Radio Frequency Sensor (RFS): RF Lightning Detection in Geosynchronous Orbit

Abstract:

The Radio Frequency Sensor (RFS) is a specialized software-defined radio and direct conversion receiver and signal processor that detects, records, and reports impulsive broadband radio-frequency (RF) signatures from its actively amplified crossed-dipole sensing antenna. The linear feeds from each dipole feed into the direct-conversion software-defined radio. RFS operates simultaneously in two different detection bands in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequency domain. Its viewpoint from a Western hemisphere geosynchronous orbit will provide novel opportunities to study RF evolution of lightning signatures over the duration of a storm. The overlapping view with the Global Lightning Mappers (GOES-16 & 17) will enable additional study of optical/RF comparisons. The low frequency range in the low band encompasses the ionospheric maximum plasma frequency, allowing for interesting studies of RF propagation and cutoff through the ionosphere.