microSWIFT ocean surface wave data

Measurements of ocean surface waves are provided from microSWIFT buoys. Measurements include both bulk parameters (significant wave height, peak wave period, dominant wave direction) and spectral parameters (scalar spectra and normalized directional moments). Ancillary measurements, such as ocean temperature and salinity, are included when available. This dataset combines measurements from microSWIFT buoys deployed across many projects, spanning many times and locations. This unified dataset is intended to provide an ongoing single location for microSWIFT buoy data that has passed quality control and quality assurance.  

Methods
The microSWIFT buoys are deployed to the ocean surface from vessels and aircraft. The buoys freely drift and record GPS velocity data at 4 Hz, which is then processed onboard to make standard wave data products (see related works). The processed results are transmitted to a shore-side server every hour using Iridium satellite network. The processed results are reviewed for non-physical wave results and to assure only in-water measurements are retained (as opposed to measurements on land, on the deck of a vessel, or inside an aircraft).