Multi-step wind field estimation online of small fixed-wing UAVs

Based on the vector relationship of motion locations on small fixed wing UAV, a multi-step wind field estimation method is proposed. And the impact of steps on estimation accuracy is tested with flight data. First, the estimation model which is based on GPS/DR is obtained with the location information of UAV. Next, the optimal value of steps is obtained with testing flight in four different models. In the simulation, under the condition of 150m/s speed, 1 second sample step and no more than 5 steps, the wind information is estimated accurately with the proposed method and the measurement error of wind speed does not exceed 10%.