Error Analysis of Total Lightning Location System Based on Monte Carlo Method

In order to study the occurrence and development of lightning mechanism, We establish a three-dimensional (3D) lightning location system based on difference time of arrival method in Guangdong area, this system not only can locate Cloud to Ground lightning (CG), but also Intra- Cloud lightning (IC). Location accuracy is an important index to evaluation the performance of the locating network. Based on the Monte Carlo method, we simulate the location error of Foshan Total Lightning Location System (FTLLS), and indicate that when the lightning source is located within the network, the horizontal location error is less than 300 meters, and the maximum horizontal location error within a radius of 50 km from center station is less than 500 meters. With the increase of the height of the lightning source, the vertical location error is significantly decreased, the maximum vertical location error within a radius of 50 km from center station is less than 1000 meters. The average location errors for 27times of transmission lines lightning stroke is 252 meters, with standard deviation 173 meters. The observed errors verify the simulation error results very well.