A Microcomputer System for a Shipboard Doppler Current Profiler

Microcomputers are now sufficiently powerful to permit cost-effective implementation of improved real-time Doppler Current Profiler data acquisition, processing, and multipurpose display systems. An IBM-PC/XT microcomputer based system is described for use with the Ametek/Straza DCP 4400A/300. The system, in conjunction with a compound pendulum stabilized ship´s motion sensing package, performs geodetic motion compensated current averages while simultaneously acquiring Doppler, navigation and motion data to 9-track tape. It displays, prints and records to disk processed current profiles. Doppler data are screened using quality estimators to improve profile accuracy. Post processing of raw data from tape is also possible thereby facilitating the development of improved processing algorithms. Some preliminary results are presented.