Scrolling Film Reconfigurable Radiating Array Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current onboard array antennas, such as reflecting array antennas on satellites, face challenges with significant volume, weight, and limited coverage due to the need for multiple rigid panel arrays, which restricts reconfiguration and affects RF and thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable array antenna system using a scrolling film with radiating patterns and a ground plane, where the film is wound onto drums and deployed in space, allowing for selective positioning of radiating arrays and reducing volume and weight, enabling multiple coverage areas with a single ground plane and vacuum spacer for improved RF performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rigid panel radiating arrays are stored onboard for different coverage areas, then the antenna can provide reconfigurable coverage, but the volume and weight of the antenna system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidantenna system volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The radiating array is divided into multiple independent radiating patterns that can be selectively positioned. Each radiating pattern can be independently stored and deployed, allowing the antenna to switch between different coverage configurations without requiring multiple complete rigid panel assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system transitions from static rigid panel arrays to a dynamic configuration where radiating patterns can be moved and repositioned. The scrolling mechanism enables dynamic selection and positioning of different radiating patterns during operation, providing reconfigurable coverage with a single lightweight structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rigid panel radiating arrays are stored onboard for different coverage areas, then the antenna can provide reconfigurable coverage, but the weight of the antenna system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidantenna system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiating patterns that would traditionally require separate rigid panels are merged into a single lightweight structure. The scrolling mechanism integrates the storage and deployment functions, eliminating the need for multiple heavy panel assemblies while maintaining the capability to provide multiple coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiating patterns are implemented using flexible thin film structures rather than rigid panels. This allows the patterns to be stored in a compact, lightweight format and deployed when needed, significantly reducing the overall weight of the antenna system while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rigid panel radiating arrays are stored onboard, then different coverage areas can be selected, but the stacking structure occupies significant volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage selection capabilityVSAvoidstacking structure volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiating patterns are nested within a single scrolling structure rather than being stacked as separate rigid panels. The patterns can be stored in a compact nested arrangement and deployed sequentially, dramatically reducing the volume required for storage while maintaining the capability to select different coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rigid panel radiating arrays are stored onboard, then coverage reconfiguration is possible, but the stored arrays reduce the RF and thermal fields of view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidRF and thermal field performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of stored rigid panels blocking RF and thermal fields is eliminated by extracting the storage function from the operational path. The scrolling mechanism allows radiating patterns to be stored in a compact format that does not interfere with the RF and thermal fields during operation, and only deploys when needed for specific coverage configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables a compact and lightweight antenna capable of multiple coverage configurations, enhancing RF performance by using a single ground plane and vacuum spacer, allowing for efficient reconfiguration and increased coverage options without adding payload.

Implementation Method 1

The loading and placement means comprise a system for scrolling a first film comprising the subsets of radiating patterns making it possible to selectively position a subset of radiating patterns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical winding and unwinding: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS8085212B2Reconfigurable radiant array antenna

Publication Date: 2011.12.27 THALES SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a reconfigurable reflecting array antenna comprising a subset of patterns capable of radiating signals emitted in a given direction and means of loading and placing said radiating arrays to place one of them in a chosen emitting position, characterized in that:the loading and placement means comprise a system for scrolling a first film (F1) comprising the subsets of radiating patterns used to selectively position a subset of radiating patterns in the emitting position.The antenna can be of the reflecting array antenna type or of the phased array antenna type.