Development and Innovation of Lagrangian Drifters in Support of ONR Activities
Abstract
The use of near-surface Lagrangian drifters to measure ocean currents is more than a century old and a global array of drifters, ter""med the Global Drifter Program, is maintained by the PI of this proposal. The array is rather sparse, with a nominal resolution of 5""~X5~. Several ONR projects requires higher spatial resolution to address a variety of science questions. In the basic configuration," the Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifter measures only SST and ocean currents at a depth of 15 m (i.e. the center-depth of the drogue). The SVP Barometer (SVPB) drifter has the same capability of the SVP drifter but it also carries a barometer to measure atmospheric sea level pressure. Innovating the Lagrangian drifter technology is a crucial part of maintaining an efficient and modern glob"al array and to address science questions in regional experiments. With the proposed effort, we seek funds to develop new drifters b"y expanding the computing power of the instrument and the range of hosted sensors. In support of the next generation Surface Velocit"y Program drifter, the LDL proposes to design an ARM M7- architecture based embedded buoy controller with on-board Wi-Fi capabilitie"s. We also propose the development of an in-house inductive communication system to replicate functionality of commercially available options. The new drifter board that will be developed with this effort will have a powerful enough processor and RAM to allow for onboard data reduction and the new developed inductive module will then be used to integrate chi-pods and drifting thermistor chain"s. SVP, SVPB, CODE and ADOS drifters will be fabricates in support of ONR science efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712517
Entities
People
- Luca Centurioni
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego