Spatially Distributed Measurements of Platform Motion for the Correction of Ship-Based Turbulent Fluxes

Abstract

A method for determining the angular offsets between measurement axes for multiple motion sensing systems and a sonic anemometer using underway data is demonstrated. This enables a single angular rate sensor to be used with spatially separated accelerometers, collocated with sonic anemometers, for the motion correction of turbulence measurements on a mobile platform such as a ship. Effective motion correction of turbulence measurements at sea is demonstrated. The errors in instrument alignment are considered, and estimates are made of the resulting biases in wind stress estimates.