Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)

The Doppler current meter uses the Doppler effect to measure current velocity.
Briefly explain about this technique and should elaborate on the theory, installation and
calibration of the ADCP.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is a hydroacoustic current meter similar to a sonar,
attempting to measure water current velocities over a depth range using the Doppler effect
of sound waves scattered back from particles within the water column. The term ADCP is
used synonymously for all kind of acoustic current meters although the abbreviation originates
from the name of an instrument series by Teledyne. ADCPs have been commercially available
since the late 1980s. The working frequencies range from 38 kHz to several megahertz.







Doppler Effect
In the first case of directed motion of the scattering object toward the source of sound,
the wave period of the sound incident on the scatterer is decreased relative to that
transmitted. The wave period of the scattered sound is decreased further by movement
of the scatterer, as a secondary source of sound, toward the co-located source and
receiver. The combined effect is an upwards shift in frequency, denoted fD > f
In the second case, motion of the scatterer away from the source of sound and co-
located receiver is associated with a downwards shift in frequency fD < f
In the third case, motion of the scatterer perpendicular to the direction of travel of the
sound wave has no effect on the frequency at the scatterer or at the receiver.

For a relative speed v of approach of source and receiver in a medium of sound
speed c much greater than v, the change in frequency due to the Doppler effect
is f=2v/c to an excellent approximation. If the source and receiver are receding relative
to one another, then v is negative. .
Installation ADCP
When operating an ADCP, you have the option to specify several aspects of how the
data will be collected
i. Depth range of measurements
ii. Spacing between measurements; in depth, time
iii. Desired precision of data
iv. Deployment duration

Operation Mode

For modest-to-higher speeds and depths, most ADCP users will stay with Mode 1, the
operating mode set automatically at power-on. For shallower waters moving more than
1 m/s, or for improved velocity precision in non-dynamic situations, the choice is Mode
12. For slower speeds and shallower depths, we recommend Mode 11. Operating
bounds for this mode are (water + boat) speed x depth < 1 m
2
/s.





Calibration of ADCP

There are 2 type calibrations for ADCP instrument.
I. Watertrack calibration
II. Bottom track calibration

Operating Mode 1 12 11
Profiling Range Highest Mode 1or less with
smaller cells
Limited
Advantages Higher Speed
Robustness
Most Flexible Mode High Resolution
Precision Few cm/s Better Highest (mm/s)
When to use bottom track
If the bottom is in range, and flat, and if there is no accurate heading device
available.
if it is known that it wont hurt other instruments
when leaving port and when returning to port

Limitations of bottom track
Doesnt work well on sloping bottom (works best on a shelf)
Undermines its own water velocity data
Every other ping looks for the bottom
If the bottom is out of range, it lengthens the ping cycle (looking for the
bottom)
Can destroy water ping data of other instrument (loud, long ping)

For Water Tracking Calibration

In the water track or acceleration method, ship's accelerations relative to the water
measured by the ADCP are compared to accelerations over the ground measured by GPS.
Any substantial accelerations of the ship during good GPS coverage can be used. On a
normal hydrographic cruise, most calibration points are usually obtained from station arrival
and departure. Sharp turns in the cruise track provide calibration points as well.

To derive a time series of water track calibrations, first ship's velocities relative to the water
were computed from each ADCP ensemble by vertically averaging over a suitable layer. The
idea is to choose a layer that shows smooth variations in velocity over time. A standard
range is bins 5 to 20. For preliminary results during the cruise, a shallower range of bins 4:12
was used to include more of the shelf waters

Watertrack and bottom track calibration values are included in the diagnostics. The hope
is that values will be:
Close to 1.0 for amplitude (within 1%)
Close to 0.0 for phase (within 0.5deg)