Electromagnetic Energy Coupling Path and Protection Method of UAV Datalink against Broad-Spectrum High-Power Microwave Radiation

Abstract

To verify the adaptability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) datalinks to the electromagnetic environment comprising broad-spectrum high-power microwave radiation, strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) tests were conducted using ultra wideband (UWB) radiation source at different radiation field strengths and repetition frequencies. For UAV datalinks, interference, disturbance, degradation and other effects were found in the tests. The electromagnetic energy coupling path of the broad-spectrum high-power microwave radiation was determined by adjusting the test status of UAV datalink as well as by protecting its key parts. The radio frequency front end, power cable and terminal interfaces on the housing surface were found to be weak electromagnetic links. The methods of the protection of radio frequency front end and power cable against strong EMPs were proposed. In addition, protection effects obtained by using different protection modules of radio frequency front end as well as by applying power spike pulse suppressors were compared and validated.