scholarly journals Measuring Ocean Waves From Space: Objectives and Characteristics of the China-France Oceanography SATellite (CFOSAT)

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danie`le Hauser ◽  
Ce´line Tison ◽  
Jean-Michel Lefe`vre ◽  
Juliette Lambin ◽  
Amiot Thierry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Properties ◽  
Ocean Surface ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Wind Vector ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Related Science ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Ku Band

The Chinese and French Space Agencies are jointly preparing a satellite mission devoted to the monitoring of the ocean surface and related science and applications. This is the so-called “China France Oceanography SATellite” (CFOSAT), to be launched around 2013. This mission will provide simultaneous and collocated observations of wind at the ocean surface and spectral properties of surface ocean waves using two scatterometers, both in Ku-Band: SWIM for measurements of directional wave spectra and SCAT for wind vector measurements. The SWIM instrument will use a real aperture observation technique so as to avoid limitations encountered with SAR systems. This paper describes the main objectives and characteristics of the mission with a focus on the SWIM instrument designed and developed under French responsibility to measure directional spectra of ocean waves.

Directional and frequency spread of surface ocean waves from CFOSAT/SWIM satelllite measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danièle Hauser ◽  
Eva Le Merle ◽  
Lotfi Aouf ◽  
Charles Peureux
Keyword(s):  
Wave Model ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Ocean Wave ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Sea State ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Frequency Spread

<p>The CFOSAT (China France Oceanography Satellite) mission launched in 2018 now routinely provides at the global scale, directional spectra of ocean waves. The principle is based on the analysis of the normalized radar cross-section measured by the instrument SWIM (Surface Waves Investigation and Monitoring), a near-nadir pointing Ku-Band real-aperture scanning radar. From the ocean wave spectra derived from SWIM, the principal parameters of ocean wave spectra as significant wave height, peak wavelength, and peak direction are now available to better characterize the sea-state. However, it is known that these principal parameters are not sufficient not fully characterize the distribution of wave energy and understand or validate the physical processes impacting its evolution during growth order decay. Here we show that the parameters characterizing the shape of the wave spectra (e.g directional and frequency spread) can be estimated at the global scale from the SWIM measurements. We also show that they can provide consistent values of the Benjamin-Feir index, an index proposed to estimate the probability of extreme waves. Similarities of differences with the shape parameters of the MFWAM numerical wave model are also discussed.</p>

Simulation of Hurricane Seas in a Multidirectional Wave Basin

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cornett ◽  
M. D. Miles
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Entropy Method ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Single Wave ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Wave Conditions ◽  
Multidirectional Wave

This paper describes the generation and verification of four realistic sea states in a multidirectional wave basin, each representing a different storm wave condition in the Gulf of Mexico. In all cases, the degree of wave spreading and the mean direction of wave propagation are strongly dependent on frequency. Two of these sea states represent generic design wave conditions typical of hurricanes and winter storms and are defined by JONSWAP wave spectra and parametric spreading functions. Two additional sea states, representing the specific wave activity during hurricanes Betsy and Carmen, are defined by tabulated hindcast estimates of the directional wave energy spectrum. The Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) of directional wave analysis paired with a single-wave probe/ bi-directional current meter sensor is found to be the most satisfactory method to measure multidirectional seas in a wave basin over a wide range of wave conditions. The accuracy of the wave generation and analysis process is verified using residual directional spectra and numerically synthesized signals to supplement those measured in the basin. Reasons for discrepancy between the measured and target directional wave spectra are explored. By attempting to reproduce such challenging sea states, much has been learned about the limitations of simulating real ocean waves in a multidirectional wave basin, and about techniques which can be used to minimize the associated distortions to the directional spectrum.

scholarly journals Simultaneous Measurement of Ocean Winds and Waves with an Airborne Coherent Real Aperture Radar

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 832-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Plant ◽  
William C. Keller ◽  
Kenneth Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Ocean Surface ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Received Power ◽  
Ocean Winds ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Real Aperture Radar ◽  
Aperture Radar

Abstract A coherent, X-band airborne radar has been developed to measure wind speed and direction simultaneously with directional wave spectra on the ocean. The coherent real aperture radar (CORAR) measures received power, mean Doppler shifts, and mean Doppler bandwidths from small-resolution cells on the ocean surface and converts them into measurements of winds and waves. The system operates with two sets of antennas, one rotating and one looking to the side of the airplane. The rotating antennas yield neutral wind vectors at a height of 10 m above the ocean surface using a scatterometer model function to relate measured cross sections to wind speed and direction. The side-looking antennas produce maps of normalized radar cross section and line-of-sight velocity from which directional ocean wave spectra may be obtained. Capabilities of CORAR for wind and wave measurement are illustrated using data taken during the Shoaling Waves Experiment (SHOWEX) sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Wind vectors measured by CORAR agree well with those measured by nearby buoys. Directional wave spectra obtained by CORAR also agree with buoy measurements and illustrate that offshore winds can produce dominant waves at an angle to the wind vector that are in good agreement with the measurements. The best agreement is produced using the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) parameterizations of the development of wave height and period with fetch.

scholarly journals East of Japan, Upper Ocean Waves Follow a Seasonal Cycle

Eos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Ocean Dynamics ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Upper Ocean ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Ocean

The seasonality of fine-scale, near-surface ocean dynamics raises important considerations for an upcoming satellite mission to measure global sea surface height.

Shipboard Measurement of Ocean Waves

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Fu ◽  
Anne M. Fullerton ◽  
Erin E. Hackett ◽  
Craig Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Individual Measurement ◽  
Office Of Naval Research ◽  
Wave Radar ◽  
New Instrumentation ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf

Over the past several years a number of techniques have been utilized for the measurement of ocean waves from shipboard platforms. These systems have ranged from commercial off the shelf (COTS) navigation radar and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems to specially developed in-house instrumentation systems. Most of these systems have been utilized to measure the directional wave spectra around the ship. More recently, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) and others have begun to utilize these techniques for shipboard measurement of individual ship generated waves as well as open ocean waves. NSWCCD has used a number of these methods on various Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) sponsored field tests. These field tests were performed on a variety of naval platforms over a range of sizes, including some fixed platforms, for various sea states. While each of these tests has had individual measurement goals and objectives, the series of tests has also provided an environment for testing and developing new instrumentation and exploring their capabilities. As a result of these efforts, instrumentation has grown in sophistication from qualitative video-based observations of the wave field around an underway vessel to laser and radar based imaging and ranging measurements of free surface dynamics. This work has led to higher fidelity data, as well as data that were previously unobtainable. In this paper we provide an overview of these systems and techniques and summarize the basic capabilities of each method by providing measurement examples/applications. These systems include a shipboard array of ultrasonic distance sensors for measuring directional wave spectra, a COTS wave radar system, and a COTS scanning LIDAR system. While not intending to be exhaustive, this paper seeks to highlight the insights gained from the recent applications of these techniques, as well as the difficulties and issues associated with shipboard measurements such as ship motion and logistical constraints.

scholarly journals Towards a three-dimensional model of wave–ice interaction in the marginal ice zone

2010 ◽  
Vol 662 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. LINTON
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
The Past ◽  
Marginal Ice Zone ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Ice Floes ◽  
Made In

Over the past forty or so years, considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the effects of ocean waves on sea ice, and vice versa, with observations, experiments and theory all playing their part. Recent years have seen the development of ever more sophisticated mathematical models designed to represent the physics more accurately and incorporate new features. What is lacking is an approach to three-dimensional scattering for ice floes that is both accurate and efficient enough to be used as a component in a theory designed to model the passage of directional wave spectra through the marginal ice zone. Bennetts & Williams (J. Fluid Mech., 2010, this issue, vol. 662, pp. 5–35) have brought together a number of solution techniques honed on simpler problems to provide just such a component.

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