Using Indirect Turbulence Measurements for Real-Time Parameter Estimation in Turbulent Air

The use of indirect turbulence measurements for real-time estimation of parameters in a linear longitudinal dynamics model was studied. It is shown that measuring the atmospheric turbulence makes it possible to treat the turbulence as a measured explanatory variable in the parameter estimation problem. Commercial off-the-shelf sensors were researched and evaluated, then compared to air data booms. Frequency-dependent upwash and time delay were identified and studied as sources of colored noise in the explanatory variables resulting from typical turbulence measurement techniques. The resulting upwash and time delay corrections were analyzed and compared to previous time shift dynamic modeling research. Simulation data as well as flight test data in atmospheric turbulence were used to verify the time delay behavior. Recommendations are given for follow-on flight research and instrumentation.