Abstract
Abstract. The CopterSonde is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed in house by a team of engineers and meteorologists at the University of Oklahoma. The CopterSonde is an ambitious attempt by the Center for Autonomous Sensing and Sampling to address the challenge of filling the observational gap present in the lower atmosphere among the currently used meteorological instruments such as towers and radiosondes. The CopterSonde is a unique and highly flexible platform for in situ atmospheric boundary layer measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution, suitable for meteorological applications and research. Custom autopilot algorithms and hardware features were developed as solutions to problems identified throughout several field experiments carried out since 2017. In these field experiments, the CopterSonde has been proven capable of safely operating at wind speeds up to 22 m s−1, flying at 3050 m above mean sea level, and operating in extreme temperatures: nearly −20 ∘C in Finland and 40 ∘C in Oklahoma, United States. Leveraging the open-source ArduPilot autopilot code has allowed for seamless integration of custom functions and protocols for the acquisition, storage, and distribution of atmospheric data alongside the flight control data. This led to the development of features such as the “wind vane mode” algorithm, which commands the CopterSonde to always face into the wind. It also inspired the design of an asymmetric airframe for the CopterSonde, which is shown to provide more suitable locations for weather sensor placement, in addition to allowing for improvements in the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the CopterSonde. Moreover, it has also allowed the team to design and create a modular shell where the sensor package is attached and which can run independently of the CopterSonde's main body. The CopterSonde is on the trend towards becoming a smart UAS tool with a wide possibility of creating new adaptive and optimized atmospheric sampling strategies.
Highlights
The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a dynamic system that experiences significant changes in the thermodynamic and kinematic states in its vertical and horizontal structures
Extending this societal progress requires that we focus on understanding and reliably predicting the many ways our planet is changing.” (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018)
The CopterSonde has been under development for almost 2 years, during which it has undergone near-continuous modifications resulting from lessons learned during several successful deployments in diverse locations and under a variety of weather conditions
Summary
The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a dynamic system that experiences significant changes in the thermodynamic and kinematic states in its vertical and horizontal structures. There are currently several meteorological instruments able to measure these parameters effectively; they are limited in coverage and have high operating costs. The 2017–2027 Decadal Survey, released in January 2018, states “Earth science and derived Earth information have become an integral component of our daily lives, our business successes, and society’s capacity to thrive Extending this societal progress requires that we focus on understanding and reliably predicting the many ways our planet is changing.” (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). The multipurpose airborne sensor carrier (MASC) UAS was recently developed by the Eberhard Karls University It was originally designed for boundary layer research, capable of collecting temperature, humidity, and wind data in situ at high resolution (Wildmann et al, 2014). Results from some field campaigns are shown to demonstrate the ability of the CopterSonde to repeatedly and consistently collect accurate data while enduring challenging conditions such as low-level jet winds, icing events, and low air density at high altitudes
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