Thunderstorm Hypothesis Reasoner

Abstract

THOR is a knowledge-based system which incorporates techniques from signal processing, pattern processing, and artificial intelligence (AI) in order to determine the boundary of small thunderstorms which develop and dissipate over the area encompassed by the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. THOR interprets electric field mill data (derived from a network of electric field mills) by using heuristics and algorithms about thunderstorms that have been obtained from several domain specialists. THOR generates two forms of output: contour plots which visually describe the electric field activity over the network and a verbal interpretation of the activity. THOR uses signal processing and pattern recognition to detect signatures associated with noise or thunderstorm behavior in a near real time fashion from over 31 electrical field mills. THOR's AI component generates hypotheses identifying areas which are under a threat from storm activity, such as lightning. THOR runs on a VAX/VMS at the Kennedy Space Center. Its software is a coupling of C and Fortran programs, several signal processing packages, and an expert system development shell. Thunderstorm, Artificial intelligence, Electric field mill data.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA282664

Entities

People

  • Alice M. Mulvehill

Organizations

  • MITRE Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Atmospheric Electricity
  • Electric Fields
  • Electricity
  • Expert Systems
  • Identification
  • Knowledge Based Systems
  • Lightning
  • Meteorology
  • Operating Systems
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Signal Processing
  • Three Dimensional
  • Thunderstorms
  • Two Dimensional
  • Weather Forecasting

Readers

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Space