Effects of High Fidelity Modeling on Sensor Placement Optimization

Abstract

In the 2015 paper, "Gyroscopic sensing in the wings of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta: the role of sensor location and directional senstivity," the bending and torsional mode shapes of a moth wing were derived analytically for use in an optimization study, with some simplifying assumptions made about the shape of the wing (flat, no venation). The mode shapes obtained in this analysis via FEA were similar, but with greater deflection along the trailing edge of the wing. However, the modal frequencies were much lower, by roughly an order of magnitude (8 Hz vs. 90 Hz). This change in modal frequency was sufficient to cause the simulation conducted in the original paper to become unstable, resulting in inconclusive sensor placement results.