Development and testing of microSWIFT expendable wave buoys
Jim Thomson, Phil Bush, Viviana Castillo Contreras, Nate Clemett, Jacob Davis, Alex de Klerk, Emily Iseley, Edwin J. Rainville, Brenton Salmi, Joe Talbert
Abstract
Expendable microSWIFT buoys have been developed and tested for measuring ocean surface waves. Wave spectra are calculated via onboard processing of GPS velocities sampled at 5 Hz, and wave spectra are delivered to a shore-side server via Iridium modem once per hour. The microSWIFTs support additional sensor payloads, in particular seawater conductivity and temperature. The buoys have a non-traditional, cylindrical shape that is required for deployment via the dropsonde tube of research aircraft. Multiple versions have been developed and tested, with design considerations that include: buoy hydrodynamics, sensor noise, algorithm tuning, processor power, and ease of deployment. Field testing in a range of conditions, including near sea ice and in a hurricane, has validated the design.