Transcript Morintech Navigation A/S

dKart
Software
Presentation
Age of electronic charts
The electronic chart is a relatively new technology that
provides significant benefits in terms of navigation safety
and improved operational efficiency. More than simply a
computer display, an electronic chart is a real-time
navigation system that integrates a variety of information
that is displayed and interpreted by the mariner. It is an
automated decision aid capable of continuously
determining a vessel's position in relation to land,
charted objects, aids-to-navigation, and unseen
underwater hazards. Thus the electronic chart
represents an entirely new approach to maritime
navigation.
What makes dKart Navigator the best solution?
A widespread use of professional Electronic Chart
Systems will result in a significant reduction of –
sometimes fatal – accidents caused by navigational
errors and enhance the safety of the mariner and the
environment. The last few years have seen a steady
increase in the use of electronic chart systems, which
became one of the most effective and promising
means of sea navigation. This is why today the
electronic chart market is rich in similar software of
various producers. So what distinguishes dKart
Navigator among those products, what makes it the
best solution?
Program distinguishing features
• Easy-to operate user-friendly interface; ability to work with all kinds
of pointing devices with wheel (trackball);
• Possibility to connect a wide range of external navigational devices;
• World-wide chart collections;
• Automatic route monitoring on chart, effective safety control with
well-timed alarming;
• Efficient route planning either directly on the chart or in table form;
• Detailed registration of navigational situation in the electronic
logbook with the function of ship movement playback straight on the
chart;
• Display of both raw ARPA and AIS images and target symbols on the
chart, targets control and vessel-to-vessel data exchange;
Program distinguishing features
• Creation of 3-dimensional sea bottom models;
• Real-time 3D-modeling above the electronic chart;
• Realization of weather and ice information (both vector and raster)
on the electronic chart;
• Presenting tidal stream vectors on the chart, calculation of tide
levels for the time specified;
• Quick creation/editing of user objects and layers, with their display
on the chart and 3D-bottom model;
• Smoothing and converting the ship run way into a route;
• Efficient survey planning and post-processing;
• Trial maneuvering and own ship model adjustment;
• Function of connecting special user databases.
Core principle - simplicity
The entire program concept bases upon the primary idea –
simplicity causes effectiveness. This is why dKart
Navigator is as easy to operate as possible. The
program user-friendly interface has been especially
designed considering specific conditions of operating
with a computer at sea with the view to minimize the
mariner’s actions when operating with the program to
the maximum.
Descriptive elements
To feel free at program operating the navigator is not
supposed to deal with complex multi-level menus or study a
complicated user manual. Instead, dKart Navigator provides
easy selection of the required functions with the help of
descriptive graphic images the program control elements
are supplied with. It works as easy as that:
Selection of a required chart
Selection of routes
Start measuring distances on chart
Measure beam distance from ship to a reference point
Accessibility of functions
Besides, most commonly used functions and program
modes are accessed by a single mouse click so that the
user does not have to search for the required element for
ages.
Buttons of all navigational
functions are constantly
available in the center of the
control panel in all program
modes
Easy ways to access program modes
Using MAIN and AUX tabs located in the lower part of
the window the user switches between basic program
modes:
MAIN tab is used to access Route
monitoring and planning, Logbook,
User layers’ editor, Dual display
mode, Exploring depth profile and
3D modeling.
AUX tab contains buttons of
Radar mode, Search and rescue
function, Calculator, Charts’
library, Tide database, Dual
plotting, Special databases and
printing.
Control panel adjustability
The program control
panel constantly displays
the
most
important
navigational data. It is
very easy to adjust the
font size of each window
individually to emphasize
the information you need
so that you could refer to
it quickly and efficiently.
Interface unification
The entire user interface unification allows easily, often
intuitively comprehend the program operation principles
and quickly restore your skills even after you haven’t
worked with the program for some time.
Tool tips, help
The basic program elements and
important
chart
objects
are
supported by tool tips containing a
short description:
and at any moment the user is
also free to call the helpcontext window to learn more
about this or that function:
Charts
Electronic charts, used in dKart Navigator, offer certain
advantages over raster and traditional paper charts – in
addition to the information transferred from these sources, an
ENC may include information from any number of other
sources – such as List of Lights and Notices to Mariners.
dKart Navigator operates with two types of vector electronic
charts – in S-57 and CM 93v3 formats and allows both
automatic and manual charts updating. C-MAP electronic
charts are compatible with S-57 format on logical level, and
provide worldwide coverage. Before starting to use C-Map
93v3 charts, they should be registered in the program, i.e. the
corresponding licenses should be obtained.
Chart control
Another distinguishing feature of dKart Navigator is its
easy and convenient functions of chart control, available
in all program modes. With a single mouse click the user
gets access to chart scrolling, zooming in and out,
receives charts’ objects information, controls the chart
scale, presentation level, orientation and color palette.
Buttons of chart control provide
prompt access to zooming in/out,
returning
to
the
previous
presentation scale and area,
restoring original scale of chart
Charts: seamless coverage
The program continuously displays several charts of
different format, original scale and horizontal datum,
thus providing seamless coverage of the required region
with cartographic data. When zooming and panning
around your chart, the program will automatically select
the best chart available for the area you wish to view.
This selection is based on the original chart scale.
Seamless coverage
Chart control
In addition to the standard North Up orientation, the
software offers Direction Up and COG Up variants.
When a chart is rotated chart text will not be affected,
ensuring that it remains legible.
Navigation devices: NMEA
Communication between dKart Navigator and external
navigational devices is based upon NMEA-0183
protocol. This protocol defines the format of data to be
used in navigational information exchange.
Navigation devices
dKart Navigator uses
positioning data from
various navigational
sensors, such as
compass, log, echo
sounder, ARPA and
AIS, thus providing
the maximum level of
navigational situation
control.
dKart
Navigator is also
capable of operating
with information from
ARPA and AIS.
Radar
Interaction between the radar and the system helps in
achieving the best possible results in presenting radar
information together with cartographic data. Besides,
when comparing the radar image with the chart
presentation the user has a more solid criterion of
estimating both the navigational situation and the
reliability of the system operating.
Radar information window
Working with radar, the navigator has
two possibilities. The first variant is
receiving
ARPA
targets
data
according to NMEA protocol when
target symbols and vectors are
displayed on the electronic charts
together
with
their
information
windows available by a mouse click:
Radar targets on chart
ARPA targets will
be presented on
the chart as green
circles
with
movement vectors
(automatic targets)
or similarly, but with
a capital M added
to
the
target’s
number
–
for
manual targets.
Overlaying radar image
The
other
variant
is
overlaying an
unprocessed
radar
image
over
the
electronic
chart with the
help
of
a
special radarprocessor
card.
Navigation devices: AIS
When connected to AIS, dKart
Navigator displays AIS targets
information in accordance with
all necessary standards. AIS
targets are presented on the
chart
as
triangles
with
movement vectors. As soon as
a target becomes dangerous, it
is displayed in red color. The
user is free to set up a safe
target size and color.
Data exchange with AIS targets
The program may be
also used for direct
operating with AIS, i.e. for
exchanging
textual
messages with other AIS
target vessels.
Autopilot
With
an
Autopilot
connected,
dKart
Navigator provides high
accuracy and reliability of
keeping the ship within
the limits of the userdefined XTE corridor.
Interfacing
to
the
autopilot will enable route
waypoint information to
be sent to the autopilot
each time a route is
calculated.
Navigational safety
According to ECDIS requirements dKart
Navigator
steadily
controls
the
navigational safety providing both visual
and audio alarms in case of a danger,
which enables the mariner to take the
appropriate measures to avoid an
accidental
situation.
The
program
calculates and highlights on the chart the
safety contour and other dangers
according to the safety depth defined by
the operator using Chart Presentation
function:
Safety settings
Conditions
of
signaling
about
approaching
to a
safety contour or an
area, as well as safety
zone parameters are
to be set up using
Safety
page
of
System Configuration
program mode.
Safety alarming
Alarm options include: GPS failure, XTE/off course,
approaching a waypoint, a dangerous target, a safety
contour or an area with special conditions, and other
warnings.
The reason for an alarm
sounding is displayed in the
alarm indicator where the
warning may be acknowledged
and silenced.
Navigational functions
The program offers various navigational functions
helping to automate the navigator’s everyday work to a
great extent; these functions are accessed directly from
the program control panel. A single point and click is
enough, for instance, to load the necessary charts,
select the chart presentation level or the way point to go
to, start measuring on chart, select the needed auxiliary
information on the chart, fix the ship position manually,
and many more.
Printing options
At any moment the user is free to print the required information, such as
data currently displayed on the screen, logbook table contents or route
waypoints information. One of the latest innovations of Morintech is
possibility to print a paper chart out of the ENC – a printed copy of the
rectangular area, selected on the electronic chart.
Modes. Route monitoring
Being a software well-adaptive to different navigational
tasks, dKart Navigator comprises different program
modes which are accessed via buttons located on the
control panel. In Route Monitoring mode the program
continually performs route calculations and controls
navigation safety. Even if another program section is
open and occupies the entire screen, functions of route
calculations and safety control remain active.
Route Monitoring screen
Route planning
Route Planning mode provides enhanced route planning
facilities both in table form or directly on the chart as
simply as point-and-click. All actions performed on the
chart are automatically duplicated in the table, and vice
versa.
Route planning on chart
Route planning options
This mode also provides route safety analysis. Here you
can define Way Points, XTE and other route parameters,
construct a Great Circle Line leg, and save the route to
diskette as well as to hard disk. Routes saved to diskette
can be imported to dKart Navigator systems onboard
other vessels. Routes can be imported and exported
to/from NMEA devices and popular routes formats.
Charts’ library
Charts are handled in the program via Charts’ library
mode, enabling such operations as registering charts in
the program, deleting and updating charts either
automatically or with the help of the special-purpose
Manual Updating Editor. An important advantage here is
high speed of updates receiving via INMARSAT – the
process takes just a few seconds, so that the mariner is
not supposed to overpay for the connection.
Electronic logbook
dKart Navigator writes all program events into the
Electronic Logbook. This feature allows you to browse
the logbook, to study the navigational situation in a
specific moment, to print the required logbook
information or to play back the ship movements directly
on the electronic chart to restore the navigational
situation of any required moment.
Logbook options
An important feature here is
possibility to create a route
out of the ship track. Using
the logbook records of the
ship track, the user may
create a route of a defined
width, smooth the track, as
well as save it as a linear
user layer object.
User layers’ editor
In practice navigators would often be interested in
creating own thematic charts, dealing with their
particular specialty. This may concern not only fishermen
and hydrographers, but also many other people working
at sea. dKart Navigator offers efficient tools for operating
with such data – User layers editor, allowing the user to
customise charts to indicate favourite anchorages,
fishing spots or dive sites. The user may not only set
graphic objects on the electronic chart, but also quickly
edit them, divide into catalogues, store objects in
archives, etc.
User layers
Search and rescue
The program provides features to effectively perform
Search and Rescue operation in accordance with
MERSAR standard requirements. These features
include rescue operation planning, i.e. creation of
searching route, rescue operation modeling – displaying
on the chart rescue vessels in accordance with the
defined parameters, and cooperation between Search &
Rescue and Man Over Board functions. Routes planned
in this mode may be exported to analogous systems
onboard other rescue vessels.
Search and rescue window
Tides database
Tide Database program mode assists in calculation and
display of the tide level at the specified point and time.
Tide gauges are indicated on the chart as Т symbols.
The program displays the tide graph on which the
operator sees level height depending on the time of the
day.
Tidal streams
Another
useful
program function is
calculating
and
display
on
the
chart of the tidal
stream
vectors.
The
vector
is
presented as a red
arrow with speed
indication in knots.
Presentation
of
tidal
stream
information is userconfigured.
Creating 3-dimensional model
One of the major
advantages of dKart
Navigator is 3D sea
bottom
modeling
feature. This function
is extremely useful
when navigating in
narrows and during
surveying or fishing. A
3-dimensional model
may be built basing
both
on
the
bathymetrical
information of the electronic chart itself, as well as on the depth
information received from the echo sounder.
3D options
3D image may be rotated on both horizontal and vertical axis. To make
the 3D model more informative and descriptive, it can be displayed
over the electronic chart with simultaneous presentation of own ship
symbol, current route and other navigational information, and colored
according to the user choice.
2D presentation
The chart is also updated synchronously with 3D model. Additionally
a 2D model may be built on the basis of the 3-dimensional model
and overlaid above the electronic chart, which provides a better
visual estimation of the depth information.
Dual display
Dual display mode is intended for simultaneous
presentation of the system information on two monitors,
or – on one half-divided monitor, which enlarges data
presentation capabilities of dKart Navigator to a great
extent. With the help of this function you may
simultaneously operate with two different chart areas,
displayed on different screens. For example, you are
free to monitor your voyage on one of the screens, while
browsing a random chart area with another scale,
presentation level and orientation on the other.
Dual display window
Dual display advantages
Besides, if you use two monitors, this mode allows
displaying large-size elements like way points’ table or
3D model window on a separate screen, enriching ways
of data presentation.
System configuration
All the program installation-specific settings are adjusted
in System Configuration mode. This mode helps the
user configure the computer COM-ports and connect
dKart Navigator to the local network, define external
navigational devices for each plotting mode, select the
required geodetic datum and data format to display
coordinates, define ship dimension parameters, adjust
symbols and CM-93v3 charts presentation on the chart,
and much more. System Configuration mode is also
used to get access to C-Map 93v3 cartographic data.
Additional options: weather
Among additional functions of dKart Navigator are
Presentation of weather and ice information and
Hydrographic surveying modules. The program is
capable of receiving and displaying weather and ice
charts, provided by Research Institute of Arctic and
Antarctic of RF. The user may operate with both current
and forecast data for 12, 24 and 48 hours. The program
allows the forecast animation, as well as its overlaying
above the navigational electronic charts. Information is
supplied either via e-mail, or by data loading directly
from Morintech Ltd. official web-site: www.morintech.ru.
Weather and ice data on chart
Presentation
of
weather and ice
information on the
electronic chart.
Additional options: surveying
Plus, dKart Navigator offers the full necessary
functionality for the users interested in creating
bathymetric charts – planning and hydrographic
surveying. The program also provides options for
surveying at sea and on rivers. dKart Post Processing –
survey post-processing module may be supplied as an
option.
Hydrographic surveying mode
Versions
The program is available in a number of versions produced
for various purposes, covering all customer needs and
differing in price and functionality. dKart Navigator basic
versions are:
3. * - small-sized boats and yachts for leisure navigation
4. * - medium-sized vessels for coastal traffic
5. * - commercial medium-sized fleet, ECDIS type
6. * - professional large-size fleet
The wide range of additional functions and modules allows
flexible selection of the required system configuration for
each separate user. Some dKart Navigator modifications
have been especially elaborated for specific user groups:
Special modifications
 dKart ECDIS is the software, corresponding to S-52
and
IEC
61174
international
standards
requirements. It is supplied within certified ECDIS
conventional equipment.
 dKart Fishing is the software especially designed to
closely adapt for fishing vessels requirements.
Supplied with a simplified interface, the program
provides special functions for user data
controlling.
 dKart WECDIS is a special-purpose software providing
solving of naval tasks and ensuring special
navigation calculations. Its main peculiarity is
capability of connecting auxiliary databases.
Range of products
The flexibility of Morintech software used in many different
ways and with different types of hardware packages gave
Morintech the potential to develop a variety of electronic
charting instruments ranging from basic, low-cost units to
advanced models with many special features.