Table 1 EISCAT_3D resolution and range extent requirements for the different science topics. A phased array system with fast pointing, multiple beams and calibrated signal is assumed

Mesoscale electrodynamics and flows (including BBFs)

N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i

10

20 in the F region

2

85–400

Small-scale (auroral) dynamics

N _e

1

1

0.5

70–500

T _e, T _i, V _i

– “–

– “–

– “–

85–400

Fine-scale auroral structures

N _e, T _e, T _i

0.1

0.1

0.2

70–200

V _i

0.1

0.1

5

120–400

Ion outflow (natural and heater-induced)

N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i, ion comp.

10

10

20

200–1500

NEIALs (aperture synthesis imaging)

Raw data

0.03

0.05 at 300 km

1

100–1500

Ionospheric irregularities

N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i

1

1

1

90–800

Topside composition (O⁺, He⁺, H⁺)

mi (and N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i)

10

N/A

N/A

300–1500

Transition region composition (NO⁺/O₂ ⁺ vs. O⁺)

mi (and N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i)

10

N/A

10 km

100–300

High-energy particle events (SEPs, etc.)

N _e

1

10

1

50–400

T _e, T _i, V _i

– “–

– “–

– “–

100–400

Atmosphere-ionosphere coupling (AGW, winds)

N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i, V _n

<1 min

1

0.1 or better

As low as possible—120 km

Mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) small-scale dynamics

Vector neutral wind, N _e

<1 min

1

0.1 or better

As low as possible—110 km

D region phenomena

N _e, T _e (=T _i) V _i (=V _n)

1

1

0.3

70–90

PMSE, PMWE

Raw data, Doppler velocity, spectral width

<1 min

1

0.1 or better

55–95

Meteoroids and their effects on the background (Es, PMSE etc.), high-power mode

Raw data, polarisation matrix, and N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i

1 ms

0.01

0.01

(30) 70–200 (1000)

Planets and asteroids

Raw data, power, polarisation matrix

10-MHz sampling

15 m

Interplanetary scintillation

Raw data

0.01

N/A

N/A

N/A

Heating experiments

N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i

1

1

1

100–2000

Heating experiments, aperture synthesis imaging

Spectra (raw data)

IPP (~2 ms)

0.01–0.05

0.1

100–300

Space debris monitoring and satellite tracking

Raw data, power, Doppler velocity

10-MHz sampling

15 m

Meteoroid monitoring (piggyback and low-power mode)

Raw data, polarisation matrix, and N _e, T _e, T _i, V _i

IPP ~100 ms for low-power mode

0.01

Down to 10 m

(30) 70–200 (1000)