Two‐Way Assessment of Ionospheric Maps Performance Over the Brazilian Region: Global Versus Regional Products

Abstract Vertical total electron content (VTEC) has great importance in describing the ionosphere. VTEC values are commonly distributed regular grids by means of so‐called global ionospheric maps (GIMs) and regional (RIMs). Although considerable research been conducted to develop models, there is no clear understanding benefits using RIMs over GIMs. Aiming contribute this discussion, our investigation presents a comparison between seven considering two approaches: (a) ionosonde data‐based assessment (b) navigation satellite systems (GNSS) positioning assessment. A challenging low latitude ionosphere scenario, Brazilian region, was selected during week with an active geomagnetic storm. The results data have shown better performance RIM products named OTHR OTRG. Among products, CODG UQRG best performances. worst were obtained Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais. GNSS led larger noisier errors close equatorial anomaly. Two analyzed presented expected large stations at edges coverage area. To overcome issue, hybrid product proposed extend covered region. (OTRG) domain.