Radac - Model WaveGuide 5 Direction -Comparison Directional Wave Radar System
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. The directional system consists of three downward-pointing radars. They form a virtual triangle at the water surface. The standard set-up in the one-point frame is one sensor pointing perpendicularly downwards and two tilted under an angle of 15 degrees. See visualisation below.
The directional wave radar comes in two versions: the Compact version and the Explosion proof version. See below.
Radac has published a report in which data from the field experiment with a directional waverider buoy are compared to those of the directional WaveGuide. The experiment took place at Prinses Amaliawindpark, 25 kilometres off the Dutch coast. Two versions of the Directional WaveGuide have been compared to a Directional Waverider over a period spanning several months. The test shows no statistical difference in the directional information from the buoy and from the WaveGuide radars. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Directional WaveGuide can accurately and reliably measure wave direction:
- Heave
- Range: 2 - 75 m
- Accuracy: ± 3 mm 1)
- Interval: 5 Hz
- Water level
- Range: 2 - 75 m
- Accuracy: ± 1 cm 2)
- Processing: 10 min average (optional 10 s, 1 min and 5 min)
- Interval: 1 min (optional 10 s)
- Wave height
- Range: 0-60 m
- Accuracy: ± 1 cm 3)
- Processing: SWAP 4)
- Interval: 1 min
- Wave period
- Range: 1 - 100 s
- Accuracy: ± 50 ms 3)
- Processing: SWAP 4)
- Interval: 1 min
- Wave direction
- Range: 0 - 360º
- Accuracy: ± 2º 3)
- Processing: SWAP 4)
- Interval: 1 min
WaveGuide radar (x3)
- Mechanical
- Dimensions: Ø 26.5 x 25.5 cm
- Weight: 11.8 kg
- Material: Stainless steel
- Electrical
- Power: 24 - 64 VDC, 6 W
- Frequency: 10 GHz
- Modulation: Triangular FMCW 256 MHz
- Emission: 0.1 mW max. Far below acceptable limits for exposure to the human body.
- Environmental
- Temperature: - 40 ºC to 60 ºC
- Humidity: 0 - 100 %
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Optional: WaveGuide Ex certified radar (x3)
- Mechanical
- Dimensions: 26.5 x 25.5 x 43.5 cm (D x W x H)
- Weight: 13.6 kg (incl. antenna 2.86 kg)
- Material: Chromatized aluminum
- Electrical
- Power: 24 - 64 VDC, 6 Watt
- Frequency: 10 GHz
- Modulation: Triangular FMCW 256 MHz
- Emission: 0.1 mWatt max. Far below acceptable limits for exposure of the human body
- Environmental
- Temperature: - 40 ºC to 60 ºC
- Humidity: 0 - 100 %
- Ingress Protection: IP67
- Safety: ATEX II ½ GD T80 ºC Eex d IIB T4 Class I, Division 1, Groups C and D, acc. To ANSI/NFPA 70 (FM,CSA)
WaveGuide server
- Dimensions: 19’’ (48 x 8.9 x 28 cm)
- Computer: AAEON, GENE-TC05 (Intel Atom E620T 600 MHz)
- COM ports: 1x RS485 (communication with radars) + 3x RS232
- Network: 1x Ethernet
- USB: 1x USB 2.0 to connect a hard disk
- Power: 9 - 36 VDC, 10 W (24 - 36 VDC, 28 W if radars are powered via server)
- Temperature: - 40 ºC to 85 ºC
- Cooling: No fan required