Antenna bracket for airborne test of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) radar antenna

Abstract

The utility model provides an antenna support used for an SAR radar antenna airborne test, comprising an antenna support, the bottom of the antenna support is connected with an SAR radar antenna, the top of the antenna support is provided with a test tool assembly, and the antenna support comprises an antenna outer support, an antenna inner support, a first boss, a second boss, a third boss and a fourth boss. The antenna support has the advantages that the main body is made of the steel pipe and the steel plate, and the reinforcing frame is arranged outside the main body, so that the antenna support has enough rigidity and strength; besides, the antenna support is provided with a plurality of interfaces, so that the antenna support can be conveniently matched with a test tool assembly to form an angle-adjustable tool, the antenna support and an SAR radar antenna subarray can be conveniently mounted and dismounted, the angle-adjustable tool can be limited when the rotation angle of the antenna support is too large, the antenna is prevented from interfering with other objects or being damaged, and the antenna support is convenient to use. And the antenna bracket is low in cost, low in implementation difficulty and high in practicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of airborne testing of antennas, and particularly relates to an antenna bracket for airborne testing of a SAR radar antenna. Background Art

[0002] A spaceborne SAR radar antenna is a SAR radar phased array antenna used on a synthetic aperture radar system (abbreviated as spaceborne SAR) carried on a small satellite platform. The spaceborne SAR mainly consists of a central electronic device (DCU), a SAR radar antenna, connecting cables, etc. Since after the SAR satellite is launched into orbit, both the software and hardware of the SAR payload do not have the means and ability to be debugged and modified again, and there are also certain uncertain factors during the satellite launch process, therefore, during ground testing, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the various test indicators of the spaceborne SAR payload system.

[0003] For ground testing, there are currently two main means. One is to carry out testing using a signal simulator, and the other is to carry out uniform linear motion in the form of being carried by a vehicle or an aircraft, and transmit and receive signals during the motion to simulate the ground imaging during the satellite's on-orbit flight for testing. The background of the utility model is that when the spaceborne SAR payload is tested on the ground, its performance indicators are verified on the ground by being carried by an aircraft. Specifically, by building a test system, the imaging task parameters are designed according to the geometric relationship of the actual imaging ground objects on the ground airborne, and according to the imaging parameters, the tests of functions such as signal transmission, reception, data packaging, storage, and BAQ compression involved in imaging are verified on the ground. At the same time, according to the obtained images, these indicators such as the resolution, peak sidelobe ratio, integrated sidelobe ratio, and noise equivalent backscattering coefficient of the target point are calculated.

[0004] Since there is a prototype phased array antenna with an aperture of about 1m * 1m designed in the project, which is a sub-array of the actual spaceborne phased array antenna, therefore, during airborne imaging verification, the large-aperture SAR prototype phased array antenna is used as the actual transmitting and receiving antenna. The actual electrical performance indicators such as the actual radiation pattern of the antenna have been tested in the near-field anechoic chamber and the far-field. Currently, for the existing airborne test tooling of the antenna, its antenna bracket has the following problems:

[0005] It cannot have sufficient stiffness and strength;

[0006] The SAR radar antenna sub-array is usually welded to the antenna bracket, which is not convenient for installation and disassembly, and then affects the performance testing of the SAR radar antenna sub-array at different angles;

[0007] High cost and high implementation difficulty. Summary of the Utility Model

[0008] In view of this, the present utility model aims to provide an antenna support for airborne testing of SAR radar antennas, so as to solve at least one of the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present utility model is realized as follows:

[0010] An antenna support for airborne testing of SAR radar antennas includes an antenna support. The bottom of the antenna support is connected to the SAR radar antenna, and a test tooling assembly is installed at the top of the antenna support. The antenna support includes an outer antenna support, an inner antenna support, a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, and a fourth boss. The outer antenna support is a rectangular parallelepiped frame structure. Four first bosses are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the outside of the outer antenna support, and the four first bosses are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The inner antenna support is installed inside the outer antenna support. One second boss is installed around and at the center of the inner antenna support. Four third bosses and four fourth bosses are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the inner antenna support, and the four third bosses are symmetrically arranged in pairs, and the four fourth bosses are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The second boss, the third boss, and the fourth boss are all used to install the test tooling assembly.

[0011] Furthermore, two external tooling through holes are opened on each of the first bosses.

[0012] Furthermore, two first through holes are opened on each of the second bosses.

[0013] Furthermore, one second through hole is opened on each of the third bosses.

[0014] Furthermore, two third through holes are respectively opened at the four corners of the inner antenna support.

[0015] Furthermore, the materials of the outer antenna support and the inner antenna support are both steel pipes with a cross-section of 25×25×2 mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the materials of the first boss, the second boss, the third boss, and the fourth boss are all 8-mm steel plates.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the antenna support for airborne testing of SAR radar antennas described in the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] A kind of antenna support for airborne test of SAR radar antenna according to the utility model, because the main body is made of steel pipes and steel plates, and an external strengthening frame is provided, so that the antenna support has sufficient rigidity and strength; in addition, the antenna support is provided with a number of interfaces, which is not only convenient for cooperating with the test tooling components to form an adjustable angle tooling, but also convenient for the installation and disassembly of the SAR radar antenna subarray, and can also limit the adjustable angle tooling when the rotation angle of the antenna support is too large, preventing the antenna from interfering with or damaging other objects, and the antenna support has low cost, low implementation difficulty and strong practicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings constituting a part of the present utility model are used to provide a further understanding of the present utility model. The schematic embodiments of the present utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the present utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present utility model. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 is a front view schematic diagram of the overall structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the adjustable angle tooling composed of the overall structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of installing the overall structure to the test tooling components according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged schematic diagram of A in

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the antenna connecting column according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the main support according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Description of the reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Aircraft payload compartment; 11. Radome; 12. Mounting bracket; 2. Test tooling assembly; 21. Main bracket; 211. Pull rod lug interface; 212. Bracket lug interface; 213. Push rod lug interface; 22. Worm and worm gear push rod; 23. Ball head pull rod; 24. Rotary hinge; 241. Fixed hinge; 242. Movable hinge; 25. Push rod support; 26. Antenna connection column; 3. SAR radar antenna; 4. Antenna bracket; 41. Outer antenna bracket; 42. Inner antenna bracket; 421. Third through hole; 43. First boss; 431. External tooling through hole; 44. Second boss; 441. First through hole; 45. Third boss; 451. Second through hole; 46. Fourth boss. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present utility model and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0030] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0031] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0032] The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0033] As Figures 1-2As shown in the figure, an antenna support for airborne testing of SAR radar antennas includes an antenna support 4. The bottom of the antenna support 4 is connected to the SAR radar antenna 3, and a test tooling assembly 2 is installed at the top of the antenna support 4. The antenna support 4 includes an outer antenna support 41, an inner antenna support 42, a first boss 43, a second boss 44, a third boss 45, and a fourth boss 46. The outer antenna support 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped frame structure. Four first bosses 43 are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the outside of the outer antenna support 41, and the four first bosses 43 are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The inner antenna support 42 is installed inside the outer antenna support 41. One second boss 44 is respectively installed around and at the center of the inner antenna support 42. Four third bosses 45 and four fourth bosses 46 are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the inner antenna support 42, and the four third bosses 45 are symmetrically arranged in pairs, and the four fourth bosses 46 are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The second boss 44, the third boss 45, and the fourth boss 46 are all used to install the test tooling assembly 2.

[0034] Two external tooling through-holes 431 are opened on each of the first bosses 43. The first boss 43 is docked with the auxiliary support through the external tooling through-holes 431, which can be used to assist aircraft testing and can also be used to dock with vehicle-mounted tooling for sports car testing.

[0035] Two first through-holes 441 are opened on each of the second bosses 44. The second boss 44 can be connected to the fixed hinge 241 of the test tooling assembly 2 and the push rod support 25 of the test tooling assembly 2 through the first through-holes 441, which can not only realize the rotation of the antenna support 4 along the X-axis but also realize the rotation function of the antenna along the Y-axis.

[0036] One second through-hole 451 is opened on each of the third bosses 45. The third boss 45 is connected to the ball head pull rod 23 of the test tooling assembly 2 through the second through-hole 451.

[0037] Two third through-holes 421 are respectively opened at the four corners of the inner antenna support 42. The inner antenna support 42 is connected to the antenna connection column 26 of the test tooling assembly 2 through the third through-holes 421.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, the main body of the antenna bracket is made of a Q235 steel pipe with a cross-section of 25×25×2 mm and steel plates with thicknesses of 4 mm and 8 mm, which can greatly increase the strength and stiffness of the structure. The antenna bracket is designed for generality and is provided with multiple external interfaces such as through holes and threaded holes: 5 second bosses 44, 4 third bosses 45 connected to the ball head pull rod 23, 4 fourth bosses 46, 4 first bosses 43, and 8 third through holes 421 connected to the antenna connection column 26. The first through hole 441 of the second boss 44 can be connected to both the fixed hinge 241 and the push rod support 25, enabling the antenna bracket 4 to rotate along the X-axis and the antenna to rotate along the Y-axis. The first boss 43 can not only meet the docking of the installation of the auxiliary bracket for aircraft testing but also realize the docking with the vehicle-mounted tooling for road vehicle testing; the fourth boss 46 can play a role in limiting the antenna bracket 4 when its rotation angle is too large, preventing the antenna from interfering with or damaging other objects.

[0039] Since the main body of this antenna bracket is made of steel pipe and steel plate, and an external strengthening frame is provided, the antenna bracket has sufficient stiffness and strength; in addition, this antenna bracket is provided with several interfaces, which not only facilitate the combination with the test tooling components to form an adjustable angle tooling, but also facilitate the installation and disassembly of the SAR radar antenna subarray. It can also limit the adjustable angle tooling when the rotation angle of the antenna bracket is too large, preventing the antenna from interfering with or damaging other objects. Moreover, this antenna bracket has a low cost, low implementation difficulty, and strong practicability.

[0040] As Figure 3 shown, the adjustable angle tooling based on the antenna bracket includes an aircraft payload bay 1, a test tooling component 2, an antenna bracket 4, and a SAR radar antenna 3. The test tooling component 2 is installed below the antenna bracket 4 on the SAR radar antenna 3. The test tooling component 2 and the antenna bracket 4 are both installed in the aircraft payload bay 1, so that the SAR radar antenna 3 maintains a certain angle with the ground. The test tooling component 2 is adjustable in angle, and the combination of the test tooling component 2 and the antenna bracket 4 can change the angle between the SAR radar antenna 3 and the ground.

[0041] As Figure 3 shown, the model of the aircraft payload bay 1 is the manned aircraft Cessna 208, which mainly includes an antenna radome 11 and an installation bracket 12. The installation bracket 12 is composed of two parallel load-bearing beams, and there are multiple groups of installation through-hole interfaces inside the load-bearing beams. The test tooling component 2 is connected to the load-bearing beams through the through-hole interfaces.

[0042] As Figure 4As shown in the figure, the test tooling assembly 2 consists of a main bracket 21, a worm and gear push rod 22, two ball-end pull rods 23, two groups of rotary hinges 24, a push rod support 25, and four antenna connection posts 26. The rotary hinge 24 includes a fixed hinge 241 and a movable hinge 242. Two movable hinges 242 and the push rod support 25 are installed on the antenna bracket 4 by screws, facing the inner side of the tooling assembly 2, and the four antenna connection posts 26 are installed on the other side of the antenna bracket 4. One end of the worm and gear push rod 22 is connected to the push rod support 25 on the antenna bracket 4, and the other end is connected to the main bracket 21. One end of the ball-end pull rod 23 is connected to the antenna bracket 4, and the other end is connected to the main bracket 21.

[0043] As Figure 7 Shown in the figure is the main bracket 21. The main body of the main bracket 21 is made of Q235 steel pipes with a square cross-section and steel plates with thicknesses of 4 mm and 8 mm welded together, and external interfaces such as through holes and threaded holes are arranged thereon. The external interfaces mainly include: 4 symmetrically distributed pull rod lug interfaces 211 connected to the ball-end pull rod 23, 4 symmetrically distributed bracket lug interfaces 212 connected to the mounting bracket 12, and 2 symmetrically distributed push rod lug interfaces 213 connected to the worm and gear push rod 22.

[0044] As Figure 4 As shown in the figure, both the worm and gear push rod 22 and the ball-end pull rod 23 are standard parts. The worm and gear push rod 22 can change the length of the internal push rod through motor drive, thereby changing the distance between the two ends of the worm and gear push rod 22, and providing a large bearing capacity. The ball-end pull rod 23 can change the distance between the two ends of the interface by rotating the middle external hexagonal part, playing the role of connecting and transmitting force. The cooperation of the worm and gear push rod 22 and the ball-end pull rod 23 can play the role of changing the angle between the antenna bracket 4 and the main bracket 21, and the worm and gear push rod 22 in the middle, the ball-end pull rods 23 on both sides, and the two groups of rotary hinges 24 together make the test tooling assembly 2 have high strength, stiffness, and holding accuracy.

[0045] As Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the rotary hinge 24 includes a fixed hinge 241 and a movable hinge 242. The fixed hinge 241 is installed on the main bracket 21 by screws, the movable hinge 242 is installed on the antenna bracket 4 by screws, the fixed hinge 241 and the movable hinge 242 are connected by a pin shaft, and the fixed hinge 241 and the movable hinge 242 can rotate.

[0046] Figure 6 The structural schematic of the antenna connection post 26 is shown. One end of the antenna connection post 26 is a thread and is installed on the antenna bracket 4 by screws, the other end is a threaded rod and is screwed to the antenna 3, and the middle shape is a circular column with a notch, which is convenient for operating with tools.

[0047] The SAR radar antenna 3 is connected to the antenna support 4 through the antenna connecting column 26; there are 5 connection positions between the antenna support 4 and the main support 21, which is movably connected to the main support 21 through 2 groups of rotary hinges 24, and is fixedly connected to the main support 21 through the worm and gear push rod 22 and two ball head tie rods 23. The lengths of the worm and gear push rod 22 and the ball head tie rod 23 can be changed. When the lengths of the worm and gear push rod 22 and the ball head tie rod 23 are changed, the angle between the antenna support 4 and the main support 21 will change, and finally the angle between the SAR radar antenna 3 and the main support 21 will change. To prevent the angle from changing too much and interfering with other devices beyond the envelope, when the angle between the antenna support 4 and the main support 21 exceeds a certain angle, the fourth boss 46 on the antenna support 4 will contact the main body steel pipe of the main support 21 to prevent the angle from increasing further.

[0048] Working principle of the adjustable angle tooling based on the antenna support:

[0049] As Figures 3-5 shown, the SAR radar antenna 3 is connected to the antenna support 4 through the antenna connecting column 26; there are 5 connection positions between the antenna support 4 and the main support 21, which is movably connected to the main support 21 through 2 groups of rotary hinges 24, and is fixedly connected to the main support 21 through the worm and gear push rod 22 and two ball head tie rods 23. When it is necessary to adjust the angle between the SAR radar antenna 3 and the main support 21, first remove the two ball head tie rods 23, energize the worm and gear push rod 22 to adjust the length of the push rod. At this time, the angle between the SAR radar antenna 3 and the main support 21 slowly changes. When the angle reaches the predetermined setting measured by the angle gauge, cut off the power supply of the worm and gear push rod 22, manually adjust the lengths of the two ball head tie rods 23 until the two ends of the interfaces can be respectively connected to the antenna support 4 and the main support 21, and then finely adjust the ball head tie rod 23 to make it have a certain pre-tightening force. At this time, the angle adjustment is completed. Install the test tooling assembly 2 equipped with the SAR radar antenna 3 on the mounting bracket 12 in the aircraft payload bay 1, and then install the radome 11. Subsequent flight tests can be carried out.

[0050] Advantages of the adjustable angle tooling based on the antenna support:

[0051] This tooling can install the SAR radar antenna sub-array on the bearing bracket of the aircraft payload bay, with sufficient stiffness, strength and angle accuracy to meet the requirements of imaging accuracy; this tooling has an adjustable angle function, which can adjust the installation angle of the SAR radar antenna sub-array to test the performance of the SAR radar antenna sub-array at different angles; and it adopts a pure mechanical design, with the advantages of low cost, low system complexity and low implementation difficulty.

[0052] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antennas, characterized in that: The invention comprises an antenna bracket (4), wherein the bottom of the antenna bracket (4) is connected to a SAR radar antenna (3), and a test fixture assembly (2) is installed on the top of the antenna bracket (4). The antenna bracket (4) comprises an antenna outer bracket (41), an antenna inner bracket (42), a first boss (43), a second boss (44), a third boss (45) and a fourth boss (46). The antenna outer bracket (41) is a rectangular parallelepiped frame structure. Four first bosses (43) are installed on the front and rear sides of the outer antenna bracket (41), and the four first bosses (43) are installed on the outer antenna bracket (41). ) are symmetrically arranged in pairs, the antenna outer bracket (41) is installed with an antenna inner bracket (42), a second boss (44) is installed around and at the center of the antenna inner bracket (42), four third bosses (45) and four fourth bosses (46) are installed on the front and rear sides of the antenna inner bracket (42), the four third bosses (45) are symmetrically arranged in pairs, and the four fourth bosses (46) are symmetrically arranged in pairs, and the second boss (44), the third boss (45) and the fourth boss (46) are all used to install the test fixture component (2).

2. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first bosses (43) is provided with two external tooling through holes (431).

3. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the second bosses (44) is provided with two first through holes (441).

4. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the third bosses (45) is provided with a second through hole (451).

5. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two third through holes (421) are respectively formed at the four corners of the antenna inner bracket (42).

6. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna outer bracket (41) and the antenna inner bracket (42) are both made of steel pipes with a cross-section of 25×25×2 mm.

7. The antenna bracket for airborne testing of SAR radar antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first boss (43), the second boss (44), the third boss (45) and the fourth boss (46) are all made of 4 mm or 8 mm steel plates.

Images