A Differential-Based Broad-Band Electric Field Sensor for Detecting Lightning-Induced Electromagnetic Radiation Signals

The detection of lightning electromagnetic radiation signals is fundamental to both lightning physics research and lightning location systems. Antenna plays an important role in accurately detecting lightning electromagnetic radiation signals. This paper proposes a differential-based parallel-plate antenna. By establishing a 2D axisymmetric electrostatic field model, we compared the transfer factor of grounded parallel-plate antenna (GPPA) and the differentialbased parallel-plate antenna (DPPA). Simulation results demonstrate that, unlike the GPPA, the DPPA maintains a constant transfer factor when installation height changes, thereby eliminating the need for the height-specific calibration required by the GPPAs. Furthermore, an equivalent capacitive network model representing mutual couplings among the lightning cloud, ground, and antenna was developed. Based on this model and the design of the DPPA, a differential-based broad-band lightning electric field sensor is designed using the DPPA as the antenna. Experimental tests with a signal generator and power amplifier verified the sensor's frequency response and sensitivity. The proposed sensor exhibits a -3 dB bandwidth spanning 1 kHz to 3 MHz and maintains a stable sensitivity.