Ionospheric effects on modern electronic systems

A basic overview of ionospheric phenomenology is provided. Some of the modern electronic systems of interest and the extent to which the ionosphere may place limits on design and operation are discussed. The effects of importance to electronic systems are defined, and the effects are discussed by frequency regime: the ELF (<3 kHz), VLF (3-30 kHz), and LF (30-300 kHz) bands. Shortwave and Earth-space propagation are considered. Special attention is given to systems for which propagation factors are predominantly deleterious; these include satellite communication and navigation systems that operate in the Earth-space regime. Special note is made of the fact that the solar maximum is to be reached in 1990-1 and that maximum ionospheric effects are anticipated during this period, which is predicted to be one of the most active epochs of the last 200 years