The influence of ionospheric thin shell height on TEC retrieval from GPS observation

We investigate the influence of assumed height for the thin shell ionosphere model on the Total Electron Content（TEC） derived from a small scale Global Positioning System（GPS） network. TEC and instrumental bias are determined by applying a grid-based algorithm to the data on several geomagnetically quiet days covering a 10 month period in 2006. Comparisons of TEC and instrumental bias are made among assumed heights from 250 km to 700 km with an interval of 10 km. While the TEC variations with time follow the same trend, TEC tends to increase with the height of the thin shell. The difference in TEC between heights 250 km and 700 km can be as large as～8 TECU in both daytime and nighttime. The times at which the TEC reaches its peak or valley do not vary much with the assumed heights. The instrumental biases, especially bias from the satellite, can vary irregularly with assumed height. Several satellites show a large deviation of～3 ns for heights larger than 550 km. The goodness of fit for different assumed heights is also examined. The data can be generally well-fitted for heights from 350 km to 700 km. A large deviation happens at heights lower than 350 km. Using the grid-based algorithm, there is no consensus on assumed height as related to data fitting. A thin shell height in the range 350-500 km can be a reasonable compromise between data fitting and peak height of the ionosphere.

Communication-based positioning systems:past,present and prospects

This paper reviews positioning systems in the context of communication systems. First, the basic positioning technique is described for location based ser- vice （LBS） in mobile communication systems. Then the high integrity global posi- tioning system （iGPS） is introduced in terms of aspects of what it is and how the low Earth orbit （LEO） Iridium telecommunication satellites enhance the global posi- tioning system （GPS）. Emphasis is on the Chinese Area Positioning System （CAPS） which is mainly based on commercial geostationary （GEO） communication satellites, including decommissioned GEO and inclined geosynchronous communication satel- lites. Characterized by its low cost, high flexibility, wide-area coverage and ample frequency resources, a distinctive feature of CAPS is that its navigation messages are generated on the ground, then uploaded to and forwarded by the communication satellites. Fundamental principles and key technologies applied in the construction of CAPS are presented in detail from the CAPS validation phase to its experimental system setup. A prospective view of CAPS has concluded it to be a seamless, high ac- curacy, large capacity navigation and communication system which can be achieved by expanding it world wide and enhancing it with LEO satellites and mobile base stations. Hence, this system is a potential candidate for the next generation of radio navigation after GPS.