OSI Maritime Systems Presents Its 3D Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPIN)

At UDT 2017, MONS sat down with Peter Hodgkinson, director of business development (Europe) at OSI Maritime Systems, to discuss their 3D Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPIN) . “Using the technology we have developed for our Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), we have developed a tool that uses data from land, sea and air charts to create a 3D view of a ship’s environment,” says Mr Hodgkinson.

The 3D tool creates a picture of a ship’s environment by allowing the user to overlap data from land, sea and air charts, thus creating a picture that can include as much information as needed, from road networks on land, to topography of the sea bed and the land, to the position of ships and mines underwater. “This tool can be used to prepare a mission, simulating all the elements that will be crucial to its success, but it is also essential for carrying out the mission once out at sea,” continues Mr Hodgkinson.

Through the 3D tool, a ship crew can also control Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). A datalink allows the mothership to prepare mission information and transfer it to the USV, as well as make any changes during the mission if necessary. If the ship’s communication architecture allows it, the USV can also transmit back information and images on real time.

“The system is at technology readiness level (TRL) 9 and has already been sold to a number of navies,” concludes Mr Hodgkinson: “we are now working to overlay radar information on the 3D map as well.”

Dr. Alix Valenti