Local Lightning Sensor

The Model 6500's processor is housed inside the sensor enclosure along with the Interface Board. The processor includes data acquisition circuitry and circuitry to process strike data. The Interface Board provides a data buffer and handles communication.

The sensor transmits a data package consisting of strike data and status information every two seconds. When errors are detected, the errors are recorded in an error log.

The Model 6500 detects the presence of a thunderstorm or lightning event within 200 nm from the point of installation.

1. Range and Direction

2. Resolution

3. False Reports

Lightning data is viewed on a graphic display that shows detected strikes overlaid onto a map of the monitored area.  A set of pull-down menus allows the user to configure the display and to specify areas of interest for display on the map.

The graphic display consists of four concentric rings representing distance ranges from the center point. The center point is normally the location of the lightning sensor, and is entered by the user through the Lightning tab on the Edit>Configuration menu. Each ring increases the distance from the center point by 50 nautical miles.

• The innermost ring shows strikes detected within 50 nautical miles of the center point
• The next ring out shows strikes within 100 nautical miles of the center point
• The third ring out shows strikes within 150 nautical miles of the center point
• The outermost ring shows strikes within 200 nautical miles of the center point

Once a strike has been detected, it remains visible on the screen for 15 minutes. In order to provide a graphic view of strikes over time, the color of the strike changes as it ages. As the Map Key in the lower right corner of the display shows, new strikes are shown in red. As they age, they become progressively lighter in color, changing to orange, then yellow, until they finally disappear from the map after 15 minutes.

Various configuration options are available along with logging of each lightning strike, its location and time stamp.

Several Model 6500 Lightning Detection Sensor can be networked together to form a wide area view of lightning activity.  The information from each lightning sensor can be transmitted over a wireless or wired network to a central server that records the information as well as displays on the local screen and makes available over the internet.

AWI Lightning display  systems are available for delivery in 90 - 120 days ARO. Prices vary, depending on configuration details. Contact AWI for details.