SuomiNet: A Real-Time National GPS Network for Atmospheric Research

根据这一重大研究仪器奖，首席研究人员将开发“SuomiNet”，这是一个以大学为基础的、实时的国家全球定位系统(GPS)网络，用于大气研究和教育。拟议中的网络以气象卫星先驱Verner Suomi的名字命名，将利用最近显示的陆基GPS接收器每天进行数千次准确的上下大气测量的能力。SuomiNet的目标是通过使来自广泛和不同地区的大量空间和时间密集的大气数据实时可用，将GPS所展示的力量用于学术研究和教育。索米网将使用成熟的互联网数据分发(IDD)软件和协议来协调网络传感器并实时分发数据。SuomiNet的数据与几个国家和国际项目相关，包括美国天气研究计划(USWRP)和全球能源和水循环实验(Gewex)。由电离层和中性大气引起的GPS信号的相位延迟可以沿着视场中十几条左右的GPS射线路径同时高精度地测量。这些延迟可以转换为沿每条GPS射线路径的综合水汽(如果有地面气压数据或估计值)和总电子含量(TEC)。由此产生的连续、准确、全天候、实时的GPS湿度数据将有助于推动大学在中尺度建模和数据同化、恶劣天气、降水、云动力学、区域气候和水文学方面的研究。这些主题是USWRP和Gewex的核心。此外，从全球定位系统信号相位和幅度得出的TEC和电离层闪烁数据将帮助各大学处理基本研究课题，包括：(A)支配电离空间分布的过程；(B)电离层不规则和闪烁的演变；(C)热层动力学及其与电离层的耦合；(D)研究模型和数值方法的验证、测试和继续发展。从教育的角度来看，索米网将把最先进的GPS设备、数据和处理方法掌握在大量大学院系、教职员工和学生手中。正是在这里，在大学环境中，GPS在大气研究和教育中的巨大潜力才能最有效地实现。

Under this award for Major Research Instrumentation, the Principal Investigators will develop "SuomiNet", a university-based, real-time, national Global Positioning System (GPS) network for atmospheric research and education. The proposed network, named to honor meteorological satellite pioneer Verner Suomi, will exploit the recently-shown ability of ground-based GPS receivers to make thousands of accurate upper and lower atmospheric measurements per day. SuomiNet's goal is to use the demonstrated power of GPS for academic research and education, by making large amounts of spatially and temporally dense atmospheric data from broad and diverse regions widely available in real-time. SuomiNet will use well established Internet Data Distribution (IDD) software and protocols to coordinate network sensors and distribute data in real-time. SuomiNet data are relevant to several national and international programs including the U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP) and the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX). Phase 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 university research in mesoscale modeling and data assimilation, severe weather, precipitation, cloud dynamics, regional climate and hydrology. These topics are central to the USWRP and GEWEX. In addition, TEC and ionospheric scintillation data derived from GPS signal phase and amplitude will help universities address fundamental research topics including: (a) the processes that govern the spatial distribution of ionization, (b) the evolution of ionospheric irregularities and scintillation, (c) thermospheric dynamics and its coupling to the ionosphere, and (d) validation, testing and continued development of research models and numerical methods. From an educational perspective, SuomiNet will place state-of-the-art GPS equipment, data and processing methods in the hands of a large number of university departments, faculty, and students. It is here, in the university setting, where the tremendous potential of GPS in atmospheric research and education can be most effectively realized.