Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging

Abstract Data assimilation (DA) techniques have recently gained traction in the ionospheric community, particularly at regional operational centers where more precise data are becoming prevalent. At center stage is the argument over which technique or scheme merits realization. At 4DSpace, we have i...

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Main Authors: Nicholas Ssessanga, Wojciech Jacek Miloch, Lasse Boy Novock Clausen, Daria Kotova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-12-01
Series:Space Weather
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003584
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author Nicholas Ssessanga
Wojciech Jacek Miloch
Lasse Boy Novock Clausen
Daria Kotova
author_facet Nicholas Ssessanga
Wojciech Jacek Miloch
Lasse Boy Novock Clausen
Daria Kotova
author_sort Nicholas Ssessanga
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Data assimilation (DA) techniques have recently gained traction in the ionospheric community, particularly at regional operational centers where more precise data are becoming prevalent. At center stage is the argument over which technique or scheme merits realization. At 4DSpace, we have in‐house developed and assessed the performance of two regional flavors of short‐term forecast strong constraint four‐dimensional (4D, space and time) variational (SC4DVar) DA schemes; the orthodox incremental (SC4DVar‐Inc) and ensemble‐based (SC4DEnVar) approach. SC4DVar‐Inc is bottled‐necked by expensive Tangent Linear Models (TLMs) and model Ad‐joints (MAs), while SC4DEnVar design mitigates these limitations. Both schemes initialize from the same background (IRI‐2016), and electron densities forward propagated (30‐min) by a Gauss Markov filter‐ the densities take on a log‐normal distribution to assert the mandatory ionosphere density positive definiteness. Preliminary assimilation is performed only with ubiquitous Global Navigation Satellite System observables from ground‐based receivers, with a focus on moderately stable mid‐latitudes, specifically the Japanese archipelago and neighboring areas. Using a simulation analysis, we find that under model space localization, 30 member Ensembles are sufficient for regional SC4DEnVar. Verification of reconstructions is with independent observations from ground‐based ionosonde and satellite radio occultations: the performance of both schemes is fairly adequate during the quiet period when the background has a better estimation of the hmF2. SC4DVar‐Inc is slightly better over areas densely populated with measurements, but SC4DEnVar estimates the overall 3D ionosphere picture better, particularly in remote areas and during severe conditions. These results warrant SC4DEnVar as a better candidate for precise short‐time regional forecasts.
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spelling doaj-art-97c5b163d59845b493086019f74917412025-01-14T16:30:45ZengWileySpace Weather1542-73902023-12-012112n/an/a10.1029/2023SW003584Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere ImagingNicholas Ssessanga0Wojciech Jacek Miloch1Lasse Boy Novock Clausen2Daria Kotova34DSpace Department of Physics University of Oslo Oslo Norway4DSpace Department of Physics University of Oslo Oslo Norway4DSpace Department of Physics University of Oslo Oslo Norway4DSpace Department of Physics University of Oslo Oslo NorwayAbstract Data assimilation (DA) techniques have recently gained traction in the ionospheric community, particularly at regional operational centers where more precise data are becoming prevalent. At center stage is the argument over which technique or scheme merits realization. At 4DSpace, we have in‐house developed and assessed the performance of two regional flavors of short‐term forecast strong constraint four‐dimensional (4D, space and time) variational (SC4DVar) DA schemes; the orthodox incremental (SC4DVar‐Inc) and ensemble‐based (SC4DEnVar) approach. SC4DVar‐Inc is bottled‐necked by expensive Tangent Linear Models (TLMs) and model Ad‐joints (MAs), while SC4DEnVar design mitigates these limitations. Both schemes initialize from the same background (IRI‐2016), and electron densities forward propagated (30‐min) by a Gauss Markov filter‐ the densities take on a log‐normal distribution to assert the mandatory ionosphere density positive definiteness. Preliminary assimilation is performed only with ubiquitous Global Navigation Satellite System observables from ground‐based receivers, with a focus on moderately stable mid‐latitudes, specifically the Japanese archipelago and neighboring areas. Using a simulation analysis, we find that under model space localization, 30 member Ensembles are sufficient for regional SC4DEnVar. Verification of reconstructions is with independent observations from ground‐based ionosonde and satellite radio occultations: the performance of both schemes is fairly adequate during the quiet period when the background has a better estimation of the hmF2. SC4DVar‐Inc is slightly better over areas densely populated with measurements, but SC4DEnVar estimates the overall 3D ionosphere picture better, particularly in remote areas and during severe conditions. These results warrant SC4DEnVar as a better candidate for precise short‐time regional forecasts.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003584variational data assimilationGNSSregional ionosphere specification
spellingShingle Nicholas Ssessanga
Wojciech Jacek Miloch
Lasse Boy Novock Clausen
Daria Kotova
Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
Space Weather
variational data assimilation
GNSS
regional ionosphere specification
title Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
title_full Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
title_fullStr Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
title_full_unstemmed Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
title_short Performance Analysis of a Strong Constraint 4DVar and 4DEnVar on Regional Ionosphere Imaging
title_sort performance analysis of a strong constraint 4dvar and 4denvar on regional ionosphere imaging
topic variational data assimilation
GNSS
regional ionosphere specification
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003584
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AT lasseboynovockclausen performanceanalysisofastrongconstraint4dvarand4denvaronregionalionosphereimaging
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