# Wind Tunnel Tests of a Pitot-Static Tube Array to Estimate Wind Velocity

## TL;DR

This study develops and tests an algorithm using wind tunnel data from a pitot-static tube array to estimate wind velocity in all directions, aiming to enable small UAVs to measure wind conditions.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel algorithm that estimates wind velocity from a PSA array without flight tests, suitable for small UAV applications.

## Key findings

- Algorithm accurately estimates wind velocity in all directions.
- Wind tunnel data validates the method's effectiveness.
- Potential application for small UAV wind sensing.

## Abstract

This paper examines the use of a pitot-static tube array (PSA) to estimate horizontal wind velocity in all directions. This method uses the readings from the PSA as inputs. No flight tests have been done, but this method could potentially be used to estimate wind velocity from small UAVs. To do this, UAV ground speed and attitude must be available as inputs. Wind tunnel data of the PSA was used to create an algorithm that estimates wind velocity even when the wind is not parallel with any of the pitot-static tubes. This paper discuses the wind tunnel data, the algorithm, and the application for small UAVs.