SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration

<p>This study introduces the SAMURAI-S, a novel measurement system that incorporates a state-of-the-art sonic anemometer combined with a multi-rotor drone in a sling load configuration, designed to overcome the limitations of traditional mast-based observations in terms of spatial flexibility....

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Main Authors: M. Ghirardelli, S. T. Kral, E. Cheynet, J. Reuder
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Online Access:https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/18/2103/2025/amt-18-2103-2025.pdf
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author M. Ghirardelli
M. Ghirardelli
S. T. Kral
S. T. Kral
E. Cheynet
J. Reuder
J. Reuder
author_facet M. Ghirardelli
M. Ghirardelli
S. T. Kral
S. T. Kral
E. Cheynet
J. Reuder
J. Reuder
author_sort M. Ghirardelli
collection DOAJ
description <p>This study introduces the SAMURAI-S, a novel measurement system that incorporates a state-of-the-art sonic anemometer combined with a multi-rotor drone in a sling load configuration, designed to overcome the limitations of traditional mast-based observations in terms of spatial flexibility. This system enables the direct measurement of 3D wind vectors while hovering, providing a significant advantage in manoeuvrability and positional accuracy over fixed mast setups. The capabilities of the system were quantified through a series of 10 to 28 <span class="inline-formula">min</span> flights, conducting close comparisons of turbulence measurements at altitudes of 30 and 60 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> against data from a 60 m tower equipped with research-grade sonic anemometers. The results demonstrate that SAMURAI-S matches the data quality of conventional setups for horizontal wind measurements while slightly overestimating vertical turbulence components. This overestimation increases with wind speed.</p>
format Article
id doaj-art-9cbe4fcbdddf4d18b11613214600760f
institution Kabale University
issn 1867-1381
1867-8548
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
spelling doaj-art-9cbe4fcbdddf4d18b11613214600760f2025-08-20T03:49:44ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482025-05-01182103212410.5194/amt-18-2103-2025SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configurationM. Ghirardelli0M. Ghirardelli1S. T. Kral2S. T. Kral3E. Cheynet4J. Reuder5J. Reuder6Geophysical Institute and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52f, Innsbruck, AustriaGeophysical Institute and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, NorwayBjerknes Centre for Climate Research, 5020 Bergen, NorwayGeophysical Institute and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, NorwayGeophysical Institute and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, NorwayBjerknes Centre for Climate Research, 5020 Bergen, Norway<p>This study introduces the SAMURAI-S, a novel measurement system that incorporates a state-of-the-art sonic anemometer combined with a multi-rotor drone in a sling load configuration, designed to overcome the limitations of traditional mast-based observations in terms of spatial flexibility. This system enables the direct measurement of 3D wind vectors while hovering, providing a significant advantage in manoeuvrability and positional accuracy over fixed mast setups. The capabilities of the system were quantified through a series of 10 to 28 <span class="inline-formula">min</span> flights, conducting close comparisons of turbulence measurements at altitudes of 30 and 60 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> against data from a 60 m tower equipped with research-grade sonic anemometers. The results demonstrate that SAMURAI-S matches the data quality of conventional setups for horizontal wind measurements while slightly overestimating vertical turbulence components. This overestimation increases with wind speed.</p>https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/18/2103/2025/amt-18-2103-2025.pdf
spellingShingle M. Ghirardelli
M. Ghirardelli
S. T. Kral
S. T. Kral
E. Cheynet
J. Reuder
J. Reuder
SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
title SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
title_full SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
title_fullStr SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
title_full_unstemmed SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
title_short SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
title_sort samurai s sonic anemometer on a multi rotor drone for atmospheric turbulence investigation in a sling load configuration
url https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/18/2103/2025/amt-18-2103-2025.pdf
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