Evaluation of NeQuick2 Model over Mid-Latitudes of Northern Hemisphere

Abstract

NeQuick2 is a three-dimensional ionospheric electron density empirical model that uses numerical integration to calculate the total electron content along any line-of-sight (LOS). As one of the most commonly used three-dimensional ionospheric models, it is necessary to objectively evaluate the accuracy and stability of NeQuick2 over a long period, especially over the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere where most of the ground-based GNSS stations are distributed. Therefore, different methods are used in this study to evaluate the accuracy of the NeQuick2 model from 2008 to 2021, including comparison with the International Global Navigation Satellite System Global Ionosphere Maps (IGSG), Jason2 Vertical Electron content (VTEC), and self-consistent evaluation. The comparison with IGSG shows that the standard deviation (STD) value is about 2.59 TECU. The accuracy of the IGSG and NeQuick2 model over ocean regions shows that the bias of IGSG is more significant than that of the NeQuick2 model. The mean STD value is 2.09 TECU for IGSG, and the corresponding value is 3.18 TECU for the NeQuick2 model, which is about 50% worse than IGSG. The dSTEC assessment results indicate that the variation in bias for IGSG is more stable than that of the NeQuick2 model. The mean STD value is 0.86 and 1.52 TECU for IGSG and NeQuick2 model, respectively. The conclusion could be made that NeQuick2 model represents the average ionosphere electron content and its accuracy fluctuates with solar conditions. Compared with the IGSG, the NeQuick2 model always underestimates TEC value, especially in low solar activity periods and compared with Jason2, the TEC values obtained by NeQuick2 model are overestimated, but the degree of overestimation is smaller than that of IGSG.