Data Buoy Cooperation PanelScientific and Technical Workshop

Scripps Institution of OceanographyLa Jolla, CA

Recent Buoy Developments at NOAA/NOS/CO-OPSOcean Systems Test & Evaluation Program

Mark Bushnell, Kate Bosley, Tammy Graff, Warren Krug NOAA/NOS/CO-OPS

October 16, 2006

Current profiles inShipping channels

Updated every 6 min

Radio link to shore

Aids TO Navigation (ATON) Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)

Part of NOS/CO-OPS PORTS

““Not to Interfere” CONSIDERATIONSNot to Interfere” CONSIDERATIONS

Deployed/recovered with buoy on station Entire package removed prior to ATON

servicing All similar metals

and coloration Minimal alteration

of buoy profile

and characteristics

No obvious bias in ATONMean difference ~ 3cm/s

Speeds compare very well, within anticipated error of individual instruments

GPS COMPASS CALIBRATIONGPS COMPASS CALIBRATION

GOALSRotate GPS compass and Nortek to determine the effectiveness of the Nortek compass calibration

algorithm

Evaluate potential for GPS compass calibration of the Nortek

Thales GPS Compass10 Hz compass sampling rate,

1 sec average

Nortek1 sec compass sampling rate

Comparison of current direction to a bottom-mounted ADCPimproves with increasing speed

much of the difference is real spatial variability

BATTERY LIFE

Easily achieve 180 day deployment with 0.1 watt Radio

1 watt radio required further power saving modifications,297 days and counting.

ATON ADCP measurements are noisier at all levels. ATON ADCP has O(10X) larger vertical velocity

Quick Response Estuarine Buoy (QREB)

Support for hazmat response

Easily deployed from small vessel

Short duration deployment (90 days)

Survive moderate gale

Report current profile and met data at 6 minute intervals

As delivered…

600 pounds13 feet overall length4 ft diameter

Tested in the ChesapeakeBay at CC#16, comparedto bottom-mounted RDI and our ATON ADCP

Sutron Xpert 9210 DCP300 KHz RDI ADCPRM Young anemometerBarometric pressureAir temperatureGPS

6 minute data update rateIP modemGOES

QREB Display

• Ruggedize DCP housing• Calibrate compass (wind direction)• Nortek ADP (less power, near-surface velocity)• GPS• Smaller beacon (solar panels)• Battery capacity testing• Iridium (global coverage, less power)• Lightweight capability

Upgrades & Improvements