High-Frequency Ionospheric Visualization Environment (High-FIVE)

In support of the Hi-FIVE effort in wideband HF communications, optimized frequency selection, and improved parametric settings for signal control, we will employ NWRA’s extensive HF propagation software capabilities. Given an ionosphere estimate from our GPSII code, informed by current measurements (including WSPRnet and other link data), we can efficiently characterize the propagation channel for frequency support and potential wideband operation. Coupled with HiCIRF calculations of channel coherence parameters, we are able to characterize the real-time HF propagation environment affecting the establishment of new links. In particular, this will enable prediction of ionospheric conditions for links that propagate over geographically isolated regions, where traditional ionospheric soundings are unavailable. We propose to address the following four challenges for the Hi-FIVE program: 1. Processing and collection of WSPRnet and HFDL link data, 2. Estimation of an ionospheric model that assimilates the reports of communication-link quality, using the GPSII ionospheric inversion routine, 3. Use of the updated ionospheric model to evaluate and characterize potential communications channels and HF spectral conditions, 4. Use of this HF communication channel characterization to aid the selection and initiation of communication links, in terms of choices about frequency selection, modulation, coding, and link-establishment protocol.