Solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field parameters at the Earth's orbit during three solar cycles

Time series of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field parameters, as well as solar and geomagnetic indexes were compared during different phases of the 20, 21 and 22-d solar cycles. General trends and solar cycle variations are evaluated and compared with published results. Points of correspondence and differences are noticed. New features in the density and the temperature are found. Possible interpretations are suggested using the concepts of the magnetically open, closed and intermittent types of the solar wind sources. We conclude that the observed variations at the Earth's orbit are related to the space-time evolution of the mentioned sources on the Sun and their different proportions during different solar cycle phases. Magnetic fields of the Sun and the heliospheric current sheet play the mediating role.