Development of Lightning Detection for a Low-Cost System in Malacca

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a low-cost lightning detection system, addressing the limitation of existing systems that are typically expensive. The aim was to design a low-cost lightning detection system to accurately capture lightning flashes within the frequency range of 1Hz to 10MHz. The lightning detection system was fully assembled using a Fast Field buffer circuit integrated with a parallel-plate antenna to ensure accurate detection of lightning flashes. The system successfully detected a total of 60 negative cloud-to-ground (-CG) flashes and 51 intra-cloud (IC) flashes on 11 July 2023 between 01:32:00 and 08:3:00. Analysis of the –CG flashes indicates that the majority of 54 flashes consisted of single return strokes, while only 6 flashes exhibited subsequent return strokes which 4 flashes with two subsequent return strokes and 2 with three subsequent return strokes, respectively. The developed system achieved an 83% consistency in identifying lightning flashes when comparing with an existing lightning detection system, demonstrating its potential as a low-cost yet reliable alternative.