Wave Measuring Buoy

Abstract

Wave measuring buoys are essential devices in ocean engineering. This article describes the process of designing a program that calculates useful wave parameters from measured raw acceleration data. The calculations are based on the assumption that the buoy analogue to a water particle travels on a circular orbit. The final program calculated position from the acceleration data and eliminated unwanted rotation of the coordinate system of the buoy. In a first field test the program turned out to be successful.

Key words: wave-measuring buoy, acceleration sensor, gyroscope, Matlab, rotating coordinate system, significant wave height.