Geophysical Interpretation of Digital Ionosonde Signatures

"The ionosonde is an important ionospheric monitor for determining ionospheric parameters usefulin nav/com technologies as well as assimilative space weather models. Unfortunately, existing analysis software requires humanassistance to obtain quality parameters suitable for assimilation. Even when expertly reduced, many parametersrequired by assimilation models, such as error estimates, are not provided. Therefore, existing ionosonde datastreams arenot utilized in space weather operations, assimilation models, or other applications.We propose to define and test software technology to overcome the continued neglect of valuable ionosonde networks.First, we will produce a detailed report of the necessary parameters and information required byassimilation models from ionosondes to advance the relevancy of ionosondes. The proposed software package will use innovative ionogramanalysis methods including(1) algorithms to remove RF artifacts not associated with the ionosphere,(2) time-series analysis of ionograms,(3) physics-based, expert determination of the ionogram trace,(4) expanded output resulting from the advanced analysis including traditional ionogram characteristics,ionosphere parameters, ionosphere drivers, and, importantly, associated errors and variation characteristics ofoutput parameters.The package will possess adaptable data input capability to allow for broad use. Key technologies to be developed under this proposed effor