Performance assessment of advanced ocean current sensors

Significant progress has recently been made towards the development of advanced ocean current measuring sensors. The new technology for measuring ocean currents has shown improved time response characteristics and high accuracy measurement in a three-dimensional flow pattern while at the same time minimizing hydrodynamic distortions caused by the system's presence in a fluctuating flow field. The Test and Evaluation Laboratory (T&EL) of the Office of Marine Technology of NOAA has a continuing laboratory test program to assess the performance of newly-developed marine sensors and to assist manufacturers and the marine community in the development testing of sensors which may have application for present or future NOAA measurement programs. Under this program, evaluation tests have been performed on several new electromagnetic and acoustic-type current measuring sensors. Tests conducted are concerned with the steady flow and dynamic (fluctuating velocity vector) response characteristics of the sensors in a system configuration. This paper will discuss evaluation test results obtained to date, problems encountered, and plans for future work. A discussion on the state-of-the-art in new current measuring sensor technology, including remote sensors, will also be presented.