Advances in National Data Buoy Center technology

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) delivers real-time data from more than 140 remote stations located from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean off New England, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Bering Sea. These operational environmental monitoring stations, which often provide the only measurements from some regions, serve the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) storm warning and forecast mission, the research and climate-monitoring goals of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the research and operational requirements of other Federal, state, academic, and private sponsors. Much of the 22-year success of NDBC has been due to its comprehensive technology development and refreshment program, which has brought it to its current state of operational engineering. This has resulted in the development of new systems and components currently being introduced to the network and has laid the ground work for adding new capabilities to its stations. Improvements have been made in sensors that measure wind speed and direction, wind gust, air and sea surface temperature, dew point, subsurface current profiles, and wave spectra. New measurement capabilities include Global Positioning System (GPS) based precipitable water vapor measurements. New communications developments include potential use of low-cost L-band satellites, real-time data feeds, and higher data rate Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. These systems are compatible with existing operational sensors and with the advances expected in the next 5 to 7 years. Developments underway in ocean mechanical systems include syntactic foam buoys and the innovative use of both man-made and natural marine structures as measurement platforms. Advanced power systems already tested include an 800-watt solar system and diesel generators for use on large buoys.