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 The
main window of the ship simulator shows a plan view of the sea, and
the ship outline; the ship control console is displayed on the left
hand side of the main window. The display provides a plan view of the
ship and includes zoom, vehicle following, ship's trail and footprint
features. The ship control console provides a heading indicator and
water-speed indicator, and an anemometer. Below these are the engine
controls and control-mode selection radio buttons. The control panel
includes the simulation run controls - with speed (1x or 5x) selection
and buttons which enable the simulation to be started, paused, reset.
Beside these may be found the buttons which give access to the record
/ replay facility.
3D external view option - interface with ShipSim II viewer available.
Technical features of Ship Sim:
- User configurable propulsors type (Voith Scheider, screws/rudders,
azimuthing units) and parameters (position, alignment, direction
of rotation, power, size, acceleration rates, etc).
- User configurable hull parameters, including waterline length,
overall length, displacement, moment of inertia (yaw axis), added
mass coefficients, position of the center of gravity.
- Two hydrodynamic models are supplied:
- Wolfson model: the derivative coefficients are calculated
from the hull dimensions and displacement using equations developed
by Southampton University, which have been validated against
sea trials results from a range of large commercial vessels.
- Generic derivative model: the user specifies the equations
for the three components of force (surge, sway, yaw) from terms
made up of various powers of surge, sway and yaw velocity. A
facility for generating a Matlab module which can be used for
testing and developing models in isolation is included.
- Two aerodynamic models are supplied:
- Isherwood model: the three components of force are calculated
as functions of wind speed and direction;
- Generic model: the user supplies lookup tables to specify
the angular variations of each of the three components of force;
 Environment
simulation: in addition to wind, tide, and waves, the effect of
shallow water under the ship is modeled;- Wave response model: The ship motions are calculated via the
shape of the sea surface as well as the ship's velocity with respect
to the waves. A user interface dialog allows the amplitudes of response
to be scaled independently for surge, sway and yaw. Roll and pitch
information is also calculated.
- The ship-interaction model calculates the bow- and stern- wave
and pressure patterns between the vessels as well as the Bernoulli
effects.
- Multiple Own-Ships: Each ship has its own control console and
is fully modeled and independently controlled. Controls for separate
vessels may be distributed onto separate PCs or hardware units if
desired.
- Target vessels and traffic patterns: Ship Sim allows the user
to introduce up to 99 other vessels which are controlled by means
of a simplified interface and configured by specifying their physical
dimensions and acceleration and turning characteristics. Displays
show the status of each vessel including the Closest Point of Approach
to the main ship. Target vessels are equipped with a NMEA interface
which allows them to send TLL data compatible with ARPA systems
(e.g. for ECDIS and Radar training).
- Tugs may be attached to the Main Ships to push or pull them, to
simulate berthing or other harbor maneuvers.
- Coastline and harbor layout: Ship Sim may be supplied with an
integrated chart background using C-Map® vector charts. Alternatively,
a simple line-drawn coastline / harbor outline may be used to provide
a reference environment in which to maneuver. When using vector
charts, the vessel depth-under-keel is calculated from the chart
depth contours and spot depths and from the environment (tidal height);
the vessel may run aground when attempting to navigate in excessively
shallow waters.
- Ship Sim is supplied with sea trials sequencers, for conducting
standard Turning Circle and Zig-zag trials.
- ISO16329 and IEC62065 models are included which define the rudder
and motion responses for the purposes of testing and accreditation
to IMO requirements, for normal and high speed craft.
- Ship Sim is equipped with a DDE generalized autopilot interface,
to allow users to use in-house autopilot algorithms running on the
same PC under Matlab.
- DDE interfaces: Various components of the model (propulsors, bowthrusters,
aerodynamic and hydrodynamic models) provide a DDE interface. This
interface enables the user to program a model component, using a
Fourth Generation Language (4GL) such as Matlab.
- 3D external view upgrade option: for new users and available as
a upgrade option for existing users of ShipSim I. This provides
a external view from the bridge or from any camera placement.
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