Datawell Directional Waverider Buoy DWR4

DWR4 Wave measurements: same sensor, new data processing

The wave sensor of the Directional Waverider equipped with Acoustic Current Meters (DWR4 ACM) is identical to the sensor in the well known MkI, II and III. Processing of the measured data is now performed at the doubled sample frequency of 2.56 Hz. The high frequency limit of the heave and direction signals is shifted from 0.58 to 1.0 Hz. With this choice, the high frequency limit of the wave buoy is determined by the hydrodynamic response of the hull, not by the onboard instrumentation.

In addition, the DWR4 transmission protocol allows for a superior heave and horizontal displacement resolution. Easy comparison of the new DWR4 output to the familiar DWR-MkIII results is facilitated in the accompanying waves software suite, as well as WaveView Connect Software integration.

Operational Improvements

Extra features of the DWR4 compared to the DWR-MkIII to facilitate operation are:

• Tagged electronic ID-numbers for hull & hatch cover, which are transmitted along with measured data.
• Health check parameters including temperature monitoring of Hippy-40 sensor & hatch cover electronics measurement.
• Measurement of energy used from the batteries & supplied by the optional solar panel for improved energy management.
• Hatch over power switch included as standard.