US 2020/0264209 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING WIND DIRECTION AND VELOCITY MEASUREMENT FROM ALTITUDE FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Abstract

Wind speed and direction experienced by the UAV at altitude is determined by placing an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass on the UAV. A change in velocity experienced by the UAV is determined by the accelerometer. An orientation relative to a reference plane and an angular velocity experienced by the UAV is determined by the gyroscope. A magnetic bearing of the UAV is determined with the compass. A roll and pitch exhibited by the UAV is determined as a function of the change in velocity, orientation and change in angular velocity. Projected roll and projected pitch vectors onto a horizontal plane cutting through the center of rotation of the UAV are determined as a function of the roll and the pitch. The wind speed of the wind experienced by the UAV is determined as a function of the projected roll vector and projected pitch vector. The wind direction is determined as a function of the projected roll vector and projected pitch vector and the magnetic bearing of the UAV.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for determining wind speed and wind direction experienced by an unmanned aerial vehicle at altitude comprising the steps of:

placing an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a compass on the unmanned aerial vehicle;
determining a change in velocity experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle with the accelerometer;
determining an orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle relative to a reference plane and an angular velocity experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle with the gyroscope;
determining a magnetic bearing of the unmanned aerial vehicle with the compass;
determining a projected roll vector and a projected pitch vector onto a horizontal plane cutting through the center of rotation of the unmanned aerial vehicle as a function of the roll and pitch of the unmanned aerial vehicle in response to known wind conditions;
determining a wind speed of a wind experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle as a function of the projected roll vector and the projected pitch vector;
and
determining a wind direction as a function of the projected roll vector, projected pitch vector and magnetic bearing of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

5 more elements

A system for determining wind speed and wind direction experienced by an unmanned aerial vehicle at altitude comprising:

an accelerometer being disposed on the unmanned aerial vehicle and determining a change in velocity experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle;
a gyroscope being disposed on the unmanned aerial vehicle and determining an orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle relative to a reference plane and an angular velocity experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle;
a compass being disposed on the unmanned aerial vehicle and determining a magnetic bearing of the unmanned aerial vehicle;
a flight controller in communication with the compass, the gyroscope, and accelerometer;
the flight controller receiving the magnetic bearing and determining a projected roll vector and a projected pitch vector onto a horizontal plane cutting through the center of rotation of the unmanned aerial vehicle as a function of the roll and pitch respectively;
determining a wind speed of a wind experienced by the unmanned aerial vehicle as a function of the projected roll vector and the projected pitch vector;
and determining a wind direction as a function of the projected roll vector, projected pitch vector and magnetic bearing of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for determining wind direction and velocity measurement from altitude for an unmanned aerial vehicle

Life of this patent

System and method for determining wind direction and velocity measurement from altitude for an unmanned aerial vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8