A Versatile Calibration Method for Rotary-Wing UAS as Wind Measurement Systems

Abstract

Abstract The use of small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) can effectively capture the wind profile in the lower atmospheric boundary layer. This study presents a calibration process to estimate the horizontal wind vector using a rotary-wing UAS in hovering conditions. This procedure does not require wind tunnels or meteorological masts, only the data from the flight control unit and a specific set of calibration flights. A model based on the UAS drag coefficient was proposed and compared to a traditional approach. Validation flights at the German Weather Service MOL-RAO observatory showed that the system can accurately predict wind speed and direction. A modified DJI S900 hexacopter with a Styrofoam sphere casing was used for the study and calibrated for wind speeds between 1 and 14 m s−1. Power spectral density analysis showed the system’s ability to resolve atmospheric eddies up to 0.1 Hz. The overall root-mean-square error was less than 0.7 m s−1 for wind speed and less than 8° for wind direction.