UAV Free-Fall Wind Estimation Without Dedicated Wind Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind estimation methods face challenges in accurately determining wind direction and speed at a desired position without a wind direction and velocity sensor, and may include errors due to complex parameter modeling and initial velocity considerations.
Innovation Solution
A wind estimation system that uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with sensors to detect position changes, allowing for free fall and estimation of wind direction and speed based on detected information, without the need for a wind direction and velocity sensor, by controlling the UAV's movement and attitude to ensure accurate data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wind direction and velocity sensor is used to detect wind direction and wind speed, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wind measurement function from dedicated wind sensors and transfers it to the UAV's existing sensor system. By using the UAV's acceleration sensor to detect position changes during free fall, the system eliminates the need for separate wind direction and velocity sensors while achieving accurate wind measurement through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wind direction and velocity sensor system with a computational approach using the UAV's motion sensors and processing unit. The acceleration sensor data is processed through mathematical calculations to derive wind parameters, substituting direct mechanical measurement with indirect computational measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the device is dropped in the air to measure wind at each point on the dropping trajectory, then wind measurement capability is improved, but positioning accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary actions by having the UAV move to a desired position before initiating free fall for wind measurement. The movement instruction unit guides the UAV to the target location, and the fall control unit ensures the UAV is properly positioned and stabilized before dropping, thereby maintaining positioning reliability while enabling wind measurement at specific locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the sensor unit that detects position changes during flight and fall. This feedback information is processed to determine the UAV's trajectory and position, allowing the system to accurately calculate wind parameters while maintaining awareness of the UAV's location throughout the measurement process.
3Measurement precision
If modeling acceleration with multiple parameters is used to estimate wind speed, then estimation capability is improved, but time consumption and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameters needed for wind estimation from the full set of possible modeling parameters. By focusing specifically on acceleration data from the sensor unit and position change information, the system achieves adequate wind speed estimation without the time-consuming process of incorporating numerous additional parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by using a simplified subset of parameters (acceleration and position change) rather than comprehensive modeling with all possible parameters. This partial approach provides sufficient wind estimation accuracy for practical applications while significantly reducing computational time and complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient estimation of wind direction and speed at a desired location, reducing the complexity of parameter modeling and initial velocity errors, while also preventing collisions by resuming flight when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
fall control means for causing the UAV to free fall after the UAV moves according to an instruction of the movement instruction means
Implementation Method 2
estimation means for estimating at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed at a fall position based on the information about the position change detected by the sensor unit during a fall of the UAV
Data Source
AI summary
A wind direction and a wind speed are readily and accurately estimated at a desired position without using a wind direction and velocity sensor. Movement instruction means of a wind estimation system instructs an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which includes a sensor unit that detects information about a position change, to move. Fall control means causes the UAV to free fall after the UAV is moved according to the instruction of the movement instruction means. Estimation means estimates at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed at a fall position based on the information about the position change detected by the sensor unit during a fall of the UAV.