Specification No.

ESG18
TITLE : General Technical Specification for Marine Radar
Aboard Vessels
ISSUE NO. : 2
DATE : October 1997
APPROVED BY : SPE/2
ENDORSED BY : PM
Amendment Date Authority
Issued by
Project Division
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
COPYRIGHT
All rights including subsequent amendments are reserved. This general specification is intended for
use on Government installations managed by the EMSD. Prior written consent by the Director of
Electrical & Mechanical Services must be obtained for adoption of or extraction from this
specification for other use.
Project Division, EMSD - ESG18 (10/97)
I N D E X
1. Scope
2. Description of System
3. Related Documents and References
4. Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms
5. Operational Requirements
6. System Performance and Technical Specification
6.1 System Performance
6.2 Technical Specification
7. Installation Requirements
Project Division, EMSD - ESG18 (10/97)
1. Scope
1.1 This specification lays down the operational requirements, system performance,
technical specification and installed requirements of a shipborne marine radar with
conventional Plan Position Indicator (P.P.I.) display. The marine radar is to be
supplied and installed in coastal or offshore vessels for navigational and collision
avoidance uses.
1.2 This specification should be read in conjunction with the associated Particular
Specification. If there is any contradiction between this specification and the Particular
Specification, then the latter shall prevail.
2. Description of System
The radar described in this specification shall be a primary, pulse radar. It shall mainly be
comprised of three units, namely : aerial, transceiver and display.
3. Related Documents and References
The following documents and references shall be observed and complied with where
applicable :-
i) General Requirements for Electronic Contracts, ESG01.
ii) Recommended Practices for the Implementation of the Regulations for the Electrical
Equipment of Ships - IEE.
iii) Regulations for the Electrical and Electronics Equipment of Ships - IEE.
iv) BS 1597 : 1985 Limits and Methods of Measurement of Electromagnetic
Interference Generated by Marine Equipment and Installations - BSI.
v) BS 5260 : 1975 Code of Practice for Radio Interference Suppression on Marine
Installation - BSI.
vi) Marine Radar Performance Specification, 1982 - Department of Transport, UK.
vii) Specification of General Requirements for Marine Navigational Equipment, 1982 -
Department of Trade, UK.
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4. Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms
i) Azimuth Stabilised Mode - A mode in which the true north on the display remains
fixed regardless of the ship s movement.
ii) Clutter - Confused unwanted echoes on a radar display.
iii) Effective Diameter of Display - This is the diameter of the central area into which any
angular scale marking around its edge does not intrude.
iv) NM - Nautical Mile.
v) Plan Position Indicator (PPI) - An intensity modulated radar display showing, as on a
map, the relative positions of echo- producing objects.
vi) Primary Radar - A form of radar in which the object only reflects the incident
radiation.
vii) Pulse Radar - A form of radar in which the transmitted radiation consists of a series
of discrete pulses. Usually the radio frequency is substantially the same in all the
pulses.
viii) Radar - The use of radio waves, reflected or automatically retransmitted, to gain
information concerning a distant object.
ix) Range Marker - A visual indication on a radar display for measuring the range.
5. Operation Requirements
5.1 After switching on from cold, the radar equipment shall become fully operational within
4 minutes.
5.2 A standby condition of the radar equipment shall be provided to reduce the power
consumption, and from which the radar equipment shall be brought to a fully operational
condition within 15 seconds.
5.3 The operational controls on the display specified herein shall easily be accessed and
identified.
5.4 The display shall provide at least 7 range scales with fixed electronic range rings for
range measurement. a variable electronic range ring (marker) with a 3-digit numeric
readout to facilitate the range measurement shall be equipped if requested.
5.5 Separate controls for the brilliancies of the fixed and variable electronic range rings shall
Project Division, EMSD - ESG18 (10/97)
be provided so that the brilliancies shall be continuously adjusted and the range rings
shall be completely removed from the display when brilliance controls are at off
positions.
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5.6 The heading of the vessel shall be indicated by a line (heading marker) on the display
extending from the trace origin to the edge of the display. A momentary switch shall
be provided to switch off the heading marker.
5.7 If a brightness control is provided for the heading marker, it shall not dim the heading
marker to extinction.
5.8 The display shall be marked with an angular scale around the periphery. The angular
scale shall be graduated at 1
0
intervals and numbered every 10
0
clockwise from 0
0
,
with 0
0
being the head up position.
5.9 A mechanical bearing cursor or an electronic bearing line shall be provided for the
bearing measurement.
5.10 Where a mechanical bearing cursor is provided, it shall be free to rotate both clockwise
and anticlockwise through 360
0
. The direction of turning shall be the same as that of
any associated control. The centre of the cursor shall coincide with the centre of the
display bearing scale and shall be clearly marked. A line passing through this centre
shall extend across the full diameter of the cursor and be readily identifiable.
5.11 In case an electronic bearing line is provided, it shall :-
i) be clearly distinguishable from the vessel s heading marker;
ii) be updated at least once per antenna revolution;
iii) be facilitated in varying its intensity;
iv) be free to rotate clockwise and anticlockwise continuously through 360
0
;
v) extend from its origin to the edge of the display.
5.12 Anti-sea Clutter and Anti-rain Clutter controls shall be provided for the
suppression of unwanted clutters from sea and rain respectively. The anti-clutter
controls shall be capable of being adjusted continuously, and they shall be inoperative in
the fully anticlockwise positions. Where adjustments are made by linear controls, they
shall be inoperative in the fully left or down positions.
5.13 A continuous control to vary the brilliance of the display shall be provided.
5.14 If azimuth stabilised mode is provided, the equipment shall include means to enable the
Project Division, EMSD - ESG18 (10/97)
display to be stabilised in azimuth by a transmitting compass and the display shall be
used in either the head-up unstabilised mode or azimuth stabilised mode. The
equipment shall operate satisfactorily in the unstabilised mode when the compass control
is inoperative.
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5.15 The display shall not glow when there is no echo of sufficient magnitude. On the other
hand, the display shall maintain the echo image on the screen until the sweep has gone
through a complete circle.
5.16 If a viewing hood is required or provided, means shall be provided for its ready
attachment and removal. The viewing hood shall allow the display to be viewed
clearly in high ambient light levels.
5.17 A receiver fine tune control shall be provided for optimum target pick-up.
5.18 The equipment shall not cause any electrical or magnetic interference to other equipment
such as the compass, radio transceiver, installed in the vessel.
5.19 The aerial shall operate satisfactorily in relative wind speeds not less than 70 NM/Hr.
6. System Performance and Technical Specification
6.1 System Performance
6.1.1 Range
6.1.1.1 General
When the radar antenna is mounted at a height of 15 metres above
sea level and the radar equipment is operated under normal
propagation conditions, the equipment shall, in the absence of
clutter, give a clear indication of :-
i) Coastlines
a) The ground rises to 60m at 20 NM.
b) The ground rises to 6m at 7 NM.
ii) Surface Objects
a) A ship of 5000 tons gross tonnage, whatever her aspect,
at 7 NM.
b) A small vessel of 10m in length at 3 NM.
c) An object such as a navigational buoy having an effective
echoing area of approximately 10 square metres at 2
NM.
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6.1.1.2 Minimum Range
The radar equipment shall also display the surface objects specified
in clause 6.1.1.1 (ii) at a distance of 50m from the radar and the
target shall be presented separately from the trace origin.
6.1.1.3 Range Measurement Accuracy
The fixed range rings and variable range markers shall enable the
range of an object to be measured with an error not exceeding
1.5% of the range scale in use, or 70m, whichever is the greater.
6.1.1.4 Range Discrimination
Two small similar objects which are separated by 50m at a distance
between 0.5 to 1.5 NM from the radar and both located on the
same azimuth shall be displayed as separate targets.
6.1.2 Bearing
6.1.2.1 Bearing Measurement Accuracy
Any means provided for obtaining bearings shall enable the bearing
of a target to be measured with an accuracy + 1
0
or better.
6.1.2.2 Bearing discrimination
Two small similar objects which are separated by 3
0
in azimuth and
both are situated at the same distance between 0.5 to 1.5 NM from
the radar shall be displayed as separate targets.
6.1.3 Roll or Pitch
When the vessel is rolling or pitching up to + 10
0
, the range performance
requirements of clause 6.1.1 shall still be met.
6.1.4 Magnifier
If a viewing hood with magnifier is provided to facilitate the operation of the
display in high ambient light levels, the magnified image shall remain within the
accuracy limitations as specified in clauses 6.1.1 and 6.1.2.
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6.1.5 Operating Environment
The equipment shall be operated satisfactory within the following ambient
temperature range :-
i) Scanner unit : -25
0
C to 70
0
C
ii) Display unit : -15
0
C to 55
0
C
6.1.6 Power Supply
The equipment shall be operated satisfactory under the conditions of the
power supply to be specified in the associated Particular Specification.
6.1.7 Interference from Earth s Magnetic Field
After installation and commissioning, the bearing accuracy as required in this
specified shall be maintained without any adjustment irrespective of the
movement of the vessel in the earth s magnetic field.
6.2 Technical Specification
6.2.1 Aerial
i) Type : Slotted waveguide
ii) Length :
Maximum Range Scale Less than 48 NM 48-96 nm
Minimum Aerial Length 850mm 1200mm
iii) Polarization : Horizontal
iv) Horizontal and Vertical Beamwidth at -3dB Point of the Main Lobe :
Aerial Length 850mm 1200mm
Horizontal Beamwidth
at -3 dB Point
Less than 2.7
0
Less than 2
0
Vertical Beamwidth
at -3 dB Point
24
0
- 30
0
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v) Sidelobes : Attenuated more than -23dB within +10
0
of
the main beam and better than -30 dB
outside +10
0
of the main beam.
vi) Aerial Gain : Better than 25 dB with respect to an
isotropic radiator.
vii) Scan : The aerial scan shall be clockwise when
viewed from above, continuous through
360
0
of azimuth. The scan rate shall not
be less than 20 revolutions per minute.
6.2.2 Transceiver
i) Frequency : Within 3 cm, X band
ii) Peak Power :
Maximum Range Scale Less than 48 NM 48-96 nm
Minimum Power (Nominal) Not more than 5 kW Not more than 10kW
iii) Pulse Length and Pulse Repetition Frequency :-
At least 2 types of transmitted pulses with the following pulse lengths and
pulse repetition frequencies shall be provided and selected automatically
for short range and long range object detection :-
Pulse Length (S)
Pulse Repetition
Frequency (Hz)
Short Range 0.05 - 0.15 3200 - 800
Long Range 0.35 -1 1000 - 500
iv) Receiver Noise Figure : Less than 10 dB.
v) Receiver IF Bandwidth : 15 - 8 MHz for short pulse
6 - 3 MHz for long pulse
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6.2.3 Display
i) Type : Long persistence CRT (preferably colour)
with PPI display.
ii) Effective Diameter : The effective diameter, in the head up
unstabilised mode and without external
magnification, shall not be less than :-
a) 150 mm for radar with a maximum
range scale smaller than 48 NM.
b) 180 mm for radar with a maximum
range scale between 48 and 96 NM.
iii) Range Scale and Fixed Electronic Range Ring : The following range
scales and their corresponding minimum no. of fixed electronic range
rings shall be provided :-
a. Radar with a maximum range scale (MRS) less than 48 NM.
Range Scale
(NM)
MRS
Less
than
0.5
MRS
2
MRS
4
MRS
8
MRS
16
MRS
32
MRS
48
Min. No. of Fixed
Electronic Range
Ring
2 6 4 4 4 4 4
b. Radar with a maximum range scale (MRS) between 48 and 96
NM.
Range Scale
(NM)
MRS
Less
than
0.5
MRS
2
MRS
8
MRS
16
MRS
32
MRS
48
MRS
96
Min. No. of Fixed
Electronic Range
Ring
2 6 4 4 4 4 4
iv) Heading Marker :
a) Accuracy : +1
0
b) Thickness : less than 0.5
0
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v) Bearing Cursor :
a) Thickness : less than 0.5
0
b) Centre alignment : +0.5
0
vi) Azimuth Stabilisation :
a) Alignment accuracy with the transmitting compass :
Less than 0.5
0
with a compass rotation rate of 2 rev/min.
b) Changeover :
Changeover from a head-up unstabilised mode to an azimuth
stabilised mode and vice versa shall be accomplished with a n
accuracy of 0.5
0
within 15 seconds.
6.2.4 Others
The equipment shall also be provided with the other inherent features of the
aerial, transceiver and display units as specified in the associated Particular
Specification.
7. Installation Requirements
7.1 All the mounting brackets, bolts and nuts for the installation of the aerial, transceiver and
display units shall be stainless steel, and shall be provided by the Contractor.
7.2 The aerial and transceiver units shall preferably be integrated into a single unit and be
capable of aloft mounted.
7.3 The enclosure for the transceiver and aerial unit must be weather proof and water
resistant. It shall also be securely mounted such that it can withstand the most severe
typhoon conditions in Hong Kong.
7.4 The display unit together with the mounting bracket and necessary accessories shall be
capable of table-top, overhead or bulkhead mounted.
7.5 The Contractor shall ensure the location of the display unit to achieve ergonomic and
operating conveniences within the space provided.
7.6 All accessible metal parts of the radar equipment, metal trunkings and conduits shall be
properly earthed, and the earthing connections shall be protected from corrosion and
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accidental damage.
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7.7 A multi-core cable shall be used to connect the display unit and the transceiver unit.
The cable routing shall be as short as possible and carefully routed and secured to avoid
any damages to the watertight integrity of the vessel.
7.8 The cable shall be enclosed by a metallic conduit or trunking as far as practicable. It
shall also be reasonably separated from other sensitive cables.
7.9 All exposed cable shall have proper sheathing (e.g. armoured cable) and it shall be
secured by galvanized saddles.
7.10 Where cable run passes through a water-tight deck, a watertight cable gland shall be
inserted for the passage of the cable.
7.11 Where cable run passes through a non-watertight deck, the cable shall be protected
from chafing by rubber grommets.
7.12 RF feeders and connectors of suitable impedance shall be provided and used for
connection of the RF cables and the aerial unit.
7.13 The power cable shall be connected with an appropriately rated fused which shall be
housed in an easily accessible fuse holder.
7.14 The polarities of the DC power cable shall be labelled.
7.15 The power cable shall be spaced at least 150mm from cables carrying low level signals
to or from susceptible equipment, or screened from them by a metallic deck, bulkhead
or by the use of earthed trunking or conduit around the power cables. If this spacing
cannot be achieved, the cables carrying low level signals should be screened.
7.16 The earth lead of the radar equipment shall be as short and straight as possible and be
connected as directly as possible to the metallic hull or earth plate of the ship.
7.17 The radar equipment shall be protected by lightning protection devices.
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