Geo-spatial Information Science
`
`ISSN: 1009-5020 (Print) 1993-5153 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tgsi20
`
`Electronic chart display and information system
`
`Wan Xiaoxia & Gan Chaohua
`
`To cite this article: Wan Xiaoxia & Gan Chaohua (2002) Electronic chart display and
`information system, Geo-spatial Information Science, 5:1, 7-11, DOI: 10.1007/BF02863487
`
`To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02863487
`
`Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
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`Published online: 29 Aug 2012.
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`Date: 09 February 2016, At: 05:49
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`FLIR-1013.001
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`

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`Geo-spatial Jnfonnation
`Science (Quarterly)
`
`Volume 5, Issue 1,Page 7-11
`March 5 '2002
`
`Electronic Chart Display and Information System
`
`WN'-J Xiaoxia GAN Chaohua
`
`1
`
`Introduction
`
`Electronic charts are new navigation aid that can provide sig(cid:173)
`nificant benefits to maritime navigation, safety, and corrvnerce.
`tvlore than a simple computer graphics display, electronic chart
`systems combine both geographic and textual data into a readi(cid:173)
`ly useful operational tool. The electronic charts are a real- time
`navigation system that integrates a variety of information dis(cid:173)
`played and interpreted by the mariner. The most advanced form
`of electronic chart systems represents a new approach to mar(cid:173)
`itime navigation[l].
`
`2 ECDIS and ENC
`
`There are two basic types of electronic charts. The most ad(cid:173)
`varced form of electronic charts is the Electronic Chart Display
`and Information System (EffilS). All other types of electronic
`charts can be regarded, in general, as Electronic Chart Systems
`(ECS).
`
`2. 1 ECDIS and international performance standards
`
`To be considered as an EffitS, an electronic chart nust com(cid:173)
`ply with the Perfonnarce Standards for ECDIS established by
`tile International Maritime Organization (IMO). Under develop(cid:173)
`ment for over 10 years, the lfv'O Performance Standards for
`ECDIS specify the canponents, features, fl.JlCtions of a system
`
`in which the primary function is to contrioote to safe naviga(cid:173)
`
`tionl 1 l. They were formally adopted by IMO on 23 November
`1995 and issued as 11\/0 Resolution A. 817 ( 19). Back-up ar(cid:173)
`rangements for ECDIS were adopted by IMO in November 1996
`and became Appendix 6 to the Performarce Standards.
`In conjunction with the ll\/10 Performarce Standards for ECDIS,
`
`KEY WORDS
`ECDIS; ECS;
`display; key features; perfonnance
`standards
`ABSTRACT This paper intro(cid:173)
`duces the m)St advanced fonn of
`electronic chart display and infor(cid:173)
`mation systems ( ECDIS) which ·
`the Perfonnance
`complies with
`Standards for ECDJS established
`by the International Maritime Or(cid:173)
`ganiz.ation ( IMO) and the Inter(cid:173)
`national Hydrographic Organiza(cid:173)
`tion (IHO). It also describes the
`key features and
`the important
`functions of EQ)IS. Then the fu(cid:173)
`ture development of ECDIS in ma-.
`rine is discussed.
`
`wm Xlaaxla, professor. School a News aid Garm.nicatial. Wllal Uilverslty, 129 Lwyu Road. 'Mh¥l 430079. Oline
`E-miil:wm@wtusm. eciJ. 01
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`8 Geo-spatial Information Science ( QJarterly) /2002, 5 (1 )
`
`the 'nternational Hydrographic Organization ( IHO)
`developed technical standards for the digital data
`format and display. IHO Special Publication 52 (IHO
`$-52) is the IHO specification for chart content and
`display of ECD1sl3l. It includes appendices describ(cid:173)
`ing the means/process for updating, colour and
`symbol specification& The 4th edition of IHO S-52
`waf, isSued in December 1996. IHO Special Publica(cid:173)
`tion 57 ( IHO $-57) is the !HO transfer standard for
`digital hydrographic datal 4l. The current edition
`(Edition 3. 0) was released in November 1996.
`Both IHO S-57 and $-52 are specified in the ltvlO
`Performance Standards for ECDIS.
`The International Electromechanical Commission
`( IEC) developed its own ECDIS Performance Stan(cid:173)
`dard that describes the operational methods of
`testing and required test results for an IMO-compli(cid:173)
`ant EC01sl 5l. In September 1997, Draft of IEC
`61174 was ccirnpleted,and a final draft of the inter(cid:173)
`national standard was issued on 30 tviarch 1998.
`Following a formal voting process, IEC 61174 was
`officially published by IEC as an international stan(cid:173)
`dard in August 1998. IEC 61174 is the basis for
`IMO-(cid:173)
`type-approval/certification process for an
`compliant ECDIS.
`
`2.2 ECS
`
`An Electronic Chart System (ECS) can be consid(cid:173)
`ered as any other type of electronic charts that
`does not comply with the IMO Performance Stan(cid:173)
`dard for ECDIS. This general category can be fur(cid:173)
`ther sub-divided into electronic charts that use ei(cid:173)
`ther raster or vector data.
`In a vector-based system, electronic chart data is
`
`comprised of a series of lines (vectors) in which
`different layers of information may be stored or
`displayed. This form of so-called intelligent spatial
`data is obtained by digitizing information from ex(cid:173)
`isting paper charts or by storing a list of instruc(cid:173)
`tions that define various pasition referenced fea(cid:173)
`tures or object& With a vector ECS, the user has
`considerable flexibility and discretion regarding the
`amount of information that is displayed for the task
`at hand.
`
`2. 3 ECDIS components and data flow
`
`ECDIS components consists of:
`·Computer processor
`·digital database ( i. e. electronic chart data)
`· navigation sensor inputs ( e. g. GPS, Loran)
`·color display
`Additional shipboard sensor inputs may include
`ship's gyrccompass, qepth sounder, a marine
`radar/ARPA and shipboard automated identifica(cid:173)
`tions systems (AIS). Since ECDIS can function as
`the "Mariner's Window to the World", other navi(cid:173)
`gation-related information could be displayed as
`well. This could include navigation-related informa(cid:173)
`tion such as tides/water level, current flow, ice
`coverage, visibility, and the location of other ves(cid:173)
`sels beyond visual or radar range. In this regard,
`IMO has recently adopted draft recommendation on
`Performance Standards for Universal Shipborne AIS
`that would operate in a ship-to-ship (transponder)
`and ship- to-shore/shorE!-to-ship (broadcast) mode
`of operationC6l.
`Fig. 1 shows the primary functional canpanents of
`ECDIS.
`
`oute
`anning
`software
`
`I Route
`/ nxmitoring
`I !'Oftwarc
`
`/
`I
`
`Anti-grounding alarming
`
`GPS
`Loran-C
`DECCA
`SatNav
`
`~
`system
`
`Hunian inter ace
`__________ /
`
`)
`
`~--·1 r.-
`---, ~=~ -~==~
`, _ _ Navigation < f
`/ ·-==-=-=-==~~4~J---- -- --r-N~:~lay(s) -J
`-
`
`l Radar/APRA
`I F-cho ~-nd_er __ _,
`
`Real-time
`information
`
`~ __ __J _____ l
`I V cctor chart
`I
`l~atabase __ J
`
`Fig.1 ECOIS components and data flow
`
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`Wl>N Xiaoxia,et al. !Electronic Chart Display and lnfonnation System 9
`
`3 Key features for ECDIS
`
`The ltv10 Performance Standards for ECDIS pro(cid:173)
`vide specific guidance regarding the various com(cid:173)
`ponents, features, and functions which make up an
`ECDIS. As described in the various sections of the
`ltv10 Performance Standards for ECDIS, there are
`important features, furctions, and capabilities pro(cid:173)
`vided by ECDIS. From 1998 to now, we have been
`developing the electronic chart display and ir-ifor(cid:173)
`mation system which based on international stan(cid:173)
`dards. The following are the key features.
`
`3. 1 Updating
`
`ECDIS m.Jst be capable of accepting official up-
`
`dates to the system data, provided in conformity
`with IHO standards. We have developed an ECDIS
`which can keep a record of updates incll.IUing time
`of application, and allow the mariner to review their
`contents and ascertain that they have been included
`in the system data.
`
`3. 2 Colours and symbols
`
`The colours and symbols used in an ECDIS display
`must conform to the specifications contained in IHO
`Special Publication 52. This includes a specified
`size and appearance of symbols, figures, and let(cid:173)
`ters. A particularly useful feature is the Mariner' s
`ability to select different color display schemes for
`day I ight, nighttime, or twi I ight conditions.
`
`Fig. 2 ECOIS display in bright dayJigit and ciJring dark time
`
`3. 3 Standard display and display base
`
`This is the level of information that should be
`shown when a chart is first displayed. Depending
`upon the needs of the mariner, a amount of informa(cid:173)
`tion may be modified by the mariner for route plan-
`
`ning or route monitoring. However, an ECDIS must
`return to the standard display at any time by a se(cid:173)
`lection operation. Thus, it is the mariner who de(cid:173)
`cides what level of information is required during a
`particular situation or task at hand.
`
`Fig. 3 Chart data in the overview display and the same data in detail
`
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`10 Geo-spatial Information Science ( Qiarterly) 12002, 5 (I )
`
`Display base is the layer of infonnation which
`canr.ot be removed fran the display, and includes
`infonnation which is required in all geographic ar(cid:173)
`eas and during all circunstances. It is not intended
`to be SJfficient for safe navigation.
`Depending on the needs of the mariner, infonna(cid:173)
`tion. may be displayed at different ~les ( i. e.
`zo6m-in or zoom-out). This system will show us
`
`different details.
`
`3. 4 Safety deptli I contour
`
`With EWIS the mariner can select a safety depth
`or safety contour. For a safety depth, all soundings
`less than or equal to the safety depth are empha(cid:173)
`sized For a safety contour, ECDIS highlights this
`contour over other depth contours.
`
`Fig. 4 Safety depth/contour in 5 meters and 30 meters
`
`3. 5 Display orientation I mode
`
`With EWIS, the mariner can select either a
`"north-LP" or a "course-up" orientation. The EffilS
`display can also be configured to operate in a true
`motion or relative motion mode of operation. In true
`motion,own ship's symbol moves across chart dis(cid:173)
`play. With a relative motion display, the own ship's
`symbol remains stationary in the center while the
`chart infonnation appears to move.
`
`3. 6 Other information
`
`Radar signal or other navigational infonnation may
`be added to the display. However, it should not de(cid:173)
`grade the display and not obscure other electronic
`chart infonnation. Different infonnation is not simply
`SJperimposed together. Transferred radar infonna(cid:173)
`tion may contain both the radar image and ARPA
`(automated radar piloting aid) information. Those
`information can be cn.x::ial for collision avoidance.
`
`4 . Important functions for ECDIS
`
`EffilS is different fran other GIS. It has not only
`it's own diSplaying features, but also sorTtl-special
`
`important functions.
`
`4. 1 Route planning
`
`With EffilS the mariner should be able to perform
`route planning in a simple and reliable manner. It
`should be possible to add or delete waypoints, or
`to change the position or order of waypoints in a
`selected route. It should also be possible to plan
`both primary and alternate routes.
`
`4.2 Route monitoring
`
`During route monitoring, ECDIS must show own
`ship' s position whenever the display covers that
`area. Key infonnation provided during route moni(cid:173)
`toring includes a continuous indication of vessel po(cid:173)
`sition, course, and speed. Additional
`infonnation
`that ECDIS can provide includes St.Ch information as
`distance right/left of intended track, time-to-run,
`distance-to-turn,position and past track history.
`
`4.3 Voyage recording
`
`After the voyage, ECDIS must be able to recon(cid:173)
`struct
`the navigation and verify
`the official
`database used. Recorded at one minute intervals
`the infonnation includes:
`
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`WAN Xiaoxia,et al. /flectrooic Chart Display and lnfonnatioo System
`
`11
`
`·own ship's past track including time, position,
`heading, and speed,
`·a record of official ENC used including source,
`edition,date,cell and update history.
`In addition, EffilS tnust be able to record the
`complete track for the entire voyage with time
`marks. EWIS should also have the capability to
`preserve the record of the voyage. Finally, it should
`not be allowed to manipulate or change the record(cid:173)
`ed information.
`
`5 Conclusion
`
`In order to gain type approval/certification by
`user, the EffilS system which we are developing
`will need to comply fully with the IMO Performance
`Standard for EffilS. Anything else ( e. g. use of
`non-official data, different chart content/display,
`red.JC::ed functional capability, etc.) will likely be
`considered non-compliant.
`Results from Shanghai Marine Actninistration' s
`experiments and at-sea trials have showed that
`EffilS is the most effective means of navigation
`comparing with more traditional methods ( e. g. vi(cid:173)
`sual fixes, radar, or plotting fixes on paper charts).
`EffilS has also showed that mental stress and
`workload on the bridge, and the portion of time
`spent on navigation-related tasks can be re<:i£ed
`This in turn allows more time for the higher risk
`task of collision avoidance.
`Since ECDIS is capable of continuously displaying
`own ship's position on the electronic chart, there is
`increasing benefit of having other real-time informa(cid:173)
`tion available that can be used to increase the
`safety and efficiency of the voyage. Timely infor(cid:173)
`mation on water levels and current flow can be of
`significant benefit to a mariner in terms of optimiz(cid:173)
`ing the timing of vessel transits, or the amount of
`vessel cargo loading.
`
`6 The future
`
`Looking forward to the future, it is evident that
`EffilS offers enormous potential to improve the
`safety and efficiency of maritime navigation[7.sl.
`EffilS will lead to dramatic changes in the type of
`
`navigation safety waterways services that will
`need to be provided in order tQ improve both the
`safety and efficiency of maritime conmerce in the
`world's increasingly congested ports and water(cid:173)
`ways. Since E(X)IS is a real-time navigation sys(cid:173)
`tem, there are opportmities to improve upon the
`type of information that can be provided to the
`mariner in digital form.
`ECDIS will be used in the following areas:
`1) As an electronic nautical chart sytem EffilS is
`used primarily by professional navigators in the
`shipping sector, and in particular on ferries in dan(cid:173)
`gerous water areas and in bad weather(e. g. fog).
`2) EffilS will lead to dramatic changes in the
`types of Vessel Traffic Information Service (VTIS)
`that will be operated to benefit the efficiency and
`safety of maritime commerce. An important compo(cid:173)
`nent of the VTIS in the future will be the increased
`employment of EmlS-related technologyl9l.
`3) Instead of relying primarily on voice comlTlllli(cid:173)
`cations, vessels will eventually have GPSIDGPS
`transp6nders (i.e. AIS) that will COlllmJnicate with
`one another or to a VTIS center. With a standard
`format and protocol ( e. g. vessel identification, lo(cid:173)
`cation, course, speed, and time) ,it would be possi(cid:173)
`ble for each vessel to display the location and
`movement of other vessels on ECDIS.
`4) ECOIS will be also employed for the national
`coastal and environmental protection, oil spill
`clearance d.Jties, surveillance by aircraft and t;y the
`sea re~ue service.
`5) Simulation systems used for the basic and ad(cid:173)
`vanced training of navigators, pilots, et al. are e(cid:173)
`quipped with ECDIS.
`
`References
`
`ltv'O ( 1995) Perforrnarce standards for electronic ctBrt
`display ard information systems ( Ea:llS), IM'.::> Resblu(cid:173)
`tion A 817 ( 19 ). International Maritime Orga:1ization,
`London.
`International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
`(1986) Consolidated text of 1974 SOl.AS Convention,
`the 1978 SOl.AS Protocol, the 1981 ard 1983 SOl.AS A(cid:173)
`rrenctrents. International Maritiire Organization, London.
`
`2
`
`(Contirued on Page 21)
`
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`As GPS furnishes 30 coordinates, sane analyses
`corceming the course of the height of the calbeway
`are possible. On one hand it is possible to draw a
`side-face of the cableway, which emphasises the
`position of the tower( in Fig. 3). 01 the other hand
`it is possible to integrate this infonnation in a GIS,
`e. g. about the obstacles for the aviation. There(cid:173)
`with, given the suitable software, 30 scenery rep(cid:173)
`resenting the land~pe and the cableway are com(cid:173)
`putable( in Fig. 4).
`
`Dante Salvini!Monitoring the Deformation of Cableways 21
`
`uphill drive
`
`2 290
`
`: 2 270
`
`J 2260
`
`0
`
`1000
`00
`00
`100
`200
`d1i.tanct' from 1he . Art [ m
`
`1200
`
`Fig. 4 30 scenery
`
`of the position of the tower, due to geodynamic
`process or mechanical movement, can be detect(cid:173)
`ed.
`2) Compensation of GPS observations brings
`about better results, when a condition of linearity is
`taken into account.
`3) Conditions of linearity allow to detect out(cid:173)
`liers.
`4) The method is reliable and precise.
`
`Fig. 3 Side-face of the cableway
`
`References
`
`5 Conclusion
`
`From the described project, the following conclu(cid:173)
`sions can be drawn:
`1) tv1ethods of satellite geodesy can be applied
`to determine the actual position of the axis of the
`cableway . As a consequence , also the deviations
`
`Salvini D. ( 1999) UeberprOfl.JlQ des Sei lverlaufes bei
`Gondelbahnen md Sesselliften mit Mettuden cler
`Satellitengeodasie. Zurich, Switzerland: IGP-Bericht Nr.
`287, ETHZ( in German)
`2 Salvini D. ( 1999) Dreidimensionale tv'oclellierung von
`
`Seilbahnanlagen tor eine geographische Datenbank der
`
`Luftfahrthinclernisse. Zurich, Switzerland: IGP-Bericht Nr.
`286,ETHZ(in German)
`
`(Continued from Page 11 )
`
`3
`
`4
`
`S
`
`IHO( 1996) IHO Specification for Chart Content and Dis(cid:173)
`play of ECDIS, IHO Special Plblication No. 52 ( IHO S-
`52) ,4th ed. tvbnaco.
`
`IHO( 1996) IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrograph(cid:173)
`ic Data, IHO Special R..blication No. 57 ( IHO S-57), 3rd
`ed. tvbnaco.
`IEC 61174: tvlaritirne navigation and radiocormwication
`
`equipnent systems-Electronic chart display and infor(cid:173)
`mation system ( ECDIS)-Operational and performance
`requirements, methods of. testing, and required test re-
`
`suits. International Electrotechnical Corrmission,Geneva
`IMO. Draft recomnendation on performance standards for
`
`6
`
`an universal shi[:X:xxne automatic identification system
`(AIS). ltvO Safety of Navigation &b-committee Report
`NA V43 !WP. 2, Annex 2, ltv'O Loncbn.
`7 U. S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center
`
`( 1996). Electronic chart display and information systems
`
`(ECDIS) test and evaluation -
`
`sunnary report. Report
`
`No. CG-D-20-97
`
`8 Offshore Systems Ltd ( 1997) Canadian electronic chart
`
`final report. Vancower, BC.
`pilot project -
`9 Lee A ,Ganjon F. K. ( 199S)ECDIS: Current status/future
`expectations. Sea Technology,36(3)
`
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`FLIR-1013.007
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