Accurate knowledge of the electron density structure of the Earth's upper atmosphere is crucial to forecasting the performance of transionospheric radio signals. For this research, we focus on storm-time structuring in the mid- to high latitude ionosphere where large gradients in electron density can cause severe degradation of communication and navigation signals. We begin in Chapter 2 with a review of the primary data sets and methods used to accomplish the collaborative, multi-instrument studies described in this dissertation. In Chapter 3, we compare observational techniques for tracking polar cap patches during a moderate geomagnetic storm interval. For the first time, we monitor the transportation of patches with high spatial and temporal resolution across the polar cap for 1--2~h using a combination of GPS TEC, all-sky airglow imagers (ASIs), and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) HF radar backscatter. Simultaneous measurements from these data sets allow for continuous tracking of patch location, horizontal extent, and velocity even under adverse observational conditions for one or more of the techniques. A focus is placed on the structuring of patches, particularly on the nightside ionosphere as they become wider in the dawn-dusk direction and develop narrow finger-like structures. In Chapter 4, we perform a superposed epoch analysis to characterize the average response of GPS TEC in the North American sector during more than 100 geomagnetic storms over a 13-year interval. For the first time a rigorous approach is used to fully separate storm-time, local time, longitudinal, and seasonal effects at midlatitudes where dense ground receiver coverage is available. The rapid onset of a positive phase is observed across much of the dayside and evening ionosphere followed by a longer-lasting negative phase across all latitudes and local times. Our results show clear seasonal variations in the storm-time TEC, such that summer events tend to be dominated by the negative storm response while winter events exhibit a stronger initial positive phase with minimal negative storm effects. A prominent magnetic declination effect is identified and examined in terms of thermospheric zonal winds pushing plasma upward/downward along magnetic field lines of opposite declination. Finally in Chapter 5 we summarize several co-authored studies which examined various storm-time phenomena utilizing GPS TEC mapping tools developed for this dissertation research, with topics including subauroral polarization stream (SAPS), storm enhanced density (SED), tongue of ionization (TOI), and polar cap patches. / Ph. D.

Ce travail a pour objet d’étudier les variations régulières de l’ionosphère aux moyennes et basses latitudes ainsi que l’impact de différents événements solaires sur l’ionisation. Pour quantifier ces variations, nous utiliserons les réseaux GPS qui permettent de mesurer le Contenu Total Electronique (TEC).Ce travail s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet ISWI. L’étude comprendra une analyse morphologique sur les variations régulières de l’ionisation en période de soleil calme (variation diurne, saisonnière et en fonction du cycle solaire) par le traitement de stations GPS en Europe et en Afrique sur la période analysée (2000 à 2014);les variations perturbées de l’ionosphère associées à des événements solaires retenus selon une grille de critères; L’analyse de l’indice ROTI afin d’étudier les scintillations ionosphériques génératrices d’une dégradation du positionnement aux basses latitudes et en particulier en Afrique.L’étude se poursuivra par la comparaison avec les modèles existants afin d’identifier leurs performances:le modèle NeQuick2, logiciel de modélisation du profil vertical médian l’ionosphère,Le modèle IONEX/CODG qui est une cartographie journalière du TEC en des positions spatiales et temporelles particulières et issu du post-traitement des mesures GPS sur une couverture mondiale.Le troisième volet de cette étude sera de donner des perspectives pour une éventuelle prévision de l’impact d'événements solaires particuliers sur l’ionosphère, par exemple la modélisation des gradients en période magnétiquement perturbée et la prévision de la présence du phénomène de scintillation ionosphérique sur certains trajets satellite-sol. / This work aims to study the regular variations of the ionosphere at middle and low latitudes and the impact of various events on solar ionization. To quantify these changes, we will use GPS networks to measure the Total Electronic Content (TEC) .This work is part of the project ISWI. The study will include a morphological analysis on regular variations in the ionization time of the Quiet Sun (diurnal variation, seasonal and based on the solar cycle) for the treatment of GPS stations in Europe and Africa over the period analyzed (2000 to 2014); variations disturbed ionosphere associated with solar events selected according to a set of criteria; Analysis of the ROTI index to study the ionospheric scintillation generating degradation positioning at low latitudes and especially Africa.The study will continue with the comparison with existing models in order to identify their performance: the NeQuick2 model modeling software profile of the median vertical ,the ionospheric model IONEX / CODG which is a daily mapping TEC in specific spatial and temporal positions and from the post-processing of GPS measurements on a third coverage mondiale.The component of this study will give prospects for a possible anticipation of the impact of specific solar events on the ionosphere, such modeling gradients in magnetically disturbed period and prediction of the presence of ionospheric scintillation event on some ground-satellite paths.