Wave Direction

With an array of three radars the elevations of the sea surface is measured at three positions. Knowing the slopes and the phase relations, the directional spectrum can be accurately calculated. Radac is the only company that brings this technology to the market.

The directional system consists of three downward-pointing radars. Depending on the set-up, all are perpendicularly pointed downwards or one/two are tilted. We recommend the one-point array (3) for most applications. All three radars are mounted in the one-point frame. One radar points downwards, and the other two are tilted under an angle of 15 degrees.

Wave Height and Tide

The WaveGuide Height and Tide accurately measures wave height, wave period and tide.

Mounted high above the water and without any moving parts there is no need for preventive maintenance or cleaning. (Re-) calibration is never required due to long term stable zero reference and constant sensitivity. The system is compact, robust and easy to install. It is equipped to measure wave heights and tides accurately, even in the most extreme conditions.

On Board

The WaveGuide Onboard installation compensates for the vertical motions of the ship, so it measures the waves the ship actually has to endure.

It consists of a sensor unit on the bow of the ship and a server. The sensor unit contains a WaveGuide Radar to measure distance to the water surface. The distances measured have to compensate for the vertical motions of the radar itself. Hence, a motion sensor is incorporated into the sensor unit. The compensated radar signal is processed in the same way as the standard WaveGuide mounted on a fixed platform.

GPS for synchronisation with UTC time and for position information is optional.

Using the available “Wave and Tide Processing Software” raw data, spectra and parameters can be requested and presented on the web browser. All data or a selection thereof can then be stored in a data logger.

Water Level

In more protected areas, the motions of the water’s surface can be measured in two ways: using a WaveGuide Height and Tide or a WaveGuide Water Level mounted on top of a pipe (stilling well version).

With the WaveGuide Height & Tide the water level is measured at the point where it’s mounted (bridge, pool and so on). The WaveGuide Water Level version measures the water level in a pipe. This pipe can be left completely open, as there is no need for a small water entrance. Cleaning, as a result of marine growth is hardly required. The rapid motions of the water surface are filtered in the WaveGuide server, allowing measurements of faster phenomena like seiches (harbour oscillations).

With the available “Tide Processing Software” raw data and parameters can be requested and displayed on a computer’s web browser. All data or a selection thereof can be stored in a data logger. With a special stilling well antenna 150, 200, 250 and 300 mm pipe diameters are supported. Periods of 10 seconds and 1, 5 and 10 minutes are readily available (others on request).