Development of a Scintillation Monitoring System in Peru: Preliminary Results

This study presents the preliminary results and initial evaluation of a low-cost, ground-based ionospheric scintillation monitoring system utilized in Peru. The receiver is engineered to detect disturbances in satellite signals caused by ionospheric irregularities, with the aim of enhancing the spatial resolution of scintillation measurements. The pilot system has been tested in the northern and central regions of the country to measure rapid fluctuations in the amplitude of GNSS signals. Preliminary results indicate that the system is capable of detecting distinct scintillation events, which have been correlated with data from commercial high-precision, albeit more expensive, GNSS receivers. In addition, the measurements were compared with observations from the LISN instruments and the Jicamarca Radio Observatory radar. These promising preliminary results highlight the potential of the system to enhance the monitoring of ionospheric disturbances and contribute to the improvement of satellite-based navigation and communications in low-latitude regions.