Measuring Water Levels

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Edith Morton
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1 Measuring Water Levels United States of America AXYS manufactures Buoy to Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) Operational Requirements to Measure Water Levels and to Determine Chart Datum Copyright 2009, AXYS Technologies Inc. & Naval Oceanographic Office

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), is responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of

2 The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), is responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense. NAVOCEANO and the US Navy s Fleet Survey Team conduct worldwide hydrographic surveys in accordance with International Hydrographic Standards (IHO).

Depth Reduction to Chart Datum Knowing exact sea depths in the Littoral Zone is critical to the safety of navigation for commercial and military vessels.

3 Depth Reduction to Chart Datum Knowing exact sea depths in the Littoral Zone is critical to the safety of navigation for commercial and military vessels. The traditional depth reduction depends on the availability of land based tide gauges. In denied areas or areas of conflict, the deployment of tide gauges is an operational and security challenge.

Problem: 40-60% Error In areas where tide gauges are not available, the Navies relies on a combination of techniques such as tidal constituents databases, tidal zoning and hydrodynamic modeling to

4 Problem: 40-60% Error In areas where tide gauges are not available, the Navies relies on a combination of techniques such as tidal constituents databases, tidal zoning and hydrodynamic modeling to produce estimates of chart datums and tide correctors. This modeling is based on best available information and estimates which not always produce the desired results. Due to this uncertainty in model input, the current water level error can be 40 to 60% of the total depth solution.

Problem: Required Land Permissions NAVOCEANO s shore-based tide gauges require permissions from national and local authorities, as well as landowners.

5 Problem: Required Land Permissions NAVOCEANO s shore-based tide gauges require permissions from national and local authorities, as well as landowners. Sometimes harsh terrain or armed resistance could make it impossible for the Navy to gather the necessary data. Installation costs increase exponentially when armed forces are required.

6 Problem: Tide Water Levels One of the key concerns of a navigator regarding nautical charts is the depth of the seabed relative to a mean low water level of the tide cycle. Water Levels in the Costal Zone is produced by a number of factors; i.e. Tide, Bathymetry, Coastlines.

7 NAVOCEANO Requirements: Improve the system by using a portable and flexible GPS equipped buoy based solution. Capable of:» Operating in any climate and any location in the world.» Generating real-time accurate three dimensional positions using a Global Differential GPS (GDGPS) solution.

8 AXYS Technical Solution: HydroLevel TM Buoy A positioning and telemetry buoy system which accurately measures water elevation and avoids the problems inherent to onshore tide gauges.

9 AXYS Technical Solution: The AXYS WatchMan500 TM Data Acquisition System is the core technology in this solution. It is the main controller used in all of AXYS worldwide buoy network solutions. NAVOCEANO provided a NavCom GNSS receivers to provide real-time accurate three dimensional positions, which include solid earth tide corrections.

10 AXYS Technical Solution: AXYS HydroLevel TM Buoy provides the user with onboard data storage as well as real time data via an Iridium satellite link. Power to the buoy is provided by rechargeable lead acid batteries and solar cells.

The system is serviceable without the requirement of any

11 AXYS Technical Solution: This buoy system is able to withstand impact, shock, and extreme temperatures. The system is serviceable without the requirement of any special tools or equipment, and can be maintained by technically trained staff.

12 Improved Accuracy The utilization of the HydroLevel TM GDGPS buoy enables depth positions to be measured on the absolute three dimensions and eliminates the guessing of water level estimates. Benefits: This leads to overall increased accuracy in measuring the ocean s depth.

13 Increased Flexibility and Operational Range The implementation of GDGPS buoy offers an alternative to shore-based tide gauges. NAVOCEANO now has the capability to measure water levels anywhere in the world without the need for permissions or the costly deployment of personnel to land based infrastructure. Benefits:

14 For more information please contact: Marine Systems, AXYS Technologies Inc. Phone: +1 (250)

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