Enhancing the Versatility of a 4-Beam ADCP: Horizontal Use Case

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is pursuing an effort to test and evaluate use of a 4 beam, 3D ADCP as a ‘hybrid’ sensor, for either 3D vertical or 2D horizontal profiling applications. The effort supports continued measurement system development for two coastal ocean observing programs, the Physical Oceanographic Real Time Systems (PORTS®) and the National Current Observation Program (NCOP). In recent years, 2D horizontally profiling ADCPs have become an increasingly important component of both programs. The capability to use a single ADCP unit for either 2D horizontal or 3D vertical profiling has been identified as a strategic advantage that will increase versatility as one sensor can be used across a variety of applications. The approach and method for configuring a 4 beam, traditionally 3D vertical sensor, as a 2D horizontal profiler is summarized along with latest results from a field test in a 2D horizontal installation. Plans and recommendations for future transition to operations across PORTS and NCOP observing systems are discussed.