Gravity AS3935 Lightning Distance Sensor

The Gravity lightning sensor from DFRobot detects lightning up to 40 km away, indoors and outdoors. It uses the AS3935 lightning sensor IC from ams and the MA5532-AE antenna from Coilcraft and estimates the distance and intensity of a lightning strike. A built-in algorithm suppresses interference from household appliances.

At the moment of a lightning strike, the IRQ pin outputs a pulse. With an additional circuit, this can trigger a camera to photograph lightning.

Recommended Accessories:

• Dupont Cables M-M 10cm 20 Pieces
• Dupont Cable M-F 20cm 20 Pieces

Features:

• Lightning detection up to 40 km in 15 steps
• Detection of lightning intensity
• Disturber rejection configurable via the library (DFRobot)
• Testing without a thunderstorm: near computers, radio transmitters or a running microwave oven the sensor reports disturbers (DFRobot)
• Three I2C addresses via the DIP switches A0 and A1

Application Examples:

• Thunderstorm warning for weather stations
• Early warning for outdoor work and work at height
• Triggering a camera on a lightning strike
• Switching to backup power during a thunderstorm

Documentation:

• DFRobot Wiki SEN0290
• Arduino example by DFRobot
• DFRobot_AS3935 Arduino library (GitHub)
• Schematic (PDF)
• AS3935 datasheet (PDF)

Technical Data:

• Manufacturer: DFRobot
• Manufacturer SKU: SEN0290
• Sensor IC: AS3935
• Antenna: Coilcraft MA5532-AE
• Operating voltage VCC: 3.3 to 5.5 V
• Maximum detection range: 40 km
• Distance resolution: 1 to 4 km
• Intensity resolution: 21 bits, 0 to 16777201
• I2C address: 0x01, 0x02 or 0x03
• Interface: Gravity I2C, logic level 0 to VCC
• Connections: VCC, GND, SCL, SDA, IRQ
• Dimensions: 30 × 22 × 10.5 mm
• Weight: 13 g

Scope of Delivery:

• 1× Gravity AS3935 Lightning Distance Sensor
• 1× Gravity I2C/UART sensor cable
• 1× pin header 1×2