A Bayesian Approach to Assess the Performance of Lightning Detection Systems

AbstractHistorically, researchers explore the effectiveness of one lightning detection system with respect to another system; that is, the probability that system A detects a discharge given that system B detected the same discharge is estimated. Since no system detects all lightning, a more rigorous comparison should include the reverse process—that is, the probability that system B detects a discharge given that system A detected it. Further, the comparison should use the fundamental physical process detected by each system. Of particular interest is the comparison of ground-based radio frequency detectors with space-based optical detectors. Understanding these relationships is critical as the availability and use of lightning data, both ground based and space based, increases. As an example, this study uses Bayesian techniques to compare the effectiveness of the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN), a ground-based wideband network, and the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), a space-based optical...

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