Geophysical Interpretation of Digital Ionosonde Signatures

The ionosonde has been the most important monitor of the ionosphere for many decades. It remains the only low-cost, ground-based probe of the bottomside electron density profile, which is necessary knowledge for many HF signal-based technologies. Unfortunately, existing analysis software requires human assistance to obtain quality parameters suitable for space weather data-assimilation models. Even when expertly reduced, many parameters required by modern assimilation models, such as error estimates, are not provided. Therefore, existing ionosonde data streams are not utilized in space weather operations, assimilation models, or other real-time applications. On the basis of promising results of our Phase I activity, we propose to develop a tested, robust software prototype to overcome the continued neglect of the valuable ionosonde networks. The proposed innovative, automated analysis package for mid-latitude ionosondes will (1) interface with many existing ionosondes (2) clean and analyze ionogram data, (3) use a physics-based expert decision aid to optimally determine the X and O traces with other standard URSI ionogram parameters, and (4) expand the output to include ionosphere parameters, ionosphere drivers, and associated uncertainties of all output quantities.