Computer and GPS navigation system for an autonomous ocean vessel

The aim of the paper is to investigate, design and construct the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system, communications bus, and central computer for an autonomous ocean vessel. The objectives were: to interface a GPS receiver to a host processor; to design a communications bus connecting the central computer to the host processor; and to design the central computer. The software to control the GPS receiver remotely from the central computer has been completed. The host processor is now able to request the GPS receiver for any message, and is able to command the receiver to perform different tasks and change current settings. Buffers have been incorporated into the code to increase efficiency. The host processor can now transmit to and receive from the central computer across the communications network. A marine navigational bus standard, NMEA 0183, has been researched and found suitable for this application. Interfaces to the bus have been constructed and tested. The functionality of the central computer has been implemented on an IBM-PC compatible, and is able to control the host processor. This paper aims to inform of the results obtained in the above mentioned areas