Interferometric lightning ranging system
US4972195A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S11/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The lightning range system for determining distance between a lightning discharge and an airborne object includes a receiver on the airborne object adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation signals generated by a lightning discharge along both a direct and a surface reflected path. Signal processing apparatus is interconnected with the receiver for determining the difference in the time of arrival of the direct and reflected signals. A computer is provided to calculate the range of the lightning discharge from the difference in the time of arrival of the direct and reflected signals. In a preferred embodiment, the signal processing apparatus is digital and includes at least a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter with at least a 36 megahertz sampling rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.