Polar Atmospheric Water Vapour/Ionospheric Sensing using GPS

GPS signals are delayed by water vapor, dry air, hydrometeors and
other particulates. 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.