ADOS is a multi-sensor array ocean drifting station for in situ measurement of ocean surface layer properties including ocean color, surface layer thermal sturcture and surface winds. ADOS observes seawater color by measuring SeaWiFS-specification incident spectral irradiance, Ed, and upwelled irradiance, Lu with Satlantic Inc. sensors. Three Lu-50 ocean color sensors are enclosed in a water-proof housing to eliminate biofouling. Housing caps are released at programmed intervals; exposed and "fresh" sensors can be compared to evaluate sensor condition (eg. biofouling effects). ADOS defines the ocean surface layer thermal structure by measuring temperature at 13 depths from sea surface to 120 meters. Four pressure sensors permit correction for cable streaming, if necessary. ADOS measures temperature and pressure with SmartSensors, self-powered micro-controller mini-instruments. SmartSensors are attached to inexpensive, rugged mooring wire and communicate to the suface sphere through the steel wire with an inductive modem data link. SmartSensors eliminate troublesome underwater connections to expensive multconductor cables. ADOS measures wind with the WOTAN technique (Weather Observations through Ambient Noise). Wind intensity is determined by the amplitude of 7 kHz ocean ambient noise measured at a depth of 10 meters. The acoustic spectrum is accurately computed with on-board DSP. A magnetic flux gate compass senses wind direction from buoy orientation. Argos satellites provide instrument location and data collection.

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