A new model for ionospheric total electron content: the impact of solar
flux proxies and indices
Abstract
We present a new high resolution empirical model for the ionospheric
total electron content (TEC). TEC data are obtained from the global
navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers with a 1 x 1 spatial
resolution and 5 minute temporal resolution. The linear regression model
is developed at 45N, 0E for the years 2000 - 2019 with 30 minute
temporal resolution, unprecedented for typical empirical ionospheric
models. The model describes dependency of TEC on solar flux, season,
geomagnetic activity, and local time. Parameters describing solar and
geomagnetic activity are evaluated. In particular, several options for
solar flux input to the model are compared, including the traditionally
used 10.7cm solar radio flux (F10.7), the Mg II core-to-wing ratio, and
formulations of the solar extreme ultraviolet flux (EUV). Ultimately,
the extreme ultraviolet flux presented by the Flare Irradiance Spectral
Model, integrated from 0.05 to 105.05 nm, best represents the solar flux
input to the model. TEC time delays to this solar parameter on the order
of several days as well as seasonal modulation of the solar flux terms
are included. The Ap_3 index and its history are used to reflect the
influence of geomagnetic activity. The root mean squared error of the
model (relative to the mean TEC observed in the 30-min window) is 1.9539
TECu. A validation of this model for the first three months of 2020
shows excellent agreement with data. The new model shows significant
improvement over the International Reference Ionosphere 2016 (IRI-2016)
when the two are compared during 2008 and 2012.