Summary of Lightning detector on a chip
The AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor is a programmable RF receiver IC that detects cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning, estimates storm distance from 40 km to 1 km, rejects false disturbances, supports SPI/I2C, automatic antenna tuning, and operates from 2.4–5.5 V with low power modes and -40°C to 85°C range. Typical applications use a simple microcontroller and minimal passive components for compact consumer lightning detectors.
Parts used in the AS3935 Lightning Sensor project:
- AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor IC
- Microcontroller with SPI or I2C interface
- Antenna
- Passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) — typically seven components
- Power supply (2.4 to 5.5 V source)
- PCB or mounting substrate
- 16-pin MLPQ package footprint
Description
The AS3935 is a programmable Lightning Sensor™ IC that detects the presence and approach of potentially hazardous lightning activity in the vicinity. It detects intra-cloud activity as well as cloud to ground flashes, often enabling risk to be evaluated for approaching storms. The US National Weather Bureau suggests the 30-30 rule when lightning is imminent (When a flash is seen and the thunder is heard less than 30 seconds later, the storm is within 10 km. Head immediately for a safe shelter. Stay in the shelter for 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder you hear).
Key Features
- Franklin Lightning Sensor™ provides early warning indication of lightning storm activity within a 40km range
- Provides distance estimation to the head of the storm
- Detects both cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud (cloud-to-cloud) flashes
- Intelligent algorithm provides for false disturber rejection
- Programmable detection levels enable threshold setting for optimal configurability
- SPI and I2C interface is used for control and register reading
- Automatic Antenna Tuning
- Supply voltage range 2.4 to 5.5V
- Power-down, listening and active modes
- Temperature range: -40°C to 85°C
Austriamicrosystems has introduced a lightning sensor IC with an RF receiver that detects the electrical emissions from lightning activity.
The device could be used in portable lightning sensors which could become consumer safety products.
Using an algorithm developed by the firm in the AS3935 then converts the RF signal into an estimation of the distance to the head of the storm.
“The algorithm, which draws on extensive meteorological survey data, produces an estimated distance-to-storm calculation from 40km down to 1km, while rejecting disturbances from man-made signals such as motors and microwave ovens,” said the supplier.
Dubbed the Franklin Lightning Sensor, it has low power operation with a current consumption of 60µA and is packages in a 4mm x 4mm 16-pin MLPQ package.
A typical application for the AS3935 requires only a simple microcontroller with a SPI or I2C interface and seven other passive components allowing it to fit easily in a space about the size of an automobile keychain remote.
www.austriamicrosystems.com/Lighning-Sensor/AS3935
For more read: Lightning detector on a chip
- What does the AS3935 detect?
It detects cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning activity and provides early warning of storms. - How far can the AS3935 estimate storm distance?
It estimates distance to the head of the storm from 40 km down to 1 km. - Can the AS3935 reject false signals?
Yes, its intelligent algorithm rejects disturbances from man-made signals like motors and microwave ovens. - What interfaces does the AS3935 support?
It supports SPI and I2C interfaces for control and register reading. - What supply voltage does the AS3935 require?
It operates from 2.4 to 5.5 V. - What power modes does the AS3935 have?
It has power-down, listening, and active modes and very low power consumption (60 µA typical). - What temperature range can the AS3935 operate in?
The device operates from -40°C to 85°C. - What additional components are typically needed for an AS3935 application?
A simple microcontroller, an antenna, and about seven passive components are typically required.
