Error simulation analysis on three-dimensional lightning location network in Hubei province

Three-dimensional lightning location network in Hubei province is based on a multi-station TDOA location method which usesVLF/LF pulse signals. The paper presents a 3D time-of-arrival location method for three-dimensional lightning location network. By simulation, the study compares four kinds of geometric network structure, i.e., square type, trapezoid type, star type and irregular quadrilateral type.A conclusion can be drawn that the detection error of star-like network structure is the smallest. The simulation of three-dimensional lightning location network in Hubei province shows that the height error in some areas of western Enshi and northwestern Shiyan are close to 1 200m. But in most area of Hubei, the level location error is less than 200 m and the height error is less than 500 m. The small error and the highprecision indicate that the three-dimensional lightning location network is scientifically sound and reasonable.