1-3
Stormscope
®
WX-500 User’s Guide
1-3
Chapter 1 – System Description
Functional Description
The antenna detects the electric and magnetic fields gener-
ated by intra-cloud, inter-cloud, or cloud-to-ground electri-
cal discharges that occur within a
200
nmi radius of the
aircraft and sends the resulting “discharge signals” to the
processor. The processor digitizes, analyzes, and converts the
discharge signals into range and bearing data then stores the
data in memory. The processor then sends this information
to the
MFD
as cells and strikes. The
WX-500
updates the
MFD
every
2
seconds.
Cell Data
The
WX-500
uses a clustering algorithm to locate storm cells.
Cell data is most useful during periods of heavy electrical
discharge activity. Displaying cell data during these periods
allows the pilot to quickly see where the cells are without having
to sift through and analyze a screen full of discharge points.
Strike Data
Strike data is most useful during periods of light electrical
activity because strike data may show the initial discharges
associated with a building thunderstorm sooner than cell
data would. The
WX-500
plots strike discharge points in
relation to where the discharges are actually detected instead
of plotting them close to an associated group of discharge
points as is done with cell data.
Strike Rate
Pilots may use the strike rate (approximate number of strikes
per minute) to determine if storm cells are building or
decaying. The
MFD
calculates the strike rate for the current
range and view.
