Heejun Kim

Plasma blob events observed by KOMPSAT-1 and DMSP F15 in the low latitude nighttime upper ionosphere

[1] In this paper we report plasma blob events (plasma density enhancements) that were observed from KOMPSAT-1 (685-km altitude, 2250 LT) and from DMSP F15 (840-km altitude, 2130 LT) in the low-latitude F region. The blobs were observed mostly along the ±15° magnetic latitudes. Their global distribution showed a seasonal-longitudinal dependence similar to the distribution of the equatorial plasma bubbles. The blobs drifted upward relative to the ambient plasma, and the electron temperatures and H + proportions were lower within the blobs compared to those in the background. The characteristics of the plasma blobs were similar to those of the equatorial plasma bubbles. Therefore, it is suggested that the blobs originated from the lower altitudes by a mechanism that drives an upward drift of the plasma bubbles. The blob events did not occur in a correlated way with the magnetic activity or daily variation of solar activity.

DESIGN OF COMPACT PARTICLE DETECTOR SYSTEM USING FPGA FOR SPACE PARTICLE ENVIRONMENT MEASUREMENT

We have designed a high resolution proton and electron telescope for the detection of high energy particles, which constitute a major part of the space environment. The flux of the particles, in the satellite orbits, can vary abruptly according to the position and solar activities. In this study, a conceptual design of the detector, for adapting these variations with a high energy resolution, was made and the performance was estimated. In addition, a parallel processing algorithm was devised and embodied using FPGA for the high speed data processing, capable of detecting high flux without losing energy resolution, on board a satellite.