Neural-network-based prediction techniques for single station modeling and regional mapping of the <I>fo</I>F2 and M(3000)F2 ionospheric characteristics

International audienceIn this work, Neural-Network-based single-station hourly daily foF2 and M(3000)F2 modelling of 15 European ionospheric stations is investigated. The data used are neural networks and hourly daily values from the period 1964- 1988 for training the neural networks and from the period 1989-1994 for checking the prediction accuracy. Two types of models are presented for the F2-layer critical frequency prediction and two for the propagation factor M(3000)F2. The first foF2 model employs the E-layer local noon calculated daily critical frequency (foE12) and the local noon F2- layer critical frequency of the previous day. The second foF2 model, which introduces a new regional mapping technique, employs the Juliusruh neural network model and uses the E-layer local noon calculated daily critical frequency (foE12), and the previous day F2-layer critical frequency measured at Juliusruh at noon. The first M(3000)F2 model employs the E-layer local noon calculated daily critical frequency (foE12), its ± 3 h deviations and the local noon cosine of the solar zenith angle (cos c12). The second model, which introduces a new M(3000)F2 mapping technique, employs Juliusruh neural network model and uses the E-layer local noon calculated daily critical frequency (foE12), and the previous day F2-layer critical frequency measured at Juliusruh at noon