Low-Frequency Radiation from an Axisymmetric Current in an Ionospheric Plasma

We consider the radiation of low-frequency electromagnetic waves from an axisymmetric current and propagation of these waves in a homogeneous ionospheric plasma with Hall and Pedersen conductivities. We obtain an analytical expressions for the fields excited by pulsed radial and ring currents. It is shown that electromagnetic radiation propagates as a wave inside a cone along the magnetic field. The field propagation outside the cone is described by a diffusion law. The spatio-temporal characteristics of the signal are determined by the ionospheric conductivities.     

Chirp ionosonde as a gauge for impulse characteristic and transfer function of the radio channel

When the ionosphere is sounded by a chirp signal, the information source is the amplitude and phase modulation of the signal due to its propagation in the ionospheric radio channel. We propose the method of received-signal demodulation which allows us to use the chirp ionosonde as a gauge for impulse characteristic and transfer function of the ionospheric radio channel. Operation of the chirp ionosonde is numerically simulated and estimates of intrinsic accuracy in measuring the mentioned characteristics are obtained.     

Chirp Ionosonde and Its Application in the Ionospheric Research

We present a review of materials related to a chirp ionosonde and its application in the ionospheric research. The principle of operation of an ionosonde radiating a continuous signal with linear frequency modulation is described. The chirp-ionosonde resolution and gain in the signal-to-noise ratio are estimated. Examples of applying a chirp ionosonde to problems of ionospheric HF-wave propagation are considered. Prospects for ionospheric research on the basis of a network of oblique chirp-sounding paths are discussed.     

Modeling the recorded spectrum and reconstructing the transfer function of the wideband ionospheric HF radio channel in the case of chirp sounding

We model theoretically the received spectrum in the case of sounding of the ionospheric HF radio channel by a chirp signal. It is shown that the result of processing of an individual time sample of the received signal is equivalent to the sounding of the radio channel by a complex narrow-band pulsed signal such that the group delays of its propagation modes determine the maxima in the received spectrum. We analyze the quadrature components of realizations of the received signal at the intermediate frequency at the bandpass-filter output in the receiving channel of the chirp ionosonde. The results of our analysis show the possibility of reconstructing the transfer function of a HF radio channel in the sounding-frequency band for the delay range determined by the characteristics of the intermediate-frequency bandpass filter. We propose a method for reconstructing the transfer function of the ionospheric radio channel, which involves supplementing the circuit of primary processing of the signal by a corrective digital filter with specified amplitude-frequency and phase-frequency characteristics. The proposed method can be used for all operating regimes of the chirp ionosonde in the case of digital recording and processing of signals. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 387–395, May 2007.     

人工电离层洞形态调制及其对短波传播的影响

本文在电离层中性气体点源扩散近似解的基础上,给出了多源释放动力学模型.分析了释放物质、释放高度、释放模式和释放量等因素对人工电离层洞形态调制的影响,并利用电离层短波三维数字射线追踪技术,对不同调制电离层洞的电波传播效应进行了数值模拟和分析. 关键词： 化学物质释放 人工电离层洞 形态调制 电波传播效应     

Variation of infrasonic signal spectrum during wave propagation from Earth’s surface to ionospheric altitudes

The variation in the spectrum of an infrasonic signal emitted by a point source during its propagation from Earth’s surface to ionospheric altitudes and its effect on the ionosphere are considered from model calculations.     

Model study of the response of the thermosphere to perturbations of mesospheric tides and planetary waves during a sudden stratospheric warming

The results of numerical simulations of the effects of a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in January 2009 are examined. The calculations are performed within the framework of the Global Self-Consistent Model of the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Protonosphere (GSM TIP), which calculates the parameters of the neutral and charged components of the upper atmosphere. An analysis of the numerical simulation results showed that the perturbation of mesospheric tidal and planetary waves significantly affects the structure of variations of the thermosphere at altitudes below 150 km. At higher altitudes, the characteristics of planetary and tidal waves in the thermosphere are practically insensitive to the corresponding mesospheric perturbations. The calculated space–time structure of ionospheric perturbations caused by mesospheric and planetary tidal waves is in qualitative agreement with observation data. The results show that the main reason for the observed ionospheric effects is the perturbation of the electric fields in the dynamo region. However, the calculated magnitudes of the ionospheric effects produced by the SSW are at least two- to threefold weaker than the observed. It is assumed that, in order to achieve a quantitative agreement between simulation and experimental results on the ionospheric effects of the SSW, it is not enough to consider only the dynamics of planetary and tidal waves in the mesosphere. An additional source of the perturbation of the thermosphere and ionosphere during the SSW may be associated with the propagation of internal gravity waves from the lower atmosphere and their dissipation in the thermosphere.     

Ultralow-frequency variations of the magnetic field during the propagation of acoustic-gravitaty waves in the ionosphere

The effect of the generation of ULF variations of the magnetic field during the propagation of acoustic-gravitaty waves (AGW) in the ionosphere is analyzed within a simple model. It is shown that AGW-induced ionospheric irregularities can significantly contribute to the ground magnetic field variations. Some changes in ULF variations associated with seismic events are considered as application of this mechanism.     

Experimental Studies of Propagation of Artificial Electromagnetic Signals in the Range 0.6–4.2 Hz

We present the results of experiments on studying of characteristics of the ULF/ELF signals generated by the Kola ground facility. Signals were detected at different distances from the source. The amplitude and polarization parameters of the signal are plotted as functions of the distance and direction to the source, which allows us to determine the efficiency of using this facility for receiving signals at points with different geographic coordinates and for different levels of background low-frequency noise. It is found that the signal characteristics are sensitive to variations in the parameters of the ionospheric layers and comprise information on the inhomogeneous structure of the Earth's crust under the source. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 48, No. 9, pp. 788–799, September 2005.     

Studies of the Irregular Structure of the Ionosphere using Scattering of Radio Waves on Artificial Periodic Inhomogeneities

We present new results of our studies of the irregular structure of the ionosphere using artificial periodic inhomogeneities (APIs) of the ionospheric plasma. The observations were carried out from 9:00 to 17:00 in August 10–12, 1999 with a height step of 0.7 km and digital registration and real-time processing of the signal quadratures. It is shown that in many cases, the amplitude of the scattered signal is determined by the interference of radio waves scattered on APIs and on natural ionospheric formations including sporadic layers and large-scale natural irregularities. This allows one to study the irregular structure of the lower ionosphere by analyzing height-time dependences of the amplitude and phase of the scattered signal.     

On the effect ofBUM generation enhancement revealed using the scheme of additional heating of ionospheric plasma

We present measured characteristics of the artificial ionospheric radio emission (AIRE), which were obtained experimentally using additional heating of the ionospheric F-region by O-polarized waves. It is shown that the observed enhancement of intensity of the broad upshifted maximum (BUM) of the AIRE can result from the influence of electrons accelerated in the plasma: esonance region on its generation. An empirical model of the phenomenon observed is developed. It is concluded from experimental results that the BUM has a complex structure and only one of its components produces the above emission enhancement. We show the possibility of using the AIRE in additional heating of ionospheric plasma for diagnostics of artificial ionospheric turbulence and investigation of the features of perturbation propagation along the geomagnetic field lines. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 561–585, May, 1997.     

Ambiguity of the Reconstruction of Plasma Frequency Profiles from a Given Height-Frequency Characteristic and Their Discernibility for Oblique Propagation of HF Radio Waves in an Isotropic Ionosphere

We specify the formulation of the problem of reconstructing the plasma frequency height distribution from a given height-frequency characteristic (HFC) for a spherically symmetric isotropic ionosphere. We propose a numerical algorithm for solving the problem of correctly processing the region of near-critical frequencies of ionospheric layers. On this basis, we study the discernibility of plasma frequency profiles (PFPs) satisfying a given HFC when the properties of an obliquely propagating HF signal are analyzed.     

On one feature of the F-spread phenomenon in the midlatitude ionosphere

We report on the results of observations of reflected SW signals by vertical sounding (VS) of the ionosphere in Zimenki, Nizhny Novgorod region, in the summers of 1994 and 1995. We discovered an anomalous increase in the multipath propagation of the received SW signals during ionospheric F-spread: The duration of a multipath reflected signal increased considerably when we used a highly directional antenna compared to the case of a weakly directional antenna. The fast amplitude fluctuation index increased with increasing delay of the reflected SW signals. The observations are interpreted in terms of a stochastic model of midlatitude F-spread as the phenomenon of multipath radio wave scattering (reflection) from large-scale electron density inhomogeneities under conditions of a strongly developed inhomogeneous structure of the ionosphere.Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 38, No. 10, pp. 1064–1070, October, 1995.     

Propagation of lower hybrid resonance waves in depleted-plasma regions in the upper auroral ionosphere

We study theoretically the propagation of lower-hybrid resonance (LHR) waves in the auroral ionospheric plasma. The ray-tracing technique is used to study the properties of LHR wave propagation with account of a large-scale inhomogeneity both along and across the geomagnetic field. It is shown that wave refraction in such an inhomogeneous medium can result in direct transformation of LHR waves whose wave normals make large angles with the geomagnetic field into whistler-mode waves, whose wave vectors are close to the geomagnetic-field direction and which can therefore pass through the ionosphere to the ground. The parameters of LHR waves which can thus be transformed into whistler-mode waves are found. The transformation process considered can be important for interpreting ground-based observations of ELF waves. Deceased. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 279–289, April 2009.     

Ultralong-range sounding of the ionospheric HF channel using an ionosonde/direction finder with chirp modulation of the signal

We present the results of experimental studies of propagation of short radio waves on a long transequatorial path of Laverton (Australia) — Rostov-on-Don, which were obtained with the help of an ionosonde/direction finder with chirp modulation of the signal. It is shown that conditions for propagation of anomalous signals by means of sideband reflection of radio waves from the Himalayan Hills and the Plateau of Iran and also due to scattering of radio waves from the high-latitude ionosphere of the northern hemisphere are realized on the given path. The propagation of radio waves is modeled with allowance for their scattering by anisotropic magnetic field-aligned irregularities of a high-latitude ionosphere, which are located on the northern wall of the main ionospheric trough of the F layer. It is shown that the results of the experiment agree well with the calculated data.     

Multifractal Structure of Intermittency in a Developed Ionospheric Turbulence

We present the results of studying the multifractal structure of intermittency in a developed ionospheric turbulence during special experiments on radio-raying of the midlatitude ionosphere by signals from orbital satellites in 2005–2006. It is shown, in particular, that the determination of multidimensional structural functions of the energy fluctuations of received signals permits one to obtain the necessary information on multifractal spectra of the studied process of radio-wave scattering in the ionosphere. Experimental data on multifractal spectra of slow fluctuations in the received-signal energy under conditions of a developed small-scale turbulence are compared with the existing concept of the radio-wave scattering within the framework of the statistical theory of radio-wave propagation in the ionosphere. It is inferred that under conditions of a developed ionospheric turbulence, the multifractal structure of the intermittency of slow fluctuations in the received-signal energy is a consequence of the intermittency of small-scale fluctuations in the electron number density of the ionospheric plasma on relatively large spatial scales of about several ten kilometers. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 51, No. 6, pp. 485–493, June 2008.     

Solar eclipse effects of 22 July, 2009 on the propagation of radio signals

The results of investigation of the variation of radio signal strengths during the solar eclipse on July 22, 2009 are reported in this paper. Observations of the radio signals transmitted from different radio stations at different frequencies and received at a particular observing site indicate a distinct change in signal strength around the time the eclipse umbra passes the propagation paths. The three types of variations in the eclipse day and particularly during its peak period are different from propagation under normal condition. The phenomena of signal variations, the noted “Inverted U-shape“ at one of the frequencies before the occurrence of the eclipse and 13 to 15 minutes time difference between the enhancement of the signal strength and the onset of eclipse are some interesting characteristics. The results are interpreted by ionospheric D-layer behavior at such times.     

Features of HF-Radiowave Propagation on Midlatitude and Subauroral Long-Distance Paths

We present experimental results on HF-radiowave propagation features for the midlatitude Khabarovsk--Nizhny Novgorod and subauroral Magadan--Nizhny Novgorod paths using chirp ionospheric sounding. The spatial correlation of the maximum observed frequency (MOF) is measured. It is found that at 07:00-14:00 MSK in quiet days with a magnetic-activity index K_p 2 the correlation coefficient amounts to 0.75-0.95. With increase in disturbance for K_p 3, the correlation coefficient decreases to about 0.65-0.8. In the evening and night hours (20:00-02:00 MSK), the MOF spatial correlation decreases considerably, and reverses sign in some cases, which can be an indication of the different mechanisms of HF-signal field formation on the paths considered. Signal characteristics as functions of the path orientation relative to the ionospheric trough are analyzed. It is shown that at 20:00-02:00 MSK, the Magadan-Nizhny Novgorod path passes near the northern wall and the Khabarovsk-Nizhny Novgorod path, near the southern wall of the trough. At that time, the HF-radiation propagation was implemented through standard hop modes on the mid-latitude path and through the high-angle ray (Pedersen mode) on the subauroral path. The signal diffusivity on the Magadan-Nizhny Novgorod path exceeds by about two or three times the signal diffusivity on the Khabarovsk-Nizhny Novgorod path. The experimental data are compared with the results of simulation of the signal diffusivity due to HF-radiowave scattering by the magnetic-field-aligned ionospheric irregularities located in the vicinity of the southern boundary of the auroral oval.