The generation of internal wave wakes by submerged objects in density-stratified environments is closely linked to the navigation speed. This study develops a technique of step-layer injection in a wide-scale density-stratified simulation tank and proposes a high-precision multi-array conductivity detection method. Experimental investigations on the excitation of internal wave wakes by an underwater sphere driven by cyclic towing were conducted. Using probability density statistics, root mean square analysis of wave amplitudes, and other analytical methods, this research delved into key issues such as spatiotemporal probability distribution density of Froude number correlated with internal wave, transition zone delineation, and vertical displacement field characteristics, etc. The findings demonstrate that the experimental system and techniques employed can accurately capture the fluctuation information within the stratified flow field and precisely determine the relationship between the characteristics of internal wave wakes and the Froude number. The probability distribution density of the internal-wave-correlated Froude number reveals the transition process of internal wave wakes and clearly identifies the transition zone as approximately 1.6 ⩽ Fr < 3.3. It is discerned that, after the transition, the dominant internal wave correlated Froude numbers within the wake wave system approximately fall within the ranges of [0.3, 0.4] and [2, 2.8] for the inner and outer layers, respectively. Additionally, Lee wave correlated velocity can still be detected in the outer layer region.