Method and apparatus for detecting potentially damaging electrical fields

摘要

A lightning detection system implemented via a modem or a soundcard is described. The modem is either internally or externally coupled to a communication or computer device. The modem uses one of the unused wires present in the four wire telephone cord that plugs into the modem as an antenna. A digital signal processor (DSP) internal to the modem is configured to function as an AM detector wherein the received signals are processed for determination of a potentially damaging lightning storm. The modem generates an interrupt request based upon the results of the DSP. The interrupt request notifies the communication or computer device which in turn is programmed via a software application to notify the user, such as displaying a warning message on a display device or in initiating a power down sequence.