High Precision Frequent Tracking of Drifters Using Commercially Available GlobalPositioning System (GPS) Components

摘要

The goal of this project is to develop a suite of instruments able toquantitatively measure surface parcel displacement and dispersion in the coastal zone with an accuracy of 1.5 to 2 orders of magnitude better than those obtained using Argos or single-station GPS. The specific objective of this work is to instrument a low cost surface drifter of proven design having minimal windage, with tracking capability able to generate descriptions of surface parcel trajectories over distances of tens of kilometers and times of several days with individual drifter positions reported every few seconds with an absolute accuracy of a few meters relative to a fixed ground-based station.