Multi-Constellation GNSS Scintillation at Mid-Latitudes

Abstract

Scintillation of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) signals have been extensively studied at low and high latitude regions of the Earth. It has been shown in past studies that amplitude scintillation is severe at low latitudes and phase scintillation is severe at high latitudes. Unlike low and high latitude regions, mid-latitude scintillation has not been extensively studied. Further, it has been suggested that mid-latitude scintillation is negligible. The purpose of this research is to challenge this belief.

A multi-constellation and multi-frequency receiver, that tracks American, Russian, and European satellites, was used to monitor scintillation activity at the Virginia Tech Space Center. Analysis was performed on collected data from various days and compared to past research done at high, mid, and low latitudes. The results are discussed in this thesis.