327

1 INTRODUCTION

Electronic Chart Display and Information System

(ECDIS)[1]isoneofthemostimportantnavigation

anddecisionsupporttools,inthehighdegreedueto

theintegrationwiththeothersystemsandperipheral

vessels equipment and the ability of real‐time

operating. Contemporary ECDIS clearly

demonstratesan emergency and synergetic effectof

complex system. Thanks to system a

pproach in

ECDISdevelopmentitmanifestedthenewproperties

formaritimenavigation.

An evident effect was gained due to linking

Automatic Identification System (AIS) to ECDIS.

Nevertheless,it’s potential inhigh‐performance and

safe navigation is not depleted. In our opinion the

nextstepinthestrengtheningofECDISeffectiveness

for navigation is bringing together ECDIS/AIS and

VHF/

DSC radio. This assessment is originated from

the obvious drawbacks of maritime communication

usingDigitalSelectiveCalling(DSC).

DSC is a new feature of communication

comparingwithbeforetheGlobalMaritimeDistress

and Safety System (GMDSS) epoch. But imperat

ive

implementation of DSC as a part of Very High

Frequency (VHF) communication is hardly

introduced in a practical application because of

certainreasons that were analysedin document [2].

In particularly an existing VHF/DSC radios require

numerousnumberofmanualoperationstocompose

correct call. Thus entering only Maritime Mobile

Service Identi

ty (MMSI) needs nine elementary

manual actions at DSC controller key board. In the

whole the time period needed for digital call –

acknowledgement procedures, that are executed in

the ideal condition and by skilled navigator is

ECDIS Modernization for Enhancing Addressed VHF

Communication

V.Koshevyy&O.Shyshkin

OdessaNationalMaritimeAcademy,Ukraine

ABSTRACT: Standard ECDIS configuration doesn’t foresee interaction with Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

device.WeproposeareasonablewaytoeliminatethedrawbacksofexistingVHFradiotelephonyusingDSC

and obtain new advantages in communication and navigation in the frame of existing conventional

installations.Theproposedinnovationisba

sedonECDISsoftwareupdatingandtheinterconnectiontoDSC

equipment. ECDIS modernization would get rid a navigator of the routine procedures and handling with

abstractdatareplacingthembyunderstandableactionsonECDISdisplay.Theproposedintegrationgivesnew

abilitiesforsmartaddressedVHF/DSCcommunicationbyestimatingthecurrentnavigationalsituationaround

theshiptha

tisespeciallyimportantincongestedports,waterwaysandpoorvisibilityregardinghumanfactor.

The proposed modernization retains in operation all standard DSC and ECDIS functions and provides full

compatibility with commonly used non‐integrated equipment. Financial expenses to its implementation for

ship‐ownerareminima

lduetoonlysoftwareupdatingandstandardcabling.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 9

Number 3

September 2015

DOI:10.12716/1001.09.03.04

328

comparable to responding time in urgent

circumstances. But the worth is that the navigator

justneglectsDSCproceduresandimmediatelytakes

up the receiver on channel 16 relying on desired

ship‐to‐ship communication. In this situation the

question“whoiswho?”cannotbesettledidentically

andatonce.Instead,

omittingtheDSC,thenavigator

doesn’t get secure clear and addressed VHF

communication.

Proposal to improve VHF/DSC communication

hasbeenvoiced in the proposition[3] and involved

inpaper[4].Itwasfurthersettledthatthecomplete

solution of the discussed problem calls for some

modernizationofECDISatthe

softwarelevel.Inthe

presentpaperthismodernizationanditsinfluenceon

VHFcommunicationarediscussed.

2 ECDISUPDATINGTODSCCONNECTING

2.1 Contemporarystate

ECDISisthemostimportantnavigationaltoolwhich

deals with Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)

information and much navigation data from the

different external sensors. General scheme

 of

contemporaryECDIS[1]isshowninFigure1.



Figure1.GeneralschemeofcontemporaryECDIS

Contemporary ECDIS is a main source of

navigation‐related information. According to [5]

navigation‐related information includes chart and

operational information. Chart‐relation information

is drawn from ENC. Sources of operational

informationarevariousnavigationtools.Itshouldbe

noted the trend of ratio between chart information

and operational‐related information

 (See Figure 2).

Volume of chart information is bounded by ENC

contentandhastobestable.Insteadtherelativepart

ofoperationalinformationisrising.Leadinggrowth

should be explained by the ascending ability of

presentationofinformationtohumansinconvenient

visualform.

Itisveryimportantto

payattentiontodefinitions

ofnotions“Data”and“Information”asgivenin[5]:

Data‐informationinnumericalformthatcanbe

digitallytransmittedorprocessed.

Example/context: Data are a raw collection of

factswhichcanexistinanyformwithoutanyevident

meaningorsequenceofusability.

Information‐thecommunicationor

receptionof

knowledgeorintelligence.

Example/context: Data becomes information

when it is presented in a manner which is

understandabletohumans.



Figure2. Trends of chart and operational‐related

information(from[6])

In our design we have just avoided operations

with a raw data (MMSI, position), but using only

information directly presented in the form

understandabletoanavigator.

2.2 Compellingneed

Careful analysis showed that certain, mainly

software applications must be entered into ECDIS

withoutanyintrusioninitsstandardfunctions.

objectiveofproposedECDISmodernizationis

the development and implementation of such

technicalimprovementswhichcouldgivetheability

to: 1) providing DSC communication automatically

directlyfromECDIS;2)displayingthecallingvessel

byblinkingAISmarkoncalledvesselʹsECDIS(and

red blinking mark in the case of

distress call) and

thustomakeimmediatelytheprocessofattachment

ofcallingvesseltocurrentnavigationsituation.

Thecompletionofthesetwotaskscanbeachieved

within the frames of the currently used vessel

equipment,throughthe ECDIS/AIS integration with

VHF/DSC.Thisintegratedsystemallowsgettingthe

newqualitywhich

couldnotbereachedusinganyof

specified systems separately. Such an integrated

system should enhance the quality of information

availabletotheofficerofthewatchandthusrequires

special connection between ECDIS and DSC

controller.

The problem is that in existing ECDIS the

connection to DSC is not

foreseen. So the

corresponding modernization of ECDIS should be

done. Connection of the VHF/DSC and ECDIS may

beimplementedbymeansofbi‐directionalinterface.

Generally the integrated system is suitable not

only for ship‐to‐ship communication, but also for

shore‐to‐ship and ship‐to‐shore communications

whichis

veryimportantforapplicationintheVessel

TrafficServicesandSARoperations.

Alongside the intrinsic advantages gained by

connectingDSCcontrollertoECDIS,suchintegration

wouldcorrespondwiththeprinciplesthatunderpin

IMOʹs e‐Navigation concept. One of core objective

relatedtothee‐Navigationconceptparticularlysays:

329

“integrate and present information on board and ashore

through a human‐machine interface which maximizes

navigational safety benefits and minimizes any risks of

confusionormisinterpretationonthepartoftheuser”.

Integration of data of VHF/DSC and ECDIS/AIS

systems allows optimizing control of a vessel, to

avoidpossible

misses and incorrect decisions of the

navigator.

The most important is that VHF/DSC presents a

necessarypartofGMDSSbutbecauseofunpractical

userinterfaceitisemployedbymarinersincorrectly

orignoredatall[2].Thereisasharpcompellingneed

toimprove DSCuserinterfacetogainbenefitsfrom



digital calling which have been projected. The

proposed modernization and integration naturally

solvetheabovementionedissueswhilenotclaiming

any expenses from ship‐owners. Only amendments

toperformancestandardsandsoftwareupdatingare

needed. Additional hardware results in appropriate

DSC – ECDIS cabling. If necessary, soft updating

maybe

distributedinapplicationform.

2.3 DataprocessinginECDIS

Tocompose a DSC navigator hastoknowMMSIof

thevesseltowhomthecallisaddressed.Theneeded

MMSI is commonly may be read out from AIS

display(orECDIS).InthisroutinesequenceofMMSI

digits presents a certain

 numerical data which say

nothing to navigator itself. Why does he have to

handleMMSIdigits?

When receiving DSC call a navigator has to

handle again an abstract digits (MMSI, position),

wasting time needed for making decision on

navigation.

Settlement of this problem may be obtained by

realizationofa

certainprocedures:

1 providing MMSI transferring to the DSC

controllerautomaticallydirectlyfromECDIS(AIS

data already have it). The parameters, for

example,theworkingchannelnumber,canbeset

bydefault(orcanbechosenmanuallyifnecessary

usingstandardcomputeractions);and

2 displayingthecallingvesselbyblinking

AISmark

on called vesselʹs ECDIS(and red blinking mark

inthecaseofadistresscall).

The above mentioned functions were software‐

based implemented as presented in Figure 3. An

innovative ECDIS functions are realized in the dot

lined modules. Standard ECDIS comprises

Processing Unit with Electronic Navigation

Chart

mass storage, Display and external information

transducers: Radar, AIS, GPS receiver, Log and

Gyrocompass. In a case of DSC call officer of the

watch(OOW)shouldonlyselectthevesseltowhich

heintendstocommunicate.Itisnotnecessarytolook

for MMSI of the called vessel because it

 is already

known from AIS information. All necessary

operations for calling message assembling are

provided in the module of DSC message forming

module. Calling sequence is directed through the

OutputporttotheexternalDSCcontroller.



Figure3.ECDISwithDSC‐relatedinformationprocessing

The second new ECDIS function supports

informationreceived from DSC controller. In a case

of getting DSC call that is addressed to the own

vessel the received sequence is directed through

Input port to module of DSC message processing.

Comparing MMSI from DSC controller with AIS

target MMSI makes possible to

 mark the calling

vessel among other ships. OOW is able to estimate

immediately the current navigational situation not

wastinganytimeontheproperlyDSCactions.After

acknowledge,ifnecessary,againbyclickingtheAIS

mark of the calling vessel operator can start voice

communication. It is essentially that addressed

and

clearly understood recipient side communication is

guaranteedwithoutadditionalexplanations.

2.4 Benefits

Thee‐Navigationinitiativewillneedtofocusonthe

challenge of keeping shipboard system up to date

and error‐free. Evolving technologies and e‐

Navigationapplicationwillcontinuetodrivechange

in the maritime communication system. Shore



facilities and ship operators will have more

economical and efficient choices for exchanging the

informationtheyneedforthesafeoperationofships.

The ECDIS/AIS integration with VHF/DSC will

ensure further enhancement of safety of navigation

while simplifying the navigatorʹs interface with

communication and navigational equipment and

acceleratingactions

ofoperatorforship‐to‐ship,ship‐

to‐shore and shore‐to‐ship communications

(COMSAR 15/INF.3). These last two are very

important for application in the Vessels Traffic

Services and the SAR operations. When a necessity

for establishment VHF communication appears in

extraordinary situation, the navigator needs to be

able to

 count on quick access to clear voice

communication, without wasting any time on

fulfillingunnecessaryoperationsforthis,andshould

beabletoconcentrateonthemaintask,inparticular,

connected with safety navigation (with proper

observant of the COLREGs, of course). This

suggestionisfullycompatiblewiththee‐

Navigation

development strategic direction which includes

furtherdevelopmentofmeansofcommunicationand

330

navigationandtheimplementationofmoderndigital

informationtechnologiesinnavigation.

Theintegrationof ECDIS‐AIS and VHF DSC can

be achieved within the currently used vesselʹs

equipment and requires no changes to the existing

radiocommunication operational procedures (if

necessary,allcomponentsofintegratedsystem may

be used separately

 in regular regimes). What is

essential is that the present manual method of

making/viewing calls will be preserved as a

supplementary means to the automatic method of

making calls in the ECDIS‐AIS‐DSC system. Only

twoadditionaloperationsforECDISareneededtobe

implemented:

1 providing MMSI transferring

to the DSC

controllerautomaticallydirectlyfromECDIS(AIS

data already have it). The parameters, for

example,theworkingchannelnumber,canbeset

bydefault(orcanbechosenmanuallyifnecessary

usingstandardcomputeractions);and

2 displayingthecallingvesselbyblinkingAISmark

on called vesselʹs

 ECDIS (and red blinking mark

inthecaseofadistresscall).

IntegratedECDIS/AIS–VHF/DSCsystemwillbe

also employed in Vessel Traffic Services to benefit

their efficiency and safety of port operations,

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers, Search and

Rescueoperations.

2.5 Influenceofhumanfactor

Considered proposition is

tightly connected with

user’sinterfaceandthereforeconcernsaquestionon

human factor. In the document [7] the results of

assessment of GMDSS on board equipment on

communication and navigation in the frame of e‐

Navigationarepresented.Itwasnotedthatasmany

of the communication requirements including those

within

 GMDSS were directly associated with

navigation tasks regarding to collision avoidance,

port operations and SAR operations. Thus

integrating navigation and communication tasks

could aid the effective planning, execution and

reportingfunctionsforashipʹsvoyage.

Among user needs it was emphasized clear

identification of addressees both for broadcast and

point‐to‐point communication and for all forms of

communication.

2.6 Testing

An experimental hardware‐software complex

ECDIS/AIS –  VHF/DSC has been constructed to

verify practicability of the proposed ECDIS

modernization. The complex includes standard

VHF/DSC controller RM‐2042 (Sailor), AIS

transponder MT‐3 (Transas), specially designed

software to customize ECDIS

 functionality for DSC

interconnection and specific interface for DSC

controlling. In the future this interface may be

replacedbystandardizedinterface.

Testing demonstrated the full operability of the

newly proposed ECDIS click‐to‐talk and call

presentation functions in ECDIS environment. DSC

functionisrealizedintheseparatepresentationlayer

andmaybeswitchedoff.AllothersstandardECDIS

performances and external connections were not

degraded.

2.7 Physicalinterface

Implementation of the designed ECDIS demands

additionalhardwareinterfacebetweenECDISstation

andDSCcontroller.Thisinterfaceshouldbe chosen

frommaritimeinterfacesofinstrumentallevel.There

are two suitable candidates: NMEA

 0183 (National

Marine Electronics Association) ant its international

versionIEC61162‐1/2andNMEA2000(IEC61162‐3)

[8]. Presently NMEA 0183 is widely used for

interconnection of various maritime navigational

tools,butaccordingtoitscharacteristicsitisnotquite

suitable for up‐to‐date information exchange on the

bridgeinreal timemode and is the mostimportant

standardforshipinstrumentsinterconnection.

The next generation of maritime interfaces is

NMEA2000.Todayitiswidelyimplementedmainly

onthesmallandpleasurenon‐SOLASvesselswhere

it combines not only navigational means but also

transducers of propulsive system

 and ship’s

automatic machinery. Comparative interface

characteristicsaregivenintheTable1.

Table1.NMEA0183/2000characteristics

_______________________________________________

NMEA0183NMEA2000

_______________________________________________

Rate4.8kbit/sec(38.4kbit/sec Rate250kbit/sec(on

 forversionNMEA0183HS) generalbuslength200м)

Onedirectional,onetalkerand Bidirectional

 several(upto10)listeners

Thereisnoanyspecialdemands Onlyuniformwaterproof

 toconnectorsconnectorsin

maritimerealization

Needsforadditionalactivation Implements

plug‐and‐

 onaprogramlevelplayfunction

Point‐to‐pointimplementation. Usethegeneralbus

 Needsfornumerouscable  (backbone)for

 interconnectionsbetween   switchingall

 installations,especiallyfor  instruments,that

 backupminimizesthe

connectorsnumber

_______________________________________________



IntheNMEA 0183 interface datatransmissionis

realized by means transferring information packets

named as sentences. There are 4 sentences that

officiallyapproveforDSCutilization:

 DSC–DigitalSelectiveCallingInformation,

 DSE–ExpandedDigitalSelectiveCalling,

 DSI–DSCTransponderInitialize,

 DSR–DSC

TransponderResponse.

Analysis of these sentences makes possible to

resume that they contain all necessary information

forbidirectionalinteractionbetweenECDISandDSC

controller. Therefore NMEA 0183 standard is fully

suitable for our application. Unfortunately the

NMEA 2000 standard is publically closed and

arguments on its application are not possible.

In

general comingfrom comparison in the Table 1 the

preferenceshouldbegiventoNMEA2000.

Somemanufacturesofmarineinstallationalready

produce VHF/DSC transceivers with NMEA

0183/2000DSCsupportinginterfaces.

331

2.8 Industrystandards

Convergence of technologies may require a similar

approach to some navigational and communication

elements. The existing system of standards setting

may not be suitable in all cases to all modernized

elements,duetotherapidchangeandincreasinguse

of software based systems. The proposal of the



ECDIS/AIS integration with the VHF/DSC requires

correspondingamendmentswhich should beadded

only in the ECDIS performance standards. Industry

would be actively involved in developing that kind

of modernization only after the adoption of

correspondingamendments.

Of course, the wholesome conservatism is

warranted by aspiration of maritime community to

safe

navigation. But the progress in the commonly

used info‐communication technologies should be

taken into consideration again for the sake of

maritime navigation. Common placed computer

actions are perceived friendlier than particulars of

DSC functions in VHF/DSC radios from various

manufactures.

3 CONCLUSION

PresentedECDISmodernizationanditsinterfacingto

VHF/DSC

 transceiver essentially simplify an active

address communication and reliable vessels

identification in relation to current navigating

conditions.Effectisachievedbyeliminatingmanual

operationson DSC formingreplacing them byclear

and understandable actions on ECDIS display

accordingtostandardcomputeroperations.

Theproposedtechnologyrealizesoneofthebasic

principles in execution of communication and

navigationtasks: transitionfromhandling with raw

data to clear understandable information at ECDIS

display.

Implementation is based on standard

conventional ship born installation. Only two

additions are needed: 1) software ECDIS updating

and 2) interconnection ECDIS – DSC via NMEA

protocol,providingtheDSC

controllersupportsthis

interface.

The proposed integration makes free mariners

from DSC complexity by replacing routine manual

functions by “smart” system that could execute

automaticdetectionfree/openworkingchannel.

The proposed system establishes standard

interfaceforcommunicationoperationsonabase of

ECDIS.CurrentlyDSCcontrollersdifferwithregard

to

user interface. Integration them to ECDIS would

resolvetheproblemof“unfriend”DSCinterface.

No appreciable expenses from ship‐owners have

to be undertaken because the proposal is grounded

on existing standard installation and requires only

softwareupdatingandECDIS–DSCcablingwithout

anyadditionalequipment.

The discussed modernization has

 been

formulated in the proposal to Maritime Safety

Committee [9]. Proper amendments in ECDIS

performance standards must be done for

implementationECDIS/AIS–VHF/DSCintegration.

REFERENCES

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[2]Simplification of DSC equipment and procedures.

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