Abstract: Example methods and systems described herein relate to determining average arrival time of a radio wave emitted by a lightning discharge and/or determining the lobe and/or polarity of the radio wave. The determination of the average arrival time may take a weighted average of arrival times of peaks of the radio wave. The determination of the lobe and/or polarity may depend on an estimated propagation distance, a propagation path profile, and one or more waveform features.

Abstract: A mobile card reader can be configured to connect to an input module of a mobile device. The mobile card reader can scan a magnetic stripe card from a structure exposed to lightning strikes in order to output a lightning-indicator signal to the input module. The lightning-indicator signal can be analyzed to determine a magnitude of a lightning strike to which the magnetic stripe card and the structure have been exposed.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically generating data points in a data management system. A control strategy and variables used in the control strategy can be configured, wherein the control strategy governs a data management system associated with a controller. The control strategy and the variables can be downloaded to the controller after configuring the control strategy and variables. The control strategy is then run on the controller and published to the data management system before, during, or after downloading of the control strategy. All available variables in the controller are then automatically listed so as to generate data points that can be downloaded and updated through a communication channel between the data management system and the controller.

Abstract: Laser light source geolocation. The system includes two spaced-apart ground based sensors for receiving light from a laser source that has been off-axis scattered by air molecules and particulates to form scattered light imagery. A processor operates on the imagery from the two sensors to geolocate the laser light source on the ground.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a lightning forecast method, comprising: identifying a Targeted Weather of SDA carrier (TWLC) based on radar reflectivity data; forecasting a future TWLC state based on the identified TWLC; building or updating an SDA model based on SDA observation data and detected TWLC state-related data; and calculating the probability of producing SDA in the forecasted future TWLC according to the SDA model.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a lightning forecast method, comprising: identifying a Targeted Weather of SDA carrier (TWLC) based on radar reflectivity data; forecasting a future TWLC state based on the identified TWLC; building or updating an SDA model based on SDA observation data and detected TWLC state-related data; and calculating the probability of producing SDA in the forecasted future TWLC according to the SDA model.

Abstract: A demand management monitoring system including a remote measurement device including a microprocessor for calculating RMS voltage data from digital samples and a wireless communications device, and a server system including a database configured to store the RMS voltage data from the remote measurement device.

Abstract: A method for determining a lightning hazard distribution of a power network, includes: deriving a shielding failure lightning hazard distribution of the power network and a back flashover lightning hazard distribution of the power network from the number of ground lightning in each grid and ranges of hazardous currents, and deriving a historical lightning hazard distribution of the power network from a lightning faults database of the power network and the grids; and determining the lightning hazard distribution of the power network by integrating the shielding failure lightning hazard distribution of the power network, the back flashover lightning hazard distribution of the power network and the historical lightning hazard distribution of the power network.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the quality of an industrial working process, which includes identifying defects of the working process, comprises acquiring at least one signal having multiple frequency components from the industrial working process, decomposing the at least one signal having multiple frequency components in signals having single frequency components, calculating the information content for each signal having a single frequency component, analyzing the information content for each signal having a single frequency component, and if the value of the information content of the signal at the lowest single frequency component does not represent a main percentage of the information content of the whole acquired signal, the acquired signal having multiple frequency components is evaluated as indicative of a working process with defects and a defect analysis step is performed on the signal having multiple frequency components.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to update fracture planes based on microseismic data from a fracture treatment. In some aspects, a first fracture plane is updated based on a microseismic event in a microseismic data set associated with a fracture treatment. The first fracture plane is one of multiple previously-generated fracture planes. A second, different fracture plane of the previously-generated fracture planes is updated to account for information generated by updating the first fracture plane based on the microseismic event.

Abstract: The present invention supplies a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which includes a non-contact inspection process capable of confirming if a circuit or circuit element formed on an array substrate is normally performed and can decrease a manufacturing cost by eliminating wastes to keep a defective product forming. An electromotive force generated by electromagnetic induction is rectified and shaped by using primary coils formed on a check substrate and secondary coils formed on an array substrate, whereby a power source voltage and a driving signal are supplied to circuits or circuit elements on a TFT substrate so as to be driven.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.

Abstract: A method and system for determining and displaying lightning potential information is provided. The method includes receiving a radar data and temperature data for a grid location. If the radar data is above a radar threshold and the temperature data is below a temperature threshold a predictor field is computed. One or more predictor fields may be used to determine a lightning potential. Fuzzy logic may be used to combine predictor fields into a lightning potential. A grid of lightning potential values may be used to determine the lightning potential at a target location, or to indicate the lightning potential in a region outside an inner outlook region including the target location. A display may include an icon with an inner and outer portion displaying lightning potential in an inner and outer outlook region. A display may further include future lightning potential information.

Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a turbulence hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.

Abstract: A transient electrical energy strike detector is disclosed. The detector may be integral with the circuitry of a fire alarm panel of a fire alarm system and may identify and record transient electrical energy strikes sustained by the electrical protection circuitry of the system. Particularly, voltage fluctuations in the fire alarm panel circuitry that are outside of a predefined operating voltage range may be identified by the pulse detector as representing transient electrical energy strikes. The pulse detector may increment a counter upon the occurrence of each identified transient energy strike, and may maintain a comprehensive record of such strikes in a memory unit, including a magnitude, duration, time, and date of each strike.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. Data associated with lightning activity is received by a computing device. A location, a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of one or more cells of lightning activity are determined by the computing device based on the received data. The lightning rate is compared, by the computing device, to a threshold lightning rate. One or more geographical areas at risk are determined by the computing device based on the location, the movement speed and the movement direction of the one or more cells of lightning activity. An alert is issued by the computing device to one or more remote devices monitoring the geographical areas when the lightning exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.

Abstract: A distance relay apparatus, a distance relay processing system and a method for processing a distance relay are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distance relay processing system, which controls a distance relay, includes a lightning managing apparatus, which generates comprehensive lightning information by using lightning detection information and in which the lightning detection information is provided by a lightning detector, and a distance relay apparatus, which generates fault occurrence information by determining a fault location of a power transmission line and generates fault analysis information by using the fault occurrence information and the comprehensive lightning information.

Abstract: A system and method for streetlight control is provided. A lamp sensor inside a reflector of the streetlight is utilized to detect the output of a lamp of the streetlight. During daytime periods when the lamp is OFF, the lamp sensor is utilized to act as a day/night sensor by detecting ambient light near the lamp. When the ambient light level falls below a sufficient level indicative that night is approaching the lamp is turned ON and the lamp sensor utilized to detect the lamp output of the streetlight.

Abstract: A device or system of devices that integrates sensors with wired or wireless communication technologies is presented. More particularly, devices and systems for lightning detection and the dissemination of lightning data over wired or wireless networks are described. The device is a communication jack that houses a communication port, a sensor and a sensor data server. The server is coupled with both the port and the sensor and is configured to obtain sensor data from the sensor and provide access to the sensor data via the communication port. The system is a plurality of such communication jacks distributed over a geographic range.

Abstract: In the method of these teachings for detection of physical phenomena from or analysis of physical signals, an improved Empirical Mode Decomposition method decomposes physical signals representative of a physical phenomenon into components.

Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting lightning strike information in a manner so as to be easily understood and appreciated by viewers of televised weather report presentations and the like. Lightning strike information is displayed with a marker and textual indication of the lightning strike location in a viewer friendly format, e.g., a street address. Lightning strike data from a lightning strike data source is filtered to select individual lightning strikes to be displayed and processed to obtain the viewer friendly lightning strike location information to be presented overlaid on a geographic map or satellite image background. Personalized lighting strike information indicating the distance of a lighting strike from a viewer location of interest may be generated and provided directly to individual viewers via the interne, cellular phones, and/or other wired or wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A system for measuring a parameter of a medium with a vehicle moving in a traveling direction through the medium includes four detecting portions and a calculating portion. The four detecting portions respectively detect first through fourth values of the parameter from first through fourth lines-of-sight in first through fourth directions at first through fourth positions of the vehicle at first through fourth times. The first line-of-sight and the third line-of-sight are in a first plane and intersect at a first intersection, while the second line-of-sight and the fourth line-of-sight are in a second plane and intersect at a second intersection. The calculating portion calculates the parameter based on the first through fourth values and the first and second intersections.

Abstract: Alert information is provided to a user of a device. In response to receiving an alert notification, a current location of the device is determined and converted to a device geographical tile that encompasses the determined current location; alert data received about the alert are processed and stored in an alert database if it is determined that a device tile code of the device geographical tile matches any alert geographical tiles that define the alert; a database query of the alert database is performed to identify alerts having one or more alert geographical tile codes that match the device tile code that have not been presented to a user of the device; and the user of the device is notified via the user interface of the device of the identified alerts and the user is prompted to view the identified one or more alerts via the user interface of the device.

Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.

Abstract: Onboard systems and methods for early detection that an aircraft is approaching a volcanic (ash) plume or a gas plume having a concentration of a volcanic gas which would be toxic to humans. The detection method generally comprises the steps of measuring the concentration of one or more volcanic gases in air circulating in a space inside an aircraft and generating an alarm when one or more measured volcanic gas concentrations exceed a respective user-specified threshold or when a pattern of volcanic gas concentration is recognized with a user-specified confidence level. These systems are configured so that the alarm indicates the proximity of dangerous levels of either a volcanic gas or of volcanic ash. In particular, the detection system utilizes the air circulating through an aircraft cabin or cockpit to enable use of low-cost, carry-on electronic devices.

Abstract: A lightning detection system is presented. The lightning detection system includes a plurality of sensing devices configured to generate sensor signals representative of one or more working state parameters of an object. The lightning detection system further includes a lightning signal processing subsystem configured to combine the sensor signals representative of the one or more working state parameters received from the plurality of sensing devices to generate a composite signal, extract noise signals from the composite signal, and compare the extracted noise signals with one or more lightning signal profiles to determine existence of lightning noise signals in the extracted noise signals, wherein the lightning noise signals are induced in the sensor signals in response to a lightning strike on the object.

Abstract: A lightning strike simulation apparatus includes a storage device for storing lightning strike data, a setting unit for setting a simulation target in a simulation space, a downward leader advancing unit for advancing a downward leader from a lightning strike start position set by the setting unit, an upward leader advancing unit for advancing upward leaders from lightning strike-receiving candidate points set in the simulation space when a distance between a leading edge of the downward leader and a reference point is within a first threshold value, and a lightning strike point determination unit for, when a distance between a leading edge of the downward leader and a leading edge of any one of the upward leaders is within a second threshold value, determining that the lightning strike-receiving candidate point corresponding to the any one of the upward leaders is a lightning strike point.

Abstract: An adaptive relaying control system and method is disclosed for adapting coordination of protective measures provided to an electric-energy distribution system as a function of at least an ambient weather condition. A weather sensor senses the ambient weather condition within a region adjacent to at least a portion of the electric-energy distribution system. A control unit is operatively coupled to the weather sensor to receive a weather signal indicative of the ambient weather condition and determine whether a storm condition exists based at least in part on the weather signal. The control unit establishes a suitable control philosophy for adapting coordination of the protective measures provided to the electric-energy distribution system based at least in part on whether the storm condition exists.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed feeder outage reduction are usable to reduce power outages by tracking weather conditions and/or receiving weather condition information. Such systems and methods can be used to control protective relays and/or recloser breakers of utility systems to increase relay trip levels during storm conditions. Additionally, normal operating settings may be implemented when weather activity is not predicted to impact such components.

Abstract: A method for locating sub-surface natural resources. The method utilizes lightning data to discern relatively likely locations for finding the sub-surface natural resources.

Abstract: To monitor storm activity in real time, ELF signals generated in an Earth-ionosphere resonator are received via two active magnetic induction antennas, recorded, and sent to an electronic data processing unit for spectral analysis. The resulting power spectra are matched with resonance curves to parametrize the power spectra by a set of observation parameters that are based on ELF field resonance propagation models in the Earth-ionosphere resonator and that depend on distance and intensity of electrical spark discharges of storm cells. The observation parameters are compared with base parameters of a model parameter database. The base parameters that best approximate the observation parameters are used for developing a map of location and intensity of the electrical spark discharges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associated with monitoring and controlling streetlights include monitoring light levels and voltage levels at corresponding streetlights and controlling the streetlights to set or maintain a particular light output at the respective streetlights or providing power consumption estimates for respective streetlights (streetlight specific metering) based on the voltage levels and light levels. A streetlight controller for a streetlight includes a microcontroller; a first sensor to sense a light level from a lamp within the streetlight; a second sensor operative to sense a voltage level on a power supply for the streetlight; and a switching network coupled with the microcontroller and operative to adjust the light level of the lamp. Methods includes monitoring a light level and voltage level and adjusting a light level, estimating power consumption, or facilitating maintenance in accordance with the light level and voltage level.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting lightning activity. Waveform data indicative of lightning activity is received by a waveform sensor from one or more signal converters. The waveform data comprises a group of electromagnetic waveforms. The waveform data is filtered by a processor to remove noise frequencies. One or more uncompressed portions of the waveform data are transmitted to a processing server. Digital filter data based on the one or more uncompressed portions of waveform data are received from the processing server. One or more frequencies are removed from the waveform data based on the digital filter data. The waveform data is compressed. The compressing includes selecting one or more points on a waveform, wherein the one or more points are above a predetermined threshold. The compressing includes determining an inflection of the selected points based on a predefined algorithm.

Abstract: A lightning detection and damage estimation system for a structure is disclosed herein. The system includes a lightning receptor coupled to a lightning conductor configured to receive multiple lightning strikes and induce lightning current in a pick-up coil coupled to the lightning conductor. An integrated circuit coupled to the lightning conductor via the pick-up coil includes a non-volatile memory for successively storing one or more samples of the lightning induced current for the multiple lightning strikes. A damage estimation unit is configured to estimate a condition of the structure based on analyzing a history of stored samples of the lightning induced current of the multiple lightning strikes from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.

Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.

Abstract: Systems and methods to generate weather alerts are provided. A particular system includes a weather band radio receiver to receive weather alerts. The system further includes a processor to perform an analysis of the received electromagnetic radiation and to determine based on the analysis whether the electromagnetic radiation indicates rotation in a storm system. The processor initiates an alert when the analysis indicates rotation in the storm system and a weather alert has been received.

Abstract: Methods and systems for simulating an electronic system in a high level modeling system (HLMS). A design block and certain signals of the electronic system are selected. The selected signals include internal signals of the design block that are not ports of the design block. The electronic system is simulated in the HLMS, which includes a hardware-based co-simulation platform and a software-based co-simulation platform. A hardware realization of the design block is automatically generated and the design block is emulated in the hardware based co-simulation platform using the hardware realization of the design block. A sequence of values is displayed for the selected signals of the electronic system. During the simulation of the electronic system in the HLMS, the sequence of values for the internal signals of the design block and another sequence of values for the ports of the design block are transferred between the co-simulation platforms.

Abstract: A long-range lightning detection and characterization system and method. Electromagnetic radiation produced by a lightning strike is sensed at a sensing location and a measured signal representative of the strike is produced that defines an amplitude versus time. A set of reference data containing waveforms comparable to the measured signal is established. The set of reference data defines a set of reference amplitudes versus time, representative of one or more predetermined reference lightning strikes at various predetermined distances, where for each of the distances, the reference lightning strikes have associated therewith various predetermined day/night percentages. The measured signal is compared with the reference data, the comparison including finding a correlation between the measured signal and a correlating waveform in the reference data.

Abstract: This invention improves accuracy of lightning strike simulation. There is provided a lightning strike simulation apparatus including a storage device for storing lightning strike data, a setting unit for setting a simulation target and the like in a simulation space, a downward leader advancing unit for advancing a downward leader from a lightning strike start position set by the setting unit, an upward leader advancing unit for advancing upward leaders from lightning strike-receiving candidate points set in the simulation space when a distance between a leading edge of the downward leader and a reference point is within a first threshold value, and a lightning strike point determination unit for, when a distance between a leading edge of the downward leader and a leading edge of any one of the upward leaders is within a second threshold value, determining that the lightning strike-receiving candidate point corresponding to the any one of the upward leaders is a lightning strike point.

Abstract: A lightning detector designed for aircraft carried applications provides for improved lightning discrimination and display. The instrument employs a relatively wide band receiver so as to retain the received waveform or digital replicas thereof. This allows more precise discrimination between desired lightning signals and noise. Signals are processed to provide for effective display of the available information. The display modes that are enabled by the signals include flash and cell mode as well as a combined flash and cell mode. The cell mode provides for generating and displaying a cumulative weight of lightning activity, giving each strike a regional effect as opposed to illustrating it as a point. Color is used to improve the user's grasp of the displayed information; the color illustrating increased intensity from the blue-green to the yellow-red. Flash mode shows locations of the different flashes within the range scale; this mode too may use color for a similar effect.

Abstract: A lightning detection system and method for detecting a lightning strike are provided. The system includes a lightning detector in a structure susceptible to a lightning strike. The lightning detector includes a data logger configured to log data indicative of a time of occurrence of the lightning strike. The system further includes memory to store data collected from a wide-area lightning detection network. The stored data includes at least one characteristic of the lightning strike. A processor may be configured to process data from the data logger relative to data collected from the wide-area lightning detection network to determine correlated data indicative of a lightning strike affecting the structure. In the event correlated data is determined, the processor may be configured to assign the characteristic of the lightning strike to the structure.

Abstract: There is discloses a new method for identifying an electromagnetic signal having a known waveform. The method includes using a lightning matched filter receiver having a bank of filters matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms for detecting lightning. The use of a lightning matched filter receiver facilitates detection of lightning discharges below the noise level. Positioning three or more monitoring stations at different spaced apart geographic locations where each monitoring station has a lightning matched filter receiver where the filters are matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms can be used to detect and determine the location of a lightning discharge.

Abstract: A real-time, multi-sensor local-area lightning detection network system. The system uses waveform indicative of electrostatic field changes with respect to time is generated at each of N locations due to a cloud-to-ground lightning strike occurring in the vicinity of the N locations. Each waveform is integrated to generate a corresponding electric field associated with a corresponding one of the locations. A mathematical relationship is used to determine a ground surface location of the lightning strike, height of the lightning strike, and charge per unit length of the lightning strike using each electric field generated during integration of the waveforms.

Abstract: A lightning detection system and method for detecting a lightning strike are provided. The system includes a lightning detector in a structure susceptible to a lightning strike. The lightning detector includes a data logger configured to log data indicative of a time of occurrence of the lightning strike. The system further includes memory to store data collected from a wide-area lightning detection network. The stored data includes at least one characteristic of the lightning strike. A processor may be configured to process data from the data logger relative to data collected from the wide-area lightning detection network to determine correlated data indicative of a lightning strike affecting the structure. In the event correlated data is determined, the processor may be configured to assign the characteristic of the lightning strike to the structure.

Abstract: In order to improve the tie between depositionally equivalent beds relative to two or more basins detected within a multi dimensional seismic volume of interest, pseudo logs based on the average of attributes derived from seismic impedance where the compaction trend is not present are created for each basin. The mean is taken over all available azimuths, following the structural variations of introduced micro layers. The correlation between the pseudo log relative to each basin enable a more reliable interpretation between the different basins from which sound exploration decision can be made. Such a process has been successfully applied to seismic data acquired in deep water environment.

Abstract: A distance relay apparatus, a distance relay processing system and a method for processing a distance relay are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distance relay processing system, which controls a distance relay, includes a lightning managing apparatus, which generates comprehensive lightning information by using lightning detection information and in which the lightning detection information is provided by a lightning detector, and a distance relay apparatus, which generates fault occurrence information by determining a fault location of a power transmission line and generates fault analysis information by using the fault occurrence information and the comprehensive lightning information.

Abstract: An adaptive relaying control system and method is disclosed for adapting coordination of protective measures provided to an electric-energy distribution system as a function of at least an ambient weather condition. A weather sensor senses the ambient weather condition within a region adjacent to at least a portion of the electric-energy distribution system. A control unit is operatively coupled to the weather sensor to receive a weather signal indicative of the ambient weather condition and determine whether a storm condition exists based at least in part on the weather signal. The control unit establishes a suitable control philosophy for adapting coordination of the protective measures provided to the electric-energy distribution system based at least in part on whether the storm condition exists.