A diagnostic analysis of the Kennedy Space Center LDAR network: 1. Data characteristics

Boccippio, Dennis J.; Heckman, S.; Goodman, S. J.

doi:10.1029/2000jd900687

Cited by 49 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…Eq. (7) indicates that network diameter D controls range uncertainties and confirms the empirical results of Boccippio et al (2001) that range uncertainties increase as r 2 . In addition, the geometry of the network is very important in determining the constant of proportionality of the increase in terms of the basic parameters of the network.…”

Section: Range Determinationsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…The linearized error estimates are a good approximation to the actual uncertainties. The validity of the covariance error estimates was checked using a Monte Carlo (Twomey, 1977) simulation by Boccippio et al (2001), which showed that the uncertainties were approximated well by the linearized equations and that normally distributed timing uncertainties provide normally distributed positional uncertainties. Koshak et al (2004) compared the linearized covariance error estimates with Monte Carlo simulations and found that both approaches provided similar horizontal errors, but that the linearization approximation gave slightly larger vertical errors for sources outside the network.…”

Section: Calculation Of Location Accuracy Of Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental study on location accuracy of a 3D VHF lightning-radiation-source locating network

Zhang

Wang

et al. 2015

Sci. China Earth Sci.

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This paper reports the investigation of the location accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) lightning-radiation-source locating system using sounding balloon measurements. By comparing the information from the balloon-borne VHF transmitter flight path and locations using simple geometric models, the location uncertainties of sources both over and outside the network were estimated. For radiation sources inside the network and below an altitude of 7 km, the horizontal uncertainty was 12-48 m and the total mean value was 21 m (rms), and the vertical uncertainty was 20-78 m and the total mean value was 49 m (rms). Outside the network, the location uncertainties increased with distance. The geometric model showed that range and altitude errors increased as a function of the range squared whereas the range errors increased parabolically with distance, and that was confirmed by the covariance calculation results. The standard deviation was used inside the network and covariance was used outside the network. The results indicated that location errors from a simple geometric model exhibited good agreement with standard experimental data. The geometry of the network, set of measurements, and calculation method were verified as suitable. The chi-square values of the least squares goodness of fit algorithm were verified and the timing error (t rms ) of the fitting formula was estimated. The distribution of the chi-square values was less than 5, corresponding to a timing error of 50-66 ns (rms). 3D lightning-radiation-source locating network, location accuracy, standard deviation, geometric model, theoretical error Citation:The channel of lightning discharge can be located spatially and temporally using a 3D lightning locating system (Zhang et al., 2010). The locating system comprises multiple affiliated observational stations measuring the arrival times of lightning radiation sources (bandwidth 267-273 MHz) based on time-of-arrival (TOA) and GPS technology. The accuracy of the locations radiation source depends on the structures and terrain within the observation area and on the numbers and positions of the observational stations (network geometry). However, system measuring errors and random errors in the arrival times of the radiation sources lead to uncertainties between the measured and true values. Therefore, analysis of location uncertainty and network variation can help in the design and optimization of locating networks, correction of location results, and improvements in the method of location.The TOA measurement was developed in the last century. Proctor (1971, 1981) and Proctor et al. (1988) was a pioneer of using TOA to develop a system for locating 3D VHF radiation sources. He used a network of five stations arrayed along two nearly perpendicular baselines and used hyperbolic formulations to obtain estimates of the source locations. The geometric interpretation of the solutions and the

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Section: Range Determinationsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Calculation Of Location Accuracy Of Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study on location accuracy of a 3D VHF lightning-radiation-source locating network

Zhang

Wang

et al. 2015

Sci. China Earth Sci.

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“…We used lightning data from the LDAR network developed at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) [ Lennon , 1975; Poehler and Lennon , 1979; Maier et al , 1995; Britt et al , 1998; Boccippio et al , 2000]. LDAR uses time of arrival measurements to locate in three dimensions the impulsive VHF radiation emitted by lightning at a frequency of 66 MHz and a bandwidth of 6 MHz [ McNamara , 2002].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical distributions of lightning sources and flashes over Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Hansen¹,

Fuelberg²,

Pickering³

2010

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] Warm season vertical distributions of lightning sources and flash segments are presented using data from the lightning detection and ranging network at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. We emphasize the percentage of sources/flash segments at each level compared to the vertical total and present the distributions as a function of storm top above ground level (AGL). The vertical profiles of sources and flash segments are compared with each other and with those from previous studies. Results indicate that storms with tops higher than ∼10 km AGL often have a bimodal or multiple peak distribution of percentage sources and flash segments. However, distributions for storms with tops lower than ∼10 km AGL exhibit only a single dominant peak. Temporal variations in the vertical distributions of flash percentages are examined for four clusters of storms occurring on different days. Results reveal considerable storm-to-storm and intrastorm variability. However, two similarities are observed between the four cases: (1) maximum flash density (flash segments km −3 ) occurs as the maximum storm top is reached and (2) as the storms increase in intensity, both maximum flash density and flash segment percentage increase in altitude, and then both decrease in altitude as the storms decay. The distributions are useful for understanding lightning characteristics as a function of storm evolution, specifying the vertical distribution of lightning-produced nitrogen oxides in chemical transport models and verifying model-simulated lightning.

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“…Recently, technology of lightning detecting has been greatly improved on the precision aspect. Based on the technology of LDAR [4], Scientists at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology developed a VHF lightning radiation sources locating system by time of arrival tech (LMA) with GPS system, which is used to study the 3D evolution process of the lightning VHF radiation sources [5][6][7]. Using the data of this LMA system, Zhang et al [8][9][10][11] made an analysis showing that the charge structure of thunderstorms often presented a normal triple polarity.…”

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confidence: 99%

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

Zhang

Wang

Qie

et al. 2010

Sci. China Earth Sci.

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A time-of-arrival (TOA) system based on GPS technology for locating VHF radiation sources from lightning has been developed and used in observation sites in the northern Shandong Province, China. The 3D images of the lightning progression have been obtained successfully for the first time in China. The 3D-channel evolutions of typical negative CG, positive CG and IC lightning flashes have been discussed together with the data of fast electric field change. It was found that significant differences existed between the negative and positive CG lightning flashes in terms of the initiation and propagation of the radiation sources. The preliminary breakdown of a negative CG lightning flash propagated at a speed about 5.2×10 4 m/s. The stepped leader of negative CG lightning flashes was trigged by negative initial breakdown. Thereafter, it propagated downward at a speed of 1.3×10 5 m/s. The initial process of the positive CG lightning flashes was also a propagation process of negative streamer. These streamers propagated dominantly horizontally in the positive charge region and accumulated positive charges at the origin of the lightning, and as a consequence, initiated downward positive streamers. A new type of lightning discharge that was triggered by a narrow bipolar pulse (NBP) is discussed in this study. The NBP was originated at altitude of about 10.5 km in the upper positive charge region. As a distinct difference from normal IC flash, its channels extended horizontally all around and produced a lot of radiation sources. The source power of the NBP could approach 16.7 kW, which is much greater than that of normal lightning discharge ranging between 100 mW and 500 W. The 3D propagation of this new type of lightning discharge was observed and obtained for the first time in China. The possible initiation mechanism of this new type of lightning is discussed here. time-of-arrival (TOA) technique, three dimensional lightning locating system, discharge process, narrow bipolar pulse, new-type of IC lightning Citation:Zhang G S, Wang Y H, Qie X S, et al. Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes.Realization of three dimensional (3D) location of lightning radiation process provides a new approach to study meticulously the lightning discharge process, as well as the electrical structure of thunderstorms and their electrification mechanism. Lightning discharges are categorized as cloudto-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) flashes. People are more concentrated on the CG flash since CG flash is the cause of most lightning damage, injury, and death. Many meaningful results [1-3] based on the lightning locating technology and

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A diagnostic analysis of the Kennedy Space Center LDAR network: 1. Data characteristics

Cited by 49 publications

References 14 publications

Experimental study on location accuracy of a 3D VHF lightning-radiation-source locating network

Experimental study on location accuracy of a 3D VHF lightning-radiation-source locating network

Vertical distributions of lightning sources and flashes over Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

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