The lightning radiation electromagnetic field data acquisition system based on virtual instrument

The lightning radiation electromagnetic field data acquisition system is developed based on virtual instrument, which is used to acquire the lightning electromagnetic radiation data. The hardware is mainly composed of GPS receiver, PXI6608 Counter/Timer and PXI5105 Data Acquisition Card made by America NI Company, as well as the lightning detection stations. Virtual instrument is controlled by using the software programmed by Virtual Instrument. By utilizing storage procedures, the lightning electromagnetic signals which are received by 5105 are stored. The 6608 Counter/Timer acquires time from GPS receiver and generates pulse at certain time. Thus the lightning electromagnetic signals can be timed. The accuracy of the system is conformed by experiments.