Structural selection and accuracy control of the large aperture fully steerable antenna

Summary Taking the 110 m fully steerable antenna structure to be built in the future as the research platform, in order to improve the main reflector surface precision, traditional antenna structure performance and its influence mechanism on surface precision are systematically analyzed. Aiming at the disadvantages of traditional structure, a new scheme for fully steerable antenna structure with high efficiency is proposed. Based on the established overall structure scheme and investigation for several kinds of antenna optimization methods, the genetic algorithm is introduced and a series of its typical operators are improved for cross section optimization of back frame structure. Finally, after conceptual optimization for structure system and size optimization for cross section of back frame structure, the innovative scheme improves the main reflector surface precision significantly and its maximum could be reduced to 0.306 mm. Compared with the largest exiting antenna structure Green Bank Telescope in the USA, the innovative scheme for fully steerable antenna structure proposed realizes that reflector area increases 10%, main reflector surface precision improves 12.6%, the total structure weight decreases 40%, and its performance reaches the international advanced level. These achievements provide reference for structural design, construction, maintenance, and surface precision analysis of this kind of fully steerable antennae.