Wave Watch 3D

Wave Watch 3D is a directional wave and water level gage developed for long term deployments. The WW3D can be operated as a real time reporting gage, internally recording, or both. It is capable of deployment for years without routine maintenance. It features low operating costs and high data return. The WW3D is a true wave gage that can record and report wave height, period, direction and other standard parameters. No additional programming or processing is required. The gage reports data in XHTML or other standard or user customized formats. Data from the WW3D can be directly input into web pages or processed as XML.

The WW3D is compatible with the WW1D non-directional wave gage and shares a common hardware and firmware design. Capabilities and data formats from the WW3D are the same as the WW1D except that wave direction is also provided.

Wave Watch 3D is completely bottom mounted with no surface components. Optimized for shallow and intermediate water depths, the gage may be reliably deployed in water depths too shallow for buoys or acoustic instruments. The three pressure transducer technique permits the use of a rugged, easy to install mounting frame that is resistant to fishing activities.

Capable of performing data analysis inside the instrument, the WW 3D achieves reliable data storage and long-term deployments, recording hourly directional statistics for one year.Time series data and water level measurements are also available in all modes. Non-volatile, solid state memory records and maintains analysis results without batteries. Real time options provide remote data collection or local display of tide, wave height, period and direction. Mounting options for deep water platforms are available.

Wave Watch 3D Specifications
PRINCIPLE 3-transducer pressure array.1.6-m equilateral triangle.
SENSORS
  • Paros Digiquartz 100psia
  • Oil filled diaphragm pressure port
  • Anti-biofouling
  • Resistant to fines and sediment clogging
TIME Crystal clock with SuperCap backup power. UTC calendar date and time.
ORIENTATION Auto compensated magnetometer compass
OPERATIONAL
LIMITS		 Bottom mounted in water depths from 2 to 20 meters.
Optional platform mount.
ACCURACY
  • Water level, wave height, and spectral energy error < 1 cm rms.
  • Mean wave direction error < 2 degrees rms.
  • Resolution -1 mm of sea water.
SAMPLE RATE User definable, 4 Hz max.
EXTERNAL CONNECTION
  • Power 10.5 - 50VDC Built-in surge protection.
  • External power consumption - 250mW typical
  • Serial data protocols - RS485, RS422.
OPTIONAL SHORE CABLE Standard 7-conductor double-armored cable up to 1.7 km length.
ANLAYZED DATA User configurable, mean water level, significant wave height, period, direction, cross-spectral matrix. Each record time-stamped with calendar date and time.
TIME SERIES DATA Calibrated, calendar time-stamped bursts. Configurable sample rate, burst length, and burst interval.
INTERNAL STORAGE Two PCMCIA compatible FLASH EPROM cards. The Feature Card contains the firmware and the Data Card contains a database with all setup and saved data in separate tables. Data capacity is 2-20 MB. Each data record is individually checked with a 16 bit CRC code.
MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION Heavy duty structural plastic, polyurethane sensor cable and XSL underwater connectors.
CYLINDER OPTIONS
  • -0B No battery 547mm L (21.5in)
  • -1B 1 battery 674mm L (26.5in)
  • -2B 2 batteries 826mm L (32.5in)
BATTERY PACK 9VDC alkaline 100AHr, all welded construction.
DEPLOYMENT DURATION User configurable. Can record analyzed hourly 30 minute records for 13 months (-02B).
ELECTRONIC CONSTRUCTION Emodule box with two thru-hole PCBs, socketed ICs, gold plated pin and socket connectors.
FIRMWARE Assimilator for Wave Watch. User upgradeable by writing to the Feature PC Flash Card.