NET vs. IRI ionospheric models

The NET and IRI models are both used to study the ionosphere, a region in the atmosphere that aids radio signals in travel. The NET uses a neural network to predict electron density in the upper ionosphere with high accuracy, especially in certain areas and seasons. The IRI model, a standard model, uses measurements from around the world but is less precise in some places. The NET model, which uses 19 years of GNSS data, outperforms the IRI model, especially above the F2-region peak. It excels in dynamic conditions, offering near-zero bias across seasons and solar activities. In contrast, the IRI model provides a broader but less detailed picture.

Acronyms:

1. GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System
2. IRI: International Reference Ionosphere.
3. NET: Network model of Electron density in the Topside ionosphere.

References:

1. Ionosphere Committee Charter GNSS 11 Mar 2025 ^{The IGS Ionosphere Working Group}
2. Mapping the ionosphere with millions of phones Article: 13 November 2024 ^{Brian P. Williams et al}
3. NET—A Neural network model of Electron density in Earth’s Topside ionosphere Article: August 2023
   Poster: April 2023 ^{Artem Smirnov et al}
4. NET—A more precise model of the Earth's ionosphere (April 2023) ^{Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres}
5. A novel neural network model of Earth’s topside ionosphere (January 2023) ^{Artem Smirnov et al}
6. The International Reference Ionosphere Model: A Review and Description of an Ionospheric Benchmark (Oct 2022) ^v
7. The IRI Model: A Review and Description of an Ionospheric Benchmark (28 September 2022) ^{Dieter Bilitza et al}
8. A Comparison between IRI and IRI Real-Time Assimilatie Mapping (IRTAM) Models (August 2021) ^{Alessio Pignalberi}
9. Assessment and Validation of Three Ionospheric Models (IRI-2016, NeQuick2, and IGS-GIM) From 2002 to 2018 (30 April 2020) ^{Jun Chen et al}
10. The 4-Parameter Ionospheric Channel Model (2019) ^{Ilir F. Progri, Giftet Inc.}
11. NeQuick Ionospheric Model (2017) ^{Roberto, Prieto, Cerdeira}
12. The Global Ionosphere Models 16 Mar 2000 ^{Craig Walker}