Field trials of ECPINS vessel positioning algorithm

Since 1979, Offshore Systems Ltd. (OSL) has been involved in the development of electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). OSL´s ECDIS is called the Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS). The accurate positioning of a vessel is a paramount requirement for an ECDIS. OSL´s engineering department has expended considerable effort in the application of Kalman filtering techniques for the integration of several marine navigation measurements which are used for estimating a vessel´s position and kinematics. This paper gives an overview of OSL´s positioning Kalman filter (PKF), and outlines the different modes of operation depending on which marine navigation measurements are available. Performance results, of the PKF, based on field trials using OSL´s vessel, “the MV Surveyor”, navigating within Vancouver, B.C., Harbour, are also presented in this paper