INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source, having two antenna modules, each antenna module comprising two conductive elements, one planar reflector having a first face and a second face, the first faces of the planar reflectors of the antenna modules engaging respectively and integrally with the two conductive elements of the antenna modules, the two antenna modules being mutually arranged so that the second faces of the planar reflectors thereof form a projecting angle.

Claims

1. A system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source, comprising: two physically separate antenna modules, each antenna module comprising two conductive elements, a planar reflector having a first face and a second face, said first faces of the planar reflectors of said antenna modules respectively and integrally cooperating with said second conductive elements of said antenna modules, the two antenna modules being mutually arranged so that the second faces of the planar reflectors thereof form a projecting angle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the planar reflectors are respectively oriented to be substantially vertical.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the two conductive elements of each antenna module are dipoles.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the two conductive elements of each antenna module have quadrilateral conductive surfaces.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the two conductive elements and the planar reflector of each antenna module cooperate using a dielectric element.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the planar reflector of each antenna module is made up of a metallic mesh.

7. The system according to claim 1, including four physically separate antenna modules, each antenna module comprising two conductive elements, a planar reflector having a first face and a second face, said first faces of the planar reflectors of said antenna modules respectively and integrally cooperating with said two conductive elements of said antenna modules, the four antenna modules being mutually arranged such that the second faces of their planar reflectors form, in pairs, an angle of ninety degrees.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein each antenna module is arranged to detect an electromagnetic source producing an electromagnetic wave whereof the frequency band is selected from the following set of frequency bands: between 111 and 117 megahertz, between 328.6 and 335.4 megahertz or between 1400 and 1427 megahertz.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each antenna module is arranged to concomitantly receive a plurality of frequency bands.

Description

[0033] Other features and advantages will appear more clearly upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1, previously described, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a known lightning detection system;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a first embodiment of a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention;

[0036] FIGS. 3A and 3B show two schematic views of a second embodiment of a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention;

[0037] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show respective schematic views of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of antenna modules of a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention.

[0038] FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B respectively show first and second embodiments of a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention.

[0039] Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, electromagnetic source, also described as radio source, refers to any source, more generally any element, capable of emitting an electromagnetic field, such an electromagnetic field comprising one or several electromagnetic waves. The best-known electromagnetic wave today remains the light wave. Such electromagnetic sources, and more generally such electromagnetic fields, can advantageously be of natural origin, for example those at the origin of flashes or lightning, or created by human activity, for example those at the origin of x-rays used in radiography. The invention will be described through a preferred, but non-limiting exemplary application in which the electromagnetic source consists of lightning or of one or several flashes. For simplification purposes, throughout the document, the expressions flash and lightning will be used interchangeably to define the electrostatic phenomenon observed by a system according to the invention.

[0040] Also within the meaning of the invention, interferometry refers to any measuring method making it possible to detect an electromagnetic source and/or field as previously mentioned, using the phase difference of a coherent electromagnetic wave, the phase then being measured by two receivers at two different points, thus making it possible to evaluate the phase shift. The use of interferometry-based systems is particularly clever, since interferometry-based methods have the advantage of working independently of the form of the electromagnetic wave(s) radiated by the lightning or the flashes, increasing the robustness of the systems in light of the deformations that said wave(s) may experience. The precision of the location of an electromagnetic source thus does not depend on the environment and/or the distance separating the system from the flash(es). Furthermore, such interferometry-based systems are particularly effective for a large number of electromagnetic sources to be observed and thus make it possible to obtain information in real time, unlike systems based on ToA techniques. Indeed, ToA technologies require a priori knowledge about the shapes of the electromagnetic waves to be observed and are limited in their use by the distances between the sensors making up a study system, since the time of arrival measurements are limited by the travel time of the distances between sensors in a same system. Depending on the sensors, the order of the electromagnetic waves may optionally be reversed or changed, directly affecting the measurements and therefore the location of the electromagnetic waves.

[0041] The principle of interferometry primarily consists of calculating the direction of an electromagnetic source by measuring the phase shift of one or several electromagnetic waves coming from the same source during the propagation, the measurement being done using one or several conductive elements. The equation defining any detection or measurement done and/or performed by a conductive element or dipole of an interferometric system, made up of at least two conductive elements or dipoles, is given by the following formula:

=2l/ sin cos , where: [0042] is the elevation, that is to say, the angle between a horizontal plane defined by the ground and the direction of the electromechanical source; [0043] l is the distance between two conductive elements; [0044] is the wavelength; [0045] is the azimuth, that is to say, the angle in the horizontal plane between the direction of the magnetic source and a reference direction; [0046] is the phase shift, that is to say, the difference in phases at a same determined instant between two signals describing the electromagnetic wave for the two conductive elements.
Such an equation shows a relationship between said phase shift of an electromagnetic wave and the azimuth and the elevation , making it possible to locate the electromagnetic source. When two antenna modules, each with two conductive elements, of an interferometric system are combined with two different orientations, a system with two independent equations is then obtained. As a function of the phases or phase shifts measured by the conductive elements of said interferometric system, the resolution of the two-equation system of which then makes it possible to determine the azimuth and the elevation , and ultimately the location of the electromagnetic wave. Therefore, the precision of such a location is a function only of the precision of the phase shift measurement, the precision of such a phase measurement depending only on the signal level relative to the received electromagnetic wave and the integration time, that is to say, the time period during which the receiver must be exposed to the electromagnetic wave or the time period for comparison of the respective phases of the two signals coming from two conductive elements, thus making it possible to reduce or even eliminate the measurement noise, in the case at hand between approximately ten to several hundreds of microseconds.

[0047] In the context of the invention, such an interferometry-based system will preferably, but non-limitingly, be used to detect one or several electromagnetic sources, in the case at hand to detect lightning, one or several flashes.

[0048] According to a first embodiment described in connection with FIG. 2, a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention includes two antenna modules 5. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, antenna module refers to any element, object or device, generally metallic and/or conducting electricity, able to capture or detect one or several electromagnetic waves in space. Such an antenna module is thus considered an element able to be juxtaposed or combined with other elements of the same nature or contributing to a same function, that is to say, to one or several other antenna modules, able to detect one or several electromagnetic waves, making it possible to solve the interferometric equation and locate a flash. All of the antenna modules present within a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source are advantageously physically separate, that is to say, they do not have a common mechanical link among the different antenna modules. Such an arrangement in the form of separate antenna modules is particularly advantageous, since said antenna modules are then directive and independent of their supports and therefore not subject to any interference caused by their installation sites. As already mentioned, to ensure the detection of an electromagnetic wave of an electromagnetic source by interferometry, at least two antenna modules are necessary to ensure such a detection. Indeed, a system 1 according to the invention, advantageously including two separate antenna modules with two conductive elements, can easily make it possible to locate a flash at a determined moment. A flash being located in three dimensions, it is thus necessary to take two phase shift measurements respectively from two different angles. Nevertheless, when several, at least two, flashes are observable at a same determined instant, it can be necessary to use a greater number of antenna modules within the system. The invention thus cannot be limited to the use of only this number of separate antenna modules within a system 1 to interferometrically detect an electromagnetic source according to the invention. Therefore, the choice of a specific number of conductive elements, or more broadly of antenna modules with respect to another number, will primarily depend on the number of electromagnetic sources that one can or wishes to detect and locate concomitantly using a system 1 to interferometrically detect an electromagnetic source according to the invention. Optionally, the number of antenna modules can also depend on the location of the electromagnetic source(s) to be observed. Thus, an antenna module including N conductive elements will be able locate N1 sources emitting concomitantly. The antenna modules of a system 1 for detecting an electromagnetic source interferometrically according to the invention are separated, that is to say, there is no physical and/or mechanical cooperation between the different antenna modules 5 making up said system. Such a separation makes it possible to make observations by sector and to simplify the installation of the systems. Indeed, such a system is for example particularly effective in the zones or on the sites where it is not possible for monolithic antenna systems like that described in connection with FIG. 1. According to a first example, on the site of the Aiguille du Midi, the peak is already equipped with telecommunications transmitters and thus cannot receive a monolithic system. A system 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to install separate antenna modules all around the aerial device and thus to do away with the radiation from the different transmitters existing at this time and existing on the site. According to a second example, said system 1 can be installed around or on any pole, such as a structure of the pylon type.

[0049] To ensure the interferometric detection of one or several electromagnetic waves, each antenna module 5 of a system 1 according to the invention comprises two conductive elements 2. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, conductive element refers to any object primarily made up of a body, generally but non-limitingly a metal, for example aluminum or copper, the physicochemical characteristics of which allow the passage of an electric current, such an object being intended to receive all or part of the electromagnetic energy emitted by a flash or more generally by lightning or a radiating source. Such conductive elements are advantageously receivers and can thus be described as passive conductive elements. According to one preferred, but non-limiting example, the two conductive elements 2 of an antenna module 5 of a system 1 according to the invention can advantageously be separated by a distance substantially comprised between ten and fifty centimeters, preferably twenty centimeters. Furthermore, said conductive elements are advantageously positioned on a same horizon line. As previously specified, the presence of two conductive elements advantageously makes it possible to measure a phase shift, thus making it possible to determine the azimuth and the elevation of an electromagnetic source producing an electromagnetic wave. Nevertheless, the invention cannot be limited to the number of conductive elements present within each antenna module or the distance separating such conductive elements.

[0050] One of the aims of the invention is in particular to propose a system for interferometrically locating an electromagnetic source, including at least two antenna modules, said system then having a directional radiation pattern and thus making it possible to do away with the infrastructure(s) or more generally supports on which such antenna modules are installed and/or to do away with the coupling between the different antenna modules. Indeed, such a coupling between the antenna modules, more specifically the conductive elements, requires a systematic calibration of the detection system, said system being highly sensitive to mechanical variations. Furthermore, the invention also makes it possible to offer a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source, including at least two antenna modules, said system then having a directional radiation pattern thus making it possible to do away with any ground reflections.

[0051] To that end, each antenna module 5 of the system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention also comprises a reflector 6. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, reflector refers to any apparatus able to reflect one or several electromagnetic waves. In some cases, such a reflector can be responsible for concentrating the received electromagnetic wave(s) toward the conductive elements. According to the invention, such a reflector is preferably, but non-limitingly planar. According to different embodiments of antenna modules described in connection with FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A to 4C, such a planar reflector 6 advantageously has a first face 6i and a second face 6ii. By definition, such first and second faces 6i and 6ii in particular and advantageously allow the positioning of each separate antenna module within the system according to determined distances, on the order of several centimeters, or even several meters, several tens of meters, in order, as previously mentioned, to do away with the constraints related to the installation of the antenna modules, the coupling of the conductive elements among said antenna modules and/or reflections on the ground of the electromechanical waves.

[0052] Furthermore, in addition, according to one preferred, but non-limiting exemplary embodiment (not shown in the figures for simplification purposes) of a system for detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention, the planar reflector 6 of each antenna module 5 of the latter can be made up of a metal mesh. The use of a planar reflector in the form of a metal mesh is particularly advantageous, since such a reflector is relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and has a minimal wind surface area, said antenna modules generally being installed outside and thus being subject to any meteorological constraints. Preferably but non-limitingly, such a metal mesh can have a grid or mesh with dimensions ten times smaller than the wavelength, in particular to ensure the insulation of the conductive elements. The invention cannot, however, be limited to the use of a specific arrangement, structure and/or composition of a reflector. The choice of a particular arrangement, structure and/or composition of a reflector 6 in light of another arrangement, structure and/or composition may depend, advantageously but non-limitingly, on the electromagnetic source to be located or more broadly on the installation position or location of a system 1 in order to interferometrically detect such an electromagnetic source according to the invention so as in particular to further reduce the manufacturing, installation and/or maintenance costs of such a system 1.

[0053] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show respective schematic views of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of antenna modules of a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention.

[0054] FIG. 4A shows a first exemplary embodiment of an antenna module 5 of a system 1 for detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention. According to this advantageous exemplary embodiment, the two conductive elements 2 of each antenna module 5 can respectively consist of dipoles. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, any receiving element or object made up of two metal strands, powered in its middle 2m, that is to say, between two such strands, and designed to receive all or part of the electromagnetic energy emitted by a flash or more generally by lightning. The use of conductive elements in the form of dipoles is particularly clever, since such dipoles are commonly used, therefore inexpensive, and what is more, easy to implement and not very sensitive to the coupling between conductive elements. According to FIG. 4A, such coplanar dipoles can advantageously be substantially trombone-shaped (also referred to as folded dipole). Dipoles having such a trombone shape offer a certain number of advantages: first of all, the dipoles, grounded, do not have a build-up of capacitive effect and do not need to be discharged. Furthermore, such dipoles have a better mechanical strength, thus offering a lasting installation over time. According to one preferred, but non-limiting example, when the conductive elements are in the form of dipoles, like the example described in connection with FIG. 4A, and when the working band of the antenna modules of a system 1 according to the invention is on the order of 332 megahertz, the two conductive elements 2 and the reflective plane of an antenna module 5 of a system 1 according to the invention can advantageously be separated by a distance of substantially between ten and fifty centimeters, preferably twenty centimeters.

[0055] In a variant, FIG. 4B shows a second exemplary embodiment of an antenna module 5 of a system 1 for detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention. According to this advantageous exemplary embodiment, the two conductive elements 2 of each antenna module 5 can respectively have quadrilateral conductive surfaces. According to this advantageous embodiment, such an antenna module 5 including two conductive elements 2 having quadrilateral conductive surfaces is comparable to a planar antenna, also described as patch antenna. According to this embodiment, the planar reflector can also be conductive. The use of such antenna modules in the form of planar antennas is particularly advantageous, since such antenna modules, due to their very simple design, are very easy to produce industrially. Furthermore, they can be used alone or as elements of an array, in the case at hand a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention. Lastly, said antenna modules in the form of planar antennas have a smaller space requirement in light of other antenna modules, thus allowing easy manipulations and installations, as well as easy integration against an existing structure, such as a building. Such antenna modules in the form of planar antennas, like dipole antennas, have a specific resonance frequency. However, said planar antennas have the advantage of being able to resonate at different frequencies, for example three hundred megahertz and/or one thousand four megahertz. Such antenna modules, described as multi-frequency, make it possible to combine an ambiguous and unambiguous array and thus to increase the precision of the measurements and to access a location in three dimensions, even at low elevation.

[0056] The invention cannot, however, be limited to the use of a specific conductive element arrangement or structure for producing an antenna module. The choice of a specific conductive element arrangement or structure in light of another arrangement or structure may advantageously, but non-limitingly, depend on the altitude or the trajectory of the electromagnetic source to be observed and/or located, or more broadly on the installation position or location of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention so as in particular to further reduce the manufacturing, installation and/or maintenance costs of such a system. Furthermore, as already mentioned, the invention cannot be limited to the number of conductive elements present within each antenna module. According to a third non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an antenna module of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention described in connection with FIG. 4C, an antenna module of the latter can comprise more than two conductive elements 2, in the case at hand six conductive elements 2. The use of a large number of conductive elements within an antenna module makes it possible to refine the directional lobe of the antenna module and thus to increase the range of such a module.

[0057] In order to ensure cohesion of the elements making up the antenna modules of the system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention, in the case at hand, for each antenna module, a planar reflector and at least two conductive elements, the first faces 6i of the reflective planes 6 of said antenna modules 5 respectively and integrally cooperate with said two conductive elements 2 of said antenna modules 5. Such a cooperation between the first face 6i of a planar reflector 6 and the two conductive elements 2 can be embodied by any suitable mechanical link, preferably of the embedding type, advantageously permanent or optionally reversible. Such an embedding connection can be done by any suitable fastening means, said first face 6i of a planar reflector 6 and the two conductive elements 2 being mutually arranged to ensure the assembly thereof. As a non-limiting example, when the conductive elements assume the form of dipoles 2, such dipoles can be kept parallel to the reflector 6 using respective rectilinear masts describing a V-shaped association, the base of which cooperates with no degree of freedom with the reflector. The invention cannot, however, be limited to this sole exemplary embodiment. In a variant, according to FIGS. 4B and 4C in particular, the invention provides that the first face 6i of a planar reflector 6 and the two conductive elements 2 of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention can form or consist of a single and same physical entity.

[0058] In a variant or additionally, the invention provides that the two conductive elements 2 and the planar reflector 6, more specifically its first face 6i, of each antenna module 5 of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention can cooperate using a dielectric element 8. The use of such a dielectric element is particularly advantageous, since such a dielectric element does not conduct electricity and thus makes it possible to insulate the conductive elements from the first face 6i of the reflector, such that they can perform their function fully. In the context of one exemplary embodiment of an antenna module in the form of a planar antenna, as described in particular in connection with FIGS. 4B and 4C, the two conductive elements 2 and the planar reflector 6 of such an antenna module 5 are advantageously and respectively separated by a dielectric blade, said dielectric blade being able to be made primarily from an epoxy resin.

[0059] In order to do away with the infrastructure(s), or more generally supports, on which such antenna modules are installed and/or to do away with the coupling between the different antenna modules of a system 1 in order to interferometrically detect an electromagnetic source according to the invention, like that described in connection with FIG. 2, the two antenna modules 5 of the latter are advantageously distanced, that is to say, preferably but non-limitingly separated by several centimeters, or even several meters to several tens of meters, and mutually arranged such that the second faces 6ii of their planar reflectors 6 form a projecting angle , that is to say, an angle of between zero and hundred eighty degrees. Owing to such a projecting angle, the conductive elements 2 of said system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source are arranged such that they do not interfere with one another, unlike the antenna system described in connection with FIG. 1. According to one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the second faces 6ii of the respective planar reflectors 6 of the two antenna modules of a system 1 according to the invention can form an angle substantially equal to ninety degrees, thus guaranteeing a better resolution and precision to ultimately locate and/or detect one or several electromagnetic sources.

[0060] So as also to do away with any ground reflections or infrastructures on which a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention is installed, the planar reflectors 6 of such a system 1 can respectively be oriented to be substantially vertical. Furthermore, in a variant or additionally, still to do away with any reflections on the ground, the planar reflectors 6 of such a system 1 can respectively and also be oriented to be substantially aligned on a same horizon line. Furthermore, the conductive elements of said system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source can also be aligned horizontally, in particular to avoid inherent ground echoes of any reflections of one or several electromagnetic waves on the ground.

[0061] According to one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention described in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B, the latter can include four antenna modules 5, said antenna modules 5 also in turn being physically and mechanically separated from one another, thus allowing the formation of an exploded system or antenna. Like the first embodiment of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention described in connection with the figures, each antenna module 5 can comprise two conductive elements 2, able to measure a phase shift. Such conductive elements 2 can also and respectively consist of dipoles or have quadrilateral conductive surfaces. Each antenna module of the detection system further comprises a planar reflector 6 having a first face 6i and a second face 6ii, said first faces 6i of the planar reflectors 6 of said antenna modules 5 respectively and integrally cooperating with said second conductive elements 2 of said antenna modules 5, optionally using a dielectric element. Still according to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the four antenna modules 5 can be mutually arranged such that the second faces 6ii of their planar reflectors 6 form, in pairs, an angle substantially of ninety degrees. Arranged in this way, the four antenna modules of a system 1 according to the invention can then sweep a coverage area of three hundred sixty degrees. Such a configuration makes it possible not only to do away with the infrastructure(s) or more generally supports on which such antenna modules are installed and/or to do away with the coupling between the different antenna modules, but also to provide the broadest possible coverage area to be able to detect an electromagnetic source, ultimately increasing the sensitivity of the system.

[0062] Lastly, the invention provides that each antenna module of the system can be dimensioned so as to be able to use several frequency bands. Preferably but non-limitingly, each antenna module 5 of a system 1 for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention is arranged to detect an electromagnetic source producing an electromagnetic wave whose frequency band is selected among the following set of frequency bands: between 111 and 117 megahertz, between 328.6 and 335.4 megahertz, or between 1400 and 1427 megahertz. The higher the frequency band used is, the more the space requirement of each antenna module is decreased. Furthermore, the broader the frequency band is, the lower the noise level is. The use of a detection frequency band between 111 and 117 megahertz is particularly advantageous, since the lower the observed spectral band is, the more the electromagnetic wave radiates and the better the signal is. However, such a detection frequency band between 111 and 117 megahertz has the drawback of being close to the transmission and reception bands of FM radios (that is to say, transmitting in frequency modulation), thus limiting the detection ranges. The use of a detection frequency band between 328.6 and 335.4 megahertz or between 1400 and 1427 megahertz is particularly advantageous, since said transmission frequency bands are very restricted, or even prohibited, thus limiting noises or pollution. Furthermore, such frequency bands have worldwide coverage.

[0063] As previously mentioned, the antenna modules have a specific resonance frequency. The invention further provides that said antenna modules can be arranged to resonate concomitantly at different frequencies, that is to say, to be able to concomitantly receive several, at least two, frequency bands, for example three hundred megahertz and/or one thousand four megahertz. Such antenna modules, described as multi-frequency, make it possible to combine an ambiguous and unambiguous array and thus to increase the precision of the measurements and access a three-dimensional location, even at low elevation.

[0064] According to one specific non-limiting embodiment, with the exception of the coupling between the conductive elements of each antenna module, such an antenna module can be made up of two conductive elements, preferably separated by a distance of about a half-wavelength, each conductive element having dimensions smaller than a half-wavelength. According to different embodiment variants: [0065] for a reception frequency of three hundred megahertz, the wavelength is substantially equal to one meter. The conductive elements of each module are then substantially positioned at fifty centimeters from one another. Due to the existence of a coupling term, the conductive elements of each module are then substantially positioned at fifty centimeters from one another. [0066] for a reception frequency of one thousand five hundred megahertz, the wavelength is substantially equal to twenty centimeters. The conductive elements of each module are then substantially positioned at ten centimeters from one another. [0067] for a reception frequency of one thousand seven hundred megahertz, the wavelength is substantially equal to seventeen centimeters. The conductive elements of each module are then substantially positioned at eight centimeters from one another.

[0068] However, the dimensioning and/or the adjustment of each antenna module of a system to interferometrically detect an electromagnetic source according to the invention cannot be limited to the frequency bands selected for such a detection. Such a dimensioning and/or such an adjustment of each antenna module can also depend on the phase excursion, also depending on coupling effects, the radiation pattern of each antenna module, corresponding to a directional lobe and/or any phase undulations, in turn depending on the frequency.

[0069] The invention has been described during its use in connection with lightning detection applications, more specifically the detection of intra-cloud flashes. It can also be implemented to act on any other type of flashes, such as lightning surges, or generally any type of electromagnetic waves to be detected and thus to offer a lightning detection system described as total. To that end, a system for detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention can also include devices for detecting flashes striking the ground, such devices using magnetic orientation and low-frequency time of arrival technologies. The invention cannot be limited to the application within which the system according to the invention is used. According to another embodiment, such a system for interferometrically detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention could be used in connection with high-voltage lines including one or several sections in which the insulation is defective, thus making it possible to anticipate the maintenance of such high-voltage lines.

[0070] Furthermore, a system for detecting an electromagnetic source according to the invention may comprise other accessories, so as in particular, as non-limiting examples, to allow easier maintenance of the antenna modules on different supports or infrastructures or processing means to set, benchmark and/or adjust the measurements. Such accessories can, by way of non-limiting examples, be selected from among one or several preamplifiers, filters, amplifiers and/or digitizers. In a variant or additionally, in order to ensure the coherence of each acquisition line of an antenna module and to guarantee adequate measurements between the antenna modules of a system to detect an electromagnetic source according to the invention, each antenna module can comprise a transmitter positioned between the conductive elements in the reflective plane, in order to benchmark said system regularly.