A System Based On A UAV Platform For Broadband Measurement Of High Intensity E.M. Fields

The measurement of the intensity of electromagnetic emissions is a relevant topic and is of great interest in both the civil and military fields, especially when the levels of the emissions are high. Another similarly current sector is that of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), which are increasingly used as supporting tools by the armed forces and for public security activities. This paper describes the activities carried out and the results obtained within the “PLASTIc” (PLatform Agnostic Sensors for opTImised design of midlife ship refitting) research project, that combines the above application areas. The demonstrator built for the research project is able to carry out a dual task: the measurement of high intensity electrical fields and the taking of pictures to enable the creation of an accurate 3D CAD model reconstruction of the naval systems. In order to fulfill these two tasks, a payload was developed consisting of the necessary electronics and sensors, which was integrated on-board an electrically propelled UAV. The specific research will address, as operational case, the testing after a midlife ship refitting.