The PICCOLO float

The PICCOLO (Profiling Instrument to Check if the wind Cuvature is a Logarithm over the Ocean) drifting float is a recent prototype developed at MIO and IRPHE. It has been designed to measure the evolution of wind along the vertical in the first meter above the sea surface, as well as the relationship between wind and sea state (significant height and wave period). The buoy is equipped with five cup anemometers, a GPS and two nine-axis inertial units, each comprising three accelerometers, three gyroscopes and three magnetometers.

The special feature of PICCOLO is that it is vertically symmetrical, so wind measurements are insensitive to changes in wind direction or heading. The anemometers are not offset from the axis of symmetry, and no cables are visible. Its low mass (< 10 kg) enables it to track surface movements efficiently.

The PICCOLO float has been tested twice in light wind conditions, and will be deployed again in autumn 2017 as part of the TURBORADAR project.

The first data will be presented shortly at the Atelier d'Expérimentation et d'Instrumentation (AEI) in Brest (https://aei-2017.sciencesconf.org/).

Contacts : Denis Bourras, Hubert Branger