Configuration investigation, structure design and deployment dynamics of rigid-reflector spaceborne antenna with deviation-angle panel

Abstract

Rigid-reflector spaceborne antennas (RRSAs) are well-suited for high-frequency application scenarios due to their high surface accuracy. However, the low stowing efficiency of RRSAs limits the aperture diameters and further deteriorates the electromagnetic (EM) performances in terms of gain, resolution and sensitivity. After conducting systematic feature analysis with respect to several typical RRSAs, we propose a novel type of RRSA to solve the aforementioned problems. Inspired by the pose adjustment process for a higher stowing efficiency of traditional RRSAs, we also propose a new segmentation scheme of a reflective surface consisting of a deviation-angle panel that facilitates a higher stowing efficiency. Based on this scheme, its corresponding folded configuration is implemented by combining Euler’s rotation theorem and the idea of parameter identification. In addition, we also compare the stowing efficiency of different schemes to verify the high stowing efficiency of the configuration. Finally, we perform mechanism/structure design and deployment dynamics to demonstrate that the antenna can be successfully deployed and exhibits excellent deployment quality. The results suggest that the proposed antenna possesses higher stowing efficiency than that of the same kind, with a stable deployment and interference-free process.