Ionospheric studies for the implementation of GAGAN

Abstract

Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS), being developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in collaboration with Airports Authority of India (AAI) is known as “GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation” (GAGAN). It is expected to offer better accuracy and integrity of navigation service than with GPS alone by providing correction terms to the GPS signals. This is achieved by modelling a Near Real Time Grid Based Ionospheric Delay Model for correcting propagation delay at 1575.42 MHz (L1) using measurements at 1575.42 and 1227.6 MHz (L2). Existing algorithms are replaced by Kriging based model to meet the requirement of correction with 0.5 m maximum residue over Indian region. Details of the data collection and pre-processing, including estimation of the Total Electron Content (TEC), which is a measure of ionospheric delay, has been described. Kriging algorithm and some preliminary results of studies are also presented in this paper. This includes the spatial decorrelation of the stochastic random field over the deterministic variation of ionospheric TEC. Its variation with time and locations are investigated and a temporal dependence found to exist. Large scale ionospheric irregularities and depletions that cause severe amplitude and phase scintillations are also studied. Their impacts on GAGAN are also shown. Some major scientific studies required to be carried out over Indian region to improve the GAGAN performance is discussed.