BANANAS (Berthing And NavigatioN Aid System)
An Independent Portable Pilot Unit (PPU)
A solution to provide maritime pilots with an independent berthing and navigation aid system which solely depends on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
The portable sensors send the exact position of the ship, her true orientation and other navigation data used by any navigation software to provide numerous e-navigation aid features.
Benefits
Characteristics
1-2cm
RTK Position Accuracy
GNSS Constellations
By default, its GNSS receivers are set to work with GPS+Glonass constellations. It is also possible to extend to Beidou+Galileo.
GNSS Accuracy
Receivers are powered by Trimble technology which automatically provides 3 levels of accuracy.
RTK: 1cm-2cm. L-Band (RTX): 4cm -10 cm. SBAS 0.5m-1m.
Orientation Accuracy
The 2 beacons form a dual-antenna GNSS compass with Moving Baseline RTK and Gyro-aiding. With 20m baseline the ROT accuracy is less than 0,1°/min and the HDG is as close as 0,01°. Via means of a long-range wireless radio link amongst the beacons, a very long baseline can be established (even 100m).
<0,1°/min
Rate Of Turn
Autonomy
The hot-swappable and rechargeable Nickel–Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH). These type of batteries are safer during transport as compared to Lithium-Ion batteries. Each battery has an autonomy of 6 hours. If needed, a battery can be replaced while a beacon is on, without any loss of power. The recharging time of a battery is 3 hours which allow enough time with a spare set to provide endless autonomy.
Communication Range
The PPU can send navigation data to the pilots' tablet in a range of 100m-200m.
Navigation SW Compatibility
Any navigation software that can take an NMEA feed (e.g.: Qastor, SEAiq, Orca Pilot G2, Pilot Pro, SafePilot, etc.), gives the possibility to choose this navigation sensor.
1cm/sec
Speed Detection
Inertial Navigation
GNSS-INS data are fused together and stabilized vie means of advanced Kalman filters. This assures the most accurate and reliable augmented-GNSS navigation solution.
Radio Comms
All antennas, modems, and firmware to make the PPU communicate with various types of radio networks are embedded: 3G/4G, UHF (410-470 MHz, ), AIS, Wi-Fi, Long-Range Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz).
Output Rate
2Hz NMEA wireless output is provided for integration with any navigation software
When Accuracy Matters
See a great maneuver performed in a tight water space using our PPU
Key Features
Advanced GNSS
Pilots are in demand for berthing aid tools that provide accurate vessel location in real-time. There are several ways of providing the necessary positioning/speed accuracy. A PPU will facilitate efficient and safe maneuvering within the entire navigation harbor zone enhancing vessel trajectory. This PPU automatically offers three technological solutions to assure accurate positioning of a vessel: RTK provides an accuracy of 1-2cm.
L-Band (RTX) accuracy is 4-10cm and is delivered via geostationary satellites. Likewise, SBAS with an accuracy of 0.5-1m.
Hyper Connectivity
The sensors contain antennas and receivers for capturing GNSS signals. But also antennas and transceivers for communicating with VTS and to acquire real-time feeds from hydrological monitoring systems, a long-range AIS receiver, a UHF receiver to acquire RTK corrections and a GSM modem to keep a constant connection to the internet, which is also used to acquire (NTRIP) RTK corrections. The sensors operate more than 100m from the pilot’s tablets, making it a unique PPU champion fit for complex berthing maneuvers.
Hot-swappable batteries
Each battery is hot-swappable; it can be interchanged while the beacon is functioning. The beacons contain an internal electrical-power storage that keeps the beacon running during circa 30 seconds while the battery is removed. This allows disconnecting a low-power battery and replacing it with another one which is charged. This guarantees endless autonomy. Lastly, Nickel–Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH) are safer during transport as compared to Lithium-Ion batteries.
PPU Technology Insights
Upcoming Exhibitions & Showcase Events
EMPA Congress - Liverpool, UK
Cadden will present BANANAS to the delegation of the European Maritime Pilots Association. 53rd EMPA General Meeting is held from May 22nd until May 24th in Liverpool, UK.