Polar Atmospheric Water Vapour/Ionospheric Sensing using GPS

Phased delays induced in GPS signals by the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere can be measured with high precision simultaneously along a dozen or so GPS ray paths in the field of view. These delays can be converted into integrated water vapor (if surface pressure data or estimates are available) and total electron content (TEC), along each GPS ray path.

The resulting continuous, accurate, all-weather, real-time GPS moisture data will help advance research in mesoscale modeling and data assimilation, severe weather, precipitation, cloud dynamics, regional climate and hydrology. The project aims at setting up a GPS surface-based station for retrieving the precipitation water vapour and ionospheric data at Antarctic region. Measured data disseminated through internet will be calibrated and analyzed for daily, quarter-year, yearly, and three years period for the development of weather, climatic, and ionospheric TEC model at the region and towards the contribution to the global weather and climatic models.