Abstract: A device and a method determine a sample point specific vertical total electronic content which is the electron content along a sample point specific vertical path that extends through the center of the earth and the sample point. A first inclined total electronic content is determined and refers to the electron content along an inclined beam path. A first and a further sample point along the beam path are selected. An initial sample point specific vertical total electronic content is determined for each sample point. An increment electron content is determined and refers to the electron content of the increment associated with the sample point. A further inclined total electronic content is determined. A sample point specific conversion function is determined. The sample point specific vertical total electronic content is determined from the first inclined total electronic content and the sample point specific conversion function.

Abstract: A device and a method determine a sample point specific vertical total electronic content which is the electron content along a sample point specific vertical path that extends through the center of the earth and the sample point. A first inclined total electronic content is determined and refers to the electron content along an inclined beam path. A first and a further sample point along the beam path are selected. An initial sample point specific vertical total electronic content is determined for each sample point. An increment electron content is determined and refers to the electron content of the increment associated with the sample point. A further inclined total electronic content is determined. A sample point specific conversion function is determined. The sample point specific vertical total electronic content is determined from the first inclined total electronic content and the sample point specific conversion function.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a state of a planetary atmosphere or of a part of the atmosphere, especially of the ionosphere of the earth includes determining values of an ionization state, especially of an electron density and/or of an electron content, in the atmosphere or in the part of the atmosphere as a function of a location variable and as a function of a time variable and determining at least one characteristic quantity for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere. The characteristic quantity is determined on the basis of the values of the ionization state found for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a state of a planetary atmosphere or of a part of the atmosphere, especially of the ionosphere of the earth includes determining values of an ionization state, especially of an electron density and/or of an electron content, in the atmosphere or in the part of the atmosphere as a function of a location variable and as a function of a time variable and determining at least one characteristic quantity for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere. The characteristic quantity is determined on the basis of the values of the ionization state found for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere.