Fine-Scale Velocity Measurement on the Wirewalker Wave-Powered Profiler

Abstract

The Wirewalker (WW) ocean-wave-powered vertical profiling system allows the collection of high-resolution oceanographic data due to its rapid profiling, hydrodynamically quiet operation, and long endurance. We have assessed the potential for measuring fine-scale ocean velocities from the Wirewalker platform using commercially available acoustic velocimeters. Although the vertical profiling speed is relatively steady, platform motion affects the velocity measurements and requires correction. We present an algorithm to correct our velocity estimates using platform motion calculated from the inertial sensors—accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer—on a Nortek Signature1000 acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). This correction, carried out ping by ping, was effective in removing the vehicle motion from the measured velocities. The motion-corrected velocities contain contributions from surface wave orbital velocities, especially near the surface, and the background currents. To proceed, we use an averaging approach that leverages both the vertical platform profiling of the system and the ∼15–20 m vertical profiling range resolution of the down-looking ADCP to separate the surface wave orbital velocities and the background flow. The former can provide information on the wave conditions. From the latter, we are able to estimate fine-scale velocity and shear with spectral wavenumber rolloff at vertical scales around 3 m, a vertical resolution several times finer than that possible from modern shipboard or fixed ADCPs with similar profiling range, and similar to recent glider measurements. When combined with a continuous time series of buoy drift calculated from the onboard GPS, a highly resolved total velocity field is obtained, with a unique combination of space and time resolution.