Real-Time Quality Control Tests for In Situ Ocean Surface Waves: Recommended by the Quality Assurance of Real-Time Oceanographic Data (QARTOD) Workshops and The Waves Technical Workshop. Version 1.0. [SUPERSEDED by http://hdl.handle.net/11329/291]

Abstract

This document provides a series of quality control tests developed by the QARTOD workshops and the Waves Technical Workshop and recommended for use by wave data providers. Participants included representatives from government, industry, and academia involved with providing or using wave measurements. The purpose is to define a minimum standard for the quality control of real-time, in situ wave measurements in order to facilitate the exchange of data. This standard would apply to the Time Series Structured Data Class as the original time series data collection and any transformation from the time domain to the frequency domain. The standard is also relevant to Point Data as the wave time series and spectral records are processed into discrete point data of the bulk parameters (e.g., height, period). Because the guidelines are derived from existing practices and presently used in the operational environments of NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) and the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP), the guidelines should be considered operational. Implementation of the eventual real-time in situ quality control procedures would help Regional Associations meet the Ocean.US DMAC requirement for wave data that “… are quality controlled and managed in compliance with Ocean.US DMAC standards and protocols.” (Ocean.US, 2006)