An　asymmetric　eight-bar　linkage　is　used　as　the　basic　unit　to　develop　a　group　of　N-sided　antiprism　(N　＞=　3)　mechanisms.　First,　the　geometric　properties　and　kinematics　equations　of　the　asymmetric　eight-bar　linkage　are　investigated.　When　the　kinematic　conditions　hold,　an　asymmetric　eight-bar　linkage　and　a　single-plane　or　double-plane　symmetric　eight-bar　linkage　can　be　coupled.　Second,　the　concept　of　axis　groups　is　proposed,　and　virtual-center-based　method　is　applied　to　construct　a　class　of　deployable　polyhedral　mechanisms　based　on　N-sided　antiprism　polyhedrons;　the　motion　bifurcation　characteristics　of　the　mechanisms　are　revealed　by　analyzing　the　singularity　of　the　eight-bar　linkages.　These　mechanisms　may　perform　motion　bifurcation　in　multiple　different　positions;　therefore,　these　mechanisms　are　capable　of　having　many　different　configurations　that　can　increase　their　application　potential　for　adapting　to　different　tasks　and　working　environments.　Finally,　the　motion　unit　H　is　constructed　based　on　the　axis　group　and　used　as　the　deployable　unit　to　synthesize　a　deployable　mechanism　with　120　loops　based　on　a　rhombic　triacontahedron.　Moreover,　H　can　replace　the　double-plane　symmetrical　eight-bar　linkage　in　other　deployable　polyhedral　mechanisms　to　construct　mechanisms　with　larger　work　space.　(C)　2020　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.