Great Lakes Weather - National Data Buoy CenterProject Overview
In the 1960's, approximately 50 individual programs were being conducted by various independent oceanographic agencies. The programs were put in place to better understand and communicate marine weather conditions for both mariners and researchers. In 1970, an effort was made to consolidate these programs and place them under control of a single agency. Today, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) controls and manages the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC).
The mission of the NDBC is to provide "...comprehensive, reliable systems and marine observations to support the missions of the National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA, promote public safety, and satisfy the future needs of [their] customers." This is done by managing the development, operations, and maintenance of the national data buoy network.
In collaboration with the NDBC, researchers at the University of Michigan's Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratories (UM-MHL) are seeking to better understand and manage coastal resources and processes of Grand Traverse Bay. This is made possible through a NOAA-funded partnership of research institution, state and regional managers, and private sector companies interested in applying sensor technologies for monitoring coastal environments.
In June of 2006, a land-based weather station was added to the NDBC network to measure air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, PAR, wind speed, and wind direction from the pier of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
System Description
NexSens Technology was selected to provide real-time data logging and telemetry equipment, along with research-grade meteorological sensors for the land-based weather monitoring station. RM Young weather sensors measure wind speed, direction, air temperature, and relative humidity. In addition, a Vaisala barometer and LI-COR Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor were selected to meet additional weather monitoring requirements. All monitoring stations in the NDBC are required to measure wind speed, wind direction, gust, barometric pressure, and air temperature.
At hourly intervals, sample data is sent from a NexSens 4100-iSIC Radio Data Logger via license-free spread spectrum radio telemetry to University of Michigan's Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory. From this location, iChart software imports this data into a centralized database. NexSens engineers implemented an automatically generated report format that allows iChart data to be sent directly to NOAA's National Data Buoy Center website, where it can be viewed by all interested parties. Click here to view real-time data from the NDBC website:
Station GTBM4 - Grand Traverse Bay Observing System Station 2
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=GTBM4 | NexSens 1001 | iChart software | NexSens 4100-iSIC | iSIC data logger with spread spectrum radio telemetry | NexSens A55 | Pole/wall mounting kit | NexSens A22 | Solar power kit, 20-watt | NexSens A46 | Yagi antenna, radio frequency, 866-960 MHz | NexSens A31 | RF cable, low-loss, 10' | RM Young 05103V | Wind speed & direction monitor, 0-5 V | RM Young 41382VC | Relative humidity & temperature probe, degrees Celsius, 0-1 V | RM Young 41003 | Radiation shield, universal adapter (for sensors to 15mm diameter) | RM Young 61202V | Barometric pressure sensor, 0-5 V | RM Young 61002 | Pressure port with offset bracket | LI-COR LI-190SZ | PAR sensor, 10 ft. cable, cable ends in bare leads | LI-COR 2003S | Mounting & leveling fixture | NexSens M-ARM | LI-COR solar radiation sensor mounting arm, 3ft |
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