Towards determining the parameters of layer with scattering irregularities that cause coherent echo, based on the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter radar data

TL;DR

This paper presents a technique to determine parameters of scattering irregularities causing coherent echo using Irkutsk IS radar data, achieving about 2.5 km accuracy for height and thickness, and revealing temporal variations in layer parameters.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new method for estimating layer parameters of scattering irregularities with high accuracy using radar data, including temporal variation analysis.

Findings

Layer height: 110-120 km

Layer thickness: ~5 km

Aspect sensitivity: ~15 dB/degree

Abstract

In the paper we have presented a technique of determining the scattering irregularities (that cause coherent echo) layer parameters using the Irkutsk IS radar data. It is shown that our technique has necessary accuracy (for height and thickness - about 2.5 km, for aspect sensitivity - 5dB/degree). Processing of the experiments 25-26.12.1998 and 15-16.07.2000 has shown a good agreement of data calculated with the data obtained by other investigators: an average layer height is 110-120km, average layer thickness 5km, average aspect sensitivity - 15dB/degree. The investigation of the experiments with high temporal resolution allowed us to observe temporal variations of the irregularities layer parameters. The average thickness and height of the layer does not contradict the data obtained by other investigators. The investigation of the experiments with high temporal resolution allowed to detect time variations of the layer parameters. The temporal variations of the aspect sensitivity are observed by us for the first time and requires additional investigations.