Comparison of linear and nonlinear aerodynamic parameter estimation approaches for an unmanned aerial vehicle using unscented Kalman filter

Aerodynamic parameter estimation provides an effective way for aerospace system modeling using measured data from flight tests, especially for the purpose of developing elaborate simulation environments and designing control systems of unmanned aerial vehicle （UAV） with short design cycles and reduced cost. However, parameter identification of airplane dynamics by nonlinear mod- els is complicated because of the noisy and biased sensor measurements. Using linear models for system identification is an alternative way if the fidelity can be guaranteed, as control design procedures are better established in linear systems. This paper considers the application and comparison of linear as well as nonlinear aerodynamic parameter estimation approaches of an UAV using unscented Kalman filter （UKF）. It also highlights the degree of deterioration of the linear model in the UKF identification process. The results show that both the linear and nonlinear methodologies can accurately estimate the control system design. Furthermore, considering loss of accuracy to be negligible, the linear model can be employed for control design of the UAV as presented here.

The Maximum Likelihood Method of Aerodynamic Parameter Identification

In this paper a method of aerodynamic parameter identification of vehicle, the maximum likelihood method, is introduced. The aerodynamic model of vehicle is identified and the basic equations using maximum likelihood method are established. After that, the simulation data is identified to verify the correctness of the mathematic model and identification method. Last, the practical flight data is identified and analyzed.

Aircraft parameter estimation using a stacked long short-term memory network and Levenberg-Marquardt method

To effectively estimate the unknown aerodynamic parameters from the aircraft’s flight data,this paper proposes a novel aerodynamic parameter estimation method incorporating a stacked Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM)network model and the Levenberg-Marquardt(LM)method.The stacked LSTM network model was designed to realize the aircraft dynamics modeling by utilizing a frame of nonlinear functional mapping based entirely on the measured input-output data of the aircraft system without requiring explicit postulation of the dynamics.The LM method combines the already-trained LSTM network model to optimize the unknown aerodynamic parameters.The proposed method is applied by using the real flight data,generated by ATTAS aircraft and a bio-inspired morphing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV).The investigation reveals that for the two different flight data,the designed stacked LSTM network structure can maintain the efficacy of the network prediction capability only by appropriately adjusting the dropout rates of its hidden layers without changing other network parameters(i.e.,the initial weights,initial biases,number of hidden cells,time-steps,learning rate,and number of training iterations).Besides,the proposed method’s effectiveness and potential are demonstrated by comparing the estimated results of the ATTAS aircraft or the bio-inspired morphing UAV with the corresponding reference values or wind-tunnel results.

On extended state Kalman filter-based identification algorithm for aerodynamic parameters

In this paper, the problem of time-varying aerodynamic parameters identification under measurement noises is studied. By analyzing the key aerodynamic parameters that affect the aircraft control system, a system model with extended states for identifying equivalent aerodynamic parameters is established, and error parameters are extended to the system state, avoiding the difficulty caused by the unknown dynamic in the system. Furthermore, an identification algorithm based on extended state Kalman filter is designed, and it is proved that the algorithm has quasi-consistency, thus, the estimation error can be evaluated in real time. Finally, the simulation results under typical flight scenarios show that the designed algorithm can accurately identify aerodynamic parameters, and has desired convergence speed and convergence precision.

Coupled dynamic model of state estimation for hypersonic glide vehicle

Aiming at handling complicated maneuvers or other unpredicted emergencies for hypersonic glide vehicle tracking,three coupled dynamic models of state estimation based on the priori information between guidance variables and aerodynamics are presented. Firstly, the aerodynamic acceleration acting on the target is analyzed to reveal the essence of the target’s motion.Then three coupled structures for modeling aerodynamic parameters are developed by different ideas: the spiral model with a harmonic oscillator, the bank model with trigonometric functions of the bank angle and the guide model with the changing rule of guidance variables. Meanwhile, the comparison discussion is concluded to show the novelty and advantage of these models.Finally, a performance assessment in different simulation cases is presented and detailed analysis is revealed. The results show that the proposed models perform excellent properties. Moreover, the guide model produces the best tracking performance and the bank model shows the second; however, the spiral model does not outperform the maneuvering reentry vehicle(MaRV) model markedly.

Multi-objective aerodynamic optimization design of high-speed maglev train nose

Purpose–The nose length is the key design parameter affecting the aerodynamic performance of high-speed maglev train,and the horizontal profile has a significant impact on the aerodynamic lift of the leading and trailing cars Hence,the study analyzes aerodynamic parameters with multi-objective optimization design.Design/methodology/approach–The nose of normal temperature and normal conduction high-speed maglev train is divided into streamlined part and equipment cabin according to its geometric characteristics.Then the modified vehicle modeling function(VMF)parameterization method and surface discretization method are adopted for the parametric design of the nose.For the 12 key design parameters extracted,combined with computational fluid dynamics(CFD),support vector machine(SVR)model and multi-objective particle swarm optimization(MPSO)algorithm,the multi-objective aerodynamic optimization design of highspeed maglev train nose and the sensitivity analysis of design parameters are carried out with aerodynamic drag coefficient of the whole vehicle and the aerodynamic lift coefficient of the trailing car as the optimization objectives and the aerodynamic lift coefficient of the leading car as the constraint.The engineering improvement and wind tunnel test verification of the optimized shape are done.Findings–Results show that the parametric design method can use less design parameters to describe the nose shape of high-speed maglev train.The prediction accuracy of the SVR model with the reduced amount of calculation and improved optimization efficiency meets the design requirements.Originality/value–Compared with the original shape,the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the whole vehicle is reduced by 19.2%,and the aerodynamic lift coefficients of the leading and trailing cars are reduced by 24.8 and 51.3%,respectively,after adopting the optimized shape modified according to engineering design requirements.

Aerodynamic Modeling and Parameter Estimation from QAR Data of an Airplane Approaching a High-altitude Airport

Aerodynamic modeling and parameter estimation from quick accesses recorder （QAR） data is an important technical way to analyze the effects of highland weather conditions upon aerodynamic characteristics of airplane. It is also an essential content of flight accident analysis. The related techniques are developed in the present paper, including the geometric method for angle of attack and sideslip angle estimation, the extended Kalman filter associated with modified Bryson-Frazier smoother （EKF-MBF） method for aerodynamic coefficient identification, the radial basis function （RBF） neural network method for aerodynamic mod- eling, and the Delta method for stability/control derivative estimation. As an application example, the QAR data of a civil air- plane approaching a high-altitude airport are processed and the aerodynamic coefficient and derivative estimates are obtained. The estimation results are reasonable, which shows that the developed techniques are feasible. The causes for the distribution of aerodynamic derivative estimates are analyzed. Accordingly, several measures to improve estimation accuracy are put forward.

Longitudinal parameter identification of a small unmanned aerial vehicle based on modified particle swarm optimization

Abstract This paper describes a longitudinal parameter identification procedure for a small unmanned aerial vehicle （UAV） through modified particle swam optimization （PSO）. The proce- dure is demonstrated using a small UAV equipped with only an micro-electro-mechanical systems （MEMS） inertial mea,mring element and a global positioning system （GPS） receiver to provide test information. A small UAV longitudinal parameter mathematical model is derived and the modified method is proposed based on PSO with selective particle regeneration （SRPSO）. Once modified PSO is applied to the mathematical model, the simulation results show that the mathematical model is correct, and aerodynamic parameters and coefficients of the propeller can be identified accurately. Results are compared with those of PSO and SRPSO and the comparison shows that the proposed method is more robust and faster than the other methods for the longitudinal parameter identification of the small UAV. Some parameter identification results are affected slightly by noise, but the identification results are very good overall. Eventually, experimental validation is employed to test the proposed method, which demonstrates the usefulness of this method.

Investigation of longitudinal aerodynamic parameters identifcation method for fly-by-wire passenger airliners

The flight control system of a fly-by-wire （FBW） passenger airliner with a complex frame-work and high feedback gain augmentation would change the original characteristic of a loaded signal and suppress the excitation of an airplane＇s pertinent motion modes. Taking a research example of an FBW passenger airliner model with longitudinal relaxed-static-stability, a new method of signal type selection and signal parameter design is proposed, through analysis of signal energy distribution and plane body＇s frequency response. According to CCAR60--the Appraisal and Use Regulation of Flight Simulator Device, the simulation validation of the FBW passenger airliner＇s longitudinal aerodynamic parameters identification is put forward. The validation result indicates that the designed signal could excite the longitudinal motion mode of the FBW passenger airliner adequately and the multiparameter comparison in simulation meets the objective test request of CCAR60. Meanwhile, the relative errors of aerodynamic parameters are less than 10%.

Investigation of lateral-directional aerodynamic parameters identification method for fly-by-wire passenger airliners

A new identification method is proposed to solve the problem of the influence on the loaded excitation signals brought by high feedback gain augmentation in lateral-directional aerodynamic parameters identification of fly-by-wire（FBW） passenger airliners. Taking for example an FBW passenger airliner model with directional relaxed-static-stability, through analysis of its signal energy distribution and airframe frequency response, a new method is proposed for signal type selection, signal parameters design, and the appropriate frequency relationship between the aileron and rudder excitation signals. A simulation validation is presented of the FBW passenger airliner＇s lateral-directional aerodynamic parameters identification. The validation result demonstrates that the designed signal can excite the lateral-directional motion mode of the FBW passenger airliner adequately and persistently. Meanwhile, the relative errors of aerodynamic parameters are less than 5%.

Study of Aerodynamic Parameters on Different Underling Surfaces

Aerodynamic parameters including the zero-plane displacement （d）, roughness length （z0）, and friction velocity （u＊） on the different underlying surfaces of heavy-gazing site, medium-grazing site, light-grazing site, no-grazing site, dune, inter-dune, grassland, rice paddy site, wheat site, soybean site, and maize site have been computed based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory by utilizing the micrometeorologically observed data of dune and vegetation in the semi-arid area at Naiman, Inner Mongolia of China, conducted jointly by the Institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Institute of Agro- Environmental Sciences of Japan in 1990-1994. And their relationships between wind speed and Richardson number are analyzed. The aerodynamic characteristics of different man-made disturbed grassland ecosystems are also compared. Result shows that the vegetation coverage and the above-ground biomass decrease with the increase in man-made stress of the grassland. The roughness length for different underlying surfaces is closely related to vegetation height, above-ground biomass, and ground surface undulation, and Richardson number Ri is also its influencing factor. The friction velocity varies largely on different underlying surfaces, and it is positively proportional to wind speed and roughness length. The aerodynamic parameters of various times on the same underlying surface are different, too. Above results indicate that grassland and vegetation are of significance in preventing desertification, especially in the arid and semi-arid land ecosystems. And the results of this paper are also important for constructing the land surface physical process as well as regional climate model.

Research on Calculation Method of Aerodynamic Parameters of Supersonic Probe Based on Gas Compressibility Factor

The supersonic multi-hole probe is an essential test tool for wind tunnel experiments, which is necessary to develop the basic research of improving the measurement accuracy and expanding the application of the probes.

DETERMINATION OF AERODYNAMIC PARAMETERS OF CROP CANOPIES WITH A CENTER-OF-PRESSURE METHOD

Using data on leaf area density and wind profiles above and within canopies of wheat,rice,soybean and corn,the center-of-pressure method (CPM),originally proposed by Thom (1971),is first validated in the field.A physically-based model for directly calculating zero-displacement height (d) is derived.The comparison between the friction velocity (u_*) estimated with CPM and that with eddy correlation technique shows that CPM not only works well in the field,but also produces more steady and accurate estimates of aerodynamic parameters (which are hardly affected by atmospheric thermal stability),than those with the widely-used log-profile fitting method in diabatic atmosphere. The results presented in this paper also demonstrate that the ratios of d,z_0 to crop height h usually vary with canopy ar- chitecture,atmospheric stratification and turbulent exchange intensity,and are not just constants as commonly assumed or used.d/h raises with an increase of relative height of the maximum foliage layer and wind extinction coefficient within the canopy.Only for crops with short stem and moderate foliage density,can the relations d= 0.64h,z_0=0.08h keep stable.In addition,for long stem crops or sparse canopies,the fairly large shear stress at the soil surface and the va- riation of the exponent in the relationship between drag coefficient and wind speed undoubtedly influence the accuracy of CPM to a certain extent.

Aerodynamic Characteristics of Airship Zhiyuan-1

An airship named "Zhiyuan-1" was designed/fabricated/flied as a technical demonstration for strato- spheric airship during 2007—2009 by Shanghai Jiaotong University. The calculation method and procedure of aerodynamic parameters were introduced, and the optimized configuration of the hull and the aerodynamic layout were given in this paper. Wind tunnel tests with diferent configurations, diferent pitch angles and diferent yaw angles were performed to study the wind load characteristics of the rigid model of the airship "Zhiyuan-1" in the 3.2 m wind tunnel at China Aerodynamics Research & Development Center. Also the numerical calculation about the test model was carried out to investigate the aerodynamic behavior. According to the results of wind test and numerical calculation, the excellent hull configuration of the airship "Zhiyuan-1" with lower drag charac- teristic was confirmed, which is based on optimism of the Michel transition law. And the phenomena of pressure coefcient distribution were discussed according to the results of wind tunnel test and numerical calculation at diferent flight attitudes.

Flexible micro flow sensor for micro aerial vehicles

This article summarizes our studies on micro flow sensors fabricated on a flexible polyimide circuit board by a low-cost hybrid process of thin-film deposition and circuit printing. The micro flow sensor has merits of flexibility, structural simplicity, easy integrability with circuits, and good sensing performance. The sensor, which adheres to an object surface, can detect the surface flow around the object. In our study, we install the fabricated micro flow sensors on micro aerial vehicles （MAVs） to detect the surface flow variation around the aircraft wing and deduce the aerodynamic parameters of the MAVs in flight. Wind tunnel experiments using the sensors integrated with the MAVs are also conducted.