The present study concerns the generation and absorption of directional waves in a facility where the generation and absorption mechanism is based on force-feedback control. Many laboratories worldwide are now equipped with such technology, and the world’s largest wave basin (the David Taylor Basin at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Carderock, USA) is currently being refurbished utilising force-driven wavemakers. Traditionally, the wave generation in such facilities was based on an empirical transfer function. In contrast, an entirely analytic approach is presented herein. A theoretical transfer function, enabling fully deterministic wave generation in force-controlled waves basins, is derived for the first time. The theory is applicable to both flap- and piston-type wave machines. Even though the present study focuses on flap-type geometries, the results are readily adopted
to the piston case. To demonstrate the successful application of the novel transfer function, a substantial experimental study is presented. As part of the experimental work, a direct comparison to an empirical transfer function is made and the benefits of either approach are discussed. Overall, very good agreement between
the expected wave field and the experimental data is shown. However, some departures remain, particularly for highly directional waves and broad-banded spectra.