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Last updated on 2024年6月16日

How do you design and test spacecraft antennas for optimal performance and durability?

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How do you design and test spacecraft antennas for optimal performance and durability? This is a crucial question for any spacecraft engineer, as antennas are the main interface between the spacecraft and the ground stations, satellites, or other spacecraft. Antennas enable communication, navigation, data transmission, and scientific measurements, and they have to withstand harsh environments, such as radiation, thermal cycling, vibration, and impact. In this article, you will learn the basic steps and challenges of spacecraft antenna design and testing, and some tips and best practices to achieve optimal results.

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1 Antenna requirements

The first step in designing a spacecraft antenna is to define the requirements and specifications of the mission and the system. These include the frequency range, the bandwidth, the polarization, the gain, the beamwidth, the pointing accuracy, the power handling, the mass, the volume, the shape, the deployment mechanism, the reliability, and the cost. The requirements may vary depending on the type and purpose of the antenna, such as omnidirectional, directional, phased array, reflector, or horn. The requirements also depend on the link budget, which is the calculation of the signal strength and quality between the transmitter and the receiver.

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Renee Frohnert, MBA

Space Pioneer || NXTGEN Astronaut @ Virgin Galactic || Lecturer @ Cornell University
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Link budgets can be used to calculate the required antenna gain, output, BER, and other parameters. However, when developing requirements, ensure that the parameters cover the first case scenario such as a rainy day with no line of sight between the spacecraft and the ground.

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2 Antenna selection

The next step is to select the most suitable type and configuration of antenna for the mission and the system. This involves comparing different antenna options based on their performance, compatibility, feasibility, and trade-offs. For example, a directional antenna may offer higher gain and narrower beamwidth than an omnidirectional antenna, but it may also require more complex pointing and tracking mechanisms. A phased array antenna may offer more flexibility and adaptability than a reflector antenna, but it may also consume more power and mass. A horn antenna may offer better impedance matching and lower losses than a dipole antenna, but it may also occupy more volume and have lower efficiency.

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3 Antenna design

The third step is to design the antenna in detail, using analytical methods, numerical simulations, and empirical models. This involves choosing the materials, dimensions, shapes, components, and parameters of the antenna, such as the feed, the radiator, the reflector, the array elements, the impedance, the radiation pattern, the efficiency, and the losses. The design also involves optimizing the antenna performance for the desired frequency range, bandwidth, polarization, gain, beamwidth, pointing accuracy, and power handling. The design also considers the effects of the spacecraft structure, environment, and interactions on the antenna behavior, such as mutual coupling, scattering, reflection, diffraction, and interference.

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Renee Frohnert, MBA

Space Pioneer || NXTGEN Astronaut @ Virgin Galactic || Lecturer @ Cornell University
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Use tools like CST and HFSS to design your antenna and analyze performance. Leverage tools like Systems Tool Kit (STK) and MATLAB to calculate antenna performance once integrated into the system. Calculate a link budget to determine if the antenna meets the specific requirements.

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4 Antenna fabrication

The fourth step is to fabricate the antenna prototype or model, using appropriate techniques, tools, and equipment. This involves cutting, shaping, assembling, soldering, welding, coating, and mounting the antenna parts and components, such as the feed, the radiator, the reflector, the array elements, the connectors, the cables, and the supports. The fabrication also involves verifying the quality and integrity of the antenna materials, dimensions, shapes, components, and parameters, using measurements, inspections, and tests. The fabrication also considers the compatibility and integration of the antenna with the spacecraft system and subsystems, such as the power supply, the data bus, the attitude control, and the thermal control.

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詹姆士兰德尔

?? 改变我的职业生涯 — 研究我对航空航天工程的热情 ??
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Use 3D printing with aerospace-grade materials like ULTEM 9085, a high-performance thermoplastic, for fabricating complex antenna components. This method ensures precision and allows for rapid prototyping. After fabrication, perform RF testing in an anechoic chamber to verify performance and integration with spacecraft systems.

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5 Antenna testing

The fifth step is to test the antenna performance and durability, using realistic or simulated conditions and scenarios. This involves measuring and evaluating the antenna characteristics and functions, such as the impedance, the radiation pattern, the efficiency, the losses, the gain, the beamwidth, the pointing accuracy, and the power handling. The testing also involves exposing the antenna to various environmental and operational stresses and loads, such as radiation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, vacuum, and impact. The testing also considers the validation and verification of the antenna requirements and specifications, using standards, criteria, and methods.

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6 Antenna improvement

The final step is to improve the antenna design and testing based on the feedback and results obtained from the previous steps. This involves identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the antenna performance and durability, using data, models, and simulations. The improvement also involves proposing and implementing changes and modifications to the antenna materials, dimensions, shapes, components, and parameters, using engineering judgment and creativity. The improvement also considers the trade-offs and constraints of the antenna design and testing, such as the frequency range, the bandwidth, the polarization, the gain, the beamwidth, the pointing accuracy, the power handling, the mass, the volume, the shape, the deployment mechanism, the reliability, and the cost.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you design and test spacecraft antennas for optimal performance and durability?

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1 Antenna requirements

2 Antenna selection

3 Antenna design

4 Antenna fabrication

5 Antenna testing

6 Antenna improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

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