Site errors estimation and correction for MDF/TOA combined lightning location network

Abstract

Although, lightning location network (LLN) has been widely used all over the world, its performance is still constrained by “site errors” as long as the direction-finder technique is deployed. Based on lightning data from a regional LLN consisted of 25 MDF/TOA combined sensors, a method for “site errors” estimation and correction was proposed and practiced. By comparing the lightning locations reported by at least 4 sensors between MDF and TOA techniques, the spatial and seasonal signatures of “site errors” for individual sensors were found and discussed. The signatures found are well consistent with those in literature. The “site errors” obtained were then used to correct and improve the accuracy of lightning locations reported by only 2 or 3 sensors. Results showed that the proposed “site errors” correction method could significantly improve the location accuracy of the LLN.