Comparison of tec obtained using GPS data and from a model based on ionosonde data

Abstract

In this paper we compare the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) obtained for a period of a week using two different methods: a) the ionospheric model DGR3 (Di Giovanni and Radicella model) for TEC based on ionosonde data and b) dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) data. During this period ionosonde data were collected at the Observatorio del Ebro and at El Arenosillo, and the GPS data was gathered at Madrid. The TEC obtained at both ionosonde stations using the DGR3 model bas been compared with the TEC predicted for tbese stations using tbe GPS data. In general, tbere is a very good agreement between both estimates of tbe TEC, and tbe maximum discrepancies are found around noon specially for El Arenosillo, where there is a bigger difference in latitude respect to the GPS site.