Method for modeling of the components of ionospheric parameter time variations and detection of anomalies in the ionosphere

In this study, a new multicomponent model (MCM) to determine the time variation of ionospheric parameters is suggested. The model was based on the combination of wavelets with autoregressive-integrated moving average model classes and allowed the study of the seasonal and diurnal variations of ionospheric parameters and the determination of anomalies occurring during ionospheric disturbances. To investigate in detail anomalous changes in the ionosphere, new computational solutions to detect anomalies of different scales and estimate their parameters (e.g., time of occurrence, duration, scale, and intensity) were developed based on a continuous wavelet transform. The MCM construction for different seasons and periods of solar activity was described using ionosphere critical frequency f o F 2 data from Kamchatka (Paratunka Station, 52° 58′ N, 158° 15′ E, Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Radio Wave Propagation FEB RAS). A comparison of the MCM with the empiric International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model and the moving median method for the analyzed region showed that the suggested method was promising for future research, since it had the advantage of providing quantitative estimates for the occurrence time, duration, and intensity of the anomalies, characterizing the ionospheric state and disturbance degree with a higher accuracy. Geomagnetic storms from 17 March and 2 October 2013 were analyzed using the suggested method, and it was shown that the ionospheric disturbances were at maximum during the strongest geomagnetic disturbances. An increase in the electron concentration in comparison with the background level, under calm or weakly disturbed geomagnetic field conditions, was identified before the analyzed magnetic storms.