Electric fields induced by a modified double exponential current waveform

• Published in: Journal of electrostatics Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 152 - 156
• Main Authors: Meredith, Scott L., Earles, Susan K., Otero, Carlos E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-02-2012
• Subjects: Approximation; Double exponential; Electric fields; Electromagnetic fields; Exact solutions; Indirect effect; Lightning; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Taylor series; Waveforms; Double exponential; Indirect effect; Electric fields; Lightning
• ISSN: 0304-3886; 1873-5738
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elstat.2011.12.002

This paper presents a novel approach for developing a closed form solution for a lightning generated electric field which uses a modified double exponential base-current waveform. In the literature, several models have employed the square pulse waveform to derive the corresponding electromagnetic fields. However, given the Department of Defense (DoD) has incorporated the double exponential current waveform as part of their “Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements For Systems”, it is noteworthy to develop a solution for the electric field which utilizes this waveform. In order to facilitate the integration required for deriving the field, Taylor series expansion will be used for all variable dependent exponential terms within the current waveform. This methodology greatly simplifies the integration required to solve for the electric field in an approximated closed form. However, by utilizing Taylor series to approximate the variable dependent exponentials, the electric field’s accuracy becomes a function of the number of terms used. Consequently, a correction factor will need to be added in order to help reshape the electric field which resulted from the modified base-current waveform.