Determining F2 layer parameters via optimization using IRI model and IONOLAB TEC estimations

Abstract

We know that F2 layer of the ionosphere is most important layer in the progaration of high frequency (HF) waves. In this study, The relation of the height (HmF2) and the critical frequency (FoF2) of F2 layer-among the parameters of the Internation Reference Ionesphere (IRI) model-to the Total Electron Content (TEC) structure of ionosphere is investigated within their defined parametric range. These two parameters are then optimized using IONOLAB TEC estimations. Performance of the optimization algorithm is examined seperately for the cases of processing daily (24-hour) and hourly TEC data. It is observed that using hourly data produce results with much smaller errors. By using this optimization method, the height and the critical frequency of F2 layer are obtained for countries located on low and high latitudes including Turkey for the same quite day. Results are compared with ionosonde data and it is observed that error norms were in an acceptable range. By this way it is attained the more realistic electrical structure of ionosphere.