An experimental and theoretical study of the D-region. I. Mid-latitude D-region electron density profiles from the radio wave interaction experiment

In Part I a summary of quiet D-region electron density measurements made by tlie wave interaction technique at The Pennsylvania State University for the period October 1969 through January 1971 is presented. The results include the mean features of noontime electron density profiles as well as the diurnal and seasonal variations. Detailed discussion on the methods of data analysis, including a critical evaluation of errors, is also presented. The results presented in the part form a partial basis for developing the semi-empirical D-region model presented in Part II