Speaker
Description
Geomagnetic storms, as a part of space weather phenomena, are known to degrade the performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which are increasingly relied upon in aviation operations. This study investigates whether such disturbances correlate with deviations in GNSS-derived aircraft positions, as broadcast in ADS-B surface messages and passively collected via a ground receiver network for Prague Airport (LKPR), with a focus on major geomagnetic storms during solar cycle 25—especially in May 2024.
Our approach combines a statistical analysis of ADS-B data collected from a multi-receiver ground network with detailed examination of selected aircraft trajectories on taxiways at Prague Airport. Surface-position ADS-B messages were selected due to their suitability for comparison with geodetically surveyed taxiway axes, allowing accurate quantification of GNSS position deviations. The study includes only aircraft confirmed to operate without SBAS corrections. Reference conditions were established using data from geomagnetically quiet periods, and where applicable, deviations were also compared across different phases of the solar cycle, including quiet periods, for the same aircraft.
Several space weather indicators – SYM/ASYM indices, AATR, and TEC, were evaluated using composite metrics. The results show a consistent pattern of increased GNSS positional deviations during disturbed periods, with the magnitude of observed deviations varying according to the specific indicator. These findings confirm the measurable influence of geomagnetic conditions on GNSS positioning integrity.
The findings support the feasibility of leveraging large-scale ADS-B surveillance data for both statistical correlation and targeted detection of GNSS performance degradation due to space weather effects. This approach provides a scalable, infrastructure-independent means for passive monitoring of space weather impacts on GNSS-based navigation integrity and operational awareness in aviation.
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