Simulation Analysis of Lightning Protection for UAV Array Antenna Based on Diverter Strips

In this paper, the research of lightning protection for a satellite communication antenna on a typical UAV based on diverter strips is studied. The intensity of induced electric field around the antenna in lightning environment is simulated, and the optimal layout of the diverter strips is obtained. Furthermore, the impact of diverter strips on the radiation performance, namely reflection coefficient and far-field pattern, of antenna is further analyzed. Results show that the antenna achieves the requirements of lightning protection when three metallic diverter strips at a distance of 20 cm are placed on the radome and the segmented diverter strips have almost no effect on the radiation performance of antenna.