EmbeddedRelated.com
SEN-39003 AS3935 Lightning Sensor Qwiic Breakout

SEN-39003 AS3935 Lightning Sensor Qwiic Breakout

MPN: SEN-39003
Playing With Fusion, Inc
AS3935 Lightning Detector Sensor Qwiic Platform Evaluation Expansion Board
Active64 in stock

Overview

The SEN-39003 is an evaluation expansion board featuring the AS3935 Franklin Lightning Sensor, designed to detect the presence and distance of potentially hazardous lightning activity. It provides a pre-calibrated sensing solution that calculates the distance to the head of a storm up to 40km away. This board utilizes the Qwiic connect system for easy integration and supports both I2C and SPI communication protocols.

Why Choose This Part

This breakout comes fully calibrated with calibration values stored in memory, eliminating the need for complex RF tuning during initial setup. Its wide operating voltage range of 2.4V to 5.5V and dual interface support make it compatible with a variety of 3.3V and 5V microcontroller platforms.

Applications

Automated Weather Stations
Integrate real-time lightning detection and storm proximity data into remote or local meteorological monitoring systems.
Outdoor Safety Equipment
Provide early warning systems for golf courses, swimming pools, and sports fields to ensure participant safety during storm events.
Sensitive Infrastructure Protection
Trigger automated shutdown or surge protection sequences for sensitive electronic equipment or power systems when lightning is detected nearby.
IoT Environmental Monitoring
Add lightning event logging to battery-powered IoT nodes for environmental research and climate data collection.

Key Specifications

Type Sensor
Contents Board(s)
Function Lightning Detector
Platform Qwiic
Utilized IC / Part AS3935

Getting Started

Connect the board to any Qwiic-compatible microcontroller or use the 0.1-inch header pins for standard breadboard wiring. Engineers should use the provided Arduino or Python libraries to read distance estimation and lightning intensity registers over I2C or SPI. Ensure the board is placed away from local EMI sources like switching power supplies or brushless motors to prevent false positives.

Also Consider

DFRobot Gravity: AS3935 Lightning Sensor DFRobot - An alternative implementation featuring Gravity series connectors for rapid prototyping in educational environments.