Kinematics modeling and analysis of large parabolic cylindrical deployable antenna support mechanism

Abstract A high deployment ratio, large aperture, lightweight design, and high precision are the trends in the development of future deployable antennas. To meet the mission requirements of spaceborne antennas, a large parabolic cylindrical deployable antenna support mechanism composed of multiple rectangular modules is constructed, and a kinematic modeling method for multi-module linkage is proposed. Based on the structure and deployment principles of the antenna, a spatial geometric model of the antenna support mechanism is constructed. By integrating the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) method and robotics theory, kinematic models for both the basic deployment unit and the overall mechanism are established. Finally, the models are validated and analyzed through geometric modeling and numerical simulation. The results show that this configuration design can fit different parabolic curves by adjusting the parameters of the rods and can be extended to a scale of hundreds of meters. Meanwhile, the accuracy and reliability of the kinematic models for both the basic deployment unit and the overall mechanism provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent dynamic studies and systematic optimization of the antenna support mechanism.