Correlation Distance of Mean Daytime Electron Content

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Abstract
In the total electron content (TEC) monitoring station network, an important parameter is the required number of stations for a given percentage improvement over the use of monthly median predicted values. Using data from nine TEC stations, taken a pair at a time, values are computed for the correlation coefficient for the 10 to 16 hour local time period when the diurnal values of TEC are generally highest. Little consistent seasonal differences were found in the correlation coefficient values. Thus simple linear relations between station separation and correlation coefficient were chosen for stations having approximate north-south and east-west spacings. For a 50 percent improvement in TEC prediction over a monthly median value, TEC monitoring stations must be spaced approximately 2400 km in longitude and 1600 km in latitude. These values agree reasonably well with previous studies of the correlation distance of the ionospheric parameter foF2.

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