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Description
This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the thermal balance characteristics and model correlation of a radar panel sample from ROSE-L (Copernicus SAR Instrument), incorporating the usage of high dissipative electronic units and featuring two distinct optical coating variants for the radiative antenna front.
The study aims to assess the thermal performance of the radar panel under realistic environmental conditions and to establish an accurate correlation between the physical prototype and the numerical model.
The thermal balance test was conducted in a controlled environmental chamber. Controlled thermal loads are applied to simulate various scenarios of the heat dissipation of its electronic units. Two different optical coating variants were applied on the antenna front to explore their influence on the panel’s thermal behavior.
The numerical model incorporates all relevant material properties and a detailed layer structure. The model was validated against the experimental data obtained from the thermal balance test, ensuring its accuracy in predicting the panel’s thermal performance.
The results of the thermal balance test reveal valuable insights into the panel’s temperature distribution, highlighting the impact of the high dissipative electronic units on the overall thermal behavior.
Key aspects of the thermal performance are:
- The through conductivity of the RF radiator structure which provides the thermal path between dissipating Front-End Components and heat rejection radiator and
- The heat rejection capability of the radiator front side mainly influenced by the thermo-optical properties of the radiator surface
A comparative analysis of the two available optical coating variants demonstrates their distinct heat absorption and radiation characteristics, thus providing essential guidelines for optimizing the radiative antenna front’s thermal properties.
The model correlation analysis demonstrates a satisfactory agreement between the numerical predictions and experimental measurements, confirming the reliability and accuracy of the thermal simulation framework.
In conclusion, this study contributes to a better understanding of the thermal behavior of the ROSE-L radar panel. The results provide essential insights for enhancing the thermal management strategies of such systems and facilitating their integration into complex operational environments.
