An operational wave monitoring system based on a Dopplerized marine radar

At the Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), Germany an oceanic monitoring system, based on a Dopplerized microwave radar was developed. Within this paper we present the capabilities of this system to measure ocean surface wave properties such as significant wave height, peak wave period, peak wave lengths as well as other spectral wave parameters. In addition, the system is able to detect wave breaking, shear stress of the wind field, near-surface currents, and the bathymetry in shallow water areas. Because of the diversity of measurement capabilities, the system particularly well suited for monitoring and investigation of hydrographic and oceanographic process.