Ionospheric imaging using computerized tomography
Computerized tomography (CT) techniques can be used to produce a two-dimensional image of the electron density in the ionosphere. The necessary data are transionospheric satellite beacon total electron content (TEC) data recorded simultaneously at multiple ground stations. The ionospheric imaging case presents a difficult problem due to large amounts of missing data. This is a consequence of the locations of the transmitter (in orbit) and receivers (ground-based) and causes the reconstruction algorithm to fail to correctly reconstruct the background density profile. Despite this limitation, a method has been developed which successfully reconstructs the irregularities and variations in the profile. A computer program simulates the data collection and image reconstruction process. This allows the method to be tested with several electron density models, transmitter and receiver locations, and noniterative and iterative reconstruction algorithms. Simulations are performed assuming a 1,000-km-altitude polar-orbiting satellite and several ground stations. The imaged region is 3,500 km wide by 800 km high. A new algorithm, which is a modification of the discrete backprojection algorithm, is developed for use with nonuniform sampling geometries.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5480397
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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