Project description
Creating a modern global ionospheric climatology
The ionosphere, a layer of plasma in Earth’s upper atmosphere, is critical to several communications, remote sensing and navigation technologies. Traditionally, it has been modelled by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), recognised by the International Standards Organisation (ISO). Unfortunately, many elements of this model have not been updated since the 1950s, and the model doesn't take into consideration the impacts of climate change. The ERC-funded I-C-GloRI project will redevelop the IRI using novel nonlinear fitting techniques, originally designed to fit machine learning models. The aim is to incorporate millions more observations than originally available while also including a parametrisation of climate change impacts. Using this new model, the project will assess the impacts of ionospheric climate change on radio communications and navigation systems.
Objective
The ionosphere, a layer of plasma in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, has traditionally been modelled by the International Standards Organization (ISO)-recognized International Reference Ionosphere (IRI); however, this model is made up of several sub-models, many of which have not been updated since the 50s and 70s. Since the creation of those models, our understanding of the ionosphere has evolved considerably, more diverse observations have become available, and many of the drivers, upon which these models rely, are no longer available, forcing the use of stopgap drivers whose temporary application has become more than just temporary. Here we propose to redevelop the IRI using novel empirical methods that can make use of nonlinear and indirect measurements that could not be incorporated in the IRI’s present form. We will, furthermore, include a parameterization of the climate change impacts on the ionosphere, which are now expected to have considerable impacts on the future structure of the ionosphere, and will avoid the explicit dependence of the model on driving indices that are no longer being updated. Using this model, we will here also assess the impacts of lower atmospheric forcing and climate change on the ionosphere on a global scale and characterize the implications of these results for radio and navigation systems that propagate signals through the ionospheric medium.
As a member of the IRI Working Group, the PI is well positioned to ensure that the model developed here will have a clear pathway to impact. To further ensure take-up of the model, an advisory committee, made up of leading members of the IRI Working Group, ionospheric lower atmospheric coupling, and ionospheric instrument experts, has been assembled and has agreed to support the project. Furthermore, the developed model will be made Open Source and accessible in multiple coding languages.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom
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