A Method of Wind Velocity Estimation Using a Tethered, Spherical Balloon with Standard Aviation Sensors

Abstract

This paper presents the utilization of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for wind-characterization applications. A method of wind velocity estimation using an IMU installed on a tethered balloon is described. The system of a balloon tethered to a ground station acts as a measuring instrument for wind approximation. The wind-responding motion of tethered balloon is captured with the utilization of a standard set of on-board sensors (i.e., accelerometers, gyroscope, thermometer, and barometer). An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) technique is implemented for the wind estimation with the use of an estimated motion of spherical balloon. The performance of the developed method in order to measure the wind speed in variations of frequencies is determined. The limitation of the system performance is found to be due to the delay in the filter and performance of the selected sensor set.