Abstract
This document provides an introduction to wave measurement techniques and a description of the equipment in use by the MARINET partners.
The initial section gives a short overview of the main wave characteristics, including wave height, period and direction. Also covered in this section is an overview of wave frequency domain, wave direction and spreading, 1D and 2D spectra. Following this is an explanation of how these parameters can be measured to provide a data set that describes the wave climate at the measurement location.
An overview of the equipment options and their basic operating principles is presented for both open-sea and tank based equipment. Commonly used open-sea sensors within the MARINET facilities include wave measuring buoys, acoustic profilers and radar and satellite systems. Tank measurement sensors include both capacitance and conductance probes, optical and video systems, pressure sensors and acoustic point measurement devices. A full catalogue of the sensors used by the partners is summarised in an equipment database.
The principal outcome of this deliverable is a common information source for all MARINET partners to cross reference. This will be of key importance in synchronising the various approaches across Europe and working towards the creation of best practice methodologies for wave measurement.