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PROJECT P330 - QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
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Application of the “self-scattering effect” to DPS-based
diagnostics of HF-stimulated ionospheric irregularities
Project manager: Volodymyr G. Galushko, PhD
Phone: +38 057 7203 579, Fax: +38 057 7203 462,
E-mail: galushko@rian.kharkov.ua
Institutions: Institute of Radio Astronomy, National Academy of Sciences of
Ukraine (IRA NASU)
Financing parties: USA
Operative commencement date: 01.09.2007
Project duration: 3 years
Date of submission: “ 27 ” December, 2008
Content of the quarterly progress report for quarter 04
PAGE 1
1.
Summary of progress
PAGE 1
2.
Current status of the project
PAGE 2
3.
Summary of personnel commitment
PAGE 2
4.
Description of travels
PAGE 3
5.
Information about major equipment and materials acquired,
other direct costs, related to the project
PAGE 3
6.
Delays and suggestions
PAGE 3
1. Summary of progress.
Stage
number
and title
Actual
progress
Stage 3: Developing techniques to recover parameters of stimulated ionospheric irregularities from
self-scattered records
During Quarter 5 (Q5), the works relating to Stage 3 involved the development of techniques to
recover parameters of stimulated ionospheric irregularities from self-scattered records. In particular, a
possible physical model of the scattering process of powerful HF radio signals at plasma irregularities
produced by the same signals. A theoretical analysis has been started of the scattering pattern for the
self-scattered signals to identify excitation mechanisms of ionospheric interlayer duct channels that
can support long- and very long propagation of emission from powerful transmitters. Works were
performed on the development of computation algorithms for spectral characteristics of self-scattered
signals. Creation of a software package for computer simulation of the self-scattering parameters has
been started.
A retrospective analysis was continued of data on observations of the self-scattering effect for
radiation from the heater facilities EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and Sura (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
that have been obtained in the course of the previous measuring campaigns. The appearance
probability of the self-scattered signals has been analyzed in dependence on the parameters of the Elayer of the ionosphere. A hypothesis has been suggested that the variations observed in the Doppler
frequency shifts can be produced by dynamic processes in the E-region, while long- and very long
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Stage
number
and title
Actual
progress
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PROJECT P330 - QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
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propagation of the self-scattered signals can be supported by the presence of ionospheric interlayer
ducts. Statistics have been obtained for the detection of mirror reflected and self-scattered signals.
Stage 4: Experimental investigation of the self-scattering effect
Stage 4 works during the Quarter concerned development of techniques to experimentally study the
self-scattering effect. In particular an experimental geometry has been suggested for the multiposition
reception of the self-scattered signals from the powerful HF transmitters EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway)
and HAARP (Alaska, USA). Ionospheric conditions have been analyzed and optimum time intervals
have been selected for the given measurement geometry.
In addition to the Work Plan two measuring campaigns were conducted to record the emission from
the EISCAT (October 22 through 24, 2008) and HAARP (October 22 through 31, 2008) heaters.
During the period when the HAARP facility followed the dedicated program, the Project related
measurements were performed at 7 receive sites. Two of these were organized by the Project
participants at the Radio Astronomy Observatory of IRA NASU (village of Grakovo, Kharkov region,
Ukraine) and on Svalbard Island (Norway), while the rest were provided by the US partner who used
digisondes at Sonderstrom, Greenland; College, Alaska; Hemranus, republic of South Africa; Pt.
Arguello, CA and Millstone Hill, MA, USA. Preliminary processing of the measured data has been
performed and a detailed analysis of the results obtained has been started.
2. Current status of the project.
All the Project-related works have been performed as planned. The most important result obtained during Quarter 5
has been the construction of a physical model for the scattering process of powerful HF radio signals at plasma
irregularities stimulated by the same signals (Substage 3.1). In particular, two approaches have been suggested for
solving the respective diffraction problem. The first one is based on the allowance for refraction effects, while the
other takes into account the interference of the scattered components of the incident and reflected waves. A theoretical
analysis has been started of the scattering pattern for the suggested mechanisms (Substage 3.2) aimed at investigating
the possibility of excitation of ionospheric interlayer duct channels that can support long- and very long propagation
of the self-scattered signals. Certain efforts have been concentrated on the development of computational algorithms
for spectral characteristics of the self-scattered signals (Substage 3.3). The existing algorithms have been modified
such that to provide for a possibility of estimating arrival angles of the scattered waves. Works have been started on
the development of a software package for computer simulation of the self-scattering parameters (Substage 3.4). The
functional diagram of the program has been suggested and user interface has been developed. A retrospective analysis
was continued of data on observations of the self-scattering effect for radiation from the heater facilities EISCAT
(Tromsø, Norway) and Sura (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) (Substage 3.6). In particular, statistics of detecting the selfscattering effect has been obtained in dependence on the parameters of the ionospheric E-layer. It has been found that
the presence of the E-layer contributes to generation and long- and very long propagation of the self-scattered signals.
Work was conducted on experimentally investigating the self-scattering effect (Stage 4). In particular a technique has
been suggested for multiposition reception of the self-scattered signals from powerful HF transmitters with the use of
coherent receivers of IRA NASU and Digisonde Portable Sounders (DPS) of the Center for Atmospheric Research of
the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (Substage 4.1). Ionospheric conditions were analyzed with the aim of
selecting optimum time intervals for observations of the self-scattering effect (Substage 4.2). In addition to the Work
Plan two measuring campaigns were conducted to record the emission from the EISCAT (October 22 through 24,
2008) and HAARP (October 22 through 31, 2008) heaters. Preliminary processing and analysis of the data obtained
have been started.
3. Summary of personnel commitment.
V. G. Galushko
General coordination of works according to the Project Work Plan. Preparation for
publication of a joint paper with the US partners on the results of the Project execution.
Development of a technique for multiposition reception of signals from powerful
transmitters, selection of the experimental layout. Preparation of a Technical Report for
Stage 2 of the Project. Organizing activity centered on the measuring campaigns with
the use of the EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and HAARP (Alaska, USA) heating facilities.
Development of proposals as for operation modes of the powerful transmitters and
measuring techniques. Preliminary analysis of the results obtained. Participation in the
development of a physical model for the scattering of powerful signals at ionospheric
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Y. М. Yampolski
V. G. Bezrodny
S. B. Kashcheyev
А. V. Koloskov
А. V. Zalizovsky
L. М. Lytvynenko
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inhomogeneities produced by the same signals. Work on report documents.
Formulation of the problem for scattering of powerful signals at ionospheric
inhomogeneities produced by the same signals. Analyzing the effect of refraction on the
scattering geometry. Development of proposals as for implementation of a measuring
campaign with the use of the EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and HAARP (Alaska, USA)
heaters. Discussion of the heater operation modes with the US partner. Participation in
the development of algorithms for spectral and correlation processing of data on selfscattered signal registrations. Participation in the development of a technique for
multiposition reception of signals from powerful transmitters, selection of the
experimental geometry.
Theoretical investigation of the possible scattering mechanisms of powerful HF signals
at ionospheric irregularities produced by the same signals. Analysis of a possibility to
allow for refraction effects and interference of the direct and reflected from the
ionosphere waves in solving the self-scattering problem. Development of algorithms for
estimating spectral and correlation characteristics of the self-scattered signals. Analysis
of the experimental data on observations of the self-scattering effect for electromagnetic
emission from the HAARP heater (Alaska, USA) that were obtained in February and
October of 2008. Comparison of morphological features shown by the behavior of the
self-scattered signals with the previous data.
Participation in the modification of spectral processing algorithms aimed at
implementation of the possibility to estimate arrival angles of the self-scattered signals.
Retrospective analysis of measurement data for self-scattered signals, analysis of the
probability of their detection in dependence on the electron density in the E-layer of the
ionosphere. Participation in the measuring campaign on registration of emissions from
the EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and HAARP (Alaska, USA) heaters that were
conducted at the end of October, 2008. Preliminary processing and analysis of the
records for the second probe frequency.
Modification of the receiving complex that was installed at Tromsø (Norway) to provide
for dual frequency operation mode. Remote control of the receiver and signal recording
during the measurement campaigns that were conducted using the EISCAT (October 22
through 24, 2008) and HAARP (October 22 through 31, 2008) heaters. Preliminary
processing and analysis of the records, analysis of time dependences of the spectrum
width and Doppler frequency shifts of the heater signals recorded at the Tromsø
position. Development of algorithms for estimating spectral characteristics of the selfscattered signals.
Retrospective analysis of the self-scattered signal records obtained in the measurement
campaigns of 2002, 2004 and 2005 using the heater facilities EISCAT (Tromsø,
Norway) and Sura (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). Analysis of the detection probability of
the self-scattered signals in dependence on the lower ionosphere conditions monitored
by a vertical ionospheric sounder. Selection of optimum time intervals for observations
of the self-scattering effect during the measuring campaigns that were conducted in late
October, 2008 using the EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and HAARP (Alaska, USA)
heaters. Participation in the measuring campaigns, preliminary processing and analysis
of the data.
Has not contributed to the Project during the reported period.
4. Description of travels.
No important business travel was made during Quarter 5. Three project participants (S. Kashcheyev, A. Koloskov and
A. Zalizovsky) traveled to the RINAN Radio Astronomy Observatory in Grakovo, Kharkov Region (Ukraine). The
aim was to record signals from the EISCAT and HAARP heaters. The measuring campaign has lasted for ten days.
5. Information about major equipment and materials acquired, other direct costs related to the project.
During Quarter 5 no equipment were purchased. A moderate amount of cash (approximately 98 $) was spent to buy
stationery, cable and connectors.
6. Delays and suggestions.
During Quarter 5 an opportunity has arisen to carry out a measuring campaign on observing the radiation from the
EISCAT (Tromsø, Norway) and HAARP (Alaska, USA) heaters, which resulted in a certain redistribution of efforts
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of the project participants. In particular, a smaller amount of time was devoted to retrospective analysis of the
previously obtained data. However, this has not caused any essential changes in the Work Plan and will be
compensated for during the Quarters to follow.
Volodymyr Galushko
Project Manager, P-330
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