b'TECHNICHEADLINEAL TIPSDifferent Types of Waves Buoy Sizing Wind-generated waves can be divided into longerWhen using a buoy, some factors impact the accuracy swells and shorter wind waves of different heights.of the measurements. Smaller buoys that move with the Smaller waves are more challenging to measure thanwaves can measure smaller waves better thanlarger waves, but are also of less impact to operations.larger buoys.Waves less than 10 cm impact recreational activities like canoeing and kayaking, but are less interesting forHigher-end wave sensors offer tuning algorithms for marine operations. different sized buoys and tools to determine how accurate your measurements will be from a specific buoy.When selecting the method to measure waves, it is important to have an idea of what wave heights wouldBy knowing the smallest wave height you need to affect the application. This is a good first step in choosingmeasure, these tools can help determine the maximum the method of measurement. size buoy to use in your application. Going RogueMariners returning home often told stories of unpredictable, monstrous waves. Scientists dismissed the idea of rogue waves until 1995, when a wave measuring 85 feet (26 meters) crashed into an oil-drilling platform 100 miles off the coast of Norway. American Physical Society, This Month in Physics History January 1, 1995: Confirmation of the Existence of Rogue WavesDepth ConsiDerationsTake ADvantage of EXisting Infrastructure The advantage of buoys is they measure the wavesExisting infrastructure can make wave measurements directly, irrespective of the depth. lower cost and more robust. For non-directional waves, pressure sensors mounted on poles is a robust method. Acoustic profilers must be able to measure the orbitalThe weakest point here is the cablingcare should be currents that are near the water surface, so they cannottaken to ensure the cables do not move with the waves. be placed in deep water or they lose accuracy. Cables that move will eventually break! For pressure-based measurements, the pressureAn existing navigational buoy can also be utilized as a variations are dampened as the water depth increases.wave measuring device. Higher-end buoy wave sensors The deeper they are positioned, the larger the wavesthat are watertight can be mounted in many different must be for the sensors to report accurate data.locations and offer algorithms for off-center positioning. Some of these can also be connected directly to the Automatic Identification System (AIS) or other modems Selecting theand dataloggers. Best Method The table below summarizes the different factors to consider when choosing the best method for wave measurements. While it can be used as a starting point, please contact us to discuss the best method for your specific application. Method WaveWave0-20m 20m - 40m 40m+ CostHeight Direction Depth Depth DepthBuoy X X All Wave All Wave All Wave HigherPeriods Periods PeriodsAcoustic X X All Wave All Wave HigherProfiler Periods PeriodsPressure X All Wave LowerPeriodsNote: Installation will reduce the accuracy for measuring smaller wind-driven wavesFor Customer Support Services: Aanderaa.com/SupportWhos Minding the Planet? 61'