Due to the occlusion of the moon, an annular solar eclipse will have an effect on the ionosphere above the earth. The change of the ionosphere, for the low-frequency time-code signal that relies on it as a reflection medium for long-distance propagation, the signal field strength, and other parameters will also produce corresponding changes, which will affect the normal operation of the low-frequency time-code time service system. This paper selects the solar eclipse that occurred in China on 21 June 2020, and uses the existing measurement equipment to carry out experimental research on the low-frequency time-code signal. We measured and analyzed the signal field strength from 20 June 2020 to 23 June 2020, and combined solar activity data, ionospheric data, and geomagnetic data, and attempted to explore the reasons and rules of the change of signal parameters. The results showed that the field strength of the low-frequency time-code signal changed dramatically within a short time period, the max growth value can reach up to 17 dBμV/m and the variation trend yielded ‘three mutations’. This change in signal field strength is probably due to the occurrence of a solar eclipse that has an effect on the ionosphere. When the signal propagation conditions change, the signal strength will also change accordingly.

Low-Frequency Time Code time service technology, as an important means of ground-based radio time dissemination, can be divided into ground wave zone and sky wave zone according to different receiving and transmitting distances. Ground waves travel primarily along the Earth’s surface, while sky waves propagate over long distances by reflecting off the ionosphere. This paper utilizes the raw observation data received by the Low-Frequency Time Code dissemination monitoring stations before and after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Luding, Sichuan, China on 5 September 2022. A Low-Frequency Time Code time service monitoring system was built in Xi’an to continuously monitor the 68.5 kHz time signal broadcast by the BPC station. The data was then processed and analyzed through visualization. Simultaneously, we analyzed the signal fluctuation for multiple days before and after the earthquake to see the changes in the Low-Frequency Time Code signal during the earthquake. By combining seismic activity, solar activity, and geomagnetic data, this study aims to explore the causes and patterns of signal parameter variations. The results show that the field strength of the Low-Frequency Time Code signal fluctuated significantly within a short period during the earthquake. The value began to decrease about 60 min before the earthquake, dropping by approximately 8.9 dBμV/m, and gradually recovered 2 h after the earthquake. The phase also mutated by 1.36 μs at the time of the earthquake, and the time deviation fluctuated greatly compared to the 2 days before and after. Earthquake occurrences influence ionospheric variations, leading to changes in the sky wave propagation of Low-Frequency Time Code signals. Analysis of the influence of earthquakes on the propagation of Low-Frequency Time Code signals can provide references for research on Low-Frequency Time Code signal propagation models and earthquake prediction.

This work investigates the impact of C-class solar flare events (XRA) on ionospheric and low-frequency signal propagation by analyzing the maximum correlation lag time, correlation, and Granger causality between low-frequency time-code signal strength and XRA. The results show that within the lag interval of (−5, 5) minutes, XRA exhibits the highest correlation and causality with signal strength, supporting the theory of a rapid ionospheric response and early warning to XRA. The correlation coefficient increases significantly with flare intensity, indicating that XRA has both linear and nonlinear dual effects on the disturbance of low-frequency signal propagation paths. Granger causality tests further confirm that XRA events have an immediate and sustained direct impact on signal strength. These findings provide a basis for understanding the disturbance mechanism of solar activity on the Earth’s ionosphere and support the use of low-frequency signals in space weather forecasting.

A geomagnetic storm is a typical solar eruption activity. When high-speed solar wind or coronal mass ejections generated by solar eruptions impact the Earth, it can cause severe disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field within a short period of time, leading to changes in the ionosphere. For low-frequency time-code signals that rely on the ionosphere as a reflecting medium for long-distance propagation, the signal field strength and time deviation will also undergo corresponding changes, which will affect the normal propagation and reception of signal in space. This paper selects the geomagnetic storm phenomenon that occurred from November 10 to 15, 2025, and utilizes a low-frequency time-code signal monitoring system to conduct experimental research on the impact of geomagnetic storms on low-frequency time-code signals. The test group measured and analyzed the signal field strength data and time deviation data during this period, while combining parameters such as solar activity data and geomagnetic data, in an attempt to explore the causes and patterns of signal changes. The results indicate that a geomagnetic fluctuation occurred on November 12, resulting in a decrease in signal field strength over 2.3dBμV/m, time deviation data showed significant fluctuations, increasing by over 2.4ms, exhibiting a highly discrete state. The reason is that when a local geomagnetic storm occurs, the ionization level in the ionosphere increases. When low-frequency time code signals pass through the D layer, the equivalent emission height of the low ionosphere gradually decreases, resulting in signal attenuation and phase delay, which in turn leads to an increase in time deviation.

The lake water environment is a common and complex scenario for the application of radio time synchronization. When the timing signal enters lake water, signal strength attenuation and phase shift occur, which greatly affect time service performance. By comparing the differences in signal field strength and time difference at the same distance from the transmitting station along two different direction paths – one through soil and the other through lake water – the influence of the freshwater lake transmission medium on the propagation of BPC timing signals within the ground wave range was analyzed. This paper uses the BPC timing signal as an example to describe the propagation mode and attenuation characteristics of the signal when it enters the lake water environment, and establishes a BPC field strength and time difference measurement system to analyze possible field strength and time difference variation laws of the BPC timing signal at different propagation distances in lake water. Studies show that at a distance of 25 km from the transmitting station, when the signal passes through lake water, the field strength attenuation is approximately 0.24 dBμV/m and the time difference increases by approximately 8.04 μs. At a distance of 138 km from the transmitting station, when the signal passes through lake water, the field strength attenuation is approximately 0.6 dBμV/m and the time difference increases by approximately 14.1 μs.