Surface segmentation design using a weighting level set topology optimization method for large radio telescope antennas

Surface segmentation design is a conceptual problem in the structural design of large radio telescope antennas. Before performing surface segmentation optimization, a weighting level set topology optimization method is proposed for the antenna backup supporting structure from the viewpoint of continuum topology optimization. With the help of weighting level set topology optimization, a clear and compact backup supporting structure is acquired. Taking the optimized topology backup supporting structure as the design basis, a surface segmentation optimization scheme is presented and extended to the full aperture. By employing this method in the conceptual surface segmentation design of two large radio telescope antenna applications, the effectiveness of this method is easily illustrated.