The measurement of the ionospheric total content variations caused by a powerful radio emission of “Sura” facility on a network of GNSS-receivers

Observations of the perturbations of total electron content (TEC) caused by a powerful radio emission of “Sura” facility (Radio Physical Research Institute, N. Novgorod) were carried out during several experimental campaigns from March of 2010 to March 2013. In this paper the data of experimental measurements of TEC-variations conducted on March, 15, 2010 and on March, 12, 2013, are presented. Parameters of TEC-variations were obtained by dual-frequency global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) diagnostics. Registration of signal parameters from GNSS-transmitters was performed at spatially separated sites along the geomagnetic latitude: Vasilsursk (56°08′N, 46°05′ E), Zelenodolsk (55°52′N, 48°33′E) and Kazan (55°48′N, 49°08′E). In the experiments radio path from GNSS satellite to Vasilsursk passed over the disturbed region of ionosphere, but radio paths to Zelenodolsk and to Kazan did not. However, TEC-variations correlated with pumping of ionosphere by “Sura” facility were detected for all up to three ground measurements sites. Magnitudes of TEC-variations reached up to ∼0.6-0.7 TECU. The speculation that a sharp gradient of the electron density formed at the border of the main lobe of “Sura” facility may cause the generation of IGW is presented.