Simulated GPS radio occultation signals from sporadic-E layers

A multiple phase screen model is used to simulate GPS radio occultation signals through varying sporadic-E layers.  The length, vertical extent, and plasma frequency of the sporadic-E layers are varied to analyze the effect on the signal received by a low earth orbiting satellite.  A nonlinear relationship between the maximum variance in the signal amplitude and the plasma frequency is observed.  For certain frequency ranges, the predictions match previous studies that have used the S₄ scintillation index to predict fbEs values. Additionally, the spectra of the signals are analyzed as a function of the different parameters providing an alternative approach for extracting sporadic-E parameters from GPS radio occultation measurements.