HR: 1340h
AN: AE33A-0177    [Abstracts]
TI: The 2002-2003 Upgrade of the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network
AU: * Cummins, K L
EM: Ken.Cummins@vaisala.com
AF: Vaisala, 2705 E. Medina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85706 United States
AU: Cramer, J A
EM: John.Cramer@vaisala.com
AF: Vaisala, 2705 E. Medina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85706 United States
AU: Krider, P
EM: Krider@atmo.arizona.edu
AF: Institute of Atmospheric Physics, The University of Arizona P.O. Box 210081, Rm 542 1118 E. 4th St., Tucson, AZ 85721 United States
AU: Biagi, C J
EM: Biagi@atmo.arizona.edu
AF: Institute of Atmospheric Physics, The University of Arizona P.O. Box 210081, Rm 542 1118 E. 4th St., Tucson, AZ 85721 United States
AU: Kehoe, K E
EM: KenKehoe@yahoo.com
AF: Institute of Atmospheric Physics, The University of Arizona P.O. Box 210081, Rm 542 1118 E. 4th St., Tucson, AZ 85721 United States
AB: Beginning in the spring of 2002, the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDNT) has been undergoing a system-wide upgrade. The objectives of this upgrade are to increase sensor reliability and reduce maintenance costs, to provide enhanced detection efficiency and location accuracy on the boundaries of the network, and to detect a fraction of the of cloud discharges. The original (1995) time-of-arrival (TOA) LPATS sensors and early IMPACT (DF + TOA) sensors have been replaced by new IMPACT ESP sensors, however two LPATS sensors have yet to be replaced. An additional 7 sensor sites have been installed and one more is planned. The new IMPACT ESP sensors provide both accurate TOA and direction information and increased sensitivity. The estimated stroke detection efficiency (DE) is now in the range of 60-80%, and the overall modeled cloud-to-ground flash DE exceeds 90% throughout the U.S. This DE estimate is no longer limited to events above 5 kA. This paper will provide the research community with up-to-date information about the on-going improvements to the NLDN, a comparison of the modeled and measured detection efficiency both before and after the upgrade, and a discussion of the small positive reports. The effect of the upgrade on CG peak current distributions and flash multiplicities will also be presented.
DE: 9350 North America
DE: 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields
DE: 3324 Lightning
DE: 3394 Instruments and techniques
DE: 3304 Atmospheric electricity
SC: Atmospheric and Space Electricity [AE]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting