used in this model were recorded by GSV 4004b receivers. For validation, results of this model are compared with the observation and other existing models. Physical behavior of the ionospheric scintillation during different seasons and geomagnetic conditions are discussed well. Model is found in good coherence with the ionospheric scintillation theory as well as to the accepted scintillation mechanism for high- and mid-latitude.