Rain and fog reduce accuracy of ocean measurements. MUN researchers are working to fix it

A research team from Memorial University was given $275,000 from a federal sciences agency for a project aimed at improving ocean measurements. 

Weimin Huang, a MUN professor and engineer, says the current technology for measuring wave height, wave direction, currents, wind and ice conditions loses accuracy during extreme weather events — such as heavy rain and fog — which are common in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To address this, he and his team are developing an algorithm to mitigate those faulty measurements.

Accurately measuring ocean conditions is crucial, he said.

"We have a lot of human activities — shipping, oil and gas exploration offshore. So we try to make sure that activity can be conducted in a safe way," Huang said.

The team is using a test bed of radars located in Argentia. It's equipped with sensors that measure the ocean during both calm and stormy weather. The algorithm's results will be tested using the results of buoys in the area as reference. 

The research team is comprised of students from different countries and Huang's colleagues, who are working on various components. Some students, for example, are focusing on GPS-reflected signals, known as GNSS-R, which are typically used for navigation but can also be used as remote sensors.

A separate project the team is working on involves designing antennas.

MUN's core science facility on the St. John's campus houses their remote radar sensing lab.

In a small chamber with a door as heavy as a bank vault, the walls are covered almost entirely with triangular foam. Huang says the setup eliminates all outside signals. The antennas, which are part of the sensors, receive and emit signals and the new designs, he says, will hopefully be used to support current radars.

If successful, the new algorithm will be incorporated into existing radars to improve how scientists and engineers measure ocean conditions.  

"We need to consider the demand from the market," Huang said. "We try to target what they need and solve some problems."

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