Engineering topics

Cucchissi, J. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Cucchissi, J. J..

5 records

NASA NTRS1989

Performance effects of tie-truss modifications for a 70-meter centerline beam waveguide antenna

The elevation-axis tie truss of the 70-m antennas would have to be modified to accommodate a centerline beam waveguide. To accomplish this, the center section of the tie truss has to be altered, causing a change in the tie-truss compliance and affecting structural performance. Even with the center section completely removed, the worst-case rms pathlength error due to gravity load is increased from 0.025 to only 0.030 inches. Using a simple postprocessor technique, the effects of modifying the compliance can be predicted without resorting to multiple and costly re-analyses of large finite-element models on a mainframe computer.

Cucchissi, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Structural design options for the new 34 meter beam waveguide antenna

In addition to the successful network of 34 m High Efficiency antennas recently built by JPL, the Deep Space Network (DSN) is embarking on the construction of a 34 m high performance, research and development antenna with beam waveguide optics at the Venus site. The construction of this antenna presents many engineering challenges in the area of structural, mechanical, RF, and pointing system design. A set of functional and structural design requirements is outlined to guide analysts in the final configuration selection. Five design concepts are presented covering both the conventional center-fed beam optics as well as the nonconventional, by-pass beam configuration. The merits of each concept are discussed with an emphasis on obtaining a homologous design. The preliminary results of structural optimization efforts, currently in progress, are promising, indicating the feasibility of meeting, as a minimum, all X-band (8.4 GHz) requirements, with a goal towards meeting Ka-band (32 GHz) quality performance, at the present budget constraints.

Katow, S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Antenna Quadripod With Reduced Blockage

Design study for subreflector support of 64-m-diameter paraboloidal microwave antenna described in 19-page report. Objective of study to upgrade existing antenna quadripod, subject to mechanical and electromagnetic design requirements and optimization criteria. Principal effort directed toward reducing signal blockage by quadripod legs while minimizing structural weight.

Cucchissi, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Stability investigation of the quadripod structure for the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna

A new, slim-profiled, low-blockage quadripod structure was designed to support the 7.7-m-diameter subreflector for the 70-m antenna. Detailed analyses of quadripod structural stability (in frequency and buckling) are presented. The results indicate that the new quadripod design has an adequate safety margin for buckling, and its lowest natural frequency is above the control system bandwidth. The analytical design frequencies were confirmed by actual field measurements made in Spain in February 1986.

Chian, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A new 70-meter antenna quadripod with reduced RF blockage

The new subreflector mount (quadripod) for the 64-meter to 70-meter antenna extension project was the result of many trial designs aimed at reducing radio frequency spherical and plane wave blockage and minimizing structural weight while satisfying strength and natural frequency requirements. An optimum design emerged which has a gain improvement of 0.32 dB over the present 64-meter design. Some of the trial designs made and the final optimum configuration selected are described.

Cucchissi, J. J.↗