Ground-Based Augmentation System Operation in Low Latitudes - Part 2: Space Weather, Ionospheric Behavior and Challenges

Ionospheric dynamics over low latitudes, especially in Brazil, are highly active, with several phenomena resulting from the complex interaction between space weather and atmospheric elements. These phenomena may cause disruptions to aviation communications, navigation and surveillance systems. Motivated by the issues posed by the ionosphere to the operation of ground-based augmentation of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in Brazil, this review paper presents fundamental physical aspects of space weather and low-latitude ionospheric dynamics to show how and why the ionosphere over Brazil is much more challenging for satellite-based positioning technologies. Solar influence, geomagnetic field configurations under quiet and storm periods, and the ensuing ionospheric dynamics over low latitudes occasionally lead to the development of structures known as equatorial plasma bubbles. These structures can produce strong plasma gradients within the ionosphere and cause scintillation on transionospheric signals. The consequences of these structures for GNSS users are specifically addressed.

Keywords
Ionosphere; Low latitudes; Equatorial plasma bubbles; GNSS; GBAS

Authorship

Jonas Sousasantos

Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial – Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica – Divisão de Ciência da Computação – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.Instituto Tecnológico de AeronáuticaBrazilSão José dos Campos, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial – Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica – Divisão de Ciência da Computação – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6572-8009

Leonardo Marini-Pereira ^**Correspondence author: marinilmp@fab.mil.br

Departamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo – Instituto de Controle do Espaço Aéreo –Divisão de Pesquisa – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.Instituto de Controle do Espaço AéreoBrazilSão José dos Campos, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo – Instituto de Controle do Espaço Aéreo –Divisão de Pesquisa – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0741-4332

Alison de Oliveira Moraes

Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial – Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço – Divisão de Eletrônica – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.Instituto de Aeronáutica e EspaçoBrazilSão José dos Campos, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial – Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço – Divisão de Eletrônica – São José dos Campos/SP – Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6493-1694

Sam Pullen

Stanford University – Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics – Stanford/CA – United States of America.Stanford UniversityUnited States of AmericaStanford, CA, United States of AmericaStanford University – Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics – Stanford/CA – United States of America.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2615-0096

*Correspondence author: marinilmp@fab.mil.br

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION

Conceptualization: Moraes AO, Marini-Pereira L Sousasantos J and Pullen S; Investigation: Sousasantos J and Marini-Pereira L; Methodology: Sousasantos J; Marini-Pereira L and Moraes AO; Resources: Sousasantos J; Writing – original draft: Sousasantos J and Marini-Pereira L; Writing – review & editing: Moraes AO and Pullen S.

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Figures | Formulas

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