Specifications

5.11.2 Electronic modules on the inside

For access to the printed circuit boards the electronics unit must be dismantled. After

unscrewing the three removable feet, the aluminium cover can be removed. Figure 5.11.1 and

5.11.2 (b) schematically shows the location of the boards.

The microprocessor, power supply, GPS receiver, high frequency radio link and LED

flasher control are all incorporated on the main board (except DWR-G4). The data logger is

directly under the connector block of the electronics unit. The microprocessor manages all

processes, commands and control actions, observes status and health, collects data, processes

data and redistributes processed data to the logger and various means of communication. The

power supply section feeds almost all electronics inside the unit. The LED flasher control is

directly fed from the batteries. All energy consumption, including contributions from the

directly fed boards, is monitored by the internal energy consumption meter. It also estimates the

remaining battery energy content and the buoy operational life. The energy consumption of the

voltage step-up converter in the DWR-G 0.4 m (80% efficiency) is not monitored by the energy

consumption meter.

To perform the actual MkIII wave measurement the analog-to-digital converter board

(ADC) samples all MkIII motion sensors output and passes the readings on to the

microprocessor. No ADC board is present for the WR-SG, in that case the motion sensor signals

are already digitalized in the hull electronics. The DWR-G relies on the GPS receiver mounted

on an interface board (GPS-WAVE) for its wave motion measurement. GPS measurements are

also collected and processed by the microprocessor.

There are several ways to transmit wave data to the user. The high frequency radio link

(27-40 MHz) is mostly used. In case of the DWR-G 0.4 m the HF module connects to a separate

printed circuit board for matching the shorter antenna. Alternatively ARGOS, ORBCOMM and

IRIDIUM satellite communication and GSM mobile phone communication is possible. Each

requiring its own electronics pad.

In case of problems either the whole hatchcover or the diagnosed malfunctioning printed

circuit board should be sent to Datawell Service for repair.

5.11.3 Console

When preparing or servicing the buoy the console provides a comfortable interface to

communicate with the buoy. A simple terminal program suffices for configuring and monitoring

the buoy. Three modes of operation are available:

(1) Normal mode

(2) Verbose mode

(3) RXD-emulation mode

In normal mode the user may command several buoy actions or responses. Furthermore, the

user will receive event messages generated autonomously by the buoy. For trouble shooting the

user can enter verbose mode, thereby extending the range of event messages generated within

the buoy. Finally, in RXD-mode the buoy will emulate a Datawell RX-D-receiver. Linking the

console directly with your Windows PC running the W@ves21 software will result in

immediate on-screen display of the raw displacement measurements.

In the subsection below a list of commands will be provided including a description of

the buoy action or response. The subsection after that gives the list of event messages in normal

mode only. Verbose mode messages are only useful for Datawell Service to diagnose a

problem. In that case you may be asked to email a file of event messages generated by your

buoy in verbose mode.