Marine Radar Map Generation for Uncharted Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In marine environments where chart data is unavailable or outdated, existing technologies cannot accurately display navigation data, leading to challenges in vessel navigation due to the lack of reliable chart data for uncharted areas or areas with outdated information.
Innovation Solution
A marine computing system that generates and transmits maps based on radar data received from on-board sensors, identifying and displaying substantially stationary objects in the marine environment, allowing for the creation of accurate navigation maps even in uncharted areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chart data is used for navigation, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the system becomes unreliable in uncharted or areas with outdated chart data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radar data as an intermediary source to supplement or replace traditional chart data. The radar sensor detects stationary objects and generates real-time map data that serves as a mediator between the vessel and the marine environment, enabling navigation in areas where traditional charts are unavailable or outdated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a dynamic copy of the marine environment by processing radar returns into map data representations. This digital copy is generated in real-time and stored for later use, allowing the navigation system to operate independently of physical or historical chart data while maintaining navigational accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radar data is processed to generate maps, then navigation capability in uncharted areas is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional processing system that handles various radar data types (surface returns, subsurface returns) and generates different map data representations (two-dimensional maps, three-dimensional models). This universal approach allows a single system to address multiple navigation scenarios and environmental conditions without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system is divided into distinct modules that handle different aspects of radar data processing: surface return processing, subsurface return processing, map data generation, and navigation integration. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by dividing complex processing tasks into manageable components.
3Reliability
If real-time map generation from radar data is implemented, then navigation safety is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of radar returns by identifying and classifying stationary objects before generating final map data. This preliminary action filters out irrelevant information and prepares data structures in advance, reducing the computational burden during real-time map generation and improving overall processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing of radar data where map data is generated and updated in real-time as the vessel moves through the environment. This continuous action ensures that navigation information is always current without requiring periodic reprocessing, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining navigation safety.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate navigation in uncharted marine environments by generating maps from radar data, reducing the impact of shadowing and multi-path effects, and providing up-to-date information on stationary objects, thus improving navigation safety and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
receive radar data for a marine environment proximate to a vessel, where the radar data are received from a radar sensor disposed on or proximate to the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations described herein are directed to generating a map using radar data. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to receive radar data for a marine environment proximate to a vessel, where the radar data are received from a radar sensor disposed on or proximate to the vessel. The computer-executable instructions may further be configured to cause the computer to generate a map of one or more substantially stationary objects in the marine environment based on the radar data.