(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,218,123 Bi
Tsamis et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 15,2007
The present invention is a detection device, system and method for detecting an external electromagnetic event such as lightning or a high intensity radiated field. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes a free space capacitive sensor and a protected amplifier circuit coupled with the free space capacitive sensor. The free space capacitive sensor and the protected amplifier circuit are configured to respond to a voltage waveform produced by an external electromagnetic event. The free space capacitive sensor serves as a single input capable of detecting the external electromagnetic event and the coupling of the free space capacitive sensor to the protected amplifier circuit allows subsystems in communication with the sensor and amplifier circuit to generate a coordinated response to the detected external electromagnetic event.
18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
