Accuracy and reliability of ocean current and wave monitoring with the coastal radar “WERA”

The WERA system (WavE RAdar) is a shore based remote sensing system to monitor ocean surface currents, waves and wind direction. WERA is using the lowest noise FMcw technique to provide highest temporal and fine spatial resolution for time critical applications. The vertical polarised electromagnetic wave is coupled to the conductive ocean surface and will follow the curvature of the earth. This over the horizon oceanography radar can pick up back-scattered signals (Bragg effect) up to ranges of more than 200 km. Publications about the results from systems installed all over the world have proved the accuracy of the WERA system. The reliability of these ocean data was studied for more than 2 years at a permanent WERA installation at the French coast near Brest.