Modelling Global Ionosphere Based on Multi-Frequency, Multi-Constellation GNSS Observations and IRI Model

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Abstract
With the emergence of BeiDou and Galileo as well as the modernization of GPS and GLONASS, more available satellites and signals enhance the capability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to monitor the ionosphere. However, currently the International GNSS Service (IGS) Ionosphere Associate Analysis Centers (IAACs) just use GPS and GLONASS dual-frequency observations in ionosphere estimation. To better determine the global ionosphere, we used multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS observations and a priori International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) to model the ionosphere. The newly estimated ionosphere was represented by a spherical harmonic expansion function with degree and order of 15 in a solar-geomagnetic frame. By collecting more than 300 stations with a global distribution, we processed and analysed two years of data. The estimated ionospheric results were compared with those of IAACs, and the averaged Root Mean Squares (RMS) of Total Electron Content (TEC) differences for different solutions did not exceed 3 TEC Unit (TECU). Through validation by satellite altimetry, it was suggested that the newly established ionosphere had a higher precision than the IGS products. Moreover, compared with IGS ionospheric products, the newly established ionosphere showed a more accurate response to the ionosphere disturbances during the geomagnetic storms.
Funding Information
  • The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (41525014)
  • The Major Technology Innovation Project of Hubei Province of China (2018AAA066)
  • the Natural Science Innovation Group Foundation of China (41721003)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (41704030)
  • Opening Foundation of Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Natural Resource Investigation and Monitoring (2020-4)

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