Ship-borne wave gauge using GNSS interferometric reflectometry

Abstract

ABSTRACT To obtain wide coverage and frequent wave observations, low-cost methods to observe significant wave heights and wave periods from moving vessels were developed by using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interferometric reflectometry. Because GNSS signals reflected from the sea surface are always delayed respect to those received directly from the satellite, and this delay depends on the distance between the antenna and the sea surface, the amplitude of the received GNSS signals, in which the direct and reflected signals are mixed, shows interferometric variations in the presence of ocean waves. High sampling rate observations of the GNSS signal amplitude can be used to determine the significant wave period and wave height by referring to a look-up table estimated from simulated received GNSS signals based on a realistic wave spectrum. The methods were applied to actual 20-Hz GNSS observations on a ferryboat and qualitatively good estimations of both significant wave heights and wave periods were obtained. Because the look-up tables can be further modified using in situ wave observations, these estimations can be quantitatively improved in the future.