UAV Wind Estimation via Constant Bank Angle Turns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in accurately determining wind conditions without external equipment, leading to deviations from intended flight paths and increased resource usage when attempting to identify wind information, which affects their mission objectives and range.
Innovation Solution
The method involves flying the UAV at a constant bank angle to cross the intended ground track, using position data to identify wind speed and direction, and adjusting the heading to maintain the intended path without repeated course corrections, utilizing onboard sensors and data processing to calculate wind information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If weather balloons are used to obtain wind information, then wind data can be obtained, but the cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft performs constant bank angle turns to autonomously determine wind direction and strength using its own motion data and onboard sensors, eliminating the need for external weather balloon data or air traffic control wind information services
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively performs wind determination maneuvers during flight operations to obtain wind information before it is needed for course correction, rather than relying on delayed weather balloon data or requesting it from external sources
2Loss of information
If weather balloons are used to obtain wind information, then wind data can be obtained, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft uses its own constant bank angle turn maneuvers and onboard position sensors to self-determine wind conditions, eliminating the need to purchase or access expensive weather balloon data from external providers
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive onboard position sensors and the aircraft's own motion to determine wind information, replacing expensive external weather observation infrastructure with low-cost self-contained measurement
3Loss of information
If hardware to receive wind information from air traffic control is installed, then wind data can be obtained, but payload restrictions are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft determines wind information autonomously using its own constant bank angle turn maneuvers and existing onboard position sensors, eliminating the need for additional wind reception hardware that would increase payload weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the aircraft's existing position sensors and flight control capabilities for multiple purposes: normal navigation and wind determination, eliminating the need for dedicated wind information reception hardware
4Ease of operation
If the aircraft does not account for cross wind, then the flight path is simple, but the aircraft drifts off course
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the aircraft's position data during constant bank angle turns to calculate wind direction and strength, then applies this feedback information to adjust the heading and maintain accurate ground track despite crosswind conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines wind information through constant bank angle turns before using it for course correction, proactively preparing the wind data needed for accurate navigation rather than reacting to drift after it occurs
Data Source
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AI summary
Information is identified about a wind using positions of an aircraft flying along a maneuver ground track at a constant bank angle which crosses an intended ground track of the aircraft.