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Shape optimization of reconfigurable antenna reflectors

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Abstract

The active mechanical reshaping of the antenna reflector is considered a good candidate for in-orbit coverage reconfigurability that is required by the Telecom and Earth Observation missions since it features low cost, low mass and high power capability as compared to the active array antenna technology. However, to guarantee the stability and strength of the reflector under both constant actuation and exposure to the space environment, it is necessary to minimize the stresses and strains that arise when the reflector is reshaped. This article presents a methodology for the antenna reflector shape optimization, in which the cost function is the maximum value of the strain in the reflector and, where the radio-frequency (RF) and the actuation requirements are imposed as constraints. The performance at each iteration of actuator displacements is analyzed by the finite element method to compute the overall shape of the reflector, the strains arising and the actuator forces and by physical optics to compute the RF pattern radiated by the reflector shaping. Simulated annealing, as a global optimization method, has been selected for the optimization algorithm, since it allows escaping from local minima and benefits from the existence of starting points for the global optimization, that have resulted from pure RF optimization. A drastic reduction of strains in the reflector has been achieved, while the RF and actuation requirements have been met. These are key results to the development of actively reshapable reflectors.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank L. Schreider, S. Depeyre, and I. Faro, from Thales Alenia Space, France and L. Datashvili and H. Baier from the Laboratory of Lightweight Structures of the Technical University of Munich, for the fruitful exchanges and technical discussions in the frame of the ESA ARTES 5.1 study “Reconfigurable Antenna Optics”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Space Agency ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, PB 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

    Gonçalo Rodrigues, Jean-Christophe Angevain & Julian Santiago-Prowald

Authors
  1. Gonçalo Rodrigues
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  2. Jean-Christophe Angevain
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  3. Julian Santiago-Prowald
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gonçalo Rodrigues.

Additional information

This paper is based on a presentation at the ESA Workshop on Large Deployable Antennas, October 2–3, 2012, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

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Rodrigues, G., Angevain, JC. & Santiago-Prowald, J. Shape optimization of reconfigurable antenna reflectors. CEAS Space J 5, 221–232 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0038-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0038-5

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