Cable-driven deployment mechanism design and electromechanical coupling modeling for rigid-reflector deployable antenna

Abstract

This study introduces a novel rigid-reflector deployable antenna (RRDA), featuring a Cable-Driven Synchronous Device (CDSD). It begins with the derivation of formulations for petal count and hub radius, followed by an oblique-axis deployment principle tailored to the petal. To avoid potential interference, a straightforward parameter-tuning strategy is formulated. Petal deployment is achieved simply using the universal joint coupling, which further facilitates the CDSD implementation in the outer–inner wrapping mode. Furthermore, a shaft-adjusting device is designed to ensure precise positioning of the rotational shaft. Prototype experiments validate the antenna’s smooth deployment with reasonable input torque, and reveal the CDSD’s self-compensation capability to eliminate backlash. Subsequently, various complex error sources are integrated into the Cone-Error Model (CEM) with solely two parameters, leading to the development of the Specific Electromechanical Coupling Model (SECM) to precisely characterize the relation between electromagnetic (EM) performance and joint tolerance. Under the guidance of SECM, the RRDA is allocated reasonable tolerance, according to EM indices. In conclusion, the proposed RRDA offers an effective and practical solution for high-frequency satellite antennas, with potential promising engineering applications.