Smart-820

New Wave Directional Buoy System based on GPS Technology

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

  • Wave height and direction measurements
  • Low purchase and operational costs
  • High reliability - no external antennas or connectors
  • Low maintenance requirements
  • Based on proven and unique GPS software
  • Easy deployment and operation
  • Small and light weight

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Smart-820 combines a well proven buoy hull shape and flexible mooring with the unique new wave measurement technology made possible by the Seatex differential GPS software. The GPS signals are free of charge and are available to any user world wide.
Smart-820 is a spherically shaped buoy with a diameter of only 0.8 m. The design combines high quality wave data with high operational reliability and low maintenance requirements. Corrosion free materials are used extensively avoiding exposure of vulnerable components to the sea environment.

Smart-820 represents a new concept with respect to ease of operation and need for service and maintenance. The rugged design with no protruding antennas or sensors simplifies handling and deployment of the instrument dramatically.

Smart-820 contains a GPS receiver used for measuring the buoy motion. Buoy velocities in the x, y and z directions are measured continuously for 17 minutes at 1Hz sampling interval. Simultaneously, GPS data are received at a fixed reference station (such as the Smart shore station) or from other existing sources. These observations are necessary in order to obtain the specified accuracies. 

A powerful onboard 32 bit CMOS micro processor controls the GPS receiver and UHF radio communication with the shore station. The raw data collected in-situ are transferred to the shore station via the UHF radio link.

Smart-820 can operate for 12 months when the 3 hour data acquisition interval is chosen, utilising a standard alkaline battery package. APPLICATION AREAS The Smart-820 buoy has a number of areas of application. Based on its low power requirement, low weight, ease of deployment and installation, the system is a cost efficient data collection tool for:

  • Harbour entrance monitoring

  • Coastal erosion modelling

  • Validation of ocean wave models

  • Evaluation of satellite remote sensing systems

  • Marine operations