Systems and methods for time corrected lightning detection

US7460956B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VAISALA OYJ · FI

Inventors

• Martin Murphy · Letchworth, GB
• Wolfgang Schulz · Wunstorf, DE
• Alburt E. Pifer · Tucson, US
• Kenneth L. Cummins · Madison, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 12, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01W1/16
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A lightning detection system provides an estimated location of a lightning stroke. The system includes sensors, and an analyzer. Each sensor provides messages having sensor identification, an amplitude responsive to the lightning stroke, and a time of detecting the lightning stroke. The analyzer applies time corrections and amplitude corrections to improve the accuracy of determining the location of the lightning stroke. Time adjustments and amplitude adjustments for the time and amplitude corrections are recalled from a matrix accessed according to a suggested or estimated location. The matrix may be organized by coordinates of longitude and latitude.