Configuration Design and Demonstration of a Spaceborne Deployable Membrane Array Antenna

doi:10.3901/JME.2024.03.011

Abstract

Abstract: In order to meet the requirements of large size and light weight of spaceborne antennas, the configuration of a roll-out membrane array antenna is developed, which has been the first thin-film antenna deployed on-orbit in China. Firstly, the fundamental bending, torsional and pendulum vibration frequency approximate analytical model considering the tension effect is established by the Rayleigh-Ritz method, and the fundamental torsional vibration frequency of the antenna frame structure is derived, which guided the rapid analysis and parameter design of the structural dynamics of the membrane antenna. The model has the characteristics of high efficiency and convenience compared with the nonlinear finite element analysis method. Secondly, the influence of characteristic parameters, such as primary beam cross-sectional radius, frame aspect radio and tension force, on the vibration frequency of the antenna is studied, the optimal ranges of structural parameters are given, and the effectiveness of the parameter design is verified by simulation and structural modal test. Finally, the on-orbit deployment demonstration of the roll-out membrane array antenna is introduced. The experiment show that the antenna structure could remain stable under the disturbance of satellite attitude maneuvering, which verified the feasibility of structural design.

Key words: spaceborne antenna, deployable membrane array antenna, configuration design, on-orbit demonstration

CLC Number:

V423

XIE Chao, ZHANG Enjie, YAN Biao, GAO Feng, YANG Jinping, FANG Guangqiang, WANG Zhiyi. Configuration Design and Demonstration of a Spaceborne Deployable Membrane Array Antenna[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2024, 60(3): 11-27.

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