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Systems
Objectives:
SPD
CSE
X TD
Nav Sensors
(GPS, LORAN) SENC Radar/ARPA
W ater level
Depthsounder ENC Currents
Ice info
Updates
Electronic Navigational Chart
(ENC)
“means the database, standardized as to content,
structure and format, issued for use with ECDIS
on the authority of government-authorized
hydrographic offices. The ENC contains all the
chart information necessary for safe navigation,
and may contain supplementary information in
addition to that contained in the paper chart (e.g.,
sailing directions) which may be considered
necessary for safe navigation.”
Sec. 2.2, IMO PS
So What?
An ENC is a database, not a chart as
you think of it. As such, there are:
• different types of ENC data
• various formats
• differences in the level of content
System ENC (SENC)
“means the database resulting from the
transformation of the ENC by ECDIS for
appropriate use, updates to the ENC by
appropriate means, and other data added by the
mariner. It is this database that is actually
accessed by ECDIS for the display generation and
other navigational functions, and is the equivalent
of an up-to-date paper chart. The SENC may also
contain information from other sources.”
Sec. 2.3, IMO PS
System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC)
D a ta S o ftw a re D is p la y
U p d a te s
+
#1 #1 S E N C1
+
#2 #2 S E N C2
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#3 #3 S E N C3
IH O S -5 7 P e rfo rm e d in E C D IS IH O S -5 2 C o lo rs & S y m b o ls
Next
Not all charts are equal….
Transas
Navionics
DNC® BSB
The Types of EC Formats are:
Raster and Vector
Digital Chart Formats
IHO S-57
NIMA NOAA
Electronic
Digital Nautical Raster Nautical
Navigational Chart
Chart (DNC®) Chart (RNC)
(ENC)
The Basic Difference
• Raster charts are simply bitmap images
created by scanning a paper chart
• Runs easily on PC
• World-wide availability
Vector Charts: More detail
• A set of accurately
positioned lines (vectors),
points and areas, with
associated attributes (e.g.
“shoreline”, “buoy - red”)
organized in a database
accessed by clicking on
displayed symbol
Paradigm Shift
• Looks “different” from a
paper chart
• Underlying database allows
queries and layer selection
• Zooming reveals detail
• Complex, expensive, and
time-consuming to produce
• Needs more powerful
computer and expensive
display to meet IHO/DoD
requirements
USN Approach is to use NIMA’s Digital
Nautical Chart (DNC), a vector based format.
DNC with Base data only
showing (Less clutter)
All Features
Which is better?
• Depends on your point of view….
• Raster is easier and cheaper to produce, but
vector provides much more information to
the navigator
• DoD standard is Vector Product Format
--DNC®
• NOAA BSB charts cover US waters
The Advantages of Vector Charts
• Information on Chart can be linked to
specific points. (Click on light and you can
retrieve more info, like a picture of the
light)
• Allows the user to display the information
that is necessary for the ship’s current
mission.
Raster Concerns
• High scan resolution required for detailed
chart….lot’s of CPU memory required and
slower refresh rates.
• Zooming degrades quality.
• Mixed pixels—is it water or land?
Shoreline
Raster Model
Water
Land
Vector Shoreline
US Navy Policy
• The Chief of naval Operation ( CNO) issued a directive in
march 1998 establishing minimum ECDIS standards (ECDIS-
N) and calling for a transition of the entire Navy fleet from
paper based charts to electronic digital Chart by FY 2007. This
has recently changed to 2004, with the first ECDIS-N certified
battlegroup deploying in FY01.
• Until then, ships may use an ECS for enhanced situational
awareness, but the paper chart must be maintained as well.
USN ECDIS-N Requirements
…and graphically in
pop-up windows.
The Risks of ECDIS
• ECDIS is only a tool that helps a mariner
safely and effectively navigate a ship.
• It is not the end-all be-all to ship navigation.
• One of the biggest risks with the transition
to ECDIS is an over reliance in the
information provided
Some things to consider…
• Poor GPS performance
• DGPS used/not used
• ECDIS malfunction
• installation setup
• ENC compilation errors (e.g., datums)
• chart (errors, omissions, out-dated)
• survey errors
• human error
Any Questions?