NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION

Keeping in step with the dynamic pace of technological advances and breakthroughs in electronics, computers, software, fiberoptics, etc., marine navigation and communications systems continue to become more sophisticated, versatile and compact every year.

The deadline to phase in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) into the international deepsea fleet by February 1999, the ongoing enhancement of ship-to-shore satellite communications services and the impetus created by OPA 90 to tighten ship navigational safety standards, have all served to spur the development of a number of innovative marine navigation and communications products.

This review examines some of the latest equipment offered by the major international marine electronics suppliers, as well as other related products and services developed for the marine industry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To receive free brochures, reports or other literature describing any of the marine electronics companies and their products detailed in this review, circle the appropriate Reader Service Number listed for each company, using the postage- paid card bound into the back of this issue.

Multi-window screen from Offshore System Ltd.'s ECPINS. ALDEN ELECTRONICS Circle 51 on Reader Service Card The Westborough, Mass.-based Alden Electronics' SATFIND-406™ EPIRB activates automatically or manually and provides global coverage which can lead to timely rescue.

Designed for maximum reliability, it features an enclosed antenna, five-year battery, unique release mechanism and high strobe positioning fefr maximum visibility. The Alden SATFIND- 406 EPIRB can be mounted vertically, horizontally or slanted. The Alden NAVTEX Receiver 100 AE-900 automatically receives important text bulletins worldwide including navigational and weather warnings, forecasts, LORAN and GPS messages and more. SAR messages are received with both audible and visual alarms. The system complies with GMDSS, IMO, CCIR and CEPT standards.

ANSCHUETZ Circle 84 on Reader Service Card East Rutherford, N.J.-based Anschuetz of America offers U.S.C.G. and ABS approved integrated bridge systems for newbuildings and retrofits. Anschuetz also offers complete ECDIS systems interfaced to radars as well as electronic chart systems with waypoint information displayed on ARPA/Radars. Full track control capabilities are standard with the Anschuetz Adaptive Nautopilot System with route planning via ECDIS, Electronic Chart Table or the Anschuetz Navigational Planning Station. The company's Nautocommand System displays all navigational data on one screen with interface to the ship's general alarms. Anschuetz can offer ARPA/Radars with transmitters up or down as stand alone systems or integrated to the ECDIS system. Over 9,000 vessels are currently sailing with various Anschuetz systems.

ASHTECH Circle 82 on Reader Service Card Ashtech, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., offers its DN-12 real-time differential navigation GPS receiver.

The receiver uses "all in view" dedicated 12 channels C/A code tracking features where the carrier phase is used for smoothing the code ranges, providing increased accuracy. The receiver updates at a two Hz rate and can optionally update at a four Hz rate as a remote.

The DN-12 continuously tracks up to 12 satellites simultaneously on 12 separate and parallel channels. Losing lock on one channel therefore has no impact on other channels, and any oscillator offset is accurately removed. The receiver weighs 8.2 pounds and measures 3.9 by 8.5 by 8 inches. Up to 99 waypoints may be entered from either keyboard or data link provided by NMEA 0183 interface with external devices. Displayed navigational information includes: course/time-to-destination; cross-track error; and course/speed-over-ground. The receiver requires no calibration or warm-up.

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Circle 65 on Reader Service Card New developments from Atlas Elektronik, with U.S. offices based in Clark, N.J., include a new series of color rasterscan TM and ARPA radars and the Atlas 9500,9700 and 9800 series. For stand-alone use or integration into bridge consoles, all models can be configured for the NACOS 2 series of navigation command systems to form the basis of a combined radar and autopilot assembly housed in a single cabinet, the Atlas Radarpilot.

Display functions include integrated geographic reference covering superimposed grids and bearings as well as chart symbols and lines for voyage planning and general navigation. Designed for single-manning, the NACOS range of INS comprises 15-2, 25-2, 35-2, 45-2 and 55-2 configurations. Except the 15-2, all incorporate a 20-inch, high-definition color console for display of all essential data. The 35-2, 45-2 and 55-2 units also have ECDIS capability. CAST Circle 92 on Reader Service Card Computing Applications Software Technology (CAST), Inc., of Los Alamitos, Calif., a subsidiary of Billerica, Mass.-based Pacer Systems, Inc., introduces its ADS 580V for use with an Automated Dependent Surveillance System (ADSS). The ADS 580V is fully compliant with Federal regulations for Automatic Dependent Surveillance equipment required on tankers operating in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The unit features an all-in-view, 12-channel GPS navigator, augmented with differential corrections automatically accepted as determined by pre-stored NDB almanacs.

When a vessel enters designated waters, the ADS 580V automatically reports its position within 32 feet to a shore-based vessel traffic control center on a VHF-FM DSC transceiver, along with the time, figure of merit (HDOP), ship's speed and course over ground and its Lloyd's Registration number.

CELLNET Circle 69 on Reader Service Card For marine operators of all types, Stamford, Conn.-based Cellnet Corporation provides CallAboardR, an optimum solution for offshore environments where public telephone service is desired.

Using state-of-the-art cellular and pay-phone technology, CallAboard answers the needs of maritime industry companies including operators of ferries, gambling vessels, work barges, marine offshore construction projects, etc.

CallAboard allows callers to dial anywhere in the world and bill the entire call to a major credit or phone company calling card, as well as make collect calls. The vessel or platform operators never receive any bills for user calls. In addition, Cellnet pays commissions based on percentages of the monthly gross cellular airtime revenue that is generated. The service is provided free of charge to qualified marine operators and is available across the U.S.

and in certain foreign markets.