IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine - July 2020 - 60

Space Phased Array Antenna Developments: A Perspective on Structural Design

Figure 26.
Miniature loop heat pipe based on MEMS technology.

theory. The structure-displacement field, electromagnetic field, and temperature field interact and
affect the antenna radiating performance simultaneously. The electromagnetic coupling theory is
the basis of the analysis, design, processing, testing, and calibration of space active phased array
antennas. Thus, it is essential to carry out a deep
study and a system research on the electromechanical coupling problem for high performance satellite antennas.
2) Real-time compensation for radiating performance
of space antenna under operating environment.
Since thermal vibration, drastic temperature
changes, and other adverse factors cause mechanical
deformations, which result in serious degradation of
the electromagnetic performance of antennas, the
condition monitoring and real-time compensation
for space active phased array antenna structure are
very important. The advanced compensation technologies could include the optimal selection of sensor positions on the antenna array, the application
of multiple types of sensors for completeness of
measurement data, the rapid reconstruction algorithm of total antenna structural deformation and
temperature information using a limited number of
sensors, the uncertainty in the sensor accuracy and
approximate antenna modeling, and the calculation
method for effective compensation quantity.
3) Weaken measures for the adverse impacts of severe
space environment on active phased array antennas.
The applications in the ground of phased array antenna
could be traced back to the end of the 60 generation in
20th century, but a decade too late, they were extended
to space field. The main limitations are the adaptability
of active phased array antennas to the spaceborne environment, in which the thermal control technology,
including the invention of new cooling materials is
the key.
4) Make every effort to improve the quality level of
materials, processes, and key components. As the
operating frequency of space antennas is extended
to high frequencies, they are also moving toward
60

larger apertures, greater extensibility, lighter
weights, higher reliability, and higher integration.
The design and manufacturing of high-performance T/R modules, feed networks, radiating elements, power supplies, and antenna deployment
mechanisms on thin plate/film material are the
difficulties in producing high performance, lightweight, intelligent, and highly reliable spaceborne
active phased array antennas, in which the structure integrated layout is the key. The application
performance and technical level of the space
phased array antenna depend largely on the basic
materials, manufacturing processes, and key components. Advanced composite materials, microwave integrated technology, and RF MEMS
technology can greatly reduce the volume and
mass of the phased array system.
Although spaceborne deployable active phased array
antennas are costly and complex to produce, they are still full
of attractions and challenges because of their good application prospect, great importance of national defense, significant social and economic benefits. Many countries still need
to increase the investment in all aspects of this field. Once
this occurs, a greater breakthrough in terms of theory, technology, and engineering development will be possible.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province under No. 2018JZ5001,in part by
the National Natural Science Foundation of China under No.
51975447 and U1737211, in part by the Youth Science and
Technology Star Project of Shaanxi Province under No.
2018KJXX-047, in part by the Youth Innovation Team of
Shaanxi Universities under No. 201926, an in part by the
Tianshan Innovation Team Plan under No. 2018D14008.

REFERENCES
[1] I. S. Smith, E. A. Chaffee, and C. Walker, "Recent devel-

IEEE A&E SYSTEMS MAGAZINE

opments in a large inflatable antenna," in Proc. IEEE
Aerosp. Conf., 2018, pp. 1-8.

JULY 2020

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