Effect of Synchronization Errors on Deployment Characteristics of Modularized Structures

This paper describes the deployment characteristics of a modular mesh antenna. The antenna consists of seven modules and is 10 m in diameter. Each module consists of a mesh surface and a deployable truss structure. Three motors cooperate to control the antenna deployment. The synchronization errors caused by asynchronous deployment motion depend on two factors: length of released control cable, and control cable failure. A deployment test is conducted on a 7-module assembly suspended from the ceiling in the cup-down configuration. We measured the displacement of the slide hinge along the center axis, the tensions in the control cables, and the strains in the rib structure members during deployment. We evaluated the effect of synchronization errors on the tension in the control cable and the strain in the rib structure members. We conclude that synchronization errors do not disturb the deployment motion and do not cause any structural failures when all modules are controlled by cables.