Acoustic Doppler current profiler performance in near surface and bottom boundaries

Author

Appell, Gerald F. ; Bass, Patricia D. ; Metcalf, Michael A.

Author_Institution

NOAA, Rockville, MD, USA

Volume

16

Issue

4

fYear

1991

fDate

10/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

390

Lastpage

396

Abstract

The authors discuss the current measurement accuracy of the RD Instruments 1200-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) in the near surface and bottom boundaries. Data are presented from tests. In the first series of tests, an ADCP was mounted on a bottom sled in an upward looking mode. The sled was towed at known speeds with and without surface waves. Additionally, tests were conducted with several acoustic baffle designs installed in the transducer head. The 1200-kHz ADCP has the ability to accurately measure mean currents in a dynamic wave induced flow field. Sidelobes can bias the measurements at 85% of the range when bottom or surface boundaries are present. The amount of bias is strongly dependent on surface wave characteristics. Sidelobe bias can be eliminated with a properly designed baffle system. The profilers have the ability to measure wave particle velocities with a properly configured system

Keywords

oceanographic equipment; sonar; ultrasonic equipment; underwater sound; velocity measurement; 1200 kHz; RD Instruments 1200-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler; US; acoustic baffle designs; baffle system; bottom boundaries; current measurement accuracy; dynamic wave induced flow field; ocean currents; performance; sidelobes; sonar; surface boundaries; transducer head; upward looking mode; wave particle velocities; Acoustic measurements; Acoustic testing; Acoustic transducers; Current measurement; Fluid flow measurement; Instruments; Particle measurements; Surface acoustic waves; Surface waves; Velocity measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Oceanic Engineering, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0364-9059

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/48.90903

Filename

90903