The interactive voice communication system is capable of recognizing the human voices of indefinitely many persons even in the noisy surroundings. The system is equipped with the following support functions in addition to the voice operating system.
(1) Preventive avoidance of collision/grounding
(2) Provision of navigational information (navigational surveillance)
(3) Provision of oceanic and atmospheric data
(4) Navigation planning
(5) Route tracking
(6) Control of ship's speed (observance of voyage plan, and energy-saving operation)
11.3 Applications of Computer Network
11.3.1 Next-generation Cargo Monitoring Control System
Asahi Mechatronic Corporation announced the radar-type cargo monitoring and control system "Autro CARGO2000" made of Autronica in Norway.
The system, in which the Autronica's high-tech is introduced within the compact new radar-type level gauge GL-100, has the following characteristics.
(1) Mounted with Windows NT compatible display program.
(2) Reducing the cost for outfitting the equipment by employing Ex-LON field bus network.
(3) Improved maintenance by applying CPU on each level gauge.
11.3.2 Hydraulic Valve Control by Ring BUS
Danfoss developed the remote controlling and monitoring system "Power Link System" in which the multi-functional hydraulic components and the new electronic control system are employed.
RS485 ring BUS is employed in the control monitoring signal network, and the ring main BUS is employed in the hydraulic drive source network, and those are provided with the following characteristics.
(1) Reducing the amount of cables and pipes, and then reducing the cost for outfitting the equipment.
(2) Reducing the engineering works for wiring and piping.
(3) Easy interfacing with other systems by employing the open system.
(4) Simple and quick start-up of the system.
11.4 Application of GPS
11.4.1 Ship Dock Arrival/Departure Guide System
Hitachi Zosen developed the support system for ship's arrival/departure which have been conventionally achieved based on the intuition and experience of the dock-master.
The GPS of differential system or the kinematics system (interference measurement system)is employed to measure the relative position of the hull based on the dock with excellent accuracy. The system comprises two GPSs installed on the ship and one GPS fixed at the dock, and calculates the relative position of the ship accurately in a three-dimensional manner.
11.4.2 Automatic Track Antenna for Ground TV Broadcasting for Ships
KHI developed the automatic tracking antenna for the ground TV broadcasting for ships where the clear and stable picture can be obtained onboard the ship, and put it on the market.
The antenna comprises the mechanism which detects the position and the heading of the ship by the GPS and the gyrocompass, automatically selects the optimum station among about 100 TV stations on the ground which are stored in the microcomputer in advance, and allows the highly-sensitive directional antenna to track the ground TV station automatically. [Hiroyuki OGINO]
12. Electronics Technology
12.1 Plant simulator
Various kinds of simulators have been introduced as effective learning and training means for improvement of seamen's workmanship.
I.E.M. CO., Ltd. (an affiliated company of Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., (IHI) began sale of "COMLEX-K" which can easily simulate burning patterns of marine diesel engines. It was converted for educational aids from the diesel engine burning simulator which was already developed. By using it, operation principle, performance prediction etc., of 2 and 4 cycle engines can be realized in the schoolroom without the real engine. The system consists of a computer, a color display and a color printer.
Yusen Marine Science Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. delivered a turbine plant simulator of LNG ship to Yokoudai Training Center of Nippon Yusen Co., Ltd. (NYK LINE).
This simulator consists of the basic study course and the training course. The basic study course is the multi-media educational system and the outline of turbine plant, plant operation etc. can be learned using the personal computer. The training course was modeled on the Qatar project LNG ship. This system uses mathematical models of turbine, boiler and relating auxiliaries, which were programmed by simulation language (DBSS) and control language (IDOL). Simulated performance is almost same as that of the real system.
