Investigating the Annual Cross-Correlation between HPF, OWF and BUF Ionospheric Parameters over Middle East Region

In this work various correlation methods were employed to investigate the annual cross-correlation patterns among three different ionospheric parameters: Optimum Working Frequency (OWF), Highest Probable Frequency (HPF), and Best Usable Frequency (BUF). The annual predicted dataset for these parameters were generated using VOCAP and ASASPS models based on the monthly Sunspot Numbers (SSN) during two years of solar cycle 24, minimum 2009 and maximum 2014. The investigation was conducted for Thirty-two different transmitter/receiver stations distributed over Middle East. The locations were selected based on the geodesic parameters which were calculated for different path lengths (500, 1000, 1500, and 2000) km and bearings (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) using a Matlab program that was designed and implemented for this purpose. Depending on the investigation results of the cross-correlation, a third order polynomial equation provides a better representation of the correlation between the tested parameters. Also, the annual values of the HPF, OWF, and BUF parameters were predicted using the proposed mathematical correlation equations. These equations were confirmed by comparing their results with the observed datasets for the studied years. Several statistical methods were used to validate the presented data, all of which gave good results for all tested cases. Also, contour plot diagrams were used to visually illustrate the annual average distribution pattern of the tested ionospheric parameters for all geodetic factors for the minimum and maximum years of Solar Cycle 24.