Numerical Analysis of Flowfield around a Hexacopter for the Optimal Placement of an Air Data Sensor

Abstract

The installation of air data sensors on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for purposes such as atmospheric and weather observation, as well as UAV positioning in non-GPS environments, has been increasing. This study aims to identify the optimal location for mounting an air data sensor on a hexacopter by analyzing the flow field around it. Potential sensor mounting positions were examined under four flight modes—hovering, ascending, descending, and forward flight—by varying propeller rotation speed, free-stream velocity, and angle of attack. We identified locations along the central line and plane above the hexacopter that meet the allowable velocity error tolerance. The analysis revealed that forward flight mode exhibited the highest velocity error, and that the air data sensor could be mounted at a certain height above the propeller rotation plane.