Analysis and Characterization of an Unclassified RFI Affecting Ionospheric Amplitude Scintillation Index over the Mediterranean Area

Radio Frequency (RF) signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are exploited as of opportunity in many scientific activities, ranging from sensing waterways and humidity the terrain to monitoring ionosphere. The latter can be pursued processing GNSS through dedicated ground-based equipment, such Ionospheric Scintillation Total Electron Content Monitoring (GISTM) receivers. Nonetheless, susceptible intentional or unintentional RF interferences (RFIs), which may alter calculation scintillation indices, thus compromising quality data reliability derived space weather products. Upon observation anomalous indices computed a GISTM receiver Mediterranean area, study presents results analysis characterization deliberate, unclassified interferer acting on L1/E1 signal bands, observed captured an experimental, software defined radio setup. paper also highlights adverse impacts amplitude employed investigations, methodology discriminate among regular corrupted data. To support further dataset baseband samples affected RFI is available at IEEE DataPort.