Measuring Ionospheric Scintillation in the Equatorial Region Over Africa, Including Measurements From SBAS Geostationary Satellite Signals

Abstract

A GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitor (GISTM) has been deployed in a near-equatorial location in Africa (Douala, Camaroon -- 4o01’N, 9o43’E). The new feature of this receiver is that it can also measure the amplitude and phase scintillation indices on the SBAS signal received from a geostationary satellite. This observation, with its fixed link geometry, is particularly interesting for the analysis of temporal variation in the scintillation behavior of the equatorial ionosphere. At the same time it allows a direct assessment of the threat posed by scintillation to the SBAS signal. This paper presents the experimental setup, the principle behind the measurements and the first results.