Development and implementation of a passive VHF radar system using software defined radio techniques to study equatorial plasma instabilities near the Peruvian Andes

In this dissertation, a new passive radar system named Coherent Atmospheric Passive Radar Imager (CAPRI) is presented. Hardware and software components of CAPRI, which utilizes software defined radio tools, is described and the importance of this instrument is emphasized. The very exible and open source environment of CAPRI enables easy modifications for future developments and changes. Additionally, these possible modifications and improvements of CAPRI are discussed in detail. The deployment of this instrument was realized in the Peruvian Andes. Orientation of the magnetic field lines in the equatorial region is parallel to the ground. Thus, it is fairly easy to make field aligned irregularity (FAI) observations. A location study for this deployment including the possible "transmitters of opportunity" is provided and accordingly bistatic aspect angle maps are given. The first passive radar observations of the ionospheric irregularities in the Peruvian Andes is shown and the results of the study are discussed. Furthermore, they are compared with the results obtained from other available instruments located in that region. Finally, possible directions for the future developments of CAPRI are given.