A miniaturized impedance probe for ionospheric sensing

Abstract

The term space weather describes the variation of conditions on the Sun, in interplanetary space, and in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (including the ionosphere) that have the potential to harm health or affect technological systems [NSWP, 1995]. The ionosphere is an ionised region of the upper atmosphere, ranging in altitude from approximately 90 km up to 1500 km. In this region, solar radiation breaks down some of the atoms and molecules into electrons and ions, creating a plasma [Davies, 1990]. Measurements of the ionospheric electron density can be used to improve ionospheric models. These are used to aid us to develop systems to mitigate the impact of space weather on our radio systems. Measurements are often made of the bottom-side of the ionosphere (i.e. below the altitude of peak electron density) using ground-based radar systems. Integrated measurements of the ionosphere can be made using GPS satellites. However, top-side ionospheric measurements generally require satellite-based instrumentation.