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Flight Dynamics & IMU Analysis

Experimental characterization of frisbee flight mechanics using an embedded Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and theoretical aerodynamic modeling.

Mission Overview

With the rise of "connected sports" and Disc Golf, understanding the aerodynamic behavior of a flying disc is crucial for performance optimization. This research project aims to characterize the flight mechanics of a frisbee using embedded IoT sensors.

Objective: Design a lightweight, embedded system to capture real-time kinematic data (Roll, Pitch, Yaw) and develop a signal processing pipeline to filter noise and model the trajectory accurately.

// TECH_STACK

Embedded C++
Arduino / Sensors
Signal Processing
Physics Modeling

Experimental Setup & Results

Physical Flight Model

Free-body diagram showing aerodynamic forces and relative wind

Free-body diagram validating the interaction between the disc's mechanical energy and the Relative Wind. Decomposition of aerodynamic forces into Lift (Portance) and Drag (Traînée) components.

Embedded System

Arduino Nano and IMU sensor integration

Integration of an Arduino Nano, MPU-6050 Accelerometer/Gyroscope, and Micro-SD logger directly onto the disc center of gravity to minimize flight disruption.

Mechanical Launcher

Mechanical Launcher - Front View

Design of a mechanical launching device to ensure reproducibility of throws. Allows precise control of initial velocity and rotation. (Click to see 3 views).

Key Outcomes

  • ▹ Data Acquisition: Successful recording of high-speed rotation dynamics (> 500 deg/s).
  • ▹ Drift Correction: Implementation of a Complementary Filter (0.96/0.04) stabilized pitch and roll measurements.
  • ▹ Validation: Experimental trajectories correlated with theoretical flight models.