1. Structural and Radio Frequency Co-Design and Optimization of Large Deployable Reflectarrays for Space Missions
- Author
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Andrea Guarriello, Renaud Loison, Daniele Bresciani, Hervé Legay, George Goussetis, Institut d'Électronique et des Technologies du numéRique (IETR), Université de Rennes (UR)-Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - Rennes (INSA Rennes), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA)-Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA)-CentraleSupélec-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Nantes Université - pôle Sciences et technologie, Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ), Thales Alenia Space [Toulouse] (TAS), THALES [France], Heriot-Watt University [Edinburgh] (HWU), European Commission [MSCA-ITN2016-722840], and French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation through the 'France Relance' project SOAR [ANR-21-PRRD-0037-01]
- Subjects
Fasteners ,Finite element analysis ,thermoelastic deformation (TED) ,Geometry ,Thermal stability ,Contoured beam ,[SPI]Engineering Sciences [physics] ,satellite antenna ,Thermal loading ,Radio frequency ,Loaded antennas ,phoenix cells ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,optimization ,large deployable reflectarray (RA) - Abstract
International audience; The structural and radio frequency (RF) design and optimization of a large deployable faceted reflectarray (RA) generating double polarization contour beam are presented in this work. The issue addressed is the thermoelastic stability of large RAs and the impact of the thermoelastic deformation (TED) under transverse thermal gradient on the RA performances. Finite element TED analysis is conducted on a deployable RA with self-standing structures, demonstrating the detrimental effects of the in-orbit TED impact on the RA performances, estimated to be above 3 dB losses. To this extent, a novel structural solution is proposed, based on the use of reliable mechanical support capable to mitigate the TED. The mechanical design reorientation is contingent on the RF design reformulation. The proposed novel mechanical and RF co-design concept and methodology allows the conception of a low-profile, thermo-structurally stable RA with compliant radiation patterns and high cross-polarization discrimination in the worst case thermal load. This methodology is based on a direct optimization of nine-panel faceted RA composed of advanced high-order Phoenix cells directly optimized to fulfill the contoured beam requirements and by respecting the local periodicity requirements of the layout.
- Published
- 2023