Smart Antenna Reflector Manufactured in Filament Winding Technology

Abstract

The modern information society continuously demands for larger communication capacities. These demands can be met by developing higher telecommunication frequencies. With this goal and modern communication technology basing on satellite systems with reflector antennas, DLR and INTA laboratories are developing a new structural design concept of a satellite antenna reflector as an adaptive structural system incorporating its fabrication in filament winding technique. In this article the manufacturing of such a parabolic central focus sandwich reflector of a diameter of 900 mm with intermediate modulus carbon fibre / epoxy face sheets and aluminium honeycomb core with integrated actuators will be discussed. The fabrication of the actuator packages, the filament winding process and the assembly of the actuators will be presented. With this paper the authors intend to recommend this new design concept as a promising technique to realize lightweight, by means of active control thermally highly stable and economic reflector structures for future communication applications. The paper closes with a proposal of future steps of activity.