The
Lab consists of eight Microsoft NT personal
computers networked in a closed environment.
Each PC possesses two or more electronic charting
applications. Two simulators providing sensor
simulation through GPS, DGPS, soundings, speed
log, etc., support the PCs. One of the PCs also
functions as the electronic chart database.
As one of the many functions of the lab, we
are striving to create the largest electronic
chart database to support testing, evaluation
of electronic charting applications and new
product development. The table below provides
the list of electronic charting applications,
both ECS (Electronic Charting System) and ECDIS,
including "viewing" software programs
that are fully operational within the Lab.
System
Manufacturer
Aldebaran II
ICAN
CAP'N
Nautical
Tech
CMAP
ECS
CMAP
VMS
Sperry-NG
Pathfinder
ECDIS
Klein
(Raytheon)
ECPINS-M
OSL
NaviSailor
2500
Transas
NaviSailor
3000
Transas
Offshore
Navigator
Maptech
ORCA
Navigator
SevenCs
Visual
Navigator
Nobeltec
ICE
SPAWAR
Viewers
Easy-ENC
CARIS
Edge
Viewer
Boeing
SeeMyDENC
SevenCs
Our licensed data includes worldwide portfolios
from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency
(Digital Nautical Charts, DNC) and the United
Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Admiralty
Raster Chart Service (ARCS) (HCRF format). The
Lab also has S-57 data for the United States
and Canada from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Canadian Hydrographic
Service, respectively; Primar Test Data Sets,
and several other countries. Besides the ARCS
raster charts, the Lab also has the complete
U.S. raster folio of NOAA charts produced by
Maptech in BSB format.
The
main primary services of the Laboratory are
to:
· Evaluate electronic charting applications
produced both commercially and by the government.
· Provide an objective assessment (technical
and operational) of software.
· Document current capabilities and limitations
of each software.
· Test and validate new products/services:
· Verify desired functionality occurs.
· Assess: decision-support, display aspects,
data and services, and Human Machine Interface
(HMI).
· It is important to provide feedback
to stakeholders describing what works and what
doesn't, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
