Multi-layer modeling and simulation of the effects of ionospheric scintillation on service availability of the GPS augmentation systems

Abstract

This paper describes a multi-layer technique using modeling and simulation to assess the impact of ionospheric scintillation on satellite navigation systems. It is well known that GPS receivers in low- and high-latitude regions may suffer from rapid amplitude and phase fluctuations and signal scatter due to scintillation, causing loss of lock and cycle slips to dual as well as single frequency users. Scintillation poses a challenge to the GPS augmentation service providers including Space Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and Ground Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS) to provide a high probability of navigational service availability in affected regions. Over the recent decades, many studies and data analyses have been conducted to understand effect of scintillation which affects users of satellite based navigation systems. Some significant data has been translated into modeling and simulation tools to help characterize scintillation effects and the world-wide scintillation environment.