# 268: Cakepan Interferometry

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-11-15
- Length: 1h 14m
- Episode: 268
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/268-cakepan-interferometry

## Summary

Eric Brunning, a Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas Tech University, explains the physics of lightning detection, including the use of VHF interferometry with 'cake pans' and time-of-arrival networks. He details the meteorological origins of lightning, specifically the role of ice collisions in charge separation, and debunks the feasibility of harvesting lightning energy due to its low total energy despite high power. The discussion covers advanced instrumentation like spinning electric field meters on weather balloons and the relativistic particle acceleration that produces X-rays during lightning strikes.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [4:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=261) Detecting Lightning with Radio Frequencies
- [13:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=780) Building a DIY Lightning Detector with Cake Pans
- [17:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=1033) The Physics of Charge Separation in Storms
- [23:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=1395) Debunking Lightning Energy Harvesting
- [30:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=1829) Lightning Interferometry and Signal Processing
- [57:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=3442) Weather Balloons and In-Situ Electric Field Measurement
- [1:05:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry#t=3923) Relativistic Lightning and X-rays

## Topics

- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- National Severe Storms Laboratory (company)
- New Mexico Tech (company)
- Lockheed Martin (company)
- NOAA (company)
- Geostationary Lightning Mapper (product)
- The Cloudspotter's Guide (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep039: Elliot <3 Lightning Detector, Ikea Dark Mode, Smartest Watch, Solar Sailing, VAWT Controversy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-10-10-ep039-elliot-3-lightning-detector-ikea-dark-mode-smartest-watch-solar-sailing-va) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-11-15-268-cakepan-interferometry. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.