Wave-field inertial measurement system

A device and method of using same having an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a controller, an activator, and an absolute position sensor configured to measure fluid-body waves. The controller calculates its orientation in a relative frame using data obtained from the IMU and fixed-point arithmetic. The controller transforms the relative orientation information into absolute units using data obtained from the absolute sensor and fixed-point arithmetic, producing wave measurements. The controller may then select a subset of wave measurements for transmission via an optional communications mechanism to a remote user.