EP3195407A1 - Radio avec antenne déployable - Google Patents

Radio avec antenne déployable

Info

Publication number
EP3195407A1
EP3195407A1 EP15757543.2A EP15757543A EP3195407A1 EP 3195407 A1 EP3195407 A1 EP 3195407A1 EP 15757543 A EP15757543 A EP 15757543A EP 3195407 A1 EP3195407 A1 EP 3195407A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
radio
carbon fibre
active component
stem
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15757543.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David James NETHERCOTT
Robin Granger
Aidan Tout
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Original Assignee
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical UK Secretary of State for Defence
Publication of EP3195407A1 publication Critical patent/EP3195407A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
    • H01Q1/288—Satellite antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/08—Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof
    • H01Q1/085—Flexible aerials; Whip aerials with a resilient base
    • H01Q1/087—Extensible roll- up aerials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/364—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith using a particular conducting material, e.g. superconductor
    • H01Q1/368—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith using a particular conducting material, e.g. superconductor using carbon or carbon composite

Definitions

  • This invention relates to space saving deployable radio antennas, for example for spacecraft or portable radios.
  • Satellites have sometimes included a rollable antenna made of metal (e.g. spring steel). These structures are known as Storable Tubular Extendible Member (STEM) structures. On release from a rolled up spiral configuration they unroll as a spring to achieve their natural state - a linear element having a generally arcuate cross section.
  • STEM Storable Tubular Extendible Member
  • a standard metal retractable tape measure is a good example of a STEM structure, and it is known that a cubesat antenna can be constructed of a sectiori of measuring tape deployed to unfurl from a rolled up configuration.
  • the metal tape measure naturally unrolls in the absence of other forces, and once unrolled it adopts its natural form which is generally linear and is generally arcuate in cross section (with respect to the linear direction).
  • This arcuate structure lends rigidity to the linear antenna which is maintained unless a force is applied that is great enough to cause the arcuate structure to flatten at any point along the antenna.
  • such forces the weight of the antenna, any wind resistance or centripetal forces
  • the roll of material is released to unfurl in an unconstrained fashion into space and the spirally outer end remains connected to the spacecraft.
  • This is in contrast with a traditional tape measure where the roll of material rotates inside a housing, and the outer end extends linearly from the housing.
  • a Radio comprising a radio electronics module and an antenna comprising at least one active component that is elongate in a deployed configuration to convert radio signals to or from electrical signals, the active component is substantially comprised of an electrically conductive Storable Tubular Extendible Member (STEM) structure that is spiral in a stowed configuration, and elongate with an arcuate cross section in the deployed configuration, characterized in that the STEM structure is substantially comprised of a carbon fibre material electrically coupled to the electronics module so as to perform the function of the active component.
  • STEM Storable Tubular Extendible Member
  • carbon fibre is suitable to further reduce the size or weight of the antenna (or provide a longer antenna). Carbon fibre has never been used to contribute to the conductivity of an antenna along its length, however the inventors have discovered that:
  • the material offers an improvement over the use of spring steel in the storage space required for an antenna of a given length, the problems of the material permanently tangling or kinking that would be expected of a carbon fibre ribbon released freely from a coiled state (even into a vacuum where the energy is not absorbed by air resistance) are not so likely as to prevent the device being commercially feasible,
  • the material itself can be used to at least contribute to the conductivity of the antenna, along the length of the antenna.
  • carbon fibre has a very low conductivity compared to materials normally used for radio antennae (steel).
  • the carbon fibre will inevitably be a thin ribbon structure, which therefore will have a very small cross section making the conductivity of the carbon fibre structure even lower than even a rod of carbon fibre, and thus it is even more surprising that it can usefully contribute to the conductivity of the antenna.
  • Reflector dishes for radio antennae In such devices, the dish is of carbon fibre, but the antenna's active element (the part electrically connected to the radio electronics module and which converts the radio waves to electrical signals or vice versa) will be metal as usual.
  • a method of deploying a radio antenna having the steps of: providing the radio of claim 1 with an active component arranged as a spiral in the stowed configuration, and retaining an outermost end of the spiral active component in electrical connection to the electronics module, while releasing the remainder of the spiral active component so that it unravels to adopt a deployed configuration having an elongate arrangement with arcuate cross section.
  • the release of the remainder of the spiral active component is achieved by means of an electrically activated release mechanism (of any of the various types known in the art).
  • the electrically activated release mechanism includes a sprung pivot arranged such that the release by the release mechanism repositions the active spiral component to a position where it can unravel. This may include repositioning it outboard of a housing, such that the spiral is then free to unravel.
  • the spiral is fully contained within the housing to protect the spiral during transport.
  • a radio means a device adapted to modulate and transmit or receive and demodulate radio wave signals.
  • radio electronics module covers any electronics able to modulate and produce electrical signals for transmission by a radio antenna, or to receive and demodulate such signals from an antenna.
  • active component means the conductive element electrically coupled to the radio electronics module for converting electrical signals to radio waves or converting radio waves into electrical signals.
  • the term excludes electrical shielding that may be used to surround a cable between the antenna and radio electronics module, and it excludes a reflective ground plate or antenna dish or other collector such as a log periodic or yaggi collector array. For example in the case of a dipole antenna there may be more than one active component (in that case two).
  • the term "substantially comprised of means that it typically has solely or mostly just the elements stated, but may have limited additional elements.
  • the active component may include an unshielded cable or other unshielded conductive path between the STEM structure and the electronics module, provided that this unshielded cable or path contributes comparatively little to the radio reception/transmission capability of the active element as compared to the STEM structure in deployed configuration.
  • the STEM structure may include a UV (or other) protective coating around the carbon fibre material, and may include a conductive painted line, coating, foil layer or similar element provided that this is not the main source of rigidity of the STEM structure in the deployed configuration (i.e. the carbon fibre material must be the main source of this rigidity).
  • any additional element in the STEM structure is conductive along the length of the STEM structure this additional element needs to be conductively coupled to the carbon fibre, either along its length (in the deployed configuration) or at least at or near the radio electronics module end of the STEM structure.
  • the term "so as to perform the function of the active element” means that the carbon fibre material at least jointly performs the function of the active element in conjunction with any additional conductive element arranged in parallel, if any.
  • the carbon fibre material is at least the main source of electrical conductivity of the active element along substantially the length of the active element, in the deployed configuration.
  • a conductive coating or other conductive element provided that it contributes less to the conductivity of the active element along the length of it, than the carbon fibre material does.
  • a metal conduction path between the radio electronics module and the carbon fibre STEM structure but this path should be short (measured in a straight line) as compared to the deployed length of the STEM structure, and preferably less than 5% thereof.
  • the UV protective coating could have some conductivity as measured along a length of the STEM structure, but not as much as that of the carbon fibre material.
  • the carbon fibre material is the sole source of electrical conductivity of the active element along substantially the length of the active element, in the deployed configuration.
  • the STEM carbon fibre structure is arranged such that in a deployed configuration it has a an arcuate, circular or spiral form in cross section of at least 270 degrees to provide a rigid structure for a given weight and length.
  • the form may be substantially circular, so as to form a substantially closed tube.
  • the form preferably extends at least 90 degrees (around a notional circle), more preferably at least 180 degrees, more preferably at least 270 degrees, optionally may be substantially 360 degrees, and optionally may exceed 360 degrees (thus forming a spiral in cross section).
  • Arcuate, spiral and circular include substantially oval, polygonal or other variations provided that the result is an antenna having a part or whole tubular form.
  • the antenna is provided on a spacecraft, such as a satellite.
  • the design may be of particular value for small satellites (less than 100kg), and particularly for a cubesat.
  • a cubesat is a type of miniaturized satellite for space research that has a volume of around one liter or less (typically exactly one liter), has a mass of around 1 or 2 kilograms or less (typically no more than 1.33 kilograms), and typically uses commercial off-the-shelf components for its electronics.
  • the antenna includes two active elements arranged that in a deployed configuration they form a dipole antenna.
  • a spacecraft comprising the radio as described above.
  • Figure 1 is a top schematic view of a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of figure 1.
  • a radio 1 includes an antenna including an active element 3 made of a carbon fibre material, in this case specifically a polymer reinforced woven carbon fibre ribbon formed to have an arcuate cross section unless physically biased otherwise, arid covered with a UV protecting coating.
  • an active element 3 made of a carbon fibre material, in this case specifically a polymer reinforced woven carbon fibre ribbon formed to have an arcuate cross section unless physically biased otherwise, arid covered with a UV protecting coating.
  • the active element In a stowed configuration 4, the active element is a roll of carbon fibre ribbon. In a deployed configuration the active element is a linear strut having an arcuate form in cross section. This is achieved with a storable tubular extendible member (STEM) structure shown unfurling 5 via path 10 (dotted line circles and arrow).
  • STEM tubular extendible member
  • a release mechanism 6 is sprung (not shown) to release the roll of carbon fibre material from a housing 7.
  • the roll On being released 8 the roll unfurls, and acquires it's deployed configuration, although especially if unfurled in a vacuum it may do so violently and may go through a series of semi-tangled configurations in an agitated and chaotic manner, before settling to its final linear state.
  • the design shown has two STEM active components to form a dipole antenna.
  • Other variations are possible such as a monopole or multiple antenna formation.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the radio 1 with two STEM active components 3 in its deployed configuration (only part of the STEM structures are shown), mounted above a radio electronics module 2.
  • the active STEM elements have an arcuate form in cross section, which gives them rigidity once in the deployed configuration.
  • the arcuate form may extend around a greater angle than that shown (120 degrees), and rather than 90-180 degrees it might extend more than 180 degrees (and optionally more than 360 degrees, although there is diminishing benefit beyond 360 degrees).
  • the carbon fibre is typically woven before the reinforcing polymer is hardened, and is preferably arranged to be less flexible along the length (in a deployed configuration) as across the arcuate ribbon form. This can be achieved by aligning some of the carbon fibres parallel to the direction of the length of the ribbon, and either arranging fewer carbon fibres across the ribbon and/or arranging them to have an indirect route across the ribbon (e.g. zigzag) or by arranging the fibres as a sandwich including outer layers aligned along the direction of the ribbon, and a middle layer aligned across the ribbon.
  • the carbon fibre is generally provided with a polymer reinforcement resin or plastic. This may optionally be a thermoplastic for faster setting e.g. in a continuous forming process.
  • the carbon fibre ribbon is equally stiff in all directions then it can still be used however typically with a flatter arc (smaller angle and larger radius of curvature) in the deployed configuration than would otherwise be the case.
  • the properties of the ribbon can be further optimized by those skilled in the art of carbon fibre structural design.
  • the STEM component 3 may have a conductive coating or foil or paint applied to it 9 either as a narrow strip (as shown) or perhaps encompassing the STEM structure.
  • the conductive element 9 is in electrical contact with the carbon fibre at least via a conduction path to the electronics module 2, but preferably at least at the proximal end (the end of the STEM structure nearest the electronics module) and preferably along the length of the STEM member.
  • the conductive material might be copper foil or a polymer embedded with carbon nanotubes, or a plating of copper or silver or any other conductive material.
  • an additional conductive element may be included in the carbon fibre ribbon (E.g. strands of fine copper wire woven along with the carbon fibre strands) or an additional conductive element included in the reinforcement polymer of the carbon fibre material such as dispersed carbon nanotubes. Where these elements make up a substantial fraction of the carbon fibre material and contribute a substantial fraction of the conductivity of the STEM structure they are considered extrinsic to the carbon fibre material.
  • multiple STEM structures can be combined to form any antenna structure that is formed through combination of linear, electrically conductive components.
  • the simplest antenna arrangement is a monopole (or "whip") antenna, comprising a single electrically conductive element that is a deployed STEM component.
  • a true Ground Plane is large, flat plane of electrically conductive material, the plane of which is perpendicular to the monopole antenna axis and meets the monopole at one end.
  • an effective Ground Plane can be emulated by using multiple STEM elements, connected in a radial spoke configuration.
  • the antenna is provided with a ground plane arranged perpendicular to it, being formed of at least three carbon fibre STEM elements arranged radially with respect to the antenna.
  • An additional STEM structure configuration is formed with two STEM structures deployed collinearly, in opposite directions, to form a linear dipole antenna.
  • This form of antenna has improved electrical performance characteristics over a monopole but typically requires twice the dimensions of the monopole to achieve this.
  • a more general antenna design is where the two antenna elements are not collinear. The angle between the elements can be adjusted to define the receiving characteristics and performance.
  • the antennas When deployed in monopole or dipole configurations, the antennas could be electrically short in size. This refers to a configuration where the conductive antenna elements are shorter than is required for optimal antenna functionality, but where the limited electrical performance is an acceptable trade-off against size.
  • An example of an electrically short antenna is a mobile phone or mobile handheld radio.
  • STEM elements when arranged in a cross configuration, where the STEM elements meet at their ends, with 90° angle between each, and all elements lying in the same flat plane, forms an antenna configuration suitable for receiving or transmitting Electromagnetic waves that are either circularly polarized or polarized at an unknown angle, that is not ideally matched to a dipole or monopole antenna orientation for optimum reception.
  • This is a common antenna configuration known as a crossed dipole and the benefits of using a STEM as the antenna elements apply as for the monopole and dipole antennas described above.
  • STEM elements can also be configured to form a directional antenna known as a Yagi-Uda antenna.
  • This antenna form comprises a dipole receiving element as described above, with specifically sized conductive element s placed forward and behind the receiving element, in the direction of the propagation of the transmitted or received electromagnetic waves.
  • These additional elements could be formed from STEM elements in the same manner as the receiving dipole element.
  • a UV coating (if required) can be applied as a painted or sprayed layer, or even incorporated into the resins used to manufacture the carbon fibre material. The need for this depends on the intended use and required duration of service.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une radio comportant un module d'électronique de radio et une antenne comportant au moins un composant actif qui est allongé dans une configuration déployée pour convertir des signaux électriques en radio signaux ou vice versa, le composant actif étant sensiblement constitué d'une structure électriquement conductrice de élément extensible tubulaire stockable (STEM) qui est spiral dans une configuration escamotée, et allongé avec une section droite en arc dans la configuration déployée, caractérisé en ce que la structure de STEM est sensiblement constituée d'un matériau en fibre de carbone couplé électriquement au module d'électronique de façon à remplir la fonction du composant actif. Un procédé de déploiement d'une antenne radio est également revendiqué.
EP15757543.2A 2014-08-29 2015-08-28 Radio avec antenne déployable Withdrawn EP3195407A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1415303.5A GB2529689B (en) 2014-08-29 2014-08-29 Radio with a deployable antenna
PCT/GB2015/000257 WO2016030655A1 (fr) 2014-08-29 2015-08-28 Radio avec antenne déployable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3195407A1 true EP3195407A1 (fr) 2017-07-26

Family

ID=51752320

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15757543.2A Withdrawn EP3195407A1 (fr) 2014-08-29 2015-08-28 Radio avec antenne déployable

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3195407A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2529689B (fr)
WO (1) WO2016030655A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
LU100172B1 (en) * 2017-04-12 2018-10-15 Iee Sa Interference mitigation in automotive Radar systems by artificial Doppler modulation

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312864A1 (fr) * 1975-05-29 1976-12-24 Etud Rech Chimique Lab Antenne radio-electrique composite, specialement antenne d'emission

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2972144A (en) * 1959-01-28 1961-02-14 Richard A Marsh Antenna release mechanism
US3102982A (en) * 1961-03-13 1963-09-03 Aeronad Electronic Corp Air rescue transmission apparatus
US4225871A (en) * 1977-06-28 1980-09-30 Luigi Ramari Collapsible, flattenable and drum wrappable type of radio antenna, particularly for motor-vehicles and moving equipments
FR2396432A1 (fr) * 1977-06-29 1979-01-26 Lerc Antenne en stratifie de fibres de carbone formee d'elements assembles
US4494123A (en) * 1983-07-16 1985-01-15 Motorola, Inc. Self-erecting composite antenna structure
GB8710332D0 (en) * 1987-04-30 1987-06-03 Daton Lovett A J Extensible elements
WO1991003847A1 (fr) * 1989-08-29 1991-03-21 Hughes Aircraft Company Structures composites en graphite a conductivite electrique
JPH07509818A (ja) * 1992-06-15 1995-10-26 マシューズ，ロバート　レニス 伸縮式アンテナ
JPH07326913A (ja) * 1994-06-01 1995-12-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 平板アンテナ
US5865390A (en) * 1996-10-24 1999-02-02 Iveges; Steve I Variable-length antenna element
GB0021949D0 (en) * 2000-09-07 2000-10-25 Univ Sheffield Rescue device
JP5276952B2 (ja) * 2008-11-05 2013-08-28 サカセ・アドテック株式会社 伸展構造物

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312864A1 (fr) * 1975-05-29 1976-12-24 Etud Rech Chimique Lab Antenne radio-electrique composite, specialement antenne d'emission

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AIDIN MEHDIPOUR ET AL: "Conductive carbon fiber composite materials for antenna and microwave applications", 29 TH NATIONAL RADIO SCIENCE CONFERENCE (NRSC 2012), 10 April 2012 (2012-04-10), pages 1 - 8, XP055440547 *
See also references of WO2016030655A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016030655A8 (fr) 2016-10-27
GB201415303D0 (en) 2014-10-15
GB2529689A (en) 2016-03-02
GB2529689B (en) 2018-11-14
GB2529689A8 (en) 2016-03-30
WO2016030655A1 (fr) 2016-03-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11641050B2 (en) Antenna assembly and related methods
US8384614B2 (en) Deployable wireless Fresnel lens
US8854275B2 (en) Antenna apparatus and method for reducing background noise and increasing reception sensitivity
US6891515B1 (en) Multiband antenna
US9190724B2 (en) Phased antenna array for global navigation satellite system signals
KR20130126697A (ko) 번개 방호 시스템과 양립 가능한 레이더 흡수 물질
LT6384B (lt) Lengva išskleidžiama kosminio aparato fazuota antena ir tokių antenų sistema
CN110199436B (zh) 多频带圆偏振天线
US3192529A (en) Multi-helix antenna on inflatable satellite
WO2016030655A1 (fr) Radio avec antenne déployable
Zeain et al. Design of helical antenna for wideband frequency
EP3227958B1 (fr) Radôme d'antenne avec absorbeurs
US20210313700A1 (en) Deployable horn antenna and associated methods
CN105896101A (zh) 天线
US7151509B2 (en) Apparatus for use in providing wireless communication and method for use and deployment of such apparatus
US20210194140A1 (en) Systems and methods for providing a high gain space deployable helix antenna
Hussin et al. A wearable textile dipole for search and rescue application
Gupta et al. A deployable vivaldi-fed conical horn antenna for CubeSats
CN110854519B (zh) 一种共形体天线装置
Gharat et al. Design of Helical Antenna at 403 MHz for Radiosonde
Sharma et al. Deployable Tape Antenna for a Small Satellite
Knott et al. An ultra-compact helical antenna for small satellites
Rajab et al. UWB with Gain Enhancement Archimedean Spiral Microstrip Antennas for On-board Satellite Communications
Mashhadi et al. Design of broadband end-fed dipole antenna for jamming application
Kennedy et al. Deployable wireless Fresnel lens

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170215

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20190926

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01Q 1/08 20060101ALI20201005BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 1/36 20060101AFI20201005BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 1/28 20060101ALI20201005BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20201021

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20210302