Lightweight phased-array antenna structure for low-orbit satellite constellation

Abstract

The invention provides a light-weight phased-array antenna structure for a low-orbit satellite constellation, and belongs to the technical field of antennae, and the light-weight phased-array antenna structure comprises an extension part, a limiting assembly installed at the top of a displacement assembly, a sliding supporting assembly installed above the displacement assembly, and an antenna panel installed at the top of the sliding supporting assembly. Through a radial unfolding mechanism composed of a disc, a limiting rod and a sliding plate, a motor is used for driving a gear to be meshed with an annular gear block to drive the disc to rotate, the limiting rod is forced to move in a limiting hole, and the effects that the multiple antenna panels are synchronously pushed outwards, and the physical aperture of the antenna is remarkably increased are achieved. Meanwhile, a linkage inclination mechanism formed by a sliding frame, a vertical rod and a vertical plate with a limiting groove is matched, the panel automatically inclines towards the inner end when the panel moves in the radial direction, a large convex face is formed together, the solid angle range of beam scanning is greatly expanded, and the capturing capacity and aperture efficiency of low-frequency-band signals are effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of antenna technology, specifically relating to a lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations. Background Technology

[0002] Low-Earth orbit satellites orbit the Earth at extremely high speeds, making it impossible for traditional mechanical antennas to meet the demands of rapid beam switching and tracking. Phased array antennas, however, achieve millisecond-level, inertial-free electronic scanning without physical rotation by precisely controlling the feed phase of numerous radiating elements within the array. This allows the satellite to act like a flexible "electronic eye," continuously locking onto and tracking a specific user or area on the ground for several minutes while flying overhead. Simultaneously, it can rapidly switch between thousands of users, forming multiple independent beams to serve a vast area. This capability perfectly resolves the core contradiction between the high-speed movement of the satellite platform and the access of massive numbers of users, making it crucial for achieving full coverage and high-speed, low-latency communication.

[0003] In existing technologies, antenna radiating elements are typically integrated in a fixed manner onto a planar circuit board. This rigid layout limits the antenna beam scanning range to a narrow solid angle, resulting in limited signal reception range and insufficient flexibility and coverage. Furthermore, since all elements are on the same plane, the resulting signal receiving surface is planar. For low-frequency signals, its physical aperture efficiency is low, making it difficult to effectively improve the acquisition and conversion capabilities of low-frequency signals while maintaining the antenna's low-profile characteristics, thus restricting the overall radiation performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, aiming to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A lightweight phased array antenna structure for a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation includes an extension component, a base, a displacement component mounted on the top of the base, a drive component fixedly connected to the top of the base mounted on the outside of the displacement component, a limit component mounted on the top of the displacement component, a sliding support component mounted above the displacement component, and an antenna panel mounted on the top of the sliding support component.

[0007] The limiting component includes a vertical rod fixedly connected to the top of the base, and an annular limiting component is fixedly connected to the top of the vertical rod.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the displacement component includes a sliding groove and a rotating shaft. The top of the base has multiple sliding grooves, and the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the middle of the top of the base. A disc is fixedly connected to the outer side of the upper end of the rotating shaft. Multiple limiting holes are arranged in an annular array on the disc. A sliding plate is slidably connected inside the sliding groove. A connecting plate is fixedly connected inside the sliding groove. A limiting rod is installed inside the limiting hole. An annular groove is formed on the outer side of the disc. Multiple toothed blocks are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the annular groove.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sliding plate is slidably sleeved on the outside of the connecting plate, the bottom end of the limiting rod is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate, and the top end of the limiting rod extends to the top of the disc.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly includes a motor fixedly connected to the top of the base, and a gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gear is connected to the disk by meshing through a plurality of tooth blocks.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting component includes a connecting block fixedly connected to the top of the base, an upright plate fixedly connected to the outer side of the connecting block, limiting grooves symmetrically formed on the outer side of the upright plate, rollers rollingly connected inside the limiting grooves, and a sliding frame installed on the outer side of the upright plate, the sliding frame being fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sliding support assembly includes a rectangular plate and a fixing block. The top end of the limiting rod is fixedly connected to the fixing block, and two support plates are symmetrically fixedly connected to the top of the fixing block. An mounting block is rotatably connected between the two support plates. The bottom end face of the antenna panel is symmetrically fixedly connected to two rectangular plates. A sliding groove is formed on the surface of the rectangular plate, and a sliding block is slidably connected inside the sliding groove. A support frame is rotatably connected between the two sliding blocks, and two uprights are symmetrically fixedly connected to the bottom end face of the support frame.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top of the mounting block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the antenna panel, the sliding block is arranged in a "T" shape, two sliding holes are symmetrically opened on the sliding frame, the upright is slidably inserted into the inside of the sliding hole, and the roller is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the upright.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the annular limiting component includes an annular plate, the top end of the vertical rod is fixedly connected to the annular plate, the inner wall of the annular plate is provided with an annular groove, the inside of the annular groove is rotatably connected to an annular slider, and the outer side of the annular plate is provided with a through hole.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the annular slider is integrally formed with the disk, and the gear passes through the through hole.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] 1. This application deeply couples the antenna's "deployment" and "shaping" actions through a mechanical structure. Radial deployment is achieved by a motor-driven gear that rotates a disc with an inclined limiting hole. The limiting rod moves within the inclined channel, precisely converting the circular motion into radial linear motion of the antenna panel, significantly increasing the antenna's physical aperture, directly widening the beam's scanning range, and solving the problem of "limited signal reception range." Synchronous shaping is even more ingenious: when the sliding frame, fixed to the sliding plate, moves outward, the uprights on it are constrained by the inclined limiting grooves of the uprights fixed to the base, forcing them to displace vertically. This displacement, through the support frame and sliding block, is converted into lifting or pulling down one end of the antenna panel, causing it to pitch around the hinge point at the other end. Ultimately, all the independently moving panels together form a continuous convex surface (approximately spherical). This convex structure can effectively focus electromagnetic waves and significantly improve phase consistency at large scanning angles, thereby greatly enhancing the acquisition capability and aperture efficiency of low-frequency signals and overcoming the technical bottleneck that "planar structures lead to low aperture efficiency of low-frequency antennas".

[0019] 2. Achieving a coordinated design for complex composite motions through a single drive source significantly improves system reliability, synchronization accuracy, and weight reduction. This application abandons the traditional approach of setting separate drives for "deployment" and "tilt," creatively employing a passive tilting mechanism driven by a single motor and linked by two sets of mechanisms. This integrated design brings multiple advantages: First, it greatly simplifies the system architecture, directly reducing the overall system weight, power consumption, and cost, perfectly meeting the lightweight and low-power requirements of aerospace payloads. Second, it physically ensures the absolute synchronization of deployment and tilting of all antenna panels, avoiding the response delay, asynchrony, and even conflict risks that may arise from multi-drive control, ensuring that the final convex surface has extremely high dimensional accuracy. This significantly improves the reliability and maintainability of the entire antenna structure under the severe vibrations of the launch phase and long-term on-orbit operation.

[0020] 3. By adding a ring-shaped limiting component, full-range rigid support is provided for the core transmission system, effectively ensuring the smoothness of movement and dynamic accuracy. To address the vibration, impact, and deformation problems that may occur during the movement of large deployable structures, this solution introduces a key ring-shaped limiting component in Embodiment 2. This component consists of a ring plate with an annular groove fixed on the base, into which an annular slider integrally formed with the disk is embedded, forming a large, full-circumferential planar bearing and radial support structure. Its function goes far beyond simple guidance. It can effectively suppress radial runout, end face sway (warping), and minor deformation that may occur when the disk starts, brakes, or is subjected to uneven force, constraining the rotational movement of the disk within a very high precision range. This enhanced rigidity ensures that the force flow is transmitted evenly and smoothly in the transmission chain, making the movement of multiple limiting rods more consistent. Ultimately, this results in the entire antenna array operating more smoothly, with less vibration, and higher positioning accuracy during deployment and retraction, providing a solid mechanical foundation for the antenna to maintain accurate electrical performance in orbit for a long time. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with a portion removed. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure of region A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with a portion removed. Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding support component and limiting component of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding support component structure of the present invention.

[0029] In the diagram: 10. Base; 11. Antenna panel; 12. Drive assembly; 121. Motor; 122. Gear; 13. Displacement assembly; 131. Disc; 132. Limiting hole; 133. Limiting rod; 134. Sliding plate; 135. Rotating shaft; 136. Sliding groove; 137. Connecting plate; 138. Annular groove; 139. Tooth block; 14. Sliding support assembly; 141. Fixing block; 142. Support plate; 143. Mounting block; 144. Support frame; 145. Upright pole; 146. Rectangular plate; 147. Sliding groove; 148. Sliding block; 15. Limiting component; 151. Upright plate; 152. Limiting groove; 153. Connecting block; 154. Roller; 155. Sliding frame; 20. Vertical rod; 21. Annular limiting component; 211. Annular plate; 212. Annular sliding groove; 213. Annular slider; 214. Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] Reference Figure 1 This is the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a lightweight phased array antenna structure for a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation. The structure includes an extension component, a base 10, a displacement component 13 mounted on the top of the base 10, a drive component 12 fixedly connected to the top of the base 10 mounted on the outside of the displacement component 13, a limit component 15 mounted on the top of the displacement component 13, a sliding support component 14 mounted above the displacement component 13, and an antenna panel 11 mounted on the top of the sliding support component 14.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5The displacement assembly 13 includes a sliding groove 136 and a rotating shaft 135. Multiple sliding grooves 136 are formed on the top of the base 10. A rotating shaft 135 is rotatably connected to the middle of the top of the base 10. The bottom end of the rotating shaft 135 is rotatably connected to the top of the base 10 via a bearing. A disc 131 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the upper end of the rotating shaft 135. Multiple limiting holes 132 are formed in a ring array on the disc 131. A sliding plate 134 is slidably connected inside the sliding groove 136. A connecting plate 137 is fixedly connected inside the sliding groove 136. Limiting rods 133 are installed inside the limiting holes 132. An annular groove 138 is formed on the outer side of the disc 131. Multiple toothed blocks 139 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the annular groove 138. The sliding plate 134 is slidably sleeved on the outer side of the connecting plate 137. The bottom end of the limiting rod 133 is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate 134. The top of 33 extends above the disk 131. The rotation of gear 122, in conjunction with the action of multiple toothed blocks 139, causes the disk 131 to rotate. The rotation of the disk 131, in conjunction with the action of multiple limiting holes 132, causes the limiting rod 133 to move. Since the sliding plate 134 connected to the limiting rod 133 is slidably sleeved on the outside of the connecting plate 137, the connecting plate 137 plays a role in limiting the sliding of the sliding plate 134, thereby allowing the sliding plate 134 to slide stably inside the sliding groove 136. Therefore, when the limiting rod 133 moves, it can drive the sliding plate 134 to move stably in a straight line inside the sliding groove 136. The simultaneous movement of the sliding plate 134 and the limiting rod 133 drives the antenna panel 11 to move, thereby unfolding multiple antenna panels 11. By expanding the moving position, the ultra-wide angle is improved, and the signal reception range is increased within a certain range.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 The drive assembly 12 includes a motor 121 fixedly connected to the top of the base 10, and a gear 122 fixedly connected to the output end of the motor 121; the gear 122 is meshed with the disk 131 through multiple tooth blocks 139, and the motor 121 drives the gear 122 to rotate.

[0035] Reference Figure 6The limiting assembly 15 includes a connecting block 153 fixedly connected to the top of the base 10. A vertical plate 151 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the connecting block 153. The vertical plate 151 is located above the connecting plate 137 and is fixedly connected to the top of the base 10 via the connecting block 153. Limiting grooves 152 are symmetrically formed on the outer side of the vertical plate 151. The limiting grooves 152 are oblique grooves. Rollers 154 are rolled inside the limiting grooves 152. A sliding frame 155 is installed on the outer side of the vertical plate 151. The sliding frame 155 is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate 134. When the sliding plate 134 moves outward, it drives the sliding frame 155 to move outward. In this way, the sliding plate 134 drives the rotating shaft 135 and the sliding frame 155 to move outward together, cooperating with the rollers 154 and the vertical plate 151. The limiting groove 152 on the 1 allows the upright 145 to move downward under the limitation of the sliding hole on the sliding frame 155. Since the end of the antenna panel 11 near the rotating shaft 135 is rotatably connected between the two support plates 142 through the mounting block 143, when the upright 145 drives the support frame 144 to move downward, the sliding block 148 rotatably connected to the support frame 144 slides inside the sliding groove 147. In this way, the sliding block 148 and the sliding groove 147 work together to make the antenna panel 11 rotate, so that the angle of the antenna panel 11 can be adjusted while the antenna panel 11 is moving. This allows multiple antenna panels 11 to form a convex surface. Under the convex surface setting, the antenna aperture efficiency of receiving low frequency bands can be improved within a certain range.

[0036] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sliding support assembly 14 includes a rectangular plate 146 and a fixing block 141. The top of the limiting rod 133 is fixedly connected to the fixing block 141. Two support plates 142 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the top of the fixing block 141. A mounting block 143 is rotatably connected between the two support plates 142. The bottom surface of the antenna panel 11 is symmetrically fixedly connected to two rectangular plates 146. A sliding groove 147 is formed on the surface of the rectangular plate 146. A sliding block 148 is slidably connected inside the sliding groove 147. A support frame 144 is rotatably connected between the two sliding blocks 148. The support frame 144 is arranged in a "U" shape and is rotatably connected to the two support plates 146 by the mounting block 143. Between the support plates 142, two sliding blocks 148, which are respectively slidably connected inside the rectangular plate 146, form a three-point support for the antenna panel 11, thereby improving the stability of the antenna panel 11. Two uprights 145 are symmetrically and fixedly connected to the bottom end of the support frame 144. The top of the mounting block 143 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the antenna panel 11. The sliding blocks 148 are arranged in a "T" shape. Two sliding holes are symmetrically opened on the sliding frame 155. The two sliding holes play the role of limiting the sliding of the uprights 145. The uprights 145 are slidably inserted into the inside of the sliding holes. The rollers 154 are rotatably connected to the inner surface of the uprights 145.

[0037] In use, the control motor 121 drives the gear 122 to rotate. The rotation of the gear 122, in conjunction with the action of multiple tooth blocks 139, causes the disc 131 to rotate. The rotation of the disc 131, in conjunction with the action of multiple limiting holes 132, causes the limiting rod 133 to move. Since the sliding plate 134 connected to the limiting rod 133 is slidably sleeved on the outside of the connecting plate 137, when the limiting rod 133 moves, it can drive the sliding plate 134 to move stably in a straight line inside the sliding groove 136. The simultaneous movement of the sliding plate 134 and the limiting rod 133 drives the antenna panel 11 to move, thereby unfolding multiple antenna panels 11. By expanding the movement position, the ultra-wide angle is improved, and the signal reception range is increased within a certain range.

[0038] When the sliding plate 134 moves outward, it drives the sliding frame 155 to move outward. In this way, the sliding plate 134 drives the rotating shaft 135 and the sliding frame 155 to move outward together. With the help of the roller 154 and the limiting groove 152 on the upright plate 151, the upright rod 145 moves downward under the limitation of the sliding hole on the sliding frame 155. Since the end of the antenna panel 11 near the rotating shaft 135 is rotatably connected between the two support plates 142 through the mounting block 143, when the upright rod 145 drives the support frame 144 to move downward, the sliding block 148, which is rotatably connected to the support frame 144, slides inside the sliding groove 147. In this way, the sliding block 148 and the sliding groove 147 work together to make the antenna panel 11 rotate. This allows the antenna panel 11 to be adjusted in angle while moving. This allows multiple antenna panels 11 to form a convex surface. With the convex surface, the antenna aperture efficiency for receiving low frequency bands can be improved within a certain range.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is the second embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the previous embodiment, this embodiment provides a limiting component, including a vertical rod 20 fixedly connected to the top of the base 10. There are four vertical rods 20 arranged in a circular array. The circular limiting component 21 is fixedly connected to the top of the base 10 using the vertical rods 20. The circular limiting component 21 is fixedly connected to the top of the vertical rod 20.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4The annular limiting component 21 includes an annular plate 211. The top end of the vertical rod 20 is fixedly connected to the annular plate 211. An annular groove 212 is provided on the inner wall of the annular plate 211. An annular slider 213 is rotatably connected inside the annular groove 212. A through hole 214 is provided on the outer side of the annular plate 211. When the disc 131 rotates, the disc 131 drives the annular slider 213 to rotate inside the annular groove 212, which improves the stability of the disc 131 during rotation. The annular slider 213 is integrally formed with the disc 131. A gear 122 passes through the through hole 214 and meshes with multiple gear blocks 139 through the through hole 214.

[0042] In use, the rotating shaft 135 drives the disc 131 to rotate, and when the disc 131 rotates, the disc 131 drives the annular slider 213 to rotate inside the annular groove 212, which improves the stability of the disc 131 when rotating.

[0043] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, characterized in that: include, The extension component includes a base (10), a displacement assembly (13) is mounted on the top of the base (10), a drive assembly (12) is fixedly connected to the top of the base (10) on the outside of the displacement assembly (13), a limit assembly (15) is mounted on the top of the displacement assembly (13), a sliding support assembly (14) is mounted above the displacement assembly (13), and an antenna panel (11) is mounted on the top of the sliding support assembly (14). The limiting component includes a vertical rod (20) fixedly connected to the top of the base (10), and an annular limiting component (21) is fixedly connected to the top of the vertical rod (20).

2. The lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The displacement component (13) includes a sliding groove (136) and a rotating shaft (135). The top of the base (10) is provided with multiple sliding grooves (136). The rotating shaft (135) is rotatably connected to the middle of the top of the base (10). A disc (131) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the upper end of the rotating shaft (135). Multiple limiting holes (132) are provided in an annular array on the disc (131). A sliding plate (134) is slidably connected inside the sliding groove (136). A connecting plate (137) is fixedly connected inside the sliding groove (136). A limiting rod (133) is installed inside the limiting hole (132). An annular groove (138) is provided on the outer side of the disc (131). Multiple toothed blocks (139) are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the annular groove (138).

3. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sliding plate (134) is slidably sleeved on the outside of the connecting plate (137), the bottom end of the limiting rod (133) is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate (134), and the top end of the limiting rod (133) extends above the disc (131).

4. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drive assembly (12) includes a motor (121) fixedly connected to the top of the base (10), and a gear (122) is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor (121).

5. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear (122) is connected to the disk (131) by a plurality of the tooth blocks (139).

6. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting component (15) includes a connecting block (153) fixedly connected to the top of the base (10). A vertical plate (151) is fixedly connected to the outside of the connecting block (153). Limiting grooves (152) are symmetrically opened on the outside of the vertical plate (151). Rollers (154) are rolledly connected inside the limiting grooves (152). A sliding frame (155) is installed on the outside of the vertical plate (151). The sliding frame (155) is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding plate (134).

7. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sliding support assembly (14) includes a rectangular plate (146) and a fixing block (141). The top end of the limiting rod (133) is fixedly connected to the fixing block (141). The top of the fixing block (141) is symmetrically fixedly connected to two support plates (142). The two support plates (142) are rotatably connected to an mounting block (143). The bottom end of the antenna panel (11) is symmetrically fixedly connected to two rectangular plates (146). The surface of the rectangular plate (146) is provided with a sliding groove (147). The sliding groove (147) is slidably connected to a sliding block (148). The two sliding blocks (148) are rotatably connected to a support frame (144). The bottom end of the support frame (144) is symmetrically fixedly connected to two uprights (145).

8. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top of the mounting block (143) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the antenna panel (11). The sliding block (148) is arranged in a "T" shape. Two sliding holes are symmetrically opened on the sliding frame (155). The upright (145) is slidably inserted into the inside of the sliding hole. The roller (154) is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the upright (145).

9. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 8, characterized in that: The annular limiting component (21) includes an annular plate (211), the top end of the vertical rod (20) is fixedly connected to the annular plate (211), the inner wall of the annular plate (211) is provided with an annular groove (212), the annular groove (212) is rotatably connected to an annular slider (213), and the outer side of the annular plate (211) is provided with a through hole (214).

10. A lightweight phased array antenna structure for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations according to claim 9, characterized in that: The annular slider (213) is integrally formed with the disk (131), and the gear (122) passes through the through hole (214).

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