Optimal steering of a paraboloid antenna using piezoelectric actuators

Abstract

The use of piezoelectric actuators to modify an antenna radiation pattern has been investigated recently. In this paper, a doubly curved paraboloid antenna of Lexan® material is considered, and the optimal size, location, and field of the piezoelectric actuators are determined, for steering the radiation. The deformation induced by the piezoactuators is determined using a shell element modified for this purpose, and validated using extensive experiments on curved beams and shells with piezopatches. The genetic algorithm is used as the optimization tool. One of the contributions of this paper is a formulation of the optimization problem which reduces the computational effort significantly. A reasonable amount of steering with good beam quality is achieved.

Development of shape memory alloy actuator integrated flexible poly-ether-ether-ketone antenna with simultaneous beam steering and shaping ability

“…It is intuitive that a fixed base of the antenna can not perfectly steer the radiation pattern. In literature, Gupta et al (2006) and Rao and Pan (1990) have shown a concept of optimal placement of actuators to optimally steer the reflector. This concept can work for antennas in ground segment, but in space applications (where steering in multiple directions may be required), it is difficult to implement this technique.…”

“…This causes a change in the far-field intensity phase difference between the rays arriving at a point in the infinite plane. Using GO, one can compute the far-field intensity based on the distance traveled and phase difference generated by the rays (see equation (6b); Balanis, 1989; Gupta et al, 2006). A is the amplitude of the electric far-field intensity and is assumed to be equal to 1…”

Shape control of piezoelectric bimorph by piezo response function and global optimization algorithms: a comparative study

“…Shape control of flexible structures, antennas and mirrors are mainly done to enhance the performance efficiency. The shape control of flexible structures are mainly used in aerodynamic industries and space applications, for example, large wing of aircraft, space robotic system, communication antennas of satellite etc [1][2][3]. The shape control of mirrors are used in the field of astronomy [4][5][6], ophthalmology [7,8] and microscopy [9,10] to correct the wave front distortion induced by atmospheric turbulence, slope, figure, and misalignment errors in optical systems.…”

Mechanically reconfigurable reflector for future smart space antenna application

“…Peter and colleagues [9] presented a piecewise deformable sub-reflector featuring error compensation for the Cassegrain main reflector. Gregory et al [10] and Gupta et al [11][12][13] introduced several smart aperture antennas with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) embedded in the reflector or PZT patches patched on the surface of reflector to shape and steer the beam. Munjal [14] presented a parabolic composite reflectors with hybrid PZT-coated layers.…”