Breaking cost barriers: a low-cost multifrequency GNSS system for real-time ionospheric scintillation and TEC monitoring

Ionospheric scintillation causes rapid fluctuations in the strength and phase of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, severely impacting navigation and communication performance. Due to the high cost of commercial ionospheric scintillation monitoring systems, our research team designed and implemented a low-cost, multifrequency GNSS ionospheric scintillation and total electron content (TEC) monitoring system. Continuous comparative observations were conducted simultaneously with a GNSS scintillation monitor developed by Wuhan University at the same location. The results showed comparable performance between the two monitoring systems, demonstrating the accuracy and reliability of the low-cost monitoring system. The system's hardware cost is less than 1,500 RMB, significantly lower than the approximately 40,000 RMB cost of commercial monitoring systems, providing an economical and practical solution for small projects and research teams with limited resources. Its affordable price and stable performance facilitate the construction of a high-density regional monitoring network, thereby enhancing the research capabilities of ionospheric scintillation and possessing significant application and economic value.