Structural and Radio Frequency Co-Design and Optimization of Large Deployable Reflectarrays for Space Missions

The structural and radio frequency (RF) design and optimization of a large deployable faceted reflectarray (RA) generating double polarization contour beam are presented in this work. The issue addressed is the thermoelastic stability of large RAs and the impact of the thermoelastic deformation (TED) under transverse thermal gradient on the RA performances. Finite element TED analysis is conducted on a deployable RA with self-standing structures, demonstrating the detrimental effects of the in-orbit TED impact on the RA performances, estimated to be above 3 dB losses. To this extent, a novel structural solution is proposed, based on the use of reliable mechanical support capable to mitigate the TED. The mechanical design reorientation is contingent on the RF design reformulation. The proposed novel mechanical and RF co-design concept and methodology allows the conception of a low-profile, thermo-structurally stable RA with compliant radiation patterns and high cross-polarization discrimination in the worst case thermal load. This methodology is based on a direct optimization of nine-panel faceted RA composed of advanced high-order Phoenix cells directly optimized to fulfill the contoured beam requirements and by respecting the local periodicity requirements of the layout.