austriamicrosystems, a provider of high performance analog ICs, has introduced a low power lightning sensor that has the potential to be used as lightning warning system.
austriamicrosystems AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor
The AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor can warn people of approaching electrical storms at distances of up to 40 km. It features a sensitive RF receiver, which can detect electric emissions that occur due to lightning. The RF signal is then converted into a distance estimation using an embedded intelligent algorithm. This algorithm utilizes meteorological survey data and provides a calculation of the distance-to-storm relation from the longest distance of 40 km to 1 km.
Human beings have the capability of hearing thunder that occurs at a distance of up to 10 km. In areas prone to lightning storms, this detection does not provide sufficient time to protect people and equipment.
Weather service organizations utilize large pole-mounted fixed sensors. Existing portable equipment for sensing lightning are large and not accurate. The AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor can be used in various types of indoor equipment including telecom equipment, power conditioners, uninterrupted power supplies and in portable devices for sporting events, golfing, and biking. The device is housed in a 16-pin MLPQ package of 4x4mm size, and consumes 60 µA of current in listening mode.
Preliminary trials were conducted in the USA and in Finland. The sensor proved to be better when compared to other sophisticated systems. The AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor can be used to supplement information from other early warning methods for lightning, including the 30-30 (1) lightning safety rule.