A new lightning return stroke model based on antenna theory

A new approach based on antenna theory is presented to describe the lightning returnstroke process. The lightning channel is approximated by a straight and vertical monopole antenna with distributed resistance (a so‐called lossy antenna) above a perfectly conducting ground. The antenna is fed at its lower end by a voltage source such that the antenna input current, which represents the lightning return‐stroke current at the lightning channel base, can be specified. An electric field integral equation (EFIE) in the time domain is employed to describe the electromagnetic behavior of this lossy monopole antenna. The numerical solution of EFIE by the method of moments (MOM) provides the time‐space distribution of the current and line charge density along the antenna. This new antenna‐theory (or electromagnetic) model with specified current at the channel base requires only two adjustable parameters: the return‐stroke propagation speed for a nonresistive channel and the channel resistance per unit length, each assumed to be constant (independent of time and height). The new model is compared to four of the most commonly used “engineering” return‐stroke models in terms of the temporal‐spatial distribution of channel current, the line charge density distribution, and the predicted electromagnetic fields at different distances. A reasonably good agreement is found with the modified transmission line model with linear current decay with height (MTLL) and with the Diendorfer‐Uman (DU) model.