Comparison of COSMIC Radio Occultation Refractivity Profiles with Radiosonde Measurements

In recent years, radio occultation （RO） technology making use of global positioning system （GPS） signals has been exploited to obtain profiles of atmospheric parameters in the neutral atmosphere. In this paper, the RO refractivity profiles obtained from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate （COSMIC） mission are statistically compared with the observations of 38 radiosonde stations provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology during the period from 15 July 2006 through 15 July 2007. Different collocation criteria are compared at first, and COSMIC RO soundings that occur within 3 hours and 300 km of radiosonde measurements are used for the final statistical comparison. The overall results show that the agreements between the COSMIC refractivity profiles and the radiosonde soundings from the 38 stations are very good at 0-30 km altitude, with mean absolute relative refractivity deviations of less than 0.5%. Latitudinal comparisons indicate that there are negative refractivity deviations in the lower troposphere over the low latitude and middle latitude regions and large standard deviations exist in the lower troposphere of low latitude regions, which can reach up to ～6%. The comparisons of COSMIC RO refractivity profiles and radiosonde observations for 3 polar stations in four different seasons indicate that the accuracy of GPS RO profiles is better in the Austral summer and autumn than in the Austral spring and winter during the year from September 2006 to August 2007.

Retrieval of Water Vapor Profiles with Radio Occultation Measurements Using an Artificial Neural Network

A new method applying an artificial neural network （ANN） to retrieve water vapor profiles in the troposphere is presented. In this paper, a fully-connected, three-layer network based on the backpropagation algorithm is constructed. Month, latitude, altitude and bending angle are chosen as the input vectors and water vapor pressure as the output vector. There are 130 groups of occultation measurements from June to November 2002 in the dataset. Seventy pairs of bending angles and water vapor pressure profiles are used to train the ANN, and the sixty remaining pairs of profiles are applied to the validation of the retrieval. By comparing the retrieved profiles with the corresponding ones from the Information System and Data Center of the Challenging Mini-Satellite Payload for Geoscientific Research and Application （CHAMP-ISDC）, it can be concluded that the ANN is relatively convenient and accurate. Its results can be provided as the first guess for the iterative methods or the non-linear optimal estimation inverse method.

Gravity wave activities in Tibet observed by COSMIC GPS radio occultation

The Gravity waves activities in the Tibetan Plateau are very complex with different effects and natures that are not clear due to the lack of high resolution data from space and also from ground. In this paper,using COSMICGPS radio occultation data from 2006 to 2014, the atmospheric gravity waves activities and climatologic behaviors in Tibetan stratosphere are studied and analyzed, which show different characteristics. Most of the gravity waves with potential energy(Ep) at altitude of 17-24 km are associated with mountain waves. A good correlation between gravity wave activities and zonal wind flow is found. The distribution of gravity wave(GW) activities in Tibet is strongly connected with zonal wind variation and topography. GW activities are enhanced in winter seasons and decreased in summer seasons since strong western winds persist at all heights of the Tibetan troposphere. The gravity waves generated in the Tibetan area are mostly related to the orography of the area. The vertical wavelengths of GWS are shorter.Gravity waves in the Northwest have different vertical wavelengths in the Southeastern part of Tibetan Plateau, and dominant wavelengths are 3-5 km in the Northwest and 2-3 km in the Southeast,respectively. In the summer, the Northwestern part is the main source of wave generation while in the winter the GW is generated almost from all peaks of the Tibetan Plateau. Gravity waves in the region are clearly related to deep convection, which can also be proved by the inverse relation of Outgoing long wave radiation(OLR) and potential energy(Ep).

Impact of GNSS radio occultation bending angle data assimilation in YH4DVAR system

Global Navigation Satellite System （GNSS） radio occultation measurements have been assimilated into the four- dimensional variational data assimilation system （YH4DVAR） using a one-dimensional bending angle operator （GBAO） as a new type of observation. For the sake of verifying the impact of GNSS radio occultation （RO） measurements to the data assimilation system, three experiments have been conducted. The statistical results of the analysis error experiment and forecast skill experiment show that the GNSS RO measurements have an impact on the analysis system. The typhoon forecast experiment shows the impact on the important weather process. They all have a positive impact on the weather forecast. Lastly, we look forward to future work on the observation system simulation experiment （OSSE） to investigate the impact of GNSS RO measurements as a function of observation number, which is an effective method to estimate the saturation of the observation number.

Global Statistical Study of Ionospheric Waves Based on COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation Data

Extracting and parameterizing ionospheric waves globally and statistically is a longstanding problem. Based on the multichannel maximum entropy method（MMEM） used for studying ionospheric waves by previous work, we calculate the parameters of ionospheric waves by applying the MMEM to numerously temporally approximate and spatially close global-positioning-system radio occultation total electron content profile triples provided by the unique clustered satellites flight between years 2006 and 2007 right after the constellation observing system for meteorology, ionosphere, and climate（COSMIC） mission launch. The results show that the amplitude of ionospheric waves increases at the low and high latitudes（~0.15 TECU） and decreases in the mid-latitudes（~0.05 TECU）. The vertical wavelength of the ionospheric waves increases in the mid-latitudes（e.g., ~50 km at altitudes of 200–250 km） and decreases at the low and high latitudes（e.g., ~35 km at altitudes of 200–250 km）.The horizontal wavelength shows a similar result（e.g., ~1400 km in the mid-latitudes and ~800 km at the low and high latitudes）.

Determination of Total Electron Content at Equatorial Region—Thailand Using Radio Occultation Technique

This paper investigates the total electron content (TEC) which is a major challenge to space and related industries, most especially in an equatorial region like Thailand within the geographical latitude 07°35'N - 20°17'N. This research was achieved using radio occultation data from COSMIC mission. The monthly, seasonal and annual TEC and electron density variation monitoring conducted during increasing solar activity from 2010 to 2013 due to changes and instability of ionospheric parameters. It was observed that electron density and TEC was predominant in summer season. Summer has the highest electron density and TEC values all through and the annual mean values keep on increasing within the period under consideration. In conclusion, ionospheric fluctuations and perturbations were observed to be at pick between the months of March and May. The results of the study demonstrated that ionospheric irregularities were steadily on the increase, confirming 24th solar cycle prediction by NASA and depended on many factors among the major ones which are located on the latitude, season and solar activity.

Implementation of the Earth-based planetary radio occultation inversion technique

The planetary radio occultation technique is one of the earliest suggested and achieved methods to detect the planetary atmosphere,and has been conducted by almost every deep space planetary probe.The principles,modules,inversion results and primary analysis of the SHAO Planetary Occultation observation Processing system(SPOPs) are presented in this paper.Utilizing open-loop and closed-loop Doppler residual data of the Mars Express radio occultation experiment provided by ESA PSA and NASA PDS,the temperature,pressure,molecular number density profiles of Martian atmosphere and electron density profiles of the ionosphere are successfully retrieved,and the results are validated by the released radio science level 04 products of the ESA MaRS group.This system can also process the atmosphere radio occultation observations of other planets and theirs natural satellites.The implementation of the planetary radio occultation technique is of significance to China's YH-1 Mars exploration project,as well as for future planetary exploration missions from China.

Variability features of the width of the tropical belt from COSMIC radio occultation data

In this work, we analyzed time-series and trends of the tropical belt edges and widths with three methods based on the tropopause using new global positioning system radio occultation(GPS RO) data from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate(COSMIC) mission for September 2006–February 2014. The results from the three methods agreed well with previous studies and new features were found. To avoid the El Ni?o Southern Oscillation(ENSO) and Quasi-Biennial Oscillation(QBO) influence, we applied a simple multiple linear regression model to the monthly anomalies to obtain the tropical belt edges and width trends. During the study, we found equatorward movements of the tropical belt edges on both hemispheres. The narrowing of the tropical belt mainly occurred in the Pacific Ocean. We also found that the deseasonalized monthly anomalies of the tropical belt width were closely related with the ENSO and QBO. The tropical belt at a height of 15 km was mostly closely related with the ENSO. The correlations between the QBO and the tropical belt were consistent for the three methods.

Research on internal gravity waves in the Martian atmosphere based on Tianwen-1 and Mars Global Surveyor occultation data

Internal gravity waves(IGWs)are critical in driving Martian atmospheric motion and phenomena.This study investigates Martian IGWs by using high-resolution data from China’s Tianwen-1 mission and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Mars Global Surveyor(MGS)by the radio occultation(RO)technique.Key IGW parameters,such as vertical and horizontal wavelengths,intrinsic frequency,and energy density,are extracted based on vertical temperature profiles from the Martian surface to~50 km altitude.Data reveal that the Martian IGWs are predominantly small-scale waves,with vertical wavelengths between 6 and 13 km and horizontal wavelengths extending to thousands of kilometers.These waves propagate almost vertically and exhibit low intrinsic frequencies close to the inertial frequency,with the characteristic of low-frequency inertial IGWs.Tianwen-1 data indicate stronger IGW activity,higher energy density,and less dissipation than MGS data in the northern hemisphere.Moreover,MGS data in the southern hemisphere show higher buoyancy frequencies and lower vertical wavelengths,suggesting more stable atmospheric conditions conducive to IGW propagation.These extracted IGW characteristics can enhance our understanding of the atmospheric dynamics on Mars and contribute valuable information for parameterization in global circulation models.

Comparative analysis of empirical and deep learning models for ionospheric sporadic E layer prediction

Sporadic E(Es)layers in the ionosphere are characterized by intense plasma irregularities in the E region at altitudes of 90-130 km.Because they can significantly influence radio communications and navigation systems,accurate forecasting of Es layers is crucial for ensuring the precision and dependability of navigation satellite systems.In this study,we present Es predictions made by an empirical model and by a deep learning model,and analyze their differences comprehensively by comparing the model predictions to satellite RO measurements and ground-based ionosonde observations.The deep learning model exhibited significantly better performance,as indicated by its high coefficient of correlation(r=0.87)with RO observations and predictions,than did the empirical model(r=0.53).This study highlights the importance of integrating artificial intelligence technology into ionosphere modelling generally,and into predicting Es layer occurrences and characteristics,in particular.

Temporal distribution characteristics of GNSS ionospheric occultation data and its effects in earthquake-ionosphere anomaly detection

The temporal distribution characteristics of COSMIC occultation data are analyzed in detail, and the limitations in earthquake-ionosphere anomaly detection caused by the temporal distribution characteristics of COSMIC occultation data are discussed using the example of the Wenchuan earthquake. The results demonstrate that there is no fixed temporal resolution for COSMIC occultation data when compared with other ionospheric observation techniques. Therefore, occultation data cannot currently be independently utilized in research studies but can only be used as a complement to other ionospheric observation techniques for applications with high temporal resolution demands, such as earthquake-ionosphere anomaly detection.

Validation results of NmF2 and hmF2 derived from ionospheric density profiles of GNOS on FY-3C satellite

The first Global Navigation Satellite System Occultation Sounder(GNOS) which is compatible of both Bei Dou System(BDS)and Global Positioning System(GPS) was successfully launched into orbit onboard the Feng Yun 3 C satellite(FY-3 C) on September 23, 2013, and it has already gathered a large amount of ionosphere radio occultation(RO) data so far. However, the detailed analysis and validation of GPS ionosphere RO data have not been done up to now. Therefore, this paper discusses the configuration of the FY-3 C GNOS, the methods and results of GPS ionosphere occultation processment, the quality analysis of the GPS ionosphere RO products, and the precision consistency between the GNOS GPS ionosphere RO product and ionosonde data. The peak electron density(Nm F2) correlation coefficient is 0.97, the corresponding standard deviation is 16.08%. The peak value altitude(hm F2) correlation coefficient is 0.89, and the corresponding standard deviation is 23.79 km. The in-orbit operation of GNOS provides a basis data set for the monitoring, forecasting and research of ionosphere's space weather.

Planetary-Scale Wave Structures of the Earth's Atmosphere Revealed from the COSMIC Observations

GPS radio occultation（GPS RO） method,an active satellite-to-satellite remote sensing technique,is capable of producing accurate,all-weather,round the clock,global refractive index,density,pressure,and temperature profiles of the troposphere and stratosphere.This study presents planetary-scale equatorially trapped Kelvin waves in temperature profiles retrieved using COSMIC（Constellation Observing System for Meteorology,Ionosphere,and Climate） satellites during 2006-2009 and their interactions with background atmospheric conditions.It is found that the Kelvin waves are not only associated with wave periods of higher than 10 days（slow Kelvin waves） with higher zonal wave numbers（either 1 or 2）,but also possessing downward phase progression,giving evidence that the source regions of them are located at lower altitudes.A thorough verification of outgoing longwave radiation（OLR） reveals that deep convection activity has developed regularly over the Indonesian region,suggesting that the Kelvin waves are driven by the convective activity.The derived Kelvin waves show enhanced（diminished） tendencies during westward（eastward） phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation（QBO） in zonal winds,implying a mutual relation between both of them.The El Nino and Southern Oscillation（ENSO） below 18 km and the QBO features between 18 and 27km in temperature profiles are observed during May 2006-May 2010 with the help of an adaptive data analysis technique known as Hilbert Huang Transform（HHT）.Further,temperature anomalies computed using COSMIC retrieved temperatures are critically evaluated during different phases of ENSO,which has revealed interesting results and are discussed in light of available literature.