Balloons and Quadcopters: Intercomparison of Two Low-Cost Wind Profiling Methods

Mikhail Varentsov,Ekaterina Marchuk,Alexander Varentsov,Arseniy Artamonov,Natalia Kuksova,Victor Stepanenko,Irina Repina,Artem Pashkin,Vasiliy Bogomolov

doi:10.3390/atmos12030380

Abstract

Experimental field campaigns are an essential part of atmospheric research, as well as of university education in the field of atmospheric physics and meteorology. Experimental field observations are needed to improve the understanding of the surface-atmosphere interaction and atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) physics and develop corresponding model parameterizations. Information on the ABL wind profiles is essential for the interpretation of other observations. However, wind profile measurements above the surface layer remain challenging and expensive, especially for the field campaigns performed in remote places and harsh conditions. In this study, we consider the experience of using two low-cost methods for the wind profiling, which may be easily applied in the field studies with modest demands on logistical opportunities, available infrastructure, and budget. The first one is a classical and well-known method of pilot balloon sounding, i.e., when balloon is treated as a Lagrangian particle and tracked by theodolite observations of angular coordinates. Second one is based on a vertical sounding with a popular and relatively cheap mass-market quadcopter DJI Phantom 4 Pro and utilizes its built-in opportunity to restore the wind vector from quadcopter tilt angles. Both methods demonstrated reasonable agreement and applicability even in harsh weather conditions and complex terrain. Advantages and shortcomings of these methods, as well as practical recommendations for their use are discussed. For the drone-based wind estimation, the importance of calibration by comparison to high-quality wind observations is shown.

Highlights

IntroductionInformation on the vertical distribution (profile) of wind speed in the troposphere is important for various tasks, ranging from the safety of aviation flights to the forecast of disastrous meteorological phenomena and the development of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) theories and model parameterizations
We found a systematic underestimation of the drone-estimated wind speed when the drones were aligned parallel to the airflow (Figure 3b)
Such uncertaintiesfor are wind speed and 27 than for wind direction) indicates several uncertainties. Such uncertainties noticeably higher errors of the drone-estimated wind speed in comparison to reference measurements by acoustic anemometer. The latter demonstrated the root-mean square error (RMSE) of 0.7 m/s, which is comparable to RMSE in other recent studies where quadcopter-estimated are noticeably higher than errors of the drone-estimated wind speed in comparison to reference measurements by acoustic anemometer

Summary

Introduction

Information on the vertical distribution (profile) of wind speed in the troposphere is important for various tasks, ranging from the safety of aviation flights to the forecast of disastrous meteorological phenomena and the development of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) theories and model parameterizations. It is critical in aeronautical meteorology and wind energy. Specific need for ABL wind observations is associated with field campaigns, that are regularly carried out by research institutions to improve the understanding of the surfaceatmosphere interaction and ABL physics. Short-term field campaigns with wind measurements are essential for atmospheric research and for educating university students learning meteorology, atmospheric physics, and adjacent areas of knowledge

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