A Multifrequency GPS Signal Strong Equatorial Ionospheric Scintillation Simulator: Algorithm, Performance, and Characterization

This paper presents a physics-based, data-consistent, multifrequency GPS scintillation signal simulator. The simulator is based on the two-component power-law phase screen derived from real GPS scintillation measurements. The real data used to initialize the simulator, simulator outputs, and receiver-processed results are compared to demonstrate the simulator accuracy and the receiver processing effects. This simulator will enable better characterization of ionospheric scintillation effects and development of robust receiver algorithms during strong equatorial scintillation.