Ocean wave directional spectrum measurement using microwave coherent radar with six antennas

An S-band Doppler radar, named MORSE (Microwave Ocean Remote SEnsor), has been developed by Wuhan University to measure ocean wave spectrum. Six narrow beam antennas are equipped to obtain directional wave height spectrum. Each of the antennas has a 3dB bandwidth of 30 deg, and they are operated in time multiplex mode. The system was applied for a seven-day experiment on the coast of the East China Sea at the end of 2011. Directional wave height spectra are obtained and presented. The time-series of non-directional wave spectrum and significant wave height fluctuate in the frequency of semidiurnal tide. This signature, consistent with ocean wave properties, suggests that MORSE has been able to measure the directional wave height spectrum.