Lightning First Pulses Used in the "Last" (Time-of-Arrival) and "Atlas" (Single Station) Total Lightning Mapping Systems

The first RF pulse from "total lightning' discharges (cloud and ground flashes) has been used in different ways to locate the origin of flashes in two new types of lightning detection systems. The multisensor LASI time-of-arrival (TOA) system uses GPS timing of the first pulse. The ATLAS single sensor system uses the amplitude of the first pulse, which is invariant in magnitude and polarization for all lightning discharges, to determine distance from the sensor. It is significantly more accurate than past single sensor lightning mapping systems. The polarity of the first pulse generally identifies lightning type (IC or CG). Both systems utilize only the first pulse which makes signal processing much simpler than with previous lightning locating systems. Knowing the position where lightning begins (maximum electric fields, mixed phase hydrometeors and updrafts) is valuable for identifying convective cells producing the hazardous meteorological conditions caused by thunderstorms. It is also important for research studying thunderstorm electrification and associated microphysical problems.