Bio-inspired Wind Field Estimation-Part 1: AoA Measurements Through Surface Pressure Distribution

Abstract : One of the major challenges of Mini-UAV flight is unsteady interaction with turbulent environment while flying in lower levels of atmospheric boundary layer. Following inspiration from nature we expose a new system for angle of attack estimation based on pressure measurements on the wing. Such an equipment can be used for real-time estimation of the angle of attack during flight or even further building of wind velocity vector with additional equipment. Those information can find purpose in control and stabilization of the aircraft due to inequalities seen by the wing or even for various soaring strategies that rely on active control for energy extraction. In that purpose flying wing UAV has been used with totally four span-wise locations for local angle of attack estimation. In-flight angle of attack estimation of differential pressure measurements have been compared with magnetic sensor with wind vane. Difference in local angle of attack at four span-wise locations has confirmed spatial variation of turbulence. Moreover, theoretical energy dissipation of wind fluctuations described by Kaimal spectrum has shown acceptable match with measured ones.