Mountain-based GPS occultation observations and its inversion theory

Mountain-based GPS radio occultation observations were conducted at Yaogu mountain top and Jiugong mountain top in Hubei province respectively. Occultation events data were successfully obtained. Analysis and statistics of the occultation events have been completed. Principle and methods estimating bending angles of the radio rays and atmospheric refractivity profiles with the mountain-based radio occultation data are given. The simulation data of mountain-based occultation events are used for testing the inversion method. Testing results show the inversion method is efficient. The atmospheric refractivity profiles below the height of the GPS receiver are obtained with this inversion technique, as well as the bending angle of rays. Results suggest that the mountain-based radio occultation technique is a potential new technique monitoring the lower atmospheric environments.