Simulation of Medium Wave Propagation in the Magnetosphere

A model of the medium of the ionosphere and magnetosphere, including the distributions of the concentrations and temperatures, collision frequencies, and magnetic field parameters, is described. The ray-tracing method was used to simulate the parameters of medium radio waves in this environment. The wave trajectories were calculated in the approximation of geometric optics. When the level of solar and geomagnetic activity and the location of the transmitter and the frequency are set, the parameters of the wave paths can be calculated. Numerical modeling of the characteristics of experimental echo signals has shown that the mechanism of magnetospheric propagation is of paramount importance. In this case, the main ionospheric trough turned out to be an unusual channel. Medium waves propagate inside the trough along the plasmapause. This is possible with sufficiently clear relationships between the positions of the trough, plasmapause, and transmitter. The considered effect of medium wave channeling can be used to diagnose the position of the trough and plasmapause.