Title :
A buoy-mounted wind profiler for remote measurement of ocean winds
Author :
Mead, James B. ; Langlois, Philip M. ; McIntosh, Robert E.
Author_Institution :
Quadrant Eng. Inc., Amherst, MA, USA
Abstract :
Quadrant Engineering has recently developed a compact, low power, marine boundary layer radar wind profiler (MBL Profiler) suitable for installation on a small boat or on a buoy. The MBL-Profiler utilizes high-efficiency radar and data acquisition componentry to minimize power consumption, with the radar and data system requiring approximately 60 W for full power operation. Additional power of about 15 W will be required to operate a low power PC and telemetry system. If used intermittently, (30 minute consensus wind estimate, every 2 hours), the system will draw less than 20 W average power, making it suitable for battery-powered operation. Motion compensation is achieved entirely in software. During data acquisition the position of the antenna is constantly monitored by storing the output of two tilt sensors and a compass. This is sufficient information to provide an accurate estimate of average wind speed and direction
Keywords :
atmospheric boundary layer; meteorological instruments; meteorological radar; radar equipment; remote sensing by radar; wind; Quadrant Engineering; atmospheric measuring apparatus; battery-powered operation; boundary layer; buoy-mounted wind profiler; data acquisition; electrical power consumption; marine atmosphere; marine buoy; meteorological radar; motion compensation; radar remote sensing; radar wind profiler; telemetry; tilt sensor; wind direction; wind speed; Boats; Data acquisition; Data systems; Energy consumption; Motion compensation; Oceans; Power engineering and energy; Radar; Sea measurements; Telemetry;
Conference_Titel :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1996. IGARSS '96. 'Remote Sensing for a Sustainable Future.', International
Conference_Location :
Lincoln, NE
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3068-4
DOI :
10.1109/IGARSS.1996.516841
