Comparison of ionospheric profile parameters with IRI-2012 model over Jicamarca

We used the hourly ionogram data obtained from Jicamarca station (12° S, 76.9° W, dip latitude: 1.0° N) an equatorial region to study the variation of the electron density profile parameters: maximum height of F2-layer ( hm F2), bottomside thickness ( B0 ) and shape ( B1 ) parameter of F-layer. The period of study is for the year 2010 (solar minimum period).The diurnal monthly averages of these parameters are compared with the updated IRI-2012 model. The results show that hm F2 is highest during the daytime than nighttime. The variation in hmF2 was observed to modulate the thickness of the bottomside F2-layer. The observed hm F2 and B0 post-sunset peak is as result of the upward drift velocity of ionospheric plasma. We found a close agreement between IRI-CCIR hm F2 model and observed hm F2 during 0000-0700 LT while outside this period the model predictions deviate significantly with the observational values. Significant discrepancies are observed between the IRI model options for B0 and the observed B0 values. Specifically, the modeled values do not show B0 post-sunset peak. A fairly good agreement was observed between the observed B1 and IRI model options (ABT-2009 and Bill 2000) for B1 . (paper)