Comparison between SUPIM simulations and measured TEC for the January, 1997 storm

A method of extrapolating electron densities (N-e) from Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) data to high altitudes is presented, and is used to estimate th e vertical Total Electron Content (TEC) over Arecibo, Although primarily in tended for use on the N-e profiles obtained using the new topside frequency hopping mode at Arecibo which provides measurements to over 2000 km altitu de, we show that if the O+-H+ transition altitude is low enough to be obser ved, then the method may also be applied to the data taken using the standa rd World Day multi-radar mode, and thus to a great fraction of the World Da y data from low solar flux conditions. This method is applied to Arecibo IS R data taken during the January 6-11 1997 CEDAR storm period, and compared with measured TEC from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite networ k. In addition, the TEC is compared to TEC calculated from the Sheffield Un iversity Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model (SUPIM) as part of an ongoing projec t of model validation.