Ionosphere modelling for Galileo single frequency users: illustration of the combination of the NeQuick model and GNSS data ingestion

The ionospheric effect remains one of the main factors limiting the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) including Galileo. For single frequency users, this contribution to the error budget will be mitigated by an algorithm based on the NeQuick global ionospheric model. This quick-run empirical model provides flexible solutions for combining ionospheric information obtained from various sources, from GNSS to ionosondes and topside sounders. Hence it constitutes an interesting simulation tool not only serving Galileo needs for mitigation of the ionospheric effect but also widening the use of new data.

In this study, we perform slant TEC data ingestion - the optimisation procedure underlying the Galileo single frequency ionospheric correction algorithm - into NeQuick for a dozen locations around the world where both an ionosonde and a GPS receiver are installed. These co-located instruments allow us to compare measured and modelled vertical TEC showing for example global statistics or dependence towards latitude. We analyse measurements for the year 2002 (high solar activity level) giving an insight into the situation we could observe when Galileo reaches its Full Operation Capability, during the next solar maximum.

At last we compare Galileo and GPS ionospheric corrections. For Galileo, we end up with an underestimation of 11% and 4% depending on the version of NeQuick embedded in the algorithm, as well as a 22% standard deviation. This means respectively twice, five and 1.5 times better than GPS.