The Interface Between Ocean Depth and Surface
Wave Gliders’ distinct design makes them effective relays between subsurface sensors and surface networks. For many years, researchers have utilized Wave Gliders to exchange data with bottom-mounted nodes, and to coordinate operations with UUVs.
Subsea
Communication Challenges
Acoustic communication has limited range, preventing remote transmission of observations. Autonomous support is indispensable to collect and relay data.
Ocean Data Delivery
in Real-Time
Wave Gliders function as ultra-long-endurance uncrewed surface vehicles and serve as mobile communication hubs for months at a time. Maximize time at sea by outfitting your Wave Glider with multiple sensors—offload acoustic data while simultaneously collecting new oceanographic and atmospheric measurements.
Autonomously retrieve data with Wave Gliders on a regular, more frequent schedule for timely access to your subsea observations.
With centimeter accuracy, track tectonic plate movements by pairing Wave Gliders’ GNSS antennas with moored instrumentation.
A variety of satellite communication options, as well as Line-of-Sight (LOS), cell, and WiFi are available to transmit subsea data in real-time.
“The benefits of research gliders are huge—they’re cost effective, environmentally friendly and provide high-quality data. They can be out for 24 hours a day for months at a time, during bad weather and in areas that can be difficult to access.”
Photo: Ocean Tracking Network “The Wave Glider approach greatly reduces the survey cost compared to collecting data with a research vessel and allows us to monitor the accumulation of elastic strain within the crust.”
Photo: David Schmidt “Being able to use a Wave Glider to survey in the positions of seafloor acoustic arrays [...] is really helping to break open a new frontier in being able to monitor offshore tectonic plate boundaries and reveal the earthquake and tsunami hazard posed by them.”
Photo: Zumberge Lab, IGPP, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Compatible Wave Glider Variants
Wave Glider SV3 has a proven track record in the scientific community. Adding cross-compatible variants SV5 and SV6 to our portfolio broadens the available options to find the best fit for your mission requirements. Extended operations in low-light environments or winter seasons, as well as power-intense sensors can be sustained on the larger variants.
Numerous Sensor Placements
Install sensors on top, inside, or below the Wave Glider’s float; on the sub; on the winch; or on a towbody.
Operationally Proven in the Elements
Built to operate across a range of sea states and hardened for extreme conditions, Wave Gliders benefit from nearly two decades of operational experience.
Built for
All Latitudes
From the icy Arctic to the warm tropical seas, our platforms deliver dependable performance across all ocean basins. Contact our team to discuss our history of global deployments and learn how Wave Gliders can provide reliable support for operations in your area of interest.
Have a Mission
in Mind? Let's Talk.
Contact our team of experts to discuss your specific requirements and learn how the Wave Glider can achieve your objectives.
Insights
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