Industry’s first lightning sensor IC suits low power, portable apps

Industry’s first lightning sensor IC suits low power, portable apps

Named after American innovator Benjamin Franklin, the AS3935 low-power lightning sensor IC with an embedded intelligent algorithm provides people with advanced warning of approaching electrical storms giving them additional time to take shelter. It is claimed to be the first of its kind targeting low-power portable applications and can detect lightning up to 40 km away.

The device uses a sensitive RF receiver that detects the electrical emissions from lightning activity. A proprietary algorithm 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 40 km down to 1 km, while rejecting disturbances from man-made signals such as motors and microwave ovens.

With multiple low-power modes and a listening-mode current consumption of 60 µA, the AS3935 can easily be integrated into a variety of portable or outdoor devices targeting biking, hiking, marine, golfing, sporting events (football, soccer, baseball, etc.), and in-building equipment such as uninterupted power supplies, power conditioners, telcom equipment, intelligent networks, and smart grids needing early detection for use in surge damage prevention.

A typical application for the AS3935 requires only a simple microcontroller with a SPI or I2 C interface and seven other passive components allowing it to fit easily in a space about the size of an automobile keychain remote. It is housed in a 4 x 4-mm 16-pin MLPQ package. (Contact company for pricing and availability.)

By Christina Nickolas

austriamicrosystems , Unetrremstaetten , Austria
U.S. Sales Office 408-345-1790

www.austriamicrosystems.com