Researchers from the University of Melbourne, including Ranjeet K. Tiwari, Daniel Sgarioto, Peter Graham, Alexei Skvortsov, Sanjeev Arulampalam, and Damith C. Ranasinghe, have developed a novel approach to real-time sea state estimation that could revolutionize maritime safety and shipbuilding. Their method, which jointly estimates sea state and vessel parameters without prior knowledge of wave-vessel transfer functions, offers a significant advancement over traditional techniques.
Traditional sea state estimation methods rely heavily on accurate wave-vessel transfer functions to interpret data from onboard sensors. However, these transfer functions are often unavailable or can vary, limiting the effectiveness of these methods. The researchers’ new approach circumvents this limitation by modeling the wave-vessel system using pseudo mass-spring-dampers, creating a dynamic model that allows for recursive estimation of wave excitation as a time-varying input. This relaxation of the assumption of a constant input marks a significant departure from previous works and enhances the adaptability of the model to real-world conditions.
The researchers developed a statistically consistent process noise covariance and implemented a square root cubature Kalman filter for sensor data fusion. This advanced filtering technique ensures robust and accurate estimation of sea state parameters. To validate their method, the team conducted extensive Monte Carlo simulations and utilized data from a high-fidelity validated simulator. The results confirmed that their estimated wave spectrum matched the accuracy of methods that assume complete knowledge of transfer functions, demonstrating the efficacy of their approach.
This innovative method has practical applications that could significantly impact the maritime industry. For instance, real-time sea state estimation is crucial for maritime safety, enabling vessels to navigate treacherous waters more securely. It also plays a vital role in shipbuilding, where understanding sea conditions is essential for designing ships that can withstand various wave dynamics. By providing a more accurate and adaptable estimation model, this research could enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime operations, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the maritime sector. Read the original research paper here.