Investigation on Electromagnetic Compatibility of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Electromagnetic Environment

With the escalating of electromagnetic environment in space, there has been growing attention on the electromagnetic negative effects on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In the paper the investigation of the potential electromagnetic interference that UAVs may encounter during flight has been presented. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) defines requirements necessary to the correct work of UAVs electronics. The immunity threshold of electric field strength according to existing EMC standard for typical commercial drones was established as 10 V/m. On the other hand, European standards for people protection suggest that electromagnetic field emitted by mobile base station antennas can reach level up to 61 V/m. Investigation of drone vulnerability in electromagnetic environment was carried out in the anechoic chamber and it was determined that when electric field strength is 30 V/m or higher the generally available drones have unchecked fall. The UAV’s cables are the main energy coupling path from electromagnetic field. Induced, additional current perturbs the current in drone arms and consequently propellers cannot guarantee the stable flight. Considering the maximum possible base station antenna effective radiated power of 40 dBW per sector the safe distance of R = 20 m from the antenna was specified. The safe distance for UAVs around base station antennas, as a recommendation, should be respected by popular drone users.