Maximising Impact from Ionospheric Research
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
The ionosphere is the part of the upper atmosphere that is familiar to us as the region where we see the aurora. The ionosphere is very important because it affects radio signals in ways that that can either enhance or degrade our ability to communicate and navigate. For example the BBC world service is broadcast on high-frequency radio signals and is only possible to receive it in remote places because it is refracted back to the Earth by the ionosphere. In a way it is reflected with the upper atmosphere acting a bit like a mirror. On the other hand, your satnav system is affected by the ionosphere in a different way - sometimes the signals are delayed more than other times and may even be lost completely as they pass through the ionosphere.
This fellowship is about making use of research level information about the ionosphere to improve the performance of radio systems in two areas: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, satnav) and high-frequency communications. In addition to the aim of improving the reliability and accuracy of such systems it has a further aim of impacting policy. This will all be achieved by accurate simulations of the ionosphere, including the most extreme space weather events (like the famous Carrington Event of solar storms in 1859). These simulations will be translated in a form that can easily be used by the designers of the next-generation of GNSS and HF systems. This will ensure that radio systems are more accurate and reliable, both enhancing the benefit for UK companies and providing resilience for our infrastructure for the future.
This fellowship is about making use of research level information about the ionosphere to improve the performance of radio systems in two areas: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, satnav) and high-frequency communications. In addition to the aim of improving the reliability and accuracy of such systems it has a further aim of impacting policy. This will all be achieved by accurate simulations of the ionosphere, including the most extreme space weather events (like the famous Carrington Event of solar storms in 1859). These simulations will be translated in a form that can easily be used by the designers of the next-generation of GNSS and HF systems. This will ensure that radio systems are more accurate and reliable, both enhancing the benefit for UK companies and providing resilience for our infrastructure for the future.
People |
ORCID iD |
Cathryn Mitchell (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Yin P
(2017)
A multiresolution inversion for imaging the ionosphere
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Forte B
(2017)
Identification of scintillation signatures on GPS signals originating from plasma structures detected with EISCAT incoherent scatter radar along the same line of sight.
in Journal of geophysical research. Space physics
Mitchell C
(2017)
Ionospheric data assimilation applied to HF geolocation in the presence of traveling ionospheric disturbances
in Radio Science
Burston R
(2016)
Polar cap plasma patch primary linear instability growth rates compared
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Chartier A
(2016)
Ionospheric data assimilation and forecasting during storms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Description | 1. Since award of grant new applications found in SAR (small ESA contract) 2. Radio science and amateur radio community meeting planned 3. Leadership training completed. 4. US HF project experiment 5. Successful collaboration started with new UK defence sector partner 6. Satellite payload built for Dstl (TOPCAT II) |
Exploitation Route | To early to say but some impact already DSTL have contracted a TOPCAT II payload with my group. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment |
Description | Take up from US partner and from UK industry Take up from UK defence sector Satellite payload built for Dstl (TOPCAT II) |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | SEIGG |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | Protection from Space Weather |
Description | Babcock |
Organisation | Babcock International Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | HF ionosphere expertise |
Collaborator Contribution | HF ionosphere equipment |
Impact | Ongoing |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Spirent UK |
Organisation | Spirent Communications plc |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Ionospheric simulations for GNSS |
Collaborator Contribution | Hardware simulator loan |
Impact | Software modules |
Start Year | 2011 |