Shipboard wave measurement system

A device for measurement of the parameters of the principal ocean wave component from a vessel moving in a predetermined pattern comprising:

• a wave height estimator for determining wave height on a moving vessel;
• an electronic navigation system for determining vessel position;
• a global positioning satellite (G.P.S.) system for determining an accurate time;
• a computer for storing vessel position and wave height referenced to time, determining peak Doppler shifted wave frequency at predetermined intervals from the stored data, and for determining wave direction, period, and wavelength given the peak Doppler frequencies and vessel velocities;
• and
• a display device for displaying wave direction, height, period, and wavelength.

A device for measurement of the parameters of the principal ocean wave component from a vessel moving in a predetermined pattern comprising:

• a wave height estimator comprised of a means for determining an altitude reference signal, a means for determining a heave compensation signal, and a means for combining the altitude reference signal and the heave compensation signal to obtain wave height;
• an inertial navigation system for determining vessel position;
• a global positioning satellite (G.P.S.) system for determining an accurate time;
• a computer for storing vessel position and wave height referenced to time, determining peak Doppler shifted wave frequency at predetermined intervals from the stored data, and for determining wave direction, period, and wavelength given the peak Doppler frequencies and vessel velocities;
• and
• a display device for displaying wave direction, height, period, and wavelength.

A device for measurement of the parameters of the principal ocean wave component from a vessel moving in a predetermined pattern comprising:

• a wave height estimator comprised of a means for determining an altitude reference signal, a means for determining a heave compensation signal, and a means for combining the altitude reference signal and the heave compensation signal to obtain wave height;
• a computer for combining the altitude reference signal and the heave compensation signal to obtain wave height;
• an electronic navigation system for determining vessel position;
• a global positioning satellite (G.P.S.) system for determining an accurate time;
• a computer for storing vessel position and wave height referenced to time, determining peak Doppler shifted wave frequency at predetermined intervals from the stored data, and for determining wave direction, period, and wavelength given the peak Doppler frequencies and vessel velocities;
• and
• a display device for displaying wave direction, height, period, and wavelength.

A device for measurement of the parameters of the principal ocean wave component from a vessel moving in a predetermined pattern comprising:

• a wave height estimator comprised of a ranging device, a dropout compensator and a high-pass filter for determining an altitude reference signal;
• a heave sensor for determining a heave compensation signal;
• a computer for combining the altitude reference signal and the heave compensation signal to obtain wave height;
• a global positioning satellite (G.P.S.) system for determining vessel position and an accurate time;
• a computer for storing vessel position and wave height referenced to time, determining peak Doppler shifted wave frequency at predetermined intervals from the stored data, and for determining wave direction, period, and wavelength given the peak doppler frequencies and vessel velocities;
• and
• a display device for displaying wave direction, height, period, and wavelength.

A method for measurement of the parameters of the principal ocean wave component from a vessel moving in a predetermined pattern comprising:

• determining wave height on a moving vessel;
• determining vessel position;
• determining an accurate time;
• storing vessel position and wave height referenced to time;
• determining peak Doppler shifted wave frequency at predetermined intervals from the stored data;
• determining wave direction, height, period, and wavelength given the peak doppler frequencies and vessel velocities;
• and
• displaying wave direction, height, period, and wavelength.