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A low‐frequency near‐field interferometric‐TOA 3‐D Lightning Mapping Array
Author(s) -
Lyu Fanchao,
Cummer Steven A.,
Solanki Rahulkumar,
Weinert Joel,
McTague Lindsay,
Katko Alex,
Barrett John,
Zigoneanu Lucian,
Xie Yangbo,
Wang Wenqi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl061963
Subject(s) - lightning (connector) , interferometry , remote sensing , time of arrival , physics , geology , computer science , optics , telecommunications , wireless , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
We report on the development of an easily deployable LF near‐field interferometric‐time of arrival (TOA) 3‐D Lightning Mapping Array applied to imaging of entire lightning flashes. An interferometric cross‐correlation technique is applied in our system to compute windowed two‐sensor time differences with submicrosecond time resolution before TOA is used for source location. Compared to previously reported LF lightning location systems, our system captures many more LF sources. This is due mainly to the improved mapping of continuous lightning processes by using this type of hybrid interferometry/TOA processing method. We show with five station measurements that the array detects and maps different lightning processes, such as stepped and dart leaders, during both in‐cloud and cloud‐to‐ground flashes. Lightning images mapped by our LF system are remarkably similar to those created by VHF mapping systems, which may suggest some special links between LF and VHF emission during lightning processes.