Equipment
In order to validate the various numerical models, developed in-house, it is required to carry out in-situ measurement of variables, such as wave characteristics, tidal levels, currents, turbidity and so on. In view of this, various equipment, as listed below, have been acquired, for field deployments.
Recording type Current Meter (RCM)
A single-point, self-recording, and deployable depth range up to 300m RCM, product of Aanderaa, is procured. The current meter uses multi-frequency Doppler Current Sensor, to capture current speeds of 0-300cm/s. The portable RCM is also equipped with range of sensors to measure the following various other parameters;
- Tidal levels
- Current velocities and directions
- Wave characteristics (wave height, period and directions)
- Pressures
- Turbidity
- Conductivity (salinity)
- Temperature
RCM can be lowered into the sea using a small boat with a simple winch or deployed at the seabed, using specially made frames.
GPS Eco-sounder
A MIDAS Surveyor GPS Eco-sounder package with 210 KHz transducer, product of Valeport, is procured for bathymetry measurements. The system comprise of main logging unit with 16MB FLASH memory, including Internal re‐ chargeable battery pack, external DC power lead, RS232 output cable/USB, 210kHz echosounder transducer with 10m cable and mounting arrangements and integral 12 channel DGPS receiver with antenna & 5m cable.
Surface Drifters
Thanks to our research collaborations with NCU, Taiwan, a set of Surface Drifters are obtained. Surface drifter, a small spherical buoy type instrument with GPS system, is capable of measuring the surface velocity of the flow as well as trajectory, based on its own position. The system consisted (i) set of drifters (ii) coastal relay station for data transmitting through RF (iii) real-time data display and management that support the in-situ operation.
