OSCR wave measurements-some preliminary results

Author

Wyatt, Lucy R. ; Ledgard, Louise J.

Author_Institution

Sch. of Math. & Stat., Sheffield Univ., UK

Volume

21

Issue

1

fYear

1996

fDate

1/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

64

Lastpage

76

Abstract

OSCR is an HF radar system that has been developed for high spatial resolution coastal surface current measurement. This paper describes preliminary results that demonstrate that wave measurement can be successfully obtained from suitably processed OSCR data. Comparisons with data from a WAVEC directional buoy are presented and show encouraging agreement. Some of the limitations to the measurement process are discussed and indicate a maximum range of about 20 km. Surface current variability on short time scales presents the most serious obstacle to wave measurement. This appears to be more of a problem when the mean currents are large, in that in these circumstances the data fail initial quality control criteria. However, in lower mean currents, the effect is often still present and leads to errors in long wave measurement

Keywords

Doppler measurement; Doppler radar; ocean waves; oceanographic techniques; radar applications; remote sensing by radar; surface waves (fluid); HF radar; OSCR wave measurement; WAVEC directional buoy; coastal surface current measurement; errors; high spatial resolution; long wave measurement; mean currents; measurement process; quality control criteria; short time scales; surface current variability; wave measurement; Current measurement; Doppler radar; Frequency; Hafnium; Ocean waves; Radar measurements; Sea measurements; Sea surface; Surface waves; Wavelength measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Oceanic Engineering, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0364-9059

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/48.485202

Filename

485202