Client: Lars Nyland

Contractors: Eric Baker Adam Seeger

Mave Houston Andy Wilson

Benjamin Lok

Of interest to meteorologists is the structure of lightning channels (the path of the bolt). Several researchers have developed methods of reconstructing the meso structure (1-5m resolution) of lightning, using audio information (thunder) from multiple disparate points with good success. The goal of this project is to create and end-to-end system that reconstructs and displays lightning from a recording of a complete storm. There are three major parts of this project:

Thunder data acquisition. At least 3 (perhaps as many as 6) waterproof microphones and amplifiers will be set up with known positions on the roof of Sitterson Hall to record the thunder. The microphones will be attached to a sound card in 1 PC where the audio data can be digitized for further analysis. The software will allow a person to start the recording of a storm, and data formats will be designed that incorporate the synchronization of the information from the distributed recording of audio information.

Thunder data analysis. The data will be processed to yield the physical structure of the lightning channel, along with the time that it occurred.

Storm visualization. Finally, the physical and temporal data will be displayed using a visualization environment implemented using OpenGL. Additionally, models and texture maps of the surrounding landscape will add interesting features to the display. Not only will the user be able to move through the storm spatially, but also temporally, replaying the storm as it develops and declines.

The party of Eric Baker, Mave Houston, Benjamin Lok, Adam Seeger, and Andy Wilson shall hereafter be collectively referred to as the contractor. The contractor hereby agrees to provide the client with functional software that meets the specifications defined under the heading "Primary Requirements". The contractor further agrees that this software shall be delivered to the client no later than May 8, 1999.

The contractor further agrees to provide the client with detailed documentation regarding the design and use of all software developed. This documentation will be delivered in both hard copy and softcopy (via the Internet) form to the client no later than May 8, 1999.

• Remote startup of thunder data acquisition application via the Internet
• Programming in C++ for thunder data analysis
• Programming in OpenGL for data visualization
• Modeling in Maya or 3D Studio
• The recording of audio data will occur on a MS WinNT platform
• The data analysis and storm visualization will occur on a SGI platform
• Easy integration feature for new users
• Implement the following components

1. Thunder Data Acquisition

• Remote startup (via Internet) of thunder data acquisition system
• Optimal placement of microphones to gain sufficient audio data for analysis
• Ability to automatically begin recording at initial lightning pulse
• Synchronization of audio data from multiple microphones

1. Thunder Data Analysis

• Gunshot simulator to test the analysis module
• Analysis of audio data, yielding x,y,z coordinates w.r.t. time

1. Storm Visualization

• Movie player interface
• Locomotion in display environment
• Exaggerated display in "z"- direction
• Open GL display
• Presenting the camera as a character (auto angle)
• Jump to next bolt feature
• Build a composite map by overlaying lightning visualization with USGS maps
• Topological information
• Road and Highway Information
• Body of water information

• Let Lightning bolts fade out slowly
• A "You are Here" feature

The party of Lars Nyland shall hereafter be referred to as the client. The client agrees to provide the contractor with reasonable access to hardware, software, and services defined under the heading "Resources". If the client is unable to provide access to hardware and software required, the suite of tools may not be available for demonstration purposes, if at all. The client further agrees to respond quickly to design proposals and questions posed by the contractor, and to offer moral support and candy when the stress level reaches a dangerously high level.

The following events or situations could adversely affect the success of the project:

1. It might not thunder!!
2. Analysis may not run automatically
3. Real Time may include unforeseen delays in information updates

The following clearly defines any terms that may be unclear:

• Java servlet - a java applet with access to server resources

Lars Nyland -- Client

Eric Baker -- Contractor

Mave Houston -- Contractor

Benjamin Lok -- Contractor

Adam Seeger -- Contractor

Andy Wilson -- Contractor