Solid-state and pulse radar has been introduced to improve ship navigation through better hazard detection
New vessel navigation radar was unveiled in December to increase distances for detecting targets and improving visualisation of navigation hazards.
Furuno Electric introduced its solid-state X-band radar for merchant shipping and Navico revealed new pulse compression radome units.
Furuno’s new solid-state radar is IMO compliant and can be used for detecting hazards and surrounding ships and as a chart radar. It produces a power pulse of up to 800 W that is reflected by targets and displayed on the ship’s bridge.
This new X-band radar is an addition to the FAR-2xx8/3xx0 NXT series that also includes solid-state S-band radar.
Conventional radar has a moving magnetron for generating powerful energy pulses.
Solid-state radar use electronic components instead of a magnetron to generate microwaves. This technology consumes less power and has no consumable parts, reducing operating costs.
Solid-state radar also does not need pre-heating time to start, which is much faster than with a magnetron.
Furuno said these new solid-state X-band radar will be available for newbuilds and retrofits in Q3 2020.
Also in December, Navico unveiled its compact, pulse compression radome radar for workboats. It has developed two versions – Simrad HALO20 and HALO20+ for vessels such as patrol craft, tugs, construction support and pilot vessels.
HALO20 increases situational awareness and collision avoidance by detecting collision hazards and other targets close to the vessel and up to 24 nautical miles away.
HALO20+ detects targets over a greater distance and delivers instant feedback on their movement relative to the host vessel.
“At their core, HALO20+ and HALO20 Radars make navigation safer and easier,” said Navico chief executive Knut Frostad. “They have distinct feature sets that cater to both the professional mariner that craves top-end features, and those looking for high-performance radar at a more affordable price.”
HALO20 radar can replace existing 3G and 4G units. It monitors selected collision hazards and tracks up to 10 targets in poor visibility.
HALO20+ has a fastest rate of rotation for quicker display updates and features VelocityTrack Doppler technology that distinguishes movement of selected targets. It also has a dual-range mode than enables mariners to monitor targets at long range and hazards at short range more frequently.
It delivers a full 360° sweep every second at ranges up to 1.5 nautical miles, providing an almost real-time view at close range.
Radar’s pulse compression technology means no compromises in detection at either selected range, while beam sharpening provides enhanced separation between small or distant targets, said Navico.
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