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Study of the applicability of radio signals emitted by lightning for long-range navigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2024

Pavel Kovář Open the ORCID record for Pavel Kovář [Opens in a new window] ,
Pavel Puričer Open the ORCID record for Pavel Puričer [Opens in a new window]  and
Jan Mikeš Open the ORCID record for Jan Mikeš [Opens in a new window]
Pavel Kovář*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Pavel Puričer
Affiliation:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Jan Mikeš
Affiliation:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
*
Corresponding author: Pavel Kovář; Email: kovar@fel.cvut.cz
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Abstract

The complementary radio navigation system based on the Very Low Frequency signals produced by lightning is an alternative to today's Global Navigation Satellite Systems. The system operates on different principles and uses different radio frequency bands. The signals have higher availability in problematic places. The analyses based on the historical data of Word Wide Lightning Location Network demonstrated the good availability of the service, sufficient number of lightning strokes and good geometry calculated for a 10-second time window for positioning based on the Time of Arrival principle. The geometry was evaluated with the help of the Geometric Dilution of Precision coefficient. The Geometric Dilution of Precision median for the reception of the lightning signal from a range of 10,000 km moves around one except at the southern polar regions and the probability of the service availability exceeds 80%.

Keywords

lightning dischargelightning radio pulsesignals in opportunityVLF navigation
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , First View , pp. 1 - 12
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Royal Institute of Navigation

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