Sofar Ocean Device / Instrument
Spotter Buoy
Solar-powered buoy, moored or free-drifting, measuring waves, wind, sea surface temperature and barometric pressure in real time via satellite and cellular.
Description
The Spotter Buoy is the foundation of Sofar's Spotter platform. It can be moored or deployed free-drifting to capture real-time wave spectra, wind, sea surface temperature and barometric pressure, transmitting over Iridium SBD satellite and cellular networks. Data is available on the Spotter Dashboard, through the API or from the onboard SD card (16GB supplied, up to 2TB supported).
Key features
- Outputs: significant wave height, peak and mean period and direction, directional spread, variance density spectrum, directional moments and 3D displacement time series at 2.5 Hz
- System monitoring of battery voltage, solar power and internal humidity
- Over-the-air firmware updates (cellular)
- Grab handles and a visibility light with a minimum 1 mile visibility in normal conditions
- Solar power: 5 x 2 W, 6 V panels with a 13,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Applications
- Coastal monitoring networks
- Offshore metocean monitoring
Specifications
| Dimensions | Width 42 cm (16 in), height 31 cm (12.2 in) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.45 kg (16 lb 7 oz) |
| Connectivity | Satellite (Iridium SBD) and cellular |
| Primary power | Solar, 5 x 2 W, 6 V solar panels |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion, 13,400 mAh, 3.7 V |
| Wave frequency range | 0.03-0.8 Hz (30 s-1.25 s) |
| Wave direction range | 0-360° |
| Sampling rate | 2.5 Hz |
| Wave displacement accuracy | approx. ±2 cm |
| Significant wave height accuracy | ±10% (or ±0.1 m minimum noise floor) |
| SST accuracy | ±0.1°C absolute |
| SST range | -5°C to 50°C |
| Barometer | ±0.5 mbar at 25°C; 700-1100 mbar |
| Advised mooring depth | 5-300 m |
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