A study of amplitude scintillation based on COSMIC occultation data during 2007-2013

Based on the COSMIC (constellation observing system for meteorology, ionosphere and climate) GPS occultation data from 2007 to 2013, the characteristics of ionospheric scintillation in E and F regions are analyzed. It is found that the variations of ionospheric scintillation characterized by its frequency, occurrence or intensity are quite similar. Ionospheric scintillation in E region is the strongest in mid-latitudes of summer hemisphere, followed by that in low latitudes in equinox and winter hemisphere. The longitudinal variation of ionospheric scintillation in E-region presents a four-wave structure in equinox. The ionospheric scintillation in F region is strongest in South American-Atlantic sector in December solstice, in African and Pacific sector in June solstice and in Atlantic sector in equinox. The polar region has a weak contribution to the global ionospheric scintillation, mainly from the 90°E-180°E sector. The intensity of ionospheric scintillation in E region increases with solar activities in high latitudes, but decreases in mid-latitude in southern hemisphere and low latitudes. The intensity of ionospheric scintillation in F region increases with solar activities in both high and low latitudes, with no significant trends in mid-latitudes. In low latitudes, the 60°W-60°E longitude in northern hemisphere has the most sensitive scintillation effects caused by solar activities, followed by the 60°E-210°E longitude in southern hemisphere. In high latitudes, the 60°E-210°E longitude in southern hemisphere has the most sensitive scintillation effects caused by solar activities.