Lightweight C-Band Corrugated Horn made of CFRP
Programme
TDE
Programme Reference
B02017096
Prime Contractor
SENER TAFS, S.A.U.
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Spain
Objectives
The objective of the activities proposed by the innovation consortium formed by PROSIX and TRYO Aerospace consists of designing, developing, and testing a C-Band Corrugated Horn in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) instead of using aluminum. The main novelty of this project is the use of CFRP, in the manufacturing of corrugated horns which allows
an important reduction on the mass (40%) of the product as well a significant improvement in other design parameters, enabling the industry to increase the capabilities and functions of the payload of the satellite. Developing high performance lightweight antennas implies a great advantage due to the extreme competitiveness in the communication satellite industry.
Description
Next generation satellite market is demanding cost savings to improve competitiveness. It is well known that the satellite mass has a direct impact in the costs. Therefore, the space industry is making efforts in many different areas pursuing the same objective of reducing weight. The mass of big size antennas have a
remarkable impact on the system, requiring heavy and complicated support structures. The use of CFRP has been extensively used for reflector antennas dishes. However, the use of CFRP for horn antennas is limited to simple-shape antennas, such us dual-flare horn antennas. Due to the RF requirements, feed antennas usually require fully corrugated horns, with complicated profiles to be conformed to standard CFRP technology. The aim of this project is to solve this limitation, applying an innovative CFRP process to develop a C-Band Corrugated Horn for next generation satellites.
Application Domain
Telecommunications
Technology Domain
24 - Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Competence Domain
5-Radiofrequency & Optical Systems and Products
Initial TRL
TRL 3
Target TRL
TRL 5
Public Document