Estimating Electron Density of the Ionosphere from Radio Occultation TEC Data using Abel Inversion

Abstract Ionospheric electron density affects trans-ionospheric radio waves. Estimating electron density, therefore, is vital to mitigate the effect of ionosphere on radio waves. As a result, different methods have been applied to estimate ionospheric electron density from integrated measurements of ground-based GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers recently installed in East-Africa.

To augment such efforts, ionospheric electron density has been estimated from Radio Occultation (RO) total electron content data measured by LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites. Abel inversion onion peeling algorithm then is used to retrieve electron density profiles from the calibrated data. The reconstructed electron density profiles have been validated by running the standard ionospheric empirical model (International Reference Ionosphere, IRI-2007) at time and locations that RO electron density profiles are obtained. The results show well agreement between the Abel inversion and IRI-2007 electron density profiles, for both bottom and topside ionosphere. Also, F2 peak density heights from Abel inversion and IRI-2007 have shown well agreement. However, significant discrepancy has been detected around the height of the F2 peak density.