Weatherbug Total Lightning System Integrated Weather Monitoring and Total Lightning Detection

WeatherBug Total Lightning System Integrated Weather Monitoring and Total Lightning Detection

Comprehensive Worldwide Lightning Detection and Severe Weather Prediction WeatherBug® Total Lightning System

WeatherBug Total Lightning System (WTLS) The WeatherBug Total Lightning System (WTLS) is the first standalone, fully integrated in-cloud (IC) and cloud-to- ground (CG) lightning detection system available. WTLS is the culmination of years of investment in research and development by WeatherBug engineers, researchers and leading lightning scientists from MIT. With the most modern electronics and modes of detection and analysis, WTLS provides the highest network performance at the best available cost.

The WTLS integrated IC and CG detection capability enables advanced severe weather prediction and forecasting, along with improved lead times for alerts and warnings for comprehensive weather management planning. Combined with advanced analytics and display capabilities, WTLS meets the needs of weather sensitive users and industries worldwide including: • Regional and National Governments • Aviation • Utilities • Energy • Public Safety • Shipping • Sports and Recreation • Education

Key Advantages of WTLS • Modern electronics and microprocessor technology for the most advanced lightning detection and location technology available on the market today • Timing accuracy of +/-2 nanoseconds or less and higher frequency sampling enable greater location accuracy and detection efficiency • In-cloud (IC) lightning detection at high efficiencies for advanced prediction of severe weather phenomena such as tornados, downburst winds and deadly cloud-to-ground (CG) strikes • Adaptive digital filtering delivering greater signal-to-noise ratio for better signal processing and higher detection efficiencies • Broadband frequency sensors operate at an industry leading, 1Hz to 12MHz frequency range– over 20 times broader than any competitive solution • Complete AWS lightning mesonet installation and management services available • Cost-effective, scalable platform meets current and future needs

Unmatched Detection Efficiency and Location Accuracy Independent analysis and numerous 3rd party case studies conclude that WTLS performs better than other technologies available. 30% (36kA) 2000 Detection Efficiency Location Error (m) 1750 50% (30 kA) 1500 70% (24 kA) 1250

90% (18 kA) 1000

750 97% (12 kA) 500 99% (6 kA) 250 Cloud-to-Ground Detection Efficiency Cloud-to-Ground Location Accuracy 100% (0 kA) 0 WeatherBug® Total Lightning System

WTLS System Components WeatherBug Signal Processing Lightning Sensor WTLS is the only system that can record and archive (WLS) complete waveforms of every lightning stroke detected. WeatherBug utilizes Recorded waveforms are examined in both real-time and broadband sensors that in retrospect to verify each stroke, and classify each as are more cost-effective, in-cloud (IC) or cloud-to-ground (CG). enabling dense network build-out on a large scale. Leader Return Stroke The sensors employ time-of-arrival detection methodology on the entire The Lightning Location Processor is the main processing waveform, unique to the system for ingesting lightning waveforms, determining WeatherBug Total flash location and classification (IC/CG). The Central Lightning System. Processing and Management System includes patent pending methods for waveform analysis and remote sensor updating.

Central Processing and Management System (CPMS) The Central Processing and Management System (CPMS) WLS WLS consists of several software components responsible for processing the raw electromagnetic forms and timing Internet data from remote lightning sensors to determine location, (TCP, HTTP) amplitude and type of stroke detected.

HTTP Sensor Data Lightning, GPS • Lightning Location Processor (LLP) is the main Configuration Data and Spectra TCP/IP processing system that manipulates ingested Lightning Data waveform data to determine location, amplitude, Receiver (LDR)

and classification (IC or CG) Configuration Lightning Raw Server Data Archive • Lightning Data Receiver (LDR) gathers waveform Raw Lightning Data data from multiple sensors in memory aligning the TCP/IP waveforms in time • Lightning Manager Post-Processor (LMPP) Lightning Location Sensor Processor (LLP) Calibrator receives flash data and location confidence Spectral Analysis Sensor Filter (SAF) statistics, performing multiple post-processing Data Flash Data tests before passing data to the LDF TCP/IP • Lightning Data Feed Service (LDF) distributes Lightning Manager lightning flash data to multiple consumer Post-Processor applications via binary transport (LMPP) Flash Data Flash Data The CPMS is designed for scalability of monitoring any TCP/IP number of WeatherBug Lightning Sensors in any given System Monitoring Lightning Data and Statistics Streamer RT, WTLS, and for fault tolerance and availability. The system (SMS) Feed Service (LDF) WeatherBug Total is deployed in a redundant model by utilizing separate Lightning Visualization (WTLV), Internet service provider connections to regional Interface Other Apps TCP/IP distributed data centers for unmatched reliability. WeatherBug® Total Lightning System

WeatherBug Total Lightning Visualization (WTLV) WeatherBug Total Lightning Visualization (WTLV) is a comprehensive web-based lightning visualization and modeling tool that enables access to live lightning data for severe weather prediction and monitoring. The WTLV solution provides advanced analytics and display of lightning network data enabling visualization of:

• Lightning parameters and display using the lightning data from WTLS and/or WTLN Solid line of IC and CG • Symbology and color coding for lightning types lightning within storm cell • Animation • Summary of displayed lightning • Historical data recall • Parameters displayed will include: – Time (local to the strike) – Latitude/longitude – Peak current IC and CG lightning, and – Polarity of peak current tornado warning during a severe storm event – IC/CG classification

WeatherBug Total Lightning NetworkTM The WeatherBug Total Lightning Network™ (WTLN) incorporates the most advanced lightning location technology available and is the first comprehensive in-cloud (IC) lightning and cloud-to-ground (CG) detection network worldwide. With more than 320 lightning sensors deployed worldwide, WTLN is the largest total lightning detection network available today.

The ability to detect IC lightning at high efficiencies is critical for the advanced prediction of severe weather phenomena such as: • Tornadoes • Downburst winds • Cloud-to-Ground lightning strikes

These potentially deadly weather events often occur within 5 to 30 minutes of IC flash initiation. Through efficient detection and monitoring of total lightning, significant improvements in severe storm lead times can be gained.

WeatherBug Professional® WeatherBug Professional provides comprehensive weather solutions for public safety, agriculture, education, energy, utilities, sport and recreation and media communications. Through the Global WeatherBug Network, weather information is precisely monitored, organized and disseminated to provide live, local weather conditions in real-time through professional-grade applications and interfaces – desktop, mobile, online and on-air.

United States: (800) 544-4429 • International: 1 (301) 250-4315 weatherbugprofessional.com WTLS_BR_12Aug10