Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/002—Protection against seismic waves, thermal radiation or other disturbances, e.g. nuclear explosion; Arrangements for improving the power handling capability of an antenna
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
  • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/02—Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
  • H01Q21/0025—Modular arrays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/0087—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
  • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
  • H01Q21/064—Two dimensional planar arrays using horn or slot aerials
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
  • H01Q3/12—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of active antennas. It applies more particularly, although not limitatively, to radars and communication systems.
• the invention is preferably intended for an application in the space field.
• An active antenna consists of radiating elements connected to active modules for transmitting and/or receiving radiofrequency waves.
• the need for compactness is in particular linked to the radio frequency specifications which dictate the spacing between two radiating emission openings.
• LEO satellite International acronym for "Low Earth Orbit” or low Earth orbit satellite
• GEO German acronym for "Geostationary Earth Orbit” or low Earth orbit satellite. geostationary terrestrial).
• An existing solution consists of arranging the radiating elements on a shaped, non-flat surface.
• An example is described in patent application EP 2 654 121 where the shaped surface is a frustoconical surface and the radiating elements are placed on several generatrices.
• the active antenna must necessarily include a thermal control system capable of maintaining the active modules at a temperature appropriate.
• Documents FR 2 881 885 and FR 2 751 473 describe examples of active antennas comprising rows of active modules arranged between beams, the beams being traversed by a cooling system allowing the cooling of the active modules.
• the present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.
• an active antenna comprising:
• each assembly comprising: o a first row of active modules coming opposite openings of the plate, o a second row of active modules coming opposite openings of the plate and attached to the first row of active modules, o a beam attached to the plate and held tight between the first row of active modules and the second row of active modules, o a heat transfer conduit in contact with the first row of active modules and the second row of active modules and projecting on either side of said first and second rows of active modules.
• the beam of an assembly has a beveled profile cooperating with profiles of the first and second rows of active modules of said assembly to press them against the plate.
• bevelled profile it is meant that the beam has, in cross section, a frustoconical shape, with its small base on the plate side.
• the first row of active modules is fixedly assembled to the beam.
• Each active module includes at least one solid state power amplifier, preferably a plurality of solid state power amplifiers.
• the invention also responds to the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically effective combinations.
• the active antenna comprises a plurality of sets arranged one against the other, the second row of active modules of a set being attached to the first row of active modules of a adjoining set.
• spacer strips are arranged between second rows of active modules of one of the sets and first rows of active modules of adjoining set.
• the number of active modules per row of a set increases from one edge of the plate of the antenna to a center of the plate then decreases from said center of the plate towards an edge opposite.
• Such an arrangement of active modules thus has an overall pattern close to a circular shape, and preferably symmetrical, which advantageously makes it possible to obtain improved radio frequency performance.
• each of said active modules comprises alignment members capable of cooperating with members complementary alignments arranged on the board.
• said beam comprises alignment elements capable of cooperating with complementary alignment elements arranged on the tray.
• An active antenna according to the invention is advantageously compact and allows, thanks to the close openings on the plate, a dense assembly of active modules, therefore of SSPA amplifiers.
• Such an active antenna is able to withstand high vibration loads. It also proposes the installation of a heat pipe in contact with each of the modules allowing effective thermal regulation of the active modules despite their compactness.
• the invention also relates to a method for mounting an active antenna in accordance with at least one of its embodiments, comprising a step of assembling an assembly, called the first assembly, on the plate.
• This step includes:
• the invention also responds to the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically effective combinations.
• the method comprises placing each active module at a determined pressure against the plate, then releasing it after assembly of each active module to the beam or to an active module facing notice.
• the assembly method comprises a step of assembling another set, called the second set, adjoining the first set, said step comprising:
• the assembly method comprises a tilting of the first row of active modules of the second set during the insertion of said active modules between the second row of active modules of the first set already in place and the beam.
• Such an assembly method allows a very dense assembly of active modules, despite limited access to each active module.
• the assembly of the assembly to the plate as proposed makes it possible to withstand significant vibration loads.
• An active antenna produced in this way can thus be suitable for an application in the space domain.
• Such a process connects the second assembly to both the joist and the first assembly.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an active antenna according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates another side view of the active antenna of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 illustrates another top view of the active antenna of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a plate belonging to an active portion of the active antenna
• FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an active module belonging to the active portion of the active antenna of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective of the active module of Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an assembly of two active modules of an active assembly for transmitting RF radiofrequency waves of the active portion of the active antenna of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 8 illustrates the steps for assembling a first active assembly for transmitting RF radiofrequency waves on a plate of the active antenna
• FIG. 9 illustrates the steps for assembling a second active set for transmitting RF radiofrequency waves, following the assembly of the first active set for transmitting RF radiofrequency waves.
• the present invention relates to an active antenna.
• the active antenna is intended to be on board a space vehicle, such as a satellite, and intended to transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals (RF signals), such as radar signals.
• RF signals radio frequency signals
• the description below is in no way restrictive and the active antenna may have other applications or uses, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the active antenna 100 comprises a passive portion 200, an active portion 400 and a plate 300 forming an interface between said passive portion and said active portion.
• Passive portion 200 :
• the passive portion 200 can comprise in a conventional manner in particular waveguides, polarizers and radiating apertures (not shown in the figures).
• the passive portion 200 has one end, called the first end 201, located on the side of the plate 300.
• the passive portion 200 has another end, called the second end 202.
• the second end 202 is opposite the first end 201 .
• the passive portion 200 comprises a body 203.
• the first end 201 of the passive portion 200 corresponds to a first end of the body 203 and the second end 202 of the passive portion 200 corresponds to a second end of the body 203.
• the passive portion 200 is extended by the plate on which the active portion 400 is arranged, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.
• the plate 300 is for example fixed to the passive portion 200.
• the plate 300 thus has a face 301 intended to be opposite the active portion 400.
• the plate 300 has a circular shape.
• the plate 300 has a diameter greater than the largest diameter of the body 203.
• the plate 300 has a peripheral part 303, projecting, forming a collar thus forming a rim on which a panel (not shown in the figures) of the space vehicle can be supported and fixed there.
• the plate 300 and the body 203 can be made in a single piece.
• the plate 300 advantageously comprises openings 310, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Said openings pass through at least in the thickness of the plate 300 and open through the face 301 .
• the openings 310 are preferably arranged in at least two parallel rows.
• apertures 310 are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, with an even number of rows.
• the openings 310 arranged on each row of openings are equidistant.
• the distance between two openings 310, for each of the rows of openings, is preferably substantially identical.
• the active portion 400 includes at least one active assembly for transmitting and/or receiving RF radiofrequency waves.
• an active assembly for transmitting RF radiofrequency waves will be referred to as assembly.
• the active portion 400 comprises a plurality of sets. Each set of the active portion 400 comprises the same constituent elements.
• a set includes:
• a set does not include more than two rows of active modules 410.
• a set necessarily comprises the same number of active modules 410 on the two rows.
• Each active module 410 of the second row is intended to come substantially opposite an active module 410 of the first row.
• Each row of active modules 410 of a set is advantageously intended to come face to face with a row of openings 310 of the plate 300.
• a set can differ from another set by the number of active modules 410.
• the beam 450 and the heat transfer duct 460 are separate elements.
• Each active module 410 of a set includes at least one solid state power amplifier.
• a solid state power amplifier will be called an SSPA amplifier (from the English “Solid State Power Amplifier”).
• each active module 410 comprises a plurality of SSPA amplifiers.
• each active module 410 comprises four SSPA amplifiers.
• Each active module 410 is in the form of a box 420, inside which the SSPA amplifiers are arranged.
• the casings 420 of the active modules 410 preferably have an identical shape.
• Each casing as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, generally has a rectangular parallelepipedal geometric shape.
• Each box 420 is for example formed of two shells assembled together.
• Each box 420 has a first face 421 and a second face 422, opposite the first face 421, two longitudinal edges 423 and two side edges 425, 426.
• Each 420 box has:
• the active modules 410 of a set when placed on the tray 300, are positioned so that:
• the first face 421 of the casing 420 of an active module 410 of a first row is opposite the first face 421 of the casing 420 of an active module 410 of the second row
• each active module 410 a side edge of the housing 420 of each active module 410, called the first side edge 425, is opposite the face 301 of the plate 300,
• these boxes are not fixed to the plate directly by screws which are inserted perpendicularly into the plate. Indeed, such an arrangement of the screws for fixing the modules would lead to a significant limitation in terms of compactness.
• the boxes are advantageously fixed, in the active antenna according to the invention, by means of screws arranged parallel to the plane of the plate.
• the active modules 410 are thus positioned perpendicular to the plate 300, assembled laterally to each other on each row.
• Such an arrangement of the active modules 410 on the plate 300 makes it possible to reduce their size on said plate 300, making it possible to increase the number of active modules 410 to be positioned on said plate 300.
• Each active module 410 comprises at least one radio frequency output interface 427, one RF output interface 427 per SSPA amplifier.
• an active module 410 comprises four SSPA amplifiers
• said active module 410 comprises four RF output interfaces 427, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
• the RF output interfaces 427 are arranged at the level of the first side edge 425 of the casing, and are regularly distributed over said first side edge.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the active module 410 are in the form of waveguides.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of an active module 410 are arranged so that, when said active module 410 is in position on the plate 300, each RF output interface 427 is intended to come respectively opposite an opening 310 of a row of openings 310 of the plate 300.
• Each active module 410 further includes a gasket disposed around each RF output interface 427. This gasket will be pressurized before the active module is permanently attached to the tray, after which the mounting pressure is removed. .
• a press is for example used to apply a determined nominal pressure specific to the seal. The invention advantageously makes it possible to precisely adjust the pressure applied to the seals, in the final assembly.
• the active module 410 comprises four RF output interfaces 427
• said active module 410 comprises four seals.
• Each seal of an active module 410 is arranged around an RF output interface 427 such that, when the active module 410 is in position on the plate 300, said seal is arranged around an opening 310 of a row of openings 310 of the plate 300.
• Each active module 410 comprises at least one radiofrequency input interface 428, one RF input interface per SSPA amplifier.
• said active module 410 comprises four RF input interfaces 428, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
• the RF input interfaces 428 are arranged at the level of a second side edge 426 of the housing 420 and are regularly distributed over said second side edge.
• the RF input interfaces 428 are in the form of coaxial outputs.
• the active modules 410 can comprise alignment members 432, as illustrated in FIG. 6, intended to cooperate with complementary alignment 320 arranged on the plate 300, at the level of the face 301, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
• the alignment members 432 of an active module 410 are preferably arranged at the level of the first side edge 425 of the housing 420 of said active module 410.
• the alignment members 432 of the active modules 410 are alignment pins and the complementary alignment members 432 320 on the tray 300 are receiving pegs. Conversely, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the alignment members 432 of the active modules 410 can be receiving pins and the complementary alignment members 320 on the plate 300 are alignment pins.
• each active module 410 of a set comprises first orifices 433 for receiving fixing elements, called first fixing elements 510.
• first fixing elements 510 are intended to assemble two modules facing each other. between them of the same set.
• the first orifices 433 pass through the thickness of the casing 420 of the active module 410.
• the first fasteners 510 are reversible fasteners, i.e., they can be installed and removed as needed.
• the first fixing elements 510 are clamping screws and the first orifices 433 of the active module 410 are threaded, forming nuts for the clamping screws.
• each active module 410 comprises four first orifices 433.
• each active module 410 of a set comprises second orifices 434 for receiving fixing elements, called second fixing elements 520.
• second fixing elements 520 are intended to assemble an active module 410 to the beam 450 said assembly, as will be described later.
• the second orifices 434 pass through the thickness of the casing 420 of the active module 410, and arranged on the side of the first lateral edge 425.
• the second fasteners 520 are reversible fasteners.
• the second fixing elements 520 are clamping screws and the second orifices 434 of the active module 410 are threaded, forming nuts for the clamping screws.
• each active module 410 comprises two second orifices 434.
• Beam 450
• the beam 450 of a set is advantageously a longitudinal beam 450, intended to be placed between two rows of openings 310 of said plate 300 and to be held tight between the first row of active modules 410 and the second row of active modules 410.
• Beam 450 is advantageously intended for:
• the beam 450 can include alignment elements (not shown in the figures) intended to cooperate with complementary alignment elements 330 arranged on the plate 300.
• the elements complementary alignment 330 arranged on the plate 300 are arranged between two rows of openings 310 of said plate 300 intended to receive two rows of active modules 410 of a set, as illustrated in Figure 4.
• the alignment features of beam 450 are alignment pins and the complementary alignment features 330 on tray 300 are receiving pegs.
• the alignment elements of the beam 450 can be receiving pegs and complementary alignment elements 330 on tray 300 are alignment pins.
• the beam 450 comprises first holes 451 for receiving fixing elements, called third fixing elements 530.
• These third fixing elements 530 are intended to assemble the beam 450 to the plate 300.
• the first holes 451 of the beam 450 are through.
• the plate 300 also comprises first orifices 340 for receiving the third fixing elements 530.
• the first orifices 340 of the plate 300 extend in the thickness of the plate 300, from the face 301 of the said plate 300.
• the first holes 340 of the plate 300 are preferably not through the thickness of the plate 300.
• the first holes 340 of the plate 300 are arranged on the plate 300 such that, when the beam 450 is in position on the plate 300, said first orifices 340 of the plate 300 are opposite the first orifices of the beam 450.
• the third fasteners 530 are reversible fasteners.
• the third fixing elements 530 are clamping screws and the first orifices 451, 340 of the beam 450 and of the plate 300 are threaded, forming nuts for said clamping screws.
• the beam 450 includes second holes 452 for receiving the second fixing elements 520.
• the second fixing elements 520 are intended to assemble the beam 450 to an active module 410.
• the second holes 452 of the beam 450 are through.
• the second holes 452 of the beam 450 are arranged in the beam 450 such that, when the beam 450 and an active module 410 of the first row is in position on the plate 300, said second holes of the beam 450 are opposite. -à-vis the second orifices 434 of said active modules.
• the second fixing elements 520 are clamping screws and the second orifices 434 of the active module 410 and of the beam 450 are threaded, forming nuts for the clamping screws.
• the 450 beam has a beveled profile. More specifically, the beam 450 has a trapezoidal cross section, as shown in Figure 7.
• the trapezoidal section of the beam has in particular a plane of symmetry passing through the middle of the trapezium.
• This beam of trapezoidal profile is that by tightening the active modules facing each other, they are pressed against the plate 300, without requiring tightening by screwing directly into the plate. Sufficient tightening is thus achieved even without having access for screwing directly into the plate.
• the beam 450 is intended to be positioned on the plate 300 such that its small base 453 is arranged facing the plate 300. In other words, when the beam 450 is in position on the plate 300, the beam 450 is gradually decreases towards plateau 300.
• each active module 410 may have, over its entire width, a recess 429 for receiving a part of the beam 450.
• Said recess has a shape complementary to a part of the cross section of the beam 450, preferably half of the cross section of the beam 450. In the clamped position, a clearance is left between the beam and the active modules 410, on the face of the beam at opposite the board. There is thus good contact at the level of the inclined planes of the beam, which guarantees good mechanical strength.
• Such a recess 429 is made in the housing 420 of the active modules 410, at the level of the first face 421, and extends from the first side edge 425.
• these substantially surround the beam 450.
• the first faces of the boxes 420 of said active modules are very close together.
• Such an arrangement of the active modules 410 on the plate 300 makes it possible to reduce their size on said plate, making it possible to increase the number of rows of active modules 410 on the plate 300.
• Such an active antenna is compact and advantageously allows, thanks to the close openings on the plate, a dense assembly of active modules, therefore of SSPA amplifiers.
• the arrangement of the heat transfer conduit between the two rows of active modules allows effective thermal regulation of the active modules despite their compactness.
• the assembly further comprises a heat transfer duct 460 intended to evacuate the heat coming from the active modules 410.
• the heat transfer pipe 460 is for example of the capillary heat pipe type.
• the heat transfer conduit 460 comprises for example, as shown in Figure 7, at least one elongated tube 461, hollow, and two longitudinal support plates 462, parallel to each other and arranged, vis-à-vis the at least one elongated tube 461, of diagonally opposite way.
• the capillary heat pipe comprises two parallel elongated tubes 461 arranged between the two longitudinal support plates 462.
• the heat transfer duct 460 is arranged to be advantageously in contact with both all of the active modules 410 of the first row and all of the modules of the second row of the assembly.
• the heat transfer duct 460 is arranged so that one of the two longitudinal support plates 462 is in contact with all the active modules 410 of the first row and the other longitudinal support plate 462 is in contact with all of the active modules 410 of the second row.
• the heat transfer duct 460 preferably projects on either side of the first and second rows of active modules 410.
• a heat-conducting paste (not shown in the figures) is placed between the heat transfer conduit 460 and the active modules 410 of the two rows.
• the thermally conductive paste advantageously participates in the passive thermal regulation of the active modules 410.
• the thermally conductive paste can be self-hardening.
• the heat-conducting paste is a component of the MAPSIL® or Sigraflex® brand.
• each active module 410 can have, over its entire width, a groove 430 for receiving a part of the heat transfer pipe 460.
• the groove 430 has a complementary shape, except for a clearance, of a part of the cross section of the heat transfer conduit 460, preferably of a half of the cross section of the heat transfer conduit 460.
• Such a groove 430 is made in the casing 420 of the active modules 410, at the level of the first face 421 .
• Such an arrangement of the active modules 410 on the plate 300 makes it possible to reduce their size on said plate 300, making it possible to increase the number of rows of active modules 410 on the plate 300.
• the active portion 400 comprises a plurality of sets, the sets being attached to each other in parallel.
• the plate 300 comprises a plurality of rows of openings 310, the number of rows of openings 310 corresponding at least to the number of rows of sets. Two rows of openings 310 of the plate 300 are spaced apart by a distance d allowing the insertion of two active modules 410 facing each other, to within one clearance.
• the sets are arranged against each other such that the second face 422 of the boxes 420 of the active modules 410 of the second row of a set is opposite the second face 422 of the boxes 420 of the active modules 410 of the first row of active modules 410 of an adjoining set.
• each active module 410 comprises third orifices 452 for receiving fixing elements, called fourth fixing elements 540.
• fourth fixing elements 540 are intended to assemble together two active modules 410 facing each other. - screws of two adjoining sets.
• Said third orifices 452 pass through the thickness of the casing 420 of the active module 410.
• the fourth fasteners 540 are reversible fasteners.
• the fourth fixing elements 540 are clamping screws and the third orifices 452 of the active modules 410 are threaded, forming nuts for said clamping screws.
• an intermediate bar 600 can be interposed between the active modules 410 of the second row of a set and the active modules 410 of the first row of an adjoining set.
• the spacer bar 600 is sized to be held by friction between the active modules 410 of the second row of a set and the active modules 410 of the first row of an adjoining set, when said active modules are positioned on the plate 300.
• the assembly On an active antenna with a large number of sets (double rows), if all the rows were fixed together, the assembly would then become too hyperstatic, the defects would accumulate, making assembly impossible.
• fixing the assemblies together remains advantageous for better resistance to lateral accelerations.
• the sets, of two rows each can be fixed for example three by three, four by four or five by five.
• the assembly has a sufficiently high lateral resonance frequency, without however preventing the mechanical assembly.
• the active modules having, for example, identical external dimensions, an intermediate bar is added at the contact zones between them, while the active modules of one set of two rows to the other are not in contact.
• the spacer bar can be made of rough material such as Ekagrip® (stainless steel encrusted with micro-diamonds). This increases the coefficient of friction between the assemblies and reduces the forces in the clamping screws.
• the active portion 400 may comprise at the end of the heat transfer conduits, other heat transfer conduits, called second heat transfer conduits 500. All of the heat transfer conduits 460 and the second heat transfer conduits 500 form a thermal control system .
• the active modules 410 of the sets are positioned on the plate 300 so as to present an overall pattern close to a circular shape, and preferably symmetrical. Such a pattern advantageously makes it possible to obtain improved radio frequency performance.
• the number of active modules per row of a set increases from an edge B1 of the plate 300 to the center C2 of the plate 300 then decreases from the said center of the plate 300 towards an opposite edge B3, as illustrated in FIGS. and 3.
• the active portion 400 comprises 14 sets, ie 28 rows of active patterns. 132 modules are distributed over these 28 rows.
• Each 410 active module has 4 SSPA amplifiers, making a total of 528 SSPA amplifiers.
• a typical density for the plate is for example 5000 to 8000 apertures/m 2 .
• the active antenna according to the invention thus advantageously allows the assembly of a high density of SSPA amplifiers.
• the active antenna according to the invention is thus perfectly suitable for installation in a space vehicle, and capable in particular of supporting the vibration loads inherent in the launch phase. Assembly process:
• the method is described in the case of the assembly of a first set then a second set, adjoining the first set, as illustrated in 1 and 2.
• Each row of the first set and of the second set comprises in a non-limiting manner two active modules 410.
• each active module 410 comprises a recess 429 and a groove 430.
• the passive portion 200 of the active antenna is previously assembled to the plate 300, for example by screwing.
• the first set is assembled to the plate 300.
• the first set is arranged as close as possible to an edge of the plate 300.
• the beam 450 of the first set is assembled to the plate 300.
• the beam 450 is positioned on the plate 300 such that its alignment elements cooperate with complementary alignment elements 330 of the plate 300, thus guaranteeing the correct positioning of the beam 450 on the plate 300.
• the first orifices 451 of the beam 450 thus coincide with the first orifices 340 of the plate 300.
• the beam 450 is fixed to the plate 300 thanks to the first fixing elements 510.
• first fixing elements 510 are clamping screws
• said clamping screws are screwed into the first threaded holes 451 of the beam 450 then the first threaded holes 340 of the plate 300, thus causing the immobilization of the beam 450 on the tray 300.
• a first active module 410 is positioned on the plate 300 such that its alignment members 432 cooperate with complementary alignment members 320 of the plate 300, thus guaranteeing the correct positioning of the first active module. 410 on the plate 300.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the first active module 410 thus coincide with openings 310 of a first row of openings of the plate 300.
• the seals of the first active module 410 surround said openings of the plate 300.
• the recess 429 of the first active module 410 cooperates with the beam 450.
• a second active module 410 adjacent to the first active module 410, is positioned on the plate 300.
• the second active module 410 is positioned on the plate 300 such that its alignment members 432 cooperate with complementary alignment members 320 of the plate 300.
• the second active module 410 finds itself attached to the first active module 410, at the level of one of their longitudinal edges 423.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the second active module 410 thus coincide with other openings 310 of the first row of openings of the plate 300.
• the seals of the second active module 410 surround said openings of the plate 300.
• the recess 429 of the second active module 410 cooperates with the beam 450.
• the active modules 410 are fixed to the beam 450.
• a nominal pressure is first applied to the first active module 410 to put the seals of the first active module 410 under compression.
• nominal pressure is applied from the second lateral edge 426 and in the direction of the plate 300.
• the nominal pressure exerted is of the order of 150 N.
• the first active module 410 is fixed to the beam 450 thanks to the second fixing elements 520.
• each clamping screw passes through the beam 450 then the first active module 410.
• Each screw is thus screwed first into the second threaded holes 452 of the beam 450 then into the second threaded holes 434 of the first active module 410, thus causing the immobilization of the beam 450 on the plate 300.
• the nominal pressure on the first active module 410 is released.
• the seals of the first active module 410 are then positioned correctly around the respective openings 310 of the plate 300.
• a nominal pressure is then applied to the second active module 410 to compress the seals of the second active module 410, in a manner similar to that applied to the first active module 410. Then the second active module 410 is fixed to the beam 450 thanks to the second fixing elements 520, as for the first active module 410.
• the active modules 410 are positioned one after the other then pressurized and assembled to the beam 450 one after the other.
• the heat-conducting paste is deposited on a part of the heat transfer conduit 460.
• the heat transfer conduit 460 formed by at least one elongated tube 461 and two longitudinal support plates 462, the heat-conducting paste is deposited on each of the plates longitudinal support 462. Then the heat transfer conduit 460 is positioned against the active modules 410 of the first row.
• the heat transfer pipe 460 is placed so that one of the longitudinal support plates 462 on which the heat-conducting paste is deposited is placed against the first face 421 of the boxes 420 of the active modules 410 of the first row, with the paste between the longitudinal support plate 462 and the first face 421 of the boxes 420 of the modules of the first row.
• the heat transfer duct 460 is inserted in particular into the groove 430 provided in the first face 421 of the casings 420 of the active modules 410. This step must be carried out as long as the paste is not completely hardened.
• the paste When the paste begins to harden, it forms a layer of paste which adheres both to the longitudinal support plate 462 of the heat transfer conduit 460 and to the active modules 410 of the first row so that the heat transfer conduit 460 and the modules are integral .
• the layer of paste advantageously compensates for the differences in thickness between the first face 421 of the casings 420 of the active modules 410 and the longitudinal support plate 462.
• the heat-conducting paste fills any gaps between the longitudinal plate support 462 of the heat transfer pipe 460 and the active modules 410 of the first row.
• the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set are assembled to the active modules 410 of the first row.
• the beveled profile on the one hand of the active module and on the other hand of the beam makes it possible, by tilting the active module of the second row of the first set, to insert it between the active module of the first row already in place and the beam.
• a first active module 410 of the second row is positioned on the plate 300 such that its alignment members 432 cooperate with complementary alignment members 320 of the plate 300, thus guaranteeing the correct positioning. of the first active module 410 on the tray 300.
• the first active module 410 of the second row is positioned so that the first face 421 of its casing 420 is opposite the first face 421 of the casing 420 of the first module of the first row.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the first active module 410 of the second row thus coincide with openings 310 of a second row of openings of the plate 300.
• the seals of the first active module 410 of the second row surround said openings of the plate 300.
• the recess 429 of the housing 420 of the first active module 410 of the second row cooperates with the beam 450.
• the groove 430 of the housing 420 of the first active module 410 of the second row cooperates with the heat transfer conduit 460, with the paste thermally conductive between the other longitudinal support plate 462 of the heat transfer conduit 460 and said groove 430.
• the first active module 410 of the second row is attached to the first active module 410 of the first row.
• a nominal pressure is first applied to the first active module 410 of the second row to compress the seals of said first active module 410.
• This nominal pressure is applied from the second lateral edge 426 and in the direction of the plate 300
• the nominal pressure exerted is of the order of 150 N.
• said first active module 410 of the second row is fixed to the first active module 410 of the first row by means of the first fixing elements 510.
• first fixing elements 510 are clamping screws
• said clamping screws are screwed first into the first threaded holes 433 of the first active module 410 of the second row then into the first threaded holes 433 of the first active module 410 of the first row, thus causing the immobilization of the first active module 410 of the second row with the first active module 410 of the first row.
• first fasteners 510 When said first fasteners 510 are in place, the nominal pressure on the first active module 410 of the second row is released. The seals of the first active module 410 are then positioned correctly around the respective openings 310 of the plate 300.
• four clamping screws allow the first active module 410 of the second row to be fixedly assembled to the first active module 410 of the first row, two clamping screws on either side of the heat transfer duct 460.
• a second active module 410 of the second row is positioned on the plate 300.
• Said second active module 410 is positioned on the plate 300 in such a way that its alignment 432 cooperate with complementary alignment members 320 of the plate 300.
• the second active module 410 is attached to the first active module 410, at one of their longitudinal edges 423.
• the second active module 410 of the second row is then positioned so that the first face 421 of its casing 420 is opposite the first face 421 of the casing 420 of the second module of the first row.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the second active module 410 thus coincide with other openings 310 of the second row of openings of the plate 300.
• the seals of the second active module 410 of the second row surround said openings of the plate 300
• the recess 429 of the second active module 410 cooperates with the beam 450.
• the groove 430 of the housing 420 of the first active module 410 of the second row cooperates with the heat transfer duct 460, with the heat-conducting paste between the other longitudinal plate of support 462 of the heat transfer conduit 460 and said groove 430.
• the second active module 410 of the second row is attached to the second active module 410 of the first row, similar to the attachment of the first active module 410 of the second row with the first active module 410 of the first row (see below above, the second sub-step of the fourth step).
• the active modules 410 of the second row are positioned, pressurized and assembled one after the other.
• the first set of the active portion 400 is assembled to the plate 300.
• the beam 450 is fixedly assembled to the plate 300.
• Each active module 410 of the first row is fixedly assembled to the beam 450.
• the active modules 410 of the first row are not fixedly assembled together.
• the active modules 410 of the second row are not fixedly assembled to the beam 450 but only to the active modules 410 of the first row located opposite them.
• the active modules 410 of the second row are not fixedly assembled together.
• the second set of the active portion 400 can then be assembled to the plate 300.
• the second set is arranged parallel to the first set, adjoining it.
• the beam 450 of the second set is assembled to the plate 300.
• the beam 450 of the second set is fixed parallel to the beam 450 of the first set.
• the beam 450 of the second set is assembled in a similar way to the beam 450 of the first set (see first step).
• the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set are assembled to the beam 450 of the second set in a similar way to the assembly of the active modules 410 of the first row of the first set on the beam 450 of the first set (see second step) .
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the active modules 410 of the second set thus coincide with openings 310 of a third row of openings of the plate 300.
• the first active modules 410 of the first row of the second set are inserted between the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set and the beam 450 of the second set by tilting said first active modules the first row of the second set to first introduce their first side edge 425, then by bringing said active modules of the first row of the second set perpendicular to the plate 300.
• the spacer bar can possibly be slid between the second row of active modules of the first set and the first row of active modules of the second set so as to then fix, between them, for example by the screws 540, the active modules of two successive sets.
• a seventh step as illustrated in FIGS. 9d), the heat transfer conduit 460 of the second set is assembled to the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set.
• This seventh stage is similar to the third stage.
• the active modules 410 of the second row of the second set are assembled to the active modules 410 of the first row of the first set. This eighth step is similar to the fourth step.
• the RF output interfaces 427 of the active modules 410 of the second set thus coincide with openings 310 of a fourth row of openings of the plate 300.
• the second set of the active portion 400 is assembled to the plate 300.
• the beam 450 is fixedly assembled to the plate 300.
• Each active module 410 of the first row is fixedly assembled to the beam 450.
• the active modules 410 of the first row are not fixedly assembled together.
• the active modules 410 of the second row are not fixedly assembled to the beam 450 but only to the active modules 410 of the first row located opposite them.
• the active modules 410 of the second row are not fixedly assembled together.
• the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set are fixedly assembled with the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set.
• the method may comprise a step of positioning an intermediate strip 600 between the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set and the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set. This step can be performed after positioning the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set but before fixing said active modules 410 of the first row of the second set to the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set.
• the spacer strip 600 is interposed between the active modules 410 of the second row of the first set and the active modules 410 of the first row of the second set and is held by friction between the second faces of the housings 420 of the various active modules 410, interconnected by screws.
• the assembly method described above applies to the assembly of several sets, the sets possibly comprising different numbers of active modules.
• the present invention achieves the objectives that it had set itself.
• the invention proposes a compact active antenna, with a reduced spacing between the active modules, therefore with a high density of SSPA amplifiers, capable of withstanding high vibration loads and authorizing the installation of a heat pipe in contact with each of the modules.

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• 2021
  • 2021-12-15 FR FR2113575A patent/FR3130459B1/fr active Active
• 2022
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  • 2022-12-14 WO PCT/EP2022/085823 patent/WO2023111001A1/fr not_active Ceased
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