COMP 145 Project Presentation

Eric Baker, Mave Houston

Benjamin Lok, Adam Seeger, Andy Wilson

T hunderR econstructionE mployed inM appingB ranchedL ightningE vents

Introduction

• Overview of Project

• Motivation

• Major Problems

• Conclusion

Overview of Project

• Visualize a lightning storm in the Chapel Hill area (est. 10 mile radius)

• During a storm:– Record Thunder Sounds– Analyze Sounds

• Either real-time or at a later date:– Visualize the storm

How It Works

• Three Microphones in a calibrated array sit atop Sitterson Hall

• A computer, with an attached lightning detector, will record microphone input

• After analyzing the recorded sounds, the lightning position, orientation and structure may be determined

• Rendered in a visualization system

Motivation

• The study of the structure of lightning channels is of interest to:– meteorologists– physicists– weather enthusiasts– Dr. Lars Nyland (client)

Software Issues

• Separate the system into self-contained modules– Data Acquisition– Analyzer– Visualization– Remote User Interfaces– Allowed development in parallel

• Distributed system

Software Issues

• Analysis of Sound Files– adequate simulation and test data

• Ease of use– Start system via Web Interface– Portability

• Visualization of a 4D dataset• Multiple data sources• Module integration

Hardware Issues

• Budget– One tenth the budget of others who have built

similar systems– University red tape

• Identifying and Obtaining Hardware– Weatherproof microphones, preamps,

multiple input sound cards, cables, computers, rooms, etc.

• System Integration

Final Goal

• Final system will feature:– Remote access– VCR-style interface to recording and

analysis of storms– Real-time or replayed visualization of

storms with overlaid information– Cool gee whiz effects

• Thanks for images from: Dave “Stormguy” Crowley. http://www.stormguy.com

Screen Shot