Occurrence of GPS Loss of Lock Based on a Swarm Half-Solar Cycle Dataset and Its Relation to the Background Ionosphere

This paper discusses the occurrence of Global Positioning System (GPS) loss lock events obtained by considering total electron content (TEC) measurements carried out three satellites European Space Agency Swarm constellation from December 2013 to 2020, which represents longest dataset ever used perform such an analysis. After describing approach classify a GPS lock, corresponding is analyzed as function latitude, local time, season, and solar activity identify well-defined patterns. Moreover, strict relation with defined values both rate change density index (RODI) TEC (ROTI) highlighted. The scope this study is, on one hand, characterize background conditions ionosphere for and, other pave way their possible future modeling. results shown, especially fact that tend happen RODI ROTI, are utmost importance in light Weather effects mitigation.