Synthesis and optimization of modular deployable truss antenna reflector

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to synthesize a modular deployable truss antenna with the lower degree of freedom (DOF) and larger folding ratio. Because of the advantages of this kind of new truss antenna, the modules that make up the antenna can be deployed together by the synchronous motor drivers instead of twist springs to realize the controllable deployment. Design/methodology/approach The closed-loop branch equivalence method is proposed to synthesize the single DOF module and the large deployable reflector. The complex mechanism can be equivalently replaced by a simpler mechanism based on screw theory. The motion pairs are synthesized and optimized to make the curved surface achieve to the maximum folding ratio when the modular parabolic truss antenna is folded. Findings The results show that the 3(3RR-3RRR)-3RRR-3RRR planar module is a single DOF mechanism. Additionally, the adjacent parts of every two modules are connected with universal joints to obtain the new truss antenna when the modules are networked. Practical implications The configuration of this new modular deployable truss antenna can be synthesized to design the structure, and the proposed method can be applied to other space multi-loop coupling mechanism and other spacecraft. Originality/value This paper presents an approach to synthesizing the motion pairs, as well as the DOF analysis. The results lay a foundation for the further analysis of the deployable control and dynamics of this kind of antenna. And the new modular truss antenna has a practical application in aerospace engineering.