Sensor examines ionosphere Satellite mission improves GPS and communication technology

Even if space weather is far away, it still influences electronic control systems, autonomous navigation and remote communication applications. Undisturbed satellite navigation is crucial for many industries, but can be affected by processes in the ionosphere.

The influence of processes in the ionosphere on the day-to-day business of a developer or automation technician sounds far away at first. But in reality, the weather far above the earth's atmosphere has a direct influence on a whole range of critical infrastructures. However, extreme conditions can arise in the ionosphere near the earth's surface that could severely disrupt or even paralyze our technical infrastructure.

GPS systems, communication networks and even industrial automation systems are increasingly relying on reliable satellite technology. Space weather has a direct impact on the operation of systems on earth. These are dynamic changes in the ionosphere, which can lead to drops in GPS signal performance and even communication disruptions. Developers and automation engineers in particular know how critical reliable positioning and communication signals are in the operation of increasingly autonomous systems.

Sensor measures the electron density in the ionosphere

The British Orpheus satellite mission, which is due to be launched in 2027, is dedicated to precisely this challenge. The central component is the TOPCAT II sensor from the University of Bath: a miniaturized sensor module that can measure the electron density of the ionosphere using a high-precision, multi-channel GPS receiver. The aim is to use these measurements to create new, precise 3D models of ionospheric dynamics.

The precursor to the current module, the original TOPCAT, was already part of the CIRCE and Prometheus 2 missions in 2023. However, valuable measurements were lost back then due to a false launch. With TOPCAT II, there is now a second chance: this time, sensor data flows into MIDAS, a highly developed algorithm developed by the University of Bath, which reconstructs precise, realistic, spatio-temporal images of the ionosphere from individual measurements.

For developers, more precise sensor data means a better understanding of the conditions in the ionosphere and sources of error in GPS reception and satellite-based radio communication can be significantly reduced. Improved models enable more precise positioning and more robust communication channels. These are two important basic requirements for applications in Industry 4.0, autonomous systems, robotics and IoT-supported automation. In the long term, this leads to more reliable planning and operational safety for critical infrastructure systems.

The technical details at a glance

• TOPCAT II sensor measures 9 cm x 7 cm and is a multi-frequency GPS receiver.

• Measurement of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere.

• Integration of the data into the imaging data assimilation platform MIDAS. It creates three-dimensional ionospheric maps with high temporal accuracy.

• Orpheus mission will take place from 2027 to 2028, realized in cooperation with British and international expertise from the USA and Canada.

• Funding was provided by the Defense Science Research Institute Dstl in cooperation with industry, government and academia.

According to Professor Cathryn Mitchell, co-developer of the system, TOPCAT II provides new insights into space weather and significantly increases the reliability of satellite-based applications in the long term. A more precise, in-depth understanding of these phenomena will therefore not only be important for satellite operators. Industrial companies that develop and use autonomous vehicles, robotic systems or IoT systems will also benefit from more predictable and robust systems. (heh)