Ionosphere hybrid modeling method for short-wave ray tracing

Based on the international reference ionosphere (IRI) and the quasi-parabolic segments (QPS) model, a new ionosphere hybrid modeling method for short-wave ray tracing was proposed. The group ranges which show the short-wave propagation trace in the ionosphere were obtained separately by simulation in the hybrid model and the IRI model. By comparing the simulated results and the ionospheric oblique incidence sounding experimental data, the hybrid modeling method accuracy at mid-latitude region in China was analyzed. It indicates the ray tracing simulation accuracy in the hybrid model on experimental day better than the one in the IRI model. The limit to the QPS model's input is reduced by the hybrid modeling method and the QPS model's application range is extended in ray tracing technology.