The drifters deployed were WOCE Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) Lagrangian drifters, manufactured by METOCEAN Data Systems Ltd. and Satlantic, Inc.   These drifters measure the location, sea surface temperature, upwelling radiance at 7 wavebands in the visible (412, 443, 490, 510, 555, and 670 nm (20 nm bandpass); and 683 nm (10 nm bandpass)) and downwelling irradiance at 490 nm (20 nm bandpass).  The optical sensors are calibrated by Satlantic, Inc., before deployment. 

Measurements are made every 90 seconds and averaged over a one hour period.  The most recent set of hourly data is then transmitted to the user, via the ARGOS satellite system, every 90 seconds.  The drifters were recovered at the end of the deployment.

Webpage by Jasmine S. Nahorniak, Oregon State University.

Schematics adapted from diagrams by David Reinert, Oregon State University.