Enhanced Radar Positioning

N. Ward, J. Safar, A. Grant, T. Kojima, P. Mueller

Abstract:	The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is developing e-Navigation as the future approach to marine navigation. The IMO has stated that systems for e-Navigation: “should be resilient …. robust, reliable and dependable. Requirements for redundancy, particularly in relation to position fixing systems should be considered” (MSC 85/26 Annex 20) GPS has become the primary source of positioning for mariners, but GPS, in common with other GNSS, is vulnerable to deliberate, accidental or natural radio interference. A complementary system, compatible with GNSS but independent of it, is essential to achieve the resilience required for e-Navigation. One option proposed for providing this resilience has been radar, which is mandatory equipment on board all commercial vessels and is carried by all but the smallest fishing and leisure craft. However, standard radars require enhancement, or additional infrastructure to provide absolute positioning. As part of the Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing evaluation within the ACCSEAS Project, trials have been carried out on absolute positioning using enhanced radar and radar beacons (racons). Two modified racons were installed on land and a vessel carrying a specially adapted, solid-state radar was used to record responses from the racons for analysis of position-fixing performance. This paper reports the results of these trials in terms of range and accuracy and uses these results to assess the feasibility of providing positioning in this way for port approach and for coastal navigation. The requirement for additional radar aids to navigation are assessed and estimates made of the likely costs.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2014 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 27 - 29, 2014 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, California
Pages:	583 - 587
Cite this article:	Ward, N., Safar, J., Grant, A., Kojima, T., Mueller, P., "Enhanced Radar Positioning," Proceedings of the 2014 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, California, January 2014, pp. 583-587.
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