PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The main objective is to obtain a robust design concept for the main structure of the Top Floor. This concept is adequate to support different antenna lay-out (in terms of antenna number or configurations) with minimum modifications.
The robustness of this design should be reached at the same time as others important objectives:
- Optimized mass: Assumed an antenna arrangement of two fixed 1.1m Gregorian plus one steerable 1.0m Single offset antenna, the total mass of the structure is limited to 45 Kg
- Stiffness: First mode higher than 35 Hz
- Strength: The structural design shall be able to withstand an envelope of the maximum environments specified by the most relevant primes.
Challenges
Plan
The full development was split in two phases:
- Phase I: Dedicated to fix the requirement and to obtain a preliminary analysis and design as well as to manufacture a demonstrator of the lower part of the structure. The phase I activities are developed in the frame of the ARTES 5.2 programme.
- Phase II: To drive the preliminary design to a detailed design and to manufacture and Qualification Model. This phase was presented in the frame of the ARTES 3.4 programme.
CHALLENGES
This development program has some interesting and challenging aspects:
Mitigate risks in TFAA structure when steerable reflector (load in cantilever).
To obtain a stable design in front thermal loads to provide good TED performances of the antennas.
To find an innovative design able to be adapted to several configurations through non dramatic changes in the structure.
Current Status
Modular Top Floor development program has been closed on March 17, 2015.
Proposed design has been successfully submitted to a complete qualification test campaign.
This improved Top Floor Antenna concept is, therefore, ready to be used in commercial applications.
