TMTW 2015: NOAA’s Recent Field Testing of the Teledyne RDI Sentinel V ADCP
NOAA’s Recent Field Testing of the
Teledyne RDI Sentinel V ADCP
Presenter: Nathan Holcomb NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) currently maintains 24 Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) observatories throughout the United States coastal regions. These systems provide real-time oceanographic and meteorological information to support safe and efficient navigation. One important observation included in the suite of PORTS data products is ocean currents. CO-OPS also measures currents during non-real-time surveys under the Nation Current Observation Program (NCOP); these data are used to generate tidal current predictions. To ensure that its networks operate in the most efficient and accurate way possible, CO-OPS invests in testing of latest commercially available oceanographic instrumentation. CO-OPS uses a variety of TRDI Workhorse ADCPs throughout PORTS and NCOP systems. Motivated by new developments and products offered by TRDI, CO-OPS procured a 500 kHz Sentinel V for initial testing. To date, a series of controlled boat tow tests have been completed along with a short field test in the South Chesapeake Bay (October’14). The primary objective is to test current measurement performance for CO-OPS’ applications; a secondary objective is to evaluate wave measurement capability. During the Chesapeake Bay test the Sentitnel V was deployed in a bottom mount nearby a TRDI WorkHorse, Nortek AWAC, and TriAXYS wave buoy. Water depth at the site is approximately 15 m and currents are predominately tidal, ranging approximately 0-2.5 knots on a daily basis. A summary of the results from both the boat tow and a Chesapeake Bay tests will be presented.
