Automatic ionospheric layers detection: Algorithms analysis

Abstract Vertical sounding is a widely used technique to obtain ionosphere measurements, such as an estimation of virtual height versus frequency scanning. It is performed by high frequency radar for geophysical applications called “ionospheric sounder” (or “ionosonde”). Radar detection depends mainly on targets characteristics. While several targets behavior and correspondent echo detection algorithms have been studied, a survey to address a suitable algorithm for ionospheric sounder has to be carried out. This paper is focused on automatic echo detection algorithms implemented in particular for an ionospheric sounder, target specific characteristics were studied as well. Adaptive threshold detection algorithms are proposed, compared to the current implemented algorithm, and tested using actual data obtained from the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS-INGV) at Rome Ionospheric Observatory. Different cases of study have been selected according typical ionospheric and detection conditions.

[1]  G. Barry,et al.  A Low-Power Vertical-Incidence Ionosonde , 1971 .

[2]  Cesidio Bianchi,et al.  The new AIS-INGV digital ionosonde , 2010 .

[3]  A. W. V. Poole,et al.  Advanced sounding: 1. The FMCW alternative , 1985 .

[4]  K. Davies,et al.  Ionospheric radio waves , 1969 .

[5]  María G. Molina,et al.  Some considerations for different time-domain signal processing of pulse compression radar , 2010 .

[6]  Alfred V. Aho,et al.  Data Structures and Algorithms , 1983 .

[7]  Bodo W. Reinisch,et al.  Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory (GIRO) , 2011 .

[8]  Henry Rishbeth,et al.  Introduction to ionospheric physics , 1969 .

[9]  Interference suppression factor characteristics of complementary codes for ST/MST radar applications , 2004 .

[10]  Cesidio Bianchi,et al.  Signal processing techniques for phase-coded HF-VHF radars , 2003 .

[11]  Michael Pezzopane,et al.  Fading in the HF ionospheric channel and the role of irregularities , 2013 .

[12]  Michael Pezzopane,et al.  Description of ionospheric disturbances observed by Vertical Ionospheric Sounding at 3 MHz , 2014 .

[13]  Hermann Rohling,et al.  Radar CFAR Thresholding in Clutter and Multiple Target Situations , 1983, IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems.

[14]  David Altadill,et al.  Ionospheric Doppler measurements by means of HF-radar techniques , 2005 .

[15]  Marcel J. E. Golay,et al.  Complementary series , 1961, IRE Trans. Inf. Theory.

[16]  P. Rastogi.  Signal processing and data analysis in middle atmosphere radar , 1989 .