Dynautics has been active in the development of collision avoidance algorithms since 2010. Our algorithms accept data from multiple sources and are incorporated within the SPECTRE Autopilot module.
Dynautics has also developed an external interface for collision avoidance. This interface, published in 2017, is based on the NMEA0183 standard, and allows third party collision avoidance processors to interact with the autopilot. A system of flags enables a remote operator to monitor the process and to enable or disable the collision avoidance processor remotely.
Introduction
Collision Avoidance (CA) is a much talked about technology within the unmanned marine vehicle market. At Dynautics we have excellent experience in providing CA at multiple levels, depending on customer requirements, vessel type and the type of sensor on board. It is worth stating that ‘sensing’ and ‘avoiding’ are two different elements of Collision Avoidance. In fact, sensing (and locating and tracking) is a key part of the problem, involving a range of sensors – radar, electro-optic, AIS data – which can be bulky and expensive.
Four Collision Avoidance modules from Dynautics
Dynautics CA is the standard external interface which enables our autopilots to interact with third party sense and avoid systems. This has been in use for many years on fast surveillance vessels which use the Dynautics navigational control system (SPECTRE) with the customers’ own sensing products which output avoidance instruction to the control system.
Dynautics CA-0 is an internal CA algorithm (i.e. resides within the SPECTRE Autopilot module) which uses obstacle data that is transmitted to the USV via the command and control datalink. This can include pre-programmed fixed obstacles and target data from area surveillance radars, for example.
Dynautics CA-1 also resides within the SPECTRE Autopilot module. CA-1 uses AIS data for the sensing function. It is very cost effective, minimal in size and has been used successfully in open ocean situations for many years on slow moving, wave powered vehicles. Notably, AIS data is not reliable for this application in confined waters and harbour situations.
Dynautics CA-2 is an external CA avoidance module from Dynautics. The sensing function is supplied via an interface to Navico 4G, FMCW Radar with MARPA. We supply the unlocked Radome, the MARPA system configured for use on USVs and the interfaces to the Spectre autopilot. This system can be augmented with other sensors, such as AIS and electro-optical sensors.
We aim to supply the most reliable, robust and integrated solutions for collision avoidance on the market.
