GPS 3D Buoy
The advent of the differential
global positioning system (DGPS) on-the-fly (OTF)
and post-processing software has meant that physical
positions can be determined with an accuracy of less
than a decimeter. Post-processing for wave analysis
is acceptable because data have to be captured over a
17-minute period before any analysis can take place.
With these aspects in mind, the CSIR performed tests with a GPS carrier-phase receiver mounted on a wave buoy that was swung on a dynamic calibrator. Vertical movement of the buoy, as recorded from GPS was plotted against the actual sinusoidal locus of the buoy. The recorded positions were very accurate and within 2 centimetres of the actual path of the buoy.
The accuracy of the direction in which the the buoy was swinging was excellent. When compared to existing directional wave systems, which are accurate to within 10 degrees of direction, the GPS has a clear advantage.
Provided a reference station can be established within 30 kilometres of the wave buoy, the differential GPS with OTF software proves to be excellent technology for the measurement of ocean waves (including wave directions) and tidal changes.
Wavemonitor
The Wavemonitor is a rugged, reliable wave measuring buoy
developed from experience gained from over 25 years of wave
measurement in the notoriously extreme ocean environment off
the southern African coast. It has been thoroughly tested and
satisfactorily compared to other commercially available wave
buoys.
Sea surface displacement with time is derived from the displacement obtained through double-integrating the vertical acceleration of the buoy. The buoy features an inertially stabilised accelerometer transducer which is insensitive to either horizontal or rotational movement. The wave data are transmitted to a Wavelogger shore station by means of HF radio.
Features
Specifications
Directional and non-directional Waverider
The CSIR makes use of Datawell's Directional Waverider
Mark II, Directional Waverider MKIII,
Directional Waverider DWR4, as well as
the non-directional Waverider SG buoys to measure waves.
Datawell has a history of over 40 years in the oceanographic instrumentation arena, and their wave height measuring buoys have been the world standard during this period. Their buoys are accurate and have well-proven stabilized platform sensors. They have, for example, standard integrated data loggers, flash cards that store up to 2 Gbyte of measured data, standard GPS position monitoring, and a HF link for ranges up to 50 km.
For more detailed specifications on each of the buoys, please consult the Datawell website.
Accoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
The CSIR makes use of ADCP's manufactured by Teledyne RD
Instruments. The 300 kHz Workhorse Monitor ADCP is
used for current measurements, and the 600kHz
Workhorse Monitor ADCP is used for both wave and current
measurments.
For more detailed specifications on the
ADCP's, please consult the
Teledyne RD Instruments
website.
Contact:
e-mail: Sarel Haasbroek
Snail-mail: CSIR, POBox 320, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa
Telephone: International +27 21 888 2400 * National: 021 888 2400
Telefax: International +27 21 888 2693 * National: 021 888 2693
Page maintained by Ursula von St Ange