Icing detection and identification for unmanned aerial vehicles: Multiple model adaptive estimation

The accretion of ice layers on wings and control surfaces modifies the shape of the aircraft and, consequently, alters performance and controllability of the vehicle. In this paper we propose a multiple model adaptive estimation framework to detect icing affecting unmanned aerial vehicles using the following sensors: pitot tube (airspeed sensor), GPS and IMU. A case-study is provided as support and validation of theoretical results.