The role of meridional circulation in generating the 22-year solar cycle

The role of meridional circulation in generating the 22year cycle of solar magnetic fields and sunspots has been analysed. The proposed model is based on the study of cyclic evolution of local and large-scale fields: direction and duration of their heliolatitude drift, and phase ratio of their maximum intensities. It is shown that the drift from the equator to the poles occurs for 16-17 years, as well as the backward drift from the poles to the equator at the base of the convection zone. Thus, the total cycle of the meridional circulation of solar magnetic fields is 32-34 years.