ReviewDetection of spatio-temporal wave grouping properties by using temporal sequences of X-band radar images of the sea surface

This work analyses wave groupiness features in the three-dimensional spatio-temporal domain by using sea surface information acquired by common X-band marine radars. The analysis is based on the study of the properties of the local and instantaneous envelope derived from wave elevation fields estimated from time series of radar images of the sea surface. The consistence of the analysis techniques proposed in this work are compared with standard one-dimensional wave grouping methods, such as the temporal correlation between consecutive wave heights. These comparisons are carried out using simulations of sea surfaces based on the stochastic description of sea states.

► Wave groups are analyzed in spatio-temporal domain by using X-band marine radars. ► The evolution of the local and instantaneous wave envelope is analyzed. ► Mean wavelength is the most relevant wavelength to describe the energy propagation. ► From simulations, the proposed 3D methods were consistent with 1D group analysis.