In-Flight Estimation of Center of Gravity Position Using All-Accelerometers

Changing the position of the Center of Gravity (CoG) for an aerial vehicle is a challenging part in navigation, and control of such vehicles. In this paper, an all-accelerometers-based inertial measurement unit is presented, with a proposed method for on-line estimation of the position of the CoG....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yazan Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh, Moustafa Elshafei, Mohammad Fahad Al-Malki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2014-09-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/14/9/17567
Description
Summary:Changing the position of the Center of Gravity (CoG) for an aerial vehicle is a challenging part in navigation, and control of such vehicles. In this paper, an all-accelerometers-based inertial measurement unit is presented, with a proposed method for on-line estimation of the position of the CoG. The accelerometers’ readings are used to find and correct the vehicle’s angular velocity and acceleration using an Extended Kalman Filter. Next, the accelerometers’ readings along with the estimated angular velocity and acceleration are used in an identification scheme to estimate the position of the CoG and the vehicle’s linear acceleration. The estimated position of the CoG and motion measurements can then be used to update the control rules to achieve better trim conditions for the air vehicle.
ISSN:1424-8220