Laboratory Tests of the Resistance of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to the Normalized near Lightning Electrical Component

Abstract

This article describes a method of immunity testing for commercial unmanned aircraft vehicles relative to a variable near-lightning electric field component. The research focuses on one of the components of the electromagnetic field generated during a lightning discharge: the electrical component. Studies are proposed showing the influence of only this one factor on overvoltages arising in the drone. So far, no one has analyzed such an impact from emerging disturbances, because previous studies in the area have largely considered the impact of the entire electromagnetic field. This is justified practically, but not scientifically—it is necessary to determine the impact of each component separately. Selected electronic components are tested here. For that purpose, two types of pulses are used: Wave Form 4 (WF4–6.4/69 μs from DO-160 standard) and Voltage waveform 1.2/50 μs (PN-EN 61000-4-5:2014-10). The testing object is centrally placed in a capacitor between two parallel plates of dimensions 2 m by 2 m to provide a homogeneous electric field. The results (from a Rigol 1054Z oscilloscope) are saved in *.CSV files (for further analysis). The research shows that the greatest overvoltages are in active parts of the drone (higher-than-supply voltage level), such as the RF antenna or semiconductors. This emphasizes the need to pay special attention to the protection of these elements against a pulsed electromagnetic field, especially the electric component (e.g., lightning discharge).

Keywords

• near pulsed electric field
• lightning
• drone electronic immunity
• aircraft