Miniature Wave Buoy

What Is It?

The miniature wave buoy is an expendable ocean sensor used to characterize the ocean surface wave field. The free drifting buoy uses 14 alkaline D-cell batteries and is designed for simple, rapid deployment with single switch operation.  The technology was developed in conjunction with a Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, award with Continental Controls.

How Does It Work?

The buoy affords the Navy with variable reporting interval capability; bi-directional communications via Iridium; estimated three-month deployment with three-hour sampling interval; standard wave parameters reported (Hs, Tp) and 64pt directional wave spectrum reported in wavegram; 9-band wave spectrum computed and reported via web; data access and plotting through web; ASCII data download for plotting in Excel; wavegram message forwarding to forecasters via email; small form factor: 8” sphere; no specialized software or computers at the forecaster end of the system.

What Will It Accomplish?

This device will provide situational awareness for safer at-sea operations, simplified methodologies for characterizing sea state during expensive at-sea tests, and gathering of wave climate data in extreme and remote environments.

The military requires access to reliable ocean wave and ocean current data in support of global maritime operations. 

Advances in wave buoy technologies and communications have enabled the development of a new family of inexpensive, portable, expendable ocean sensors capable of providing robust, near real-time ocean measurements. 

Its easy-to-use web display provides data access for the forecaster to identify drift tracks, recent observations, and track trends in wave conditions. Observations can be transmitted globally to a handheld satellite communications receiver as a text message for on-scene situational awareness.

  • Validated to operate in significant wave heights in excess of 4m during ONR Sea Warfare and Weapons Department (Code 32) science programs
  • System used during Naval Sea Systems Command/Naval Surface Warfare Center marine platform tests
  • Military use evaluation ongoing with naval special warfare and meteorological and oceanographic, or METOC, communities

Research Challenges and Opportunities:

  • Development of on-board processing algorithms to allow for transmittal of surface wave conditions via low-bandwidth satellite communication systems and robust power management and bi-directional communications to allow for long-life operations
  • Survivability in high sea states
  • Assimilation of data into wave forecast models
  • Large array deployment via aircraft to poorly characterized regions of the world’s oceans

Point of Contact:

Dr. Terri Paluszkiewicz
(703) 696-6680
terri.paluszkiewicz@navy.mil

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