Assimilation of autoscaled data and regional and local ionospheric models as input sources for real-time 3-D International Reference Ionosphere modeling

This paper describes how the joint utilization of autoscaled data such as the F(2) peak critical frequency f(0)F(2), the propagation factor M(3000)F(2), and the electron density profile coming from two reference ionospheric stations (Rome and Gibilmanna), and the regional (Simplified Ionospheric Regional Model Updated) and global (International Reference Ionosphere) ionospheric models can provide a valid tool for obtaining a real-time three-dimensional (3-D) electron density mapping of the ionosphere. Preliminary results of the proposed 3-D model are shown by comparing the electron density profiles given by the model with the ones measured at three testing ionospheric stations (Athens, Roquetes, and San Vito).