Type of course

Course content

• Basic radio technology
  • Antenna /aerial theory, with focus on application
  • Modulation methods
  • Radio frequency- and effect spectrum
  • Signal to noise ratio (SNR)
• Sensors and reference-systems (applications, limitations and design)
  • All relevant GNSS systems, including augmentation methods.
  • Systems and methods of heading and attitude determination (e.g. accelerometer, gyros, and MEMS. Gravity- and geo-magnetism sensors).
  • ¿State-of-the-art¿ in maritime radar- and transponder-technology.
  • Radio- and optical systems for terrestrial positioning on short and long ranges.
• Inertial navigation system (INS) with motion sensors (accelerometers) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes). Related terms are; inertial guidance system, inertial reference platform, inertial measurement units (IMU)
  • The dynamic coordinate system
  • Modelling, predicting and applications of Kalman filters
• Integrated sensors
  • Integrated sensor-systems for navigation
    • The ship bridge as a case studies
  • Actuator-sensor-systems for vessel motions
• Dynamic Positioning (DP), with a focus on the control system
• Safe navigation
  • Anti-collision systems
  • ECDIS (including IMO performance standards)
  • Ship-to-Ship (STS) decision support system
  • Decision-making in Navigation:
    • The navigator as a system manager, choosing system pre-sets, interpreting system output and monitoring vessel response
    • Graphical User Displays (GUI¿s)
    • Man-machine-interaction problems; e.g. human-out-of-the-loop connected to the automation problem
    • Reflection on safe navigation for an safe voyage, e.g. how to use all navigation aids in light of system ¿ and human limitations
• Underwater navigation and positioning
  • Principles in underwater acoustics
  • Applications in navigation and positioning

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

The student have:

• An overview of the principles in radio technology and a thorough knowledge in interference and noise in radio signals.
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of limitations and design principles of maritime navigation systems and their different sensors
• An overview of the principles in different inertial navigation systems, how this can be physical modelled and the importations of predictions and Kalman filters in these systems.
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of how integrated sensors are used to give the decision-maker different input on a modern ship bridge.
• Knowledge to analyse man-machine-interaction problems related to the performance of navigation.
• An overview of the principles in dynamic positioning (DP) and a thorough understanding of how the control system works.
• Knowledge to analyse and reflect on how navigational instruments and decision support systems influences the navigation, as aids for safe voyage.
• An overview of the principles and applications in underwater navigation and positioning.

Skills

The student is:

• Able to carry out and make use of existing knowledge and theories of different maritime sensor ¿ and navigational systems.
• Able to understand and evaluate the different systems limitations and their range of applications.
• Able to understand inertial navigation system - and integrated sensors.
• Able to understand the limitations and the possibilities on an integrated ship bridge.
• Able to understand and evaluate
• Able to understand underwater acoustics and the limitations in the applications used for in navigation and positioning.

Competence

The student is:

• Able to utilize the navigation systems, its aspects and operational settings, with use of appropriate theories to identify possibilities and limitations, with safe navigation as a goal.
• Able to analyse and optimise control systems, for the benefit of economy and safety aspects.
• Abel, trough analysis of the variety of different sensors, signal transmissions and decision support systems, to work in operations and design projects to meet the demand for high quality in navigation and maritime operations.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

5-hour written exam. Letter grading A - F.

A number of compulsory exercises and laboratory assignments must be approved.