The Low-Latitude Ionosphere Sensor Network (LISN)

Cesar E. Valladares and Patricia H. Doherty

Abstract:	This paper describes the characteristics and presents initial measurements of the first distributed observatory that is being installed in South American to study the dynamics and the turbulence of the low-latitude ionosphere and upper atmosphere. The LISN distributed observatory will be comprised of nearly 70 GPS receivers with the capability to measure Total Electron Content (TEC), and amplitude and phase scintillation. Further analysis of GPS observations allows identifying and characterizing small TEC variations associated with Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) and plasma bubbles. The LISN network will include 5 ionosondes able to measure nighttime E-region densities and 5 collocated magnetometers that will be placed almost equidistant along the same magnetic meridian extending from the northern crest to the southern crest of the anomaly. In addition to introducing continuous real-time observations, this paper will present the results of the first campaign dedicated to detect medium-scale (hundreds of km) TIDs that was conducted at Huancayo using 3 GPS receivers spaced by 4-5 km arranged in a triangular configuration with all the characteristics of a radiointerferometer. Proper analysis of the GPS data enables us to estimate the TID traveling velocity, its propagation direction, and the scale-size of the disturbance.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2009 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 26 - 28, 2009 Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel Anaheim, CA
Pages:	16 - 24
Cite this article:	Valladares, Cesar E., Doherty, Patricia H., "The Low-Latitude Ionosphere Sensor Network (LISN)," Proceedings of the 2009 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 2009, pp. 16-24.
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