Application of split ring resonator (SRR) loaded transmission lines to the design of angular displacement and velocity sensors for space applications

The accurate measurement of the angular displacement and velocity of reaction wheels is necessary for attitude (orientation) control in space vehicles (satellites). In this paper, microwave, contactless, and low-cost (as compared to optical encoders) sensors useful for that purpose are analyzed in d...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Mata Contreras, Francisco Javier|||0000-0001-6116-8681, Herrojo, Cristian|||0000-0003-1934-9993, Martín, Ferran|||0000-0002-1494-9167
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:187955
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/187955
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1109/TMTT.2017.2693981
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Metamaterials
Split ring resonators (SRRs)
Microwave sensors
Angular velocity sensors
Descripción
Sumario:The accurate measurement of the angular displacement and velocity of reaction wheels is necessary for attitude (orientation) control in space vehicles (satellites). In this paper, microwave, contactless, and low-cost (as compared to optical encoders) sensors useful for that purpose are analyzed in detail. The sensor consists of a rotor and a stator. The rotor is a disk (or a circular crown) of dielectric material, where one or several arrays of equidistant single-loop split ring resonators (SRRs) are etched along its edge, forming circular chains of hundreds of SRRs. The stator is a coplanar waveguide (CPW) also loaded with pairs of single-loop SRRs (etched in the back substrate side), with the centers located in the slot region. The sensing principle is based on the amplitude modulation of a harmonic (single-tone continuous wave) feeding signal, achieved when the chains of the rotor are displaced over the SRR pairs of the stator. Both sensor elements (rotor and stator) must be parallel oriented, with the SRR pairs of the CPW in close proximity to the SRR chains of the rotor (and rotated 180°), in order to favor their coupling. By this means, the transmission coefficient of the CPW is varied by the circular motion of the rotor, and significant amplitude modulation of the feeding signal is achieved. From the envelope function, the angular velocity can be accurately determined. With the proposed sensors, instantaneous and practically unlimited rotation speeds can be measured.