TITLE:
Thermal Distortion Compensation for Improving Electrical Performance of Reflector Antennas
AUTHORS:
Jiamei Kang, Wei Wang, Shuo Zhang, Shaofan Lian, Hong Bao
KEYWORDS:
Space Reflector Antenna, Thermal Distortion, Active Compensation, Electrical Performance, PSO
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.11 No.4,
April
29,
2021
ABSTRACT: Aiming at the problem of the surface accuracy and electrical performance of the antenna in space environment are reduced due to thermal deformation caused by temperature load. This paper presents a method to compensate the thermally induced shape distortion of antenna reflector by actively adjusting actuators in order to improve the electrical performance. The adjustment of each actuator is related to the local deformation of the panel. Then, taking a space deployable antenna with a diameter of 5 meters as an example, the finite element model is established. According to the range of the temperature variation in space (−180°C - 200°C), different temperature loads are applied to the antenna. The variation of electrical properties and surface accuracy is analyzed and the worst working condition is determined, and the antenna is compensated based on this condition. Then, four different electrical performance parameters are used as the optimization objectives, and the electromechanical coupling optimization model is established, and the PSO algorithm is used to optimize the actuators adjustments. The results show that the method can effectively improve the electrical performance of the deformed reflector antenna.