An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy

Utilizing thermal updrafts shows potential for enabling long-endurance cruising of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles without energy consumption. This article presents a novel online method based on sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) approach to achievement identification of therma...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yufeng Lu, Chenglou Liu, Haichao Hong, Yunwei Huang, Tingwei Ji, Fangfang Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/858
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850205779078938624
author Yufeng Lu
Chenglou Liu
Haichao Hong
Yunwei Huang
Tingwei Ji
Fangfang Xie
author_facet Yufeng Lu
Chenglou Liu
Haichao Hong
Yunwei Huang
Tingwei Ji
Fangfang Xie
author_sort Yufeng Lu
collection DOAJ
description Utilizing thermal updrafts shows potential for enabling long-endurance cruising of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles without energy consumption. This article presents a novel online method based on sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) approach to achievement identification of thermal sources in the atmosphere. Initially, the algorithm is incorporated into the upper-level planning system, interacting with the lower-level controller. Then, experiments are conducted through software-in-the-loop simulations (SITL) to validate the implementation of the proposed algorithm. It is found that direct observation of thermal sources through measurements using SINDy is unfeasible during straight and circular flight modes. Nevertheless, simulation analysis of the proposed approach indicates that under unobservable conditions, a portion of the parameters can still be identified. By comparing results obtained using the particle filter algorithm, this method is shown to accurately estimate the parameters with negligible errors under observability conditions. The novelty of this approach lies in its significant improvement of the localization accuracy of the thermal source, without the need for parameter adjustments in the algorithm. Finally, the proposed methods are integrated into commonly used hardware platforms, and their online feasibility is verified through hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
format Article
id doaj-art-bce13bef991a41baa1bbdfa2d332eed5
institution OA Journals
issn 2226-4310
language English
publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-bce13bef991a41baa1bbdfa2d332eed52025-08-20T02:11:01ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-10-01111085810.3390/aerospace11100858An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDyYufeng Lu0Chenglou Liu1Haichao Hong2Yunwei Huang3Tingwei Ji4Fangfang Xie5School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, ChinaSchool of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaUtilizing thermal updrafts shows potential for enabling long-endurance cruising of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles without energy consumption. This article presents a novel online method based on sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) approach to achievement identification of thermal sources in the atmosphere. Initially, the algorithm is incorporated into the upper-level planning system, interacting with the lower-level controller. Then, experiments are conducted through software-in-the-loop simulations (SITL) to validate the implementation of the proposed algorithm. It is found that direct observation of thermal sources through measurements using SINDy is unfeasible during straight and circular flight modes. Nevertheless, simulation analysis of the proposed approach indicates that under unobservable conditions, a portion of the parameters can still be identified. By comparing results obtained using the particle filter algorithm, this method is shown to accurately estimate the parameters with negligible errors under observability conditions. The novelty of this approach lies in its significant improvement of the localization accuracy of the thermal source, without the need for parameter adjustments in the algorithm. Finally, the proposed methods are integrated into commonly used hardware platforms, and their online feasibility is verified through hardware-in-the-loop simulations.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/858autonomous soaringstatic soaringparameter identificationenergy harvestingthermal updraftlong-endurance glider
spellingShingle Yufeng Lu
Chenglou Liu
Haichao Hong
Yunwei Huang
Tingwei Ji
Fangfang Xie
An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
Aerospace
autonomous soaring
static soaring
parameter identification
energy harvesting
thermal updraft
long-endurance glider
title An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
title_full An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
title_fullStr An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
title_full_unstemmed An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
title_short An Online Data-Driven Method for Accurate Detection of Thermal Updrafts Using SINDy
title_sort online data driven method for accurate detection of thermal updrafts using sindy
topic autonomous soaring
static soaring
parameter identification
energy harvesting
thermal updraft
long-endurance glider
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/858
work_keys_str_mv AT yufenglu anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT chenglouliu anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT haichaohong anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT yunweihuang anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT tingweiji anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT fangfangxie anonlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT yufenglu onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT chenglouliu onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT haichaohong onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT yunweihuang onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT tingweiji onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy
AT fangfangxie onlinedatadrivenmethodforaccuratedetectionofthermalupdraftsusingsindy