ALPS Lightning Data Network
ALPS™ - Advanced Lightning Positioning Systems Lightning Detection Network (LDN)
The ALPS™ LDN consists of an appropriate number of sensors (PLS™) as deemed necessary to satisfy the users requirements for lightning Detection Efficiency and Location Accuracy. A typical network configuration is shown below in figure
ALPS™ Functional Overview
PLS™ Sensors Provide Reliable Lightning Detection & Discrimination The PLS™ sensors (lightning receivers) automatically detect and analyze the radio wave produced by each lightning stroke (cloud-to-ground and inter-/intra-cloud). The sensors record the precise time of the detection, as well as important characteristics such as rise time, fall time, amplitude, and if required a digitized output of the lightning wave form.
ASP™ Provides Lightning Analysis & Location Processing The raw lightning data from the PLS™ sensors is passed over communication lines to the Advanced Stroke Processor (ASP™). The ASP™ is preprogrammed to contain information related to the particular sensor sites and many other mathematical and physical coefficients. The Central GUI Software performs this preprogramming.
With this information, the ASP™ performs many functions but will ultimately compute a position for that lighting strike or reject the information as noise. The solution information can be accessed from ASP™ in binary or ASCII text format.
ALDA™ Lightning Data Base Functions After ASP™ calculates the location of the stroke, it then transfers the solution data to the ALDA™ SQL Database subsystem. This database will archive the LDN data, with online storage for over one year of storms, plus allow automatic offline archiving to CDROM, or other storage media. The ALDA™ sub-system also provides system-manager access for monitoring the LDN using a network-monitoring tool.
ASMS™ Performance Monitoring and Maintenance The LDN central data processing and management system is delivered with a comprehensive set of system performance monitoring and maintenance tools calledthe Advanced Support and Maintenance System, or ASMS™.
ALPS™ network monitor (NetMon™) This system collects and displays real time performance and status information on the all the network’s lightning sensors. The information provided includes such important data as the number of times each sensor reports activity, the number of times the sensor takes part in the solution, and a broad range of other network performance data. NetMon™ can also access the database server to support historical performance analysis.
Remote Sensor Diagnostics (RSD) Program This program is a very valuable sensor performance analysis tool that should be used only by factory-trained technicians, under management supervision. RSD allows access to the complete system via a communications link to the ASP™. This communication link could be an Internet connection from any location in the world.
An authorized user can access ASP™ through RSD and communicate directly with any of the active sensors. It can download new software & firmware, monitor oscillator frequency, power supply levels, read the temperature in the sensor unit, as well as scores of sensitive receiver parameters.
Lightning Mapping and Display Systems The display systems the MIDS™ and MIDSnet™ systems, are very user friendly. They both provide real-time plotting of CG and CLD lightning on selectable map bases, with flexible zooming capability. Besides the graphical presentation, text format messages are also available for display or printing.
MIDSNet™
is an advanced web-based lightning and weather radar display system for use with TOA’s lightning location systems for the display and manipulation of lightning data from the TOA ALPS™ lightning network.. The MIDSNet web-based display system software runs on standard PC’s and can be customized to provide any number of map features, including terrain, roads, electric power lines, geopolitical boundaries, etc. Weather Decision Technologies, Inc a company specialized in advanced nowcasting technologies developed this display for TOA. TOA and WDT have a collaboration agreement covering the use of MIDSNet™ in lightning location applications.