Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy
AA-mid design for construction
The project “SKA Noord-Nederland” is
collaboration between ASTRON, Major,
Neways, Isiterra and S&T.
WP. Tile Development
14-12-2011
Raymond vandenBrink
SKA-NN is supported by subsidies from the
EC/EFRO program and the
Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland
(SNN) Koers Noord program, and from the
Province of Drenthe and Groningen.
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Overview
 Antenna concepts
 Various
 W-Plates
 Quad Modules
 Housing concepts
 Vacuhouse
 Rotohouse
 Continuing Array
The project “SKA Noord-Nederland” is
collaboration between ASTRON, Major,
Neways, Isiterra and S&T.
WP. Tile Development
14-12-2011
 Tile and Station design
SKA-NN is supported by subsidies from the
EC/EFRO program and the
Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland
(SNN) Koers Noord program, and from the
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Province of Drenthe and Groningen.
AAVP
14-12-2011
ANTENNA
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ANTENNA CONCEPTS
 Various concepts judged on:
 Performance
 Reliability
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 Cost
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POTENTIAL CONCEPTS
W shaped plates
QUAD modules
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 TWO potential directions
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Antenna concept – Wplates
ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc
+ No or less profiles (EMBRACE)
+ Connection by clinching
+ Less parts
--- Less labor, less time, lower cost
+ Selfsupporting
+ Thinner
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14-12-2011
--- Less material, lower cost
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Antenna concept – Wplates
ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc
First prototypes to test;
 Shape
 Production possibility
 Assembly
 Stiffness (different thicknesses)
14-12-2011
(0,6 ; 0,8 ; 1,0mm)
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Antenna concept – Wplates
ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc
Second prototype includes;
 Features to hold feedboard
 Cutting strategy to maintain shape
(ongoing)
14-12-2011
 Connection options for testing
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Antenna concept – Wplates
ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc
 Support broken after assembly
 Proto cost per element : 13,00 Euro
 Final cost per element : 0,90 Euro
14-12-2011
-Based on quotations 2011-
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Antenna concept – Wplates
ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc
Under investigation;
14-12-2011
 Connection between tiles
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Antenna concept – QUAD Modules
ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc
+ No profiles (EMBRACE)
+ Connection by clinching
+ Less parts
+ Better manageable parts
--- Less labor, less time, lower cost
+ Selfsupporting
+ Thinner
WP. Tile Development
14-12-2011
--- Less material, lower cost
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Antenna concept – QUAD Modules
ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc
 QUAD Modules (QM)
QM1
 QM1 experiment with profiles
 QM2 experiment with flexible edges
 QM3 experiment with clamps
QM3
14-12-2011
QM2
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Antenna concept – QUAD Modules
ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc
QM2 tested;
 Mechanical unstable
 Bad connection
 Possible solution under investigation
 Proto Cost per element 25,00 Euro
 Final Cost per element 0,80
14-12-2011
 QM3 still to be tested
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AAVP – SKA-NN
14-12-2011
HOUSING
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Housing concept – Vacuhouse
ASTRON-RP-436_AAVS concept housing – Vacuhouse.doc
+ Parts of 3m x 1.5m possible
+ Tiles of 3m x 3m possible
+ ± €180,- / m² possible (for
2000m²)
Made by vacuum forming
– Limited in size / No continuing
antenna
– Less integrated features possible
14-12-2011
– Required module size still unknown
– Suitable for small series
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Housing concept – Rotohouse
ASTRON-RP-437_AAVS concept housing – Rotohouse.doc
+ Max 4m diameter possible
+ More detailled features possible
+ Accuracy of mould
+ High freedom in design
+ ± €90,- / m² possible (for 2000m²)
+ Water gutter integrated
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– Limited in size / No continuing
antenna
Made by rotational molding
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Housing concept – Rotohouse
14-12-2011
ASTRON-RP-437_AAVS concept housing – Rotohouse.doc
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Housing concept – Continuing Array
ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept housing – ContinuingArray.doc
(tbr)
+ Connects diagonal oriented vivaldis
in orthogonal direction
+ “Infinitely” expandable
+ Edges can be closed
+ No corner pieces needed
– Assembly in desert required
Made by injection molding
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– Smaller unit  more labor
(most parts)
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Housing concept – Continuing Array
ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept housing – ContinuingArray.doc
(tbr)
 Useable for small and large
configurations
 Water gutter integrated
 Support pole also guides water
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 To be prototyped: beginning 2012
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AAVP – SKA-NN
AND
STATION DESIGN
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TILE
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TILE
Cover
Vivaldi
Support
Combi board
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Pole
Side
Centerboard
OCTA board
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SUPPORT
Injection molded makes integration possible;
 Features to fix tiles
-Injection molding
-PP or ABS
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 Features to fix PCBs
 Features to fix antennae
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CENTRE and COMBIBOARD
Combiboard fixed.
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Centreboard placed,
Combiboards attached.
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OCTABOARDS
OCTAboards placed
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OCTAboard fixed
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GROUNDPLANE
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Pre-shaped groundplane
• Features for contact with other tiles
• Holes for connectors
• Holes for antenna mounting
-Lasercut or stamped
-Aluminium thin sheet (0,3mm)
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VIVALDIS
Vivaldis placed in groups of four
-
Lasercut or stamped
Aluminium sheet (less than 1mm)
Clinched in groups of four
Fixed at bottom
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Vivaldis go through support
and are being fixed at the
bottom.
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COVER and POLES
Cover placed on top
-Injection molding or vacuum forming.
-PP or PE
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Poles to support the cover both
when used in the middle of a station
or at the edge.
Also to close the corners.
-Extrusion or injection molding
-PP or ABS, perhaps PVC (common in extrusion)
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(expandable) MODULE
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-Injection molding or vacuumforming
-PP or PE
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ARRAY of FOUR CONNECTED
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Tiles are connected by snap feature.
Connection in diagonal direction.
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STATION
Station layout non-continuous
 All elements connected
 No assembly outdoors
 Small units
 Maintenance / replacement easier
 Assembly partly in the field
 Enough space for water (rain)
 Replacement almost impossible
 Testable units
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Station layout continuous
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14-12-2011
Thank you
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