NOAA’s Ocean Service

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS)

Environmental Measurement Systems
Sensor Specifications and Measurement Algorithm

Section 1: Water Level Sensors

• All water level sensors shall have a minimum resolution of 0.001m
• All water level sensors shall sample and be configured to support the transmission of data at a six minute interval

CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Water Level Sensors

Measurement Sensor
Sensor Type Estimated Accuracy Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Manufacturer & Model

181 one-second water level samples centered on each

Aquatrak 3003-XCR-4 tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Relative to Datum deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Air acoustic Model 3000
± 0.02 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Water Level Transducer w/
sensor mounted (Individual measurement) with the number of outliers. (3 minute water level
(Primary) Impulse connector
in protective well ± 0.005 m average)
and Model 4110
(monthly means)
Controller Note - Tsunami Ready stations also send 6 - 1 minute
average water level measurements per 6-minute Tx.

36 five-second water level samples centered on each

Two (2) Paroscientific Relative to Datum tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Pressure - Digiquartz® Intelligent ± 0.02 m deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Water Level standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Dual Orifice Transmitters - Model # (Individual measurement)
(Primary) with the number of outliers.
Bubbler 6000-30G with RS- ± 0.005 m
232/485 interface (monthly means) Note - Tsunami Ready stations also send 6 - 1 minute
average water level measurements per 6-minute Tx.

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CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Water Level Sensors
Measurement Sensor
Sensor Type Estimated Accuracy Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Manufacturer & Model

36 five-second water level samples centered on each

Paroscientific Relative to Datum tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Pressure - Digiquartz® Intelligent ± 0.02 m deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Water Level standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Single Orifice Transmitter - Model # (Individual measurement)
(Primary) with the number of outliers.
Bubbler 6000-30G with RS- ± 0.005 m
232/485 interface (monthly means) Note - Tsunami Ready stations also send 6 - 1 minute
average water level measurements per 6-minute Tx.

359 one-second water level samples centered on each

tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
• YSI WaterLog® H-
Relative to Datum deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Water Level 3611
± 0.02 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
(Primary)
Microwave Radar • YSI Nile 502 (Individual measurement) with the number of outliers.
(Backup)
± 0.005 m
(Short Term) • YSI NOAA Nile (item Note - Tsunami Ready stations also send 6 - 1 minute
(monthly means)
# 203360) average water level measurements per 6-minute Tx.
(Primary only)

BEI Model # MT-40D

(Float) Relative to Datum 181 one-second water level samples centered on each
Great Lakes
Absolute Shaft Part No. 802-05-0143, ± 0.006 m tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Water Level
Angle Encoder MT40D-X-HSS1024N- (Individual measurement) deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Stations
(Float) 64T-XD13-X-SC14-X- ± 0.003 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
(Primary)
12, Multi-turn Absolute- (monthly means) with the number of outliers.
Position Encoder

Relative to Datum 181 one-second water level samples centered on each

Great Lakes
WaterLOG Shaft ± 0.006 m tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Water Level Shaft Angle
Angle Encoder H-344- (Individual measurement) deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Stations Encoder (Float)
2N ± 0.003 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
(Backup)
(monthly means) with the number of outliers.

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CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Water Level Sensors
Measurement Sensor
Sensor Type Estimated Accuracy Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Manufacturer & Model

181 one-second water level samples centered on each

Pressure – Relative to Datum tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Great Lakes
± 0.05 m deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Water Level Submersible KPSI 500T (Individual measurement) standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Stations hydrostatic 500T1CA0A-0021 ± 0.02 m with the number of outliers.
(Backup) level
(monthly means)
transducer
(3 minute water level average )

181 one-second water level samples centered on each

Water Level
Pressure – GE Druck UNIK Relative to Datum tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
(Backup)
PDCR 5031 Pressure ± 0.05 m deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Single Orifice Transducer, p/n (Individual measurement) standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Generally used to fill Bubbler Strain PDCR5031-TB-A3- ± 0.02 m with the number of outliers.
Primary WL sensor Gauge Sensor CC-H1-PE-30PSIG-7 (monthly means)
data gaps.
(3 minute water level average )

Water Level
Paroscientific Relative to Datum 36 five-second water level samples centered on each
(Backup) Pressure - Digiquartz® Intelligent ± 0.02 m tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Single Orifice Transmitter - Model # (Individual measurement) deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
Generally used to fill
Bubbler 6000-30G with RS- ± 0.005 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
Primary WL sensor
232/485 interface (monthly means) with the number of outliers.
data gaps.

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 CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Water Level Sensors
Measurement Sensor
Sensor Type Estimated Accuracy Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Manufacturer & Model

Aquatrak 3003-XCR-4 181 one-second water level samples centered on each

Relative to Datum
Model 3000 tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Air acoustic ± 0.02 m
Water Level Transducer w/ deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
sensor mounted (Individual measurement)
(Short Term) Impulse connector standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
in protective well ± 0.005 m
and Model 4110 with the number of outliers.
(monthly means)
Controller (3 minute water level average )

Paroscientific Relative to Datum 36 five-second water level samples centered on each

Pressure - Digiquartz® Intelligent ± 0.02 m tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard
Water Level
Single Orifice Transmitter - Model # (Individual measurement) deviation outlier rejection test applied, the mean and
(Short Term)
Bubbler 6000-30G with RS- ± 0.005 m standard deviation are recalculated and reported along
232/485 interface (monthly means) with the number of outliers.

Section 2: Air Gap Sensors

• All Air Gap sensors shall sample and be configured to support the transmission of data at a six minute interval

CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Air Gap Sensors

Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy
181 one-second water level samples centered on each
Air Gap • Miros SM094 tenth of an hour are averaged, a three standard deviation
±0.15 m (individual
(Bridge • YSI WaterLog® H-3612 0.01 m outlier rejection test applied, the mean and standard
measurement)
Clearance) • YSI Nile 517 deviation is recalculated and reported along with the
number of outliers.

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Section 3: Auxiliary Meteorological & Oceanographic Sensors
• All Met/Ocean sensors shall sample and be configured to support the transmission of data at a six minute interval

CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Auxiliary Meteorological & Oceanographic Sensors

Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

YSI (Yellow Springs 20 equally spaced samples collected over a 2 minute

Air Instruments) 44032 Thermistor period are averaged for each measurement. The samples
± 0.2 Deg.C 0.1 Deg.C
Temperature with Carol Brand C1202 Cable are collected starting one minute prior to each tenth hour
(or equivalent cable) at PORTS® sites or centered on the hour otherwise.

YSI (Yellow Springs 20 equally spaced samples collected over a 2 minute

Water Instruments) 44032 Thermistor period are averaged for each measurement. The samples
± 0.2 Deg.C 0.1 Deg.C
Temperature with Carol Brand C1202 Cable are collected starting one minute prior to each tenth hour
(or equivalent cable) at PORTS® sites or centered on the hour otherwise.
Wind Speed - 2 minute scalar average of 1 second wind
• R.M. Young Wind Monitor Speed: speed measurements collected prior to each tenth hour.
05103 ± 0.3 m/sec.
Wind • R.M Young Heavy Duty Wind Speed: Wind Direction - 2 minute unit vector average of wind
(Speed, Monitor-HD-Alpine 05103-45 Direction: 0.1 m/sec. direction collected prior to each tenth hour.
direction, • Vaisala WINDCAP® Ultrasonic ± 3 Deg.
and gusts) 1 0F Wind Sensor WS4250 Direction: 1 Deg. Wind Gust - The maximum 5 second moving scalar
• Vaisala WINDCAP® Ultrasonic Speed Threshold: average of wind speed that occurred during the previous
Wind Sensor WMT700 1 m/sec 6 minutes for PORTS® stations, during the previous hour
otherwise.
20 equally spaced samples collected over a 2 minute
Barometric Sutron Accubar® Barometric period are averaged for each measurement. The samples
± 0.5 mbar 0.1 mbar
Pressure Pressure Sensor 5600-0120 are collected starting one minute prior to each tenth hour
at PORTS® sites or centered on the hour otherwise.

1
Ideally installed at least 10m above sea level and 10m above and away from any obstacles

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 CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Auxiliary Meteorological & Oceanographic Sensors

Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

• Falmouth Scientific, Inc. (FSI)

NXIC CTD (legacy only)
• Greenspan MP47-3000
Water (formerly EC3000) Electrical
Conductivity Conductivity and Temperature
Sensors, part number 50091
• SeaBird SBE 37SMP
MicroCAT C & T Recorder
Derived from Conductivity
Water Density
and Water Temp.
• Vaisala FS11
Visibility • Vaisala PWD22 (with
Conductivity:
20 equally spaced samples collected over a 2 minute
± 0.1 mS/cm
period are averaged for each measurement. The samples
are collected starting one minute prior to each tenth hour
Temperature:
at PORTS® sites or centered on the hour otherwise.
± 0.05 Deg C
13 equally spaced samples collected over a 3 minute period
are averaged for each measurement using the internal
±10 % at
sensor processing. The samples are collected starting
10-10,000 m 2 1.0 m
one minute prior to each tenth hour at PORTS® sites or
1F

approved waiver request) (32-32,800 ft)

centered on the hour otherwise. (3 minute visibility range
average)

2
CO-OPS limits the maximum reported visibility sensor range to 10,000m (5.4NM). Sensor operational ranges are generally much greater.

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Section 4: Current Sensors
• Current sensors used for the support of the National Current Observation Program, tides and currents tables, and mapping and
charting activities normally use internal data storage and have no real-time data telemetry capability.
• Current sensors used for the real-time support of maritime navigation and port activities installed for real-time data telemetry shall
sample and be configured to support the transmission of data at a six minute interval.

CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Current Sensors

Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

6 minute average comprised of approximately 345

Speed profiles (pings) per measurement. Data includes east,
RD Instruments (4 beam ± 0.25 cm/sec. north, and vertical velocities, echo amplitude, correlation
Water Current Configuration with 20° beam (1200 & 600 kHz) magnitude, percent good pings for each beam and each
± 0.5 cm/s Velocity: 0.1 cm/s bin. Included with each measurement are compass,
(Vertical - angle)
(300 kHz) Heading: 0.01° pitch, and roll as well as water pressure and water
Bottom 600 or 1200 KHz (depending
Tilts: 0.01° temperature.
Mount) on water depth and/or specific Tilts: ± 0.5°
requirements) Compass: ± 2° Specs ref -
Max Tilts: ± 15° http://www.rdinstruments.com/pdfs/datasheets/work
horse_sentinel_ds_lr.pdf

Speed
± 0.5 cm/sec 6 minute average comprised of approximately 2000 profiles
(± 1% (pings) per measurement. Data includes east, north, and
SonTek (3 beam
Water Current measured velocity) Velocity 0.1 cm/s vertical velocity, standard deviation, and echo amplitude for
configuration with 25°
Profiler Heading ±2° each beam and each bin. Included with each measurement
beam angle).
(Vertical - Pitch, Roll ±1° Heading 0.1° are compass, pitch, and roll as well as water pressure and
500 or 1500 KHz (depending
Bottom Profiling range 15- water temperature.
on water depth and/or specific
Mount) 25 meter Tilts 0.1°
requirements)
(1500 kHz) Specs ref -
pressure sensor http://www.sontek.com/download/brochure/adp.pdf
0.1%

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CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Current Sensors
Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

6 minute average comprised of approximately 500 profiles

Maximum (pings) per measurement (470kHz) and Data includes
profiling range Velocity east and north velocity, standard deviation, and echo
is 100 0.1 cm/s amplitude for each beam and each bin. Included with
Water Current Nortek Continental (2 beam, meters (470 Heading, each measurement are compass, pitch, and roll as well as
Profiler frequency 470 kHz) kHz 0.1° water temperature and water pressure if
(Horizontal) ± 0.5 cm/sec
Tilts
(± 1%
measured 0.1° Specs ref -
velocity) http://www.nortek-as.com/en/products/current-
profilers/continental

Maximum 6 minute average comprised of approximately 500 profiles

profiling range (pings) per measurement (250kHz) and 700 profiles
is 70-120 (pings) per ensemble (500kHz). Data includes east and
meters (500 Velocity
Sontek (2 beam configuration north velocity, standard deviation, and echo amplitude for
kHz) and 120- 0.1 cm/s
Water Current with 25° beam angle ). each beam and each bin. Included with each
180 meters Heading,
Profiler Frequency 500 kHz and 250 measurement are compass, pitch, and roll as well as
(250 kHz) 0.1°
(Horizontal) kHz – frequency chosen based on water temperature and occasionally water pressure if
Speed Tilts
on range required ± 0.5 cm/sec ADP is equipped with one.
0.1°
(± 1%
measured Specs ref -
velocity) http://www.sontek.com/download/brochure/adp.pdf

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CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Current Sensors
Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

Maximum
profiling range 6 minute average comprised of approximately 300 profiles
is 85meters (pings) per measurement (300kHz) and 300 profiles
(600 kHz) (pings) per ensemble (600kHz). Data includes east and
RDI (3 beam configuration with Speed Velocity
25° beam angle for a 600 kHz north velocity, standard deviation, and echo amplitude for
± 0.25 cm/sec 0.1 cm/s
Water Current Heading, each beam and each bin. Included with each
system and 20° beam angle for (± 1%
Profiler measurement are compass, pitch, and roll as well as
a 300 kHz system – frequency measured 0.1°
(Horizontal) velocity) water temperature and occasionally water pressure if
chosen based on range Tilts
required) And 0.1° ADP is equipped with one.
250 meters
(300kHz) ± 0.5 Specs ref – Workhorse H-ADCP
cm/sec (± 1% http://www.rdinstruments.com
measured velocity)

1 mm/s
Profiling range 15-25 (Velocity)
meters 6 minute average comprised of approximately 1800
Heading,
Speed profiles (pings) per measurement. Data includes east,
0.1°
± 0.5 cm/sec north, and vertical velocity, and echo amplitude for each
Nortek 400kHz Aquadopp Tilts
Water Current (± 1% of beam and each bin. Included with each measurement are
Profiler (3 beam 0.1°
Profiler measured compass, pitch, and roll, water temperature, and water
configuration with 25° Pressure
(Horizontal) velocity) pressure.
beam angle). Horizontal vel sensor
range ± 10 1mm
Water Specs ref -
m/s http://nortekusa.com/hardware/AquadoppProfiler.html
Max tilts ± 30° Temp
0.01 Deg C

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CO-OPS Sensor Specifications -- Current Sensors
Measurement Estimated
Sensor Manufacturer & Model Resolution Measurement Algorithm
Parameter Accuracy

6 minute average comprised of approximately 1800

1 mm/s
Profiling range 15-25 profiles (pings) per measurement. Data includes east,
(Velocity)
meters Speed ± 0.5 north, and vertical velocity, and echo amplitude for each
Water Current Nortek Aquadopp Profiler Heading, 0.1°
cm/sec (± 1% of beam and each bin. Included with each measurement are
Profiler (3 beam configuration Tilts 0.1°
measured velocity) compass, pitch, and roll, water temperature, and water
(Vertical - with 25° beam angle ). Pressure
Horizontal vel range pressure.
Buoy Mount) Frequency 1 MHz. sensor 1mm
± 10 m/s Max tilts ±
Water Temp
30° Specs ref -
0.01 Deg C
http://nortekusa.com/hardware/AquadoppProfiler.html

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