Some Inexactnesses of the European NeQuick Model and Possible Ways of their Correction

Abstract

NeQuick model is used in particular in solving problems of radio wave propagation in ionosphere. It allows of calculation of the altitude profiles of electron density above any point of the globe in a wide range of altitudes at any time. The makers of NeQuick model use analytical formulas for the description of the separate E, F1, and F2 layers in constructing of the electron density profile for the whole altitude region. The formula parameters use previously calculated values of electron density and height of the layer peaks. But the insufficient correctness of algorithmization results in some inaccuracies of construction of total profile of electron density in heights of E and F1 regions. For example, there are time discontinuities of daily variations of electron density at the moments corresponding to appearance or disappearance of layer F1. The E and F1 layers practically do not manifest themselves on figures of the electron density profiles. In addition, the previously calculated F1-layer peaks do not lie on the electron density profiles. By means of the algorithm of construction of electron density profile developed by the author of this paper it is possible to describe correctly an altitude profile of electron density on its geometrical parameters of E, F1, and F2 regions. The corrected altitude profiles would change continuously with local time.