Optical Mounting Structure for Hybrid RF Communication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid communication systems face challenges in balancing the stability of optical elements with minimal RF blockage, which degrades RF communication performance due to the tradeoff between structural support and signal obstruction in shared-aperture designs.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure for a secondary optical reflector that includes axial and circumferential components extending between the primary and secondary optical reflectors, with minimized cross-sectional areas along direct propagation paths to reduce RF blockage while providing robust structural support, utilizing truss struts and inclined support rings to optimize stability and minimize interference with RF signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a mounting structure with large cross-sectional components is used to maximize stability of the secondary optical reflector, then the stability is improved, but RF signal blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into multiple axial components and circumferential components that work together to provide stability. The axial components provide primary structural support while the circumferential components interconnect them, creating a distributed support system that minimizes the cross-sectional area of any single component, thereby reducing RF blockage while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by extending axial components throughout the axial distance between reflectors and interconnecting them with circumferential components at various axial positions. This multi-dimensional configuration provides structural stability through spatial distribution rather than relying on large cross-sectional areas, thus minimizing RF signal blockage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cross-sectional area of mounting structure components is minimized to reduce RF blockage, then RF signal propagation is improved, but the stability of the optical element may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The structure uses multiple segmented axial and circumferential components distributed throughout the axial distance. This segmentation allows each component to have minimal cross-sectional area for reduced RF blockage, while the collective arrangement of all segments provides the necessary structural stability through distributed support and interconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential components are positioned at various axial positions along the mounting structure to provide preemptive structural reinforcement. This preliminary distribution of support elements ensures stability is maintained throughout the entire axial distance without requiring any single component to have large cross-sectional area.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system includes a radio frequency (“RF”) antenna. The RF antenna includes a RF reflector and a RF feed axially spaced from the RF reflector. The communications system also includes an optical telescope sharing an axis with the RF antenna. The optical telescope includes primary and secondary reflectors centered at the axis. A mounting structure mechanically couples a housing of the primary reflector to the secondary optical reflector. The mounting structure includes a plurality of truss struts extending the entirety of an axial distance between the primary and secondary optical reflectors and a plurality of support rings interconnecting the plurality of truss struts at various locations on the central axis at or between the primary and secondary optical reflectors. Each of the plurality of support rings and truss struts is structured to minimize the cross section of the support rings along radials originating at the RF feed.