Kinematics of deployment of petal-type large space antenna reflectors with axisymmetric petal packaging

Configuration Investigation, Structure Design and Deployment Dynamics of Rigid-Reflector Spaceborne Antenna with Deviation-Angle Panel

“…With respect to the regular-panel antenna concept, i.e., the PTDA mentioned in Section 1 , its reflective surface is segmented into a series of identical panels in the radial direction, with a circle-shaped hub left in the center, as shown in Figure 4 a. Its unfolding process is like a blooming flower; hence, it is referred to as the petal-type deployable antenna [ 32 , 36 , 39 ], and the panel together with its supporting structure (framework) is usually called a petal. All the panels are fixed on their respective framework and can be easily linked to the hub with tilted revolute joints (purple rectangles) through these frameworks, so the deployed or folded PTDA can be implemented by rotating the panels around their respective joint axes.…”

“…Some designs introduced a base to connect the panel [ 38 ]. No matter what schemes are adopted, the structure of the PTDA exhibits high axisymmetry at any phase of deploying or folding, possessing excellent commonality of elements in deployment balance [ 39 ] compared with the aforementioned antenna concepts. In the folded state, all the panels form a pattern similar to the vertical view of a fan impeller, as shown in Figure 4 b.…”

“…Among them, the former two types, ever since they were first proposed, drew little interest due to their various intrinsic structural deficiencies involving but not limited to complicated structures, lack of back frame, etc. In contrast to those two types, the third one has been most widely adopted owing to its maintainability, element universality and mutual dynamic balance in deployment [ 39 ]. Regarding its segmentation scheme, the reflector of the PTDA is segmented into multiple identical parts (usually known as petals) in the radial direction, with the rest in the center functioning as the central hub.…”

“…In addition, its reflector is composed of 27 carbon-fiber petals together with a central dish, and its 0.3 mm surface accuracy enables its operating frequency to reach up to the Ka band. According to the related literature, its deployment is conducted by rotating all the petals around their respective skew axis [ 39 ]. Unfortunately, no implementation details can be found involving the method for identifying the axis position, the deployment mechanism, the synchronous scheme, etc.…”

“…Guang et al [ 46 ] analyzed and experimented on the deployment process of a tiny 3D-printing antenna model based on rigid modified origami flashers. Other studies [ 28 , 29 , 38 , 39 ] place the emphasis on antenna concepts, mechanism configuration synthesis and kinematics. Therefore, there are still many directions worthy of in-depth research on the deployment dynamics of RRSAs.…”