volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

This paper describes how the ionosphere reflected echoes observed by a high frequency surface wave radar (HFSWR) can be processed to extract information regarding the ionosphere sporadic E (Es) and F2 layers. It is shown that the range/time spectrum contains the data to estimate the occurring time and virtual heights of both the still and drifting Es layer clouds. In addition, for the drifting Es the data can be processed to extract the time-varying ranges and estimate virtual heights, horizontal drifting speeds. Information regarding the F2 layer such as the time-varying virtual heights can also be extracted. The time-frequency distributions (TFD) of the Es and F2 layer echoes calculated after the range migration compensation can be used to extract the intrinsic Doppler patterns. This is further used to obtain information on the internal nonuniform structures and disturbances such as the travelling ionospheric disturbances (TID) that are due to the acoustic gravity waves (AGW). Processing results of echo data collected by the portable HFSWR system named OSMAR-S demonstrate the validness of the above methods.

1. Davies, K., Ionospheric Radio, 1st Ed., Peter Peregrinus Ltd., London, 1989..

2. Ning, B.-Q. and J. Li, "Doppler spectrum of ionospheric irregularities," Chinese Journal of Space Science, Vol. 16, No. 1, 36-42, 1996.

3. Xiao, Z., K. Liu, and D. Zhang, "Some typical records of ionospheric Doppler shift and their signficance in the study of ionospheric morphology," Chinese Journal of Space Science, Vol. 22, No. 4, 321-329, 2002.

4. Hunsucker, R. D., Radio Techniques for Probing the Terrestrial Ionosphere, Springer-Verlag, 1991, ISBN 3-540-53406-7.

5. Chen, G., Z. Y. Zhao, and F. Wang, "Measurement of echo phase by Wuhan ionospheric oblique backscattering sounding system (WIOBSS)," Chinese Journal of Radio Science, Vol. 22, No. 2, 271-275, 2007.

6. Li, L.-B., Z.-H. Wu, B.-Q. Ning, and J. Li, "Some technical aspects of a three-station array for observation of the ionospheric disturbances," Acta Geophysica Sinica, Vol. 30, No. 6, 560-564, 1987.

7. Yuan, Z.-G., B.-Q. Ning, and H. Yuan, "Real-time sounding and analyzing of HF Doppler shift and angle of arrival," Chinese Journal of Radio Science, Vol. 16, No. 4, 487-492, 2001.

8. Lees, M. L. and R. M. Thomas, "Ionospheric probing with an HF radar," Electronics & Communication Engineering Journal, Vol. 1, No. 5, 233-240, 1989.
doi:10.1049/ecej:19890048

9. Jiao, P.-N., J.-M. Fan, W. Liu, and T.-C. Li, "New achievements of research in HF sky-wave backscattering propagation experiment," Chinese Journal of Radio Science, Vol. 19, No. 1, 6-11, 2004.

10. Barrick, D. E., "History, present status, and future directions of HF surface-wave radars in the U.S.," Proceedings of the International Conference on Radar, 652-655, New York, 2003.

11. Wen, B.-Y., Z.-L. Li, H. Zhou, et al. "Sea surface currents detection at the Eastern China Sea by HF groud wave radar OSMAR-S," Acta Electronica Sinica, Vol. 37, No. 12, 2778-2782, 2009.

12. Ponsford, A. M. and J. Wang, "A review of high frequency surface wave radar for detection and tracking of ships," Special Issue on ky- and Ground-wave High Frequency (HF) Radars: Challenges in Modelling, Simulation and Application, Turk. J. Elec. Eng. & Comp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 3, 409-428, 2010.

13. Wu, M., B. Y.Wen, and H. Zhou, "Ionospheric clutter suppression in HF surface wave radar," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 23, No. 10, 1265-1272, 2009.
doi:10.1163/156939309789108570

14. Zhou, H., B.-Y. Wen, and S.-C. Wu, "Time-frequency characteristics of the ionospheric clutters in high-frequency surface wave radars ," Chinese Journal of Radio Science, Vol. 24, No. 3, 394-398, 2009.
doi:10.1007/s11425-009-0011-0

15. Gao, H., G. Li, Y. Li, et al. "Ionospheric effect of HF surface wave over-the-horizon radar," Radio Science, Vol. 41, RS6S36, 2006. doi:10.1029/2005RS003323.

16. Shen, W., B.-Y. Wen, Z.-L. Li, et al. "Ionospheric measurement with HF ground wave radar system," Chinese Journal of Radio Science, Vol. 23, No. 1, 1-6, 2008.

17. Zhu, C.-C., J.-X. Huang, and S. Lu, "Antenna," Wuhan University Press, Wuhan, 1996.

Dr. Hao Zhou

Dr. Biyang Wen

Dr. Shicai Wu