Electromagnetic fields generated by lightning channels with tortuosity and its effect on the time-of-arrival technique

Abstract

In this paper it is presented a simulation analysis of electric fields generated by lightning channels with tortuosity. The tortuosity of the channel is reproduced by means of a numerical algorithm that takes into account statistical characterizations made by different authors observing real lightning channels, so the macroscale tortuosity of the simulated channel is similar to the one recorded in nature. Later it is used an analytic model which allows the calculation of the electromagnetic fields generated by lightning channels with tortuous geometries, once the geometry is known. The electromagnetic fields are calculated assuming a Heaviside step function as the current traveling along the channel. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology for the calculation of electromagnetic fields, considering a more realistic geometry for the lightning channel than that of a straight and vertical one, and to analyze some characteristics of the generated fields in terms of wave peak value and wave-form for different points around the lightning channel. This methodology is pretended to be used in a future work in order to determine the effect of the lightning channel tortuosity on the location accuracy of lightning locating systems.

Robust Localization for Robot and IoT Using RSSI

“…Typically, the following three significant algorithms have been used for localization: range-based [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], range-free [24], and the fusion of a range-free and range-based [25]. In order to calculate the node location, this paper focuses on the range-based algorithm.…”

Modeling of Time of Arrival Method for Lightning Locating Systems

“…The aims of these researchers are to evaluate, estimate, and analyze various lightning properties and their effects for different applications. Simulation models were developed to cater for all aspects of lightning such as lightning leader and its pattern [1][2][3], lightning electromagnetic field propagation [1,4,5], lightning induced voltage and current patterns on man-made systems [6][7][8][9], and lightning detection and localization using various sensing techniques [1]. However, most of the published works on lightning related simulation models have their own shortcomings.…”

“…However, because of the limitation of an actual small scale lightning simulation, a numerical simulation can be adopted instead. The numerical models include the work done by Pulgarín et al [1] and Wan et al [3] where a procedure to reconstruct the actual lightning leader path as accurate as possible is described. In addition, the simulation work done by Pulgarín et al also includes an approach to evaluate the effects of lightning induced electric field on the time of arrival technique.…”

“…Similarly, the work done by Gamerota et al only proposed a simulation procedure to obtain the parameters of the resulting lightning current waveforms without considering the geometry of the lightning leader path or electric field. On the other hand, the lightning electromagnetic field is the focus of modelling done by Delfino et al [4], Shao and Jacobson [11], and Pulgarín et al [1]. Simulations of lightning effects on man-made systems were also carried out by Kato et al [12] and Baba and Rakov [5].…”

“…One important modeling aspect is on the lightning detection and localization using various sensing techniques. Several attempts [1,[17][18][19][20] had been previously carried out to numerically model this aspect of lightning. There are many available methods to detect and localize lightning.…”