An inversion technique for obtaining quasi-parabolic layer parameters from VI ionograms [radar signal processing]

Vertical incidence ionograms are obtained from sweep HF pulsed vertical incidence radar and provide information on the state of the ionosphere directly above the transmitter/receiver location. This paper describes a vertical incidence inversion technique where the ionospheric electron density profile is determined from the recorded layer echo traces found on vertical incidence ionograms. The vertical incidence inversion method is user friendly, in that the required inputs from the ionogram are readily obtainable. The inversion method is robust, in that the constraints within the method are flexible enough to accommodate the required input data from the ionograms and is able to home-in to the best possible solution.