Latest developments in global and total lightning detection

In a constant will to provide the best performances in the field of lightning detection Vaisala has lately conducted significant upgrades on its whole product line. The major key points of these improvements reside in: 1) The introduction of a Global Lightning Detection network: GLD360 offering for the first time a worldwide detection of flashes with significant detection efficiency and location accuracy of the cloud to ground (CG) flashes accompanied by the polarity of the measured discharges and an estimate of the peak current. 2) The implementation of arrival-time onset and propagation corrections in the LS700X sensors family (medium range LF/VLF sensors) leading to an improvement in the CG flashes location accuracy which now reaches 100 meters in operational networks. 3) The development of a new Total Lightning Sensor: TLS200, featuring a full digital VHF interferometer for an accurate mapping in 2 dimensions of cloud flashes in addition to the latest development in the VLF/LF band for accurate and efficient CG flashes location. This paper aims to present an update on these developments.

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