[STSP] IES Conference May 2008

[Phil Wilkinson]

12th International Ionospheric Effects Symposium (IES2008)

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT & CALL-FOR-PAPERS & POSTERS

DESCRIPTION OF IES2008

IES2008 follows in the tradition of the eleven previous Ionospheric Effects Symposia that have been held in the Washington DC area since 1975. Partial support for IES2008 is provided by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Other government sponsors are being solicited. We are also happy to welcome International URSI as a sponsor of the symposium. Other affiliated agencies include: the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Space Environment Center (SEC) of NOAA; the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The symposium is a three-day event covering an array of topics of importance to both military and commercial telecommunication, navigation and surveillance systems. (See http://www.ies2008.com for details.)

DATES & VENUE 

Dates:  May 13-15, 2008 

Venue: Crowne Plaza Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia (formerly the Radisson Hotel) 

Abstracts for POSTERS and ORAL Presentations are solicited:
http://www.ies2008.com
http://ies2008.com/abstract_form.htm
http://ies2008.com/registration_form.htm

Point of Contact: John M. Goodman
Phone: +1-703-360-7127 (Alexandria VA)
Cellular: +1-703-314-2006
Phone/Fax: +1-910-846-2948 (Holden Beach NC)
Fax: +1-703-360-3954 (Alexandria VA)
email: jm_good at cox.net, jmgood at starpower.net; jmgood at jmg-associates-ltd.com; ies2008 at jmg-associates-ltd.com

Chairman: Dr. J. M. Goodman (RPSI; JMG Associates Ltd)

Co-Chairmen: 
Dr. Robert McCoy (ONR) *
Major David Byers (AFOSR) *


Other Members of the Steering Committee: 
Dr. Dave Anderson (University of Colorado) *
Dr. Paul Bernhardt (Naval Research Laboratory) * 
Mr. Greg Bishop (Air Force Research Laboratory) *
Mr. Deane Bunce (Federal Aviation Administration) 
Lt. Col. William  B. "Trey" Cade (Air Force Weather Agency) 
Mr. Ray Conkright (NOAA-NGDC) 
Dr. Anthea Coster (MIT Haystack Observatory) *
Dr. Ken Davies (NOAA-Retired) *
Ms. Pat Doherty (Boston College) *
Dr. Tim Fuller-Rowell (NOAA-SEC) *
Mr. Jack Klobuchar (Emeritus) 
Mr. Joe Kunches (NOAA-SEC) *
Dr. Leo McNamara (Boston College/AFRL) *
Prof. Bodo Reinisch (University of Massachusetts) *
Mr. James Secan (Northwest Research Associates) *
Mr. Kevin Scro (CISF/Air Force)
Dr. Haim Soicher (US Army Labs representative) *
Mr. John Wang (Federal Communications Commission) *
Dr. Paul Cannon (Qinetiq)- URSI Representative *

* verified acceptance

IES2008 TOPICS ACCEPTABLE 

Short Synopsis of Topics and Potential Special Sessions

1.Space-Weather and ionospheric effects on telecommunication systems 

This particular topic will stress the direct relationships between impairments upon telecommunication systems and space weather events or phenomena. Telecommunication systems of interest include but are not limited to the following: longwave communication and navigation systems; shortwave (HF) communication and OTHR systems; HFDF systems; VHF communication systems; UHF radar surveillance systems; UHF-SHF satellite communication systems; L-Band satellite navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, etc.); cellular systems. Propagation phenomena and system impairments such as scintillation,  phase fluctuations, loss of phase-lock, angle-of-arrival errors, absorption effects, ranging errors; radio blackout conditions, optimum working frequency fluctuations. Actual data is emphasized when possible. 

2.Current solar cycle phenomena and impact on operational systems 

This topic should stress phenomena observed during the later stages of the most recent solar cycle (#23) and the emergent solar cycle (#24). Operational systems are to be emphasized. They could include, but are not limited to the following: the GPS system and aviation applications such as  WAAS; HF-ALE systems; GLOBALink/HF; Trans-polar HF voice service for airlines; Milsatcom; etc. 

3.Modeling, forecasting, and prediction systems 

This topic is dedicated to the elucidation of the myriad of modeling efforts leading to the development of forecasting and prediction systems. These efforts and the systems themselves may be directed to the prediction./forecasting of space weather events (as an end-product) or the prediction/forecasting of system impairments (where space-weather is an intermediate product). It is presumed that the space weather events are pertinent vis-a-vis system effects. Military systems such as SCINDA and C/NOFS are of interest, and there are many examples climatological predictions systems that may be subject to update. 

4.Ionospheric sounder methods and measurements 

This topic encompasses all types of sounder systems and related measurement techniques, including legacy systems, advanced digital sounders, single frequency beacons, and wideband probes, deployed either terrestrially and aboard satellites. Of special interest are sounder techniques that can be exploited to derive operationally relevant ionospheric information. Another interest is the comparison of information derived from sounder systems and independent measurement schemes such as:  in-situ probes (rockets and satellites), incoherent scatter techniques, etc. 

5.Multi-Sensor contributions to the solution of Space-Weather effects on ionospherically-dependent systems 

This topic involve an examination of the ionosphere using multiple sensors, such as the sensors suggested under the international DASI effort. These sensors may include radio receivers and telescopes, ionosondes, radars, TEC polarimeters, magnetometers, optimal instruments, solar imagers, and so on. The multi-sensor approach enables corroborative measurements to be obtained, and allows for a more general evaluation of the ionospheric personality during periods of system disturbance, or inferred impairment events. 

6.Applications of ionospheric tomography 

Ionospheric tomography is a relatively new imaging technique that allows for evaluation of Ne gradients and large-scale structures. These are important during disturbed geomagnetic periods. Of special interest are studies that have been stimulated by the International Polar Year (IPY:2007-2008).

7.Transionospheric effects, including scintillation 

This topic emphasizes the impact of the ionosphere on radiowaves transmitted to/from satellites and even signals from radio stars. Of primary interest are propagation effects such as Faraday rotation, phase and amplitude scintillation, wedge refraction, ranging errors, group path delay fluctuations, and miscellaneous phase path effects. Examples include scintillation introduced on the GPS space segment, and scintillation impairments in connection with communication systems, observed especially during geomagnetic storms, emphasizing polar, auroral, and equatorial regions. 

8.Ionospheric effects on WAAS and other systems supporting aviation 

This topic is dedicated principally to ionospheric effects on radio systems (i.e., navigation and communication) that support aviation. Satellite communication and shortwave voice/data communication systems are of interest, especially for flights passing through geophysical regions such as the polar cap and the equator, that sometimes exhibit pathological behavior. 

9.High Frequency communication and surveillance systems 

This topic is principally dedicated to the ionospheric and space-weather effects on high frequency (HF) communication and surveillance systems (i.e., HFDF, HF-SSL, and OTHR). The communication systems include legacy voice and data link (i.e., HFDL). 

10.Longwave propagation systems and effects 

This topic concerns the interaction of certain legacy systems used for navigation and communication at frequencies belonw the shortwave (i.e., HF) band. Many of these systems are still is use and are of importance in backup scenarios. Other applications may be primary in nature

11.Global Positioning System and total electron content studies 

This topic emphasizes the impact on the ionospheric electron content (i.e., TEC) upon navigation systems that operate using methodologies for which the compensation is non-existent or incomplete. Examples include single-frequency GPS receivers.

12.Impact of the lower atmosphere on the Ionosphere 

It is well known that the lower atmosphere is a source of atmospheric gravity waves, infrasonic waves and other oscillations that may introduce ionospheric tracers to the underlying neutral gas motion. Ionospheric factors include traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID) and other variations in the electron density distribution. Lower atmospheric chemistry and dynamics are also relevant subjects to consider under this general topic. An interesting aspect is the impact of space weather and the ionospheric personality upon the lower atmosphere. 

13.Contribution of the IHY to the understanding of the ionosphere at all longitudes 

This topic will look to contributions by participants in studies associated with the International Heliospheric Year. Collaborative investigations and reports are of primary interest.

14.Impact of global electrodynamics on the storm-time ionosphere 

Knowledge of the storm-time ionosphere is of paramount interest to system engineers as well as practicing ionosphericists. There have been a number of theoretical models that may account for many aspects of the storm-time ionospheric morphology, and many aspects of the behavior are now understood. Still other aspects of the geomagnetic storm are not known, and there are inconsistencies from one storm to the next. Empirical models have provided a useful procedure for estimating the general behavior of ionospheric storms. Global electrodynamics can provide a macroview of the important phenomena, and along with empirical data for verification, may be the way forward and lead to a more fulsome understanding. Studies of storm behavior through the lens of global electrodynamics are solicited.  

15.Results derived from COST-ACTION programs (viz., 238, 251, 271, 724, and 296). 

This topic pertains to COST Actions undertaken by the European community and its affiliates having relevance to the ionosphere and space weather effects upon telecommunication systems. These Actions, including 238, 251, 271, 724, and 296, are to be emphasized. A limited number of papers would be devoted to programmatic aspects, but more substantive scientific and engineering studies are requested. 

16.Impact of solar noise bursts and environmental noise on telecommunication and navigation systems 

This topic recognizes that system performance typically depends upon signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios, and that systematic, man-made, and environmental noise are major factors in the determination of how well a radiowave system may perform. Studies of man-made noise, galactic noise, atmospheric noise, and cosmic noise bursts are welcome. Solar noise bursts have been shown to have a significant impact upon the GPS system., and recent studies (circa 2006 and following) have demonstrated measurable impacts upon navigation systems dependent upon the GPS waveform. Further examination of these effects would be of interest. 

17.Space-Weather program activities having relevance to ionospheric effects on C3I and navigation systems 

18.Products and services offered by industry relevant to prediction & forecasting of ionospheric effects 

19.Government projects associated with the forecasting and/or mitigation of deleterious effects on national and/or military systems 

20.Studies of documented system impacts during major geomagnetic storms and other solar-generated events