Solar Cycle 25 - Impact on GNSS Correction Services Near the Geomagnetic Equator in Brazil

Hunaiz Ali, Kendall Ferguson, Landon Urquhart and Rodrigo Leandro

Abstract:	The ionosphere is the most significant source of error in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) processing. The ionosphere affects GNSS positioning users in several ways including introducing significant signal delays causing inaccurate solutions, loss of carrier phase lock leading to cycle slips and longer convergence times for RTK positioning. These effects are particularly challenging in locations which are near the geomagnetic equator or high latitudes. In this paper we investigate the impact of Solar Cycle 25 on GNSS correction services operating near the geomagnetic equator. We focus the case study specifically on Brazil due to its proximity to the geomagnetic equator which makes it particularly susceptible to ionosphere errors and scintillation. Two areas of focus are considered: 1) Characterization of the ionosphere and its observed implications for GNSS network providers; 2) Impact of ionosphere on GNSS users. The results emphasize the challenges/degradation experienced during peak solar cycle activity for the GNSS community. Additionally, the benefit of network corrections for high precision GNSS users is discussed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025) September 8 - 12, 2025 Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, Maryland
Pages:	3329 - 3338
Cite this article:	Ali, Hunaiz, Ferguson, Kendall, Urquhart, Landon, Leandro, Rodrigo, "Solar Cycle 25 - Impact on GNSS Correction Services Near the Geomagnetic Equator in Brazil," Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025), Baltimore, Maryland, September 2025, pp. 3329-3338. https://doi.org/10.33012/2025.20389
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