Beijing Lightning Network (BLNET): Configuration, Function and Preliminary Results

Abstract:

A regional multi-frequency-band lightning detection network in Beijing (BLNET) has been developed for both research and operational purposes. The network is employed in the experiment of Dynamic-microphysical-electrical Processes in Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning Hazards (Storm973), supported by Ministry of Science and Technology as National Key Basic Research Program of China or 973 Program. The network consisted of 16 stations in 2015 covering most part of The “Jing-Jin-Ji” (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) metropolis zone, one of the most developed areas in China. Four different sensors, including slow antenna, fast antenna, magnetic antenna, and VHF antenna, are integrated in each station to detect lightning radiation signals in different frequency band. The Chan algorithm and Levenberg-Marquardt method are adopted jointly in the lightning location algorithm. In addition to locate the lightning radiation pulses in two-dimension or three-dimension in different band, the charge source neutralized by the lightning discharge can be retrieved either. The theoretical horizontal error over the network is less than 200 m and the vertical error is less than 500 m over the network. The comparison of total lightning location results with corresponding radar echoes for thunderstorm cases indicates the good performance of BLNET in the severe convection surveillance. The actual two-dimensional location error in VLF/LF band, compared with a ground truth that acquired with a GPS-synchronized high-speed video camera, is about 250 m.