Research and Design of Navigation Simulator Dome Laboratory

Abstract

The paper introduces the dome laboratory designed for shipping navigator simulator. The dome laboratory, based on multimedia technology and computer network system technology, is composed by two parts: navigator simulator and planetarium simulator that connected between each other by network. The shipping navigator simulator will show corresponding seascape or port that the operator required, at the same time, the planetarium simulator will also show the astronomical phenomena of the period of the day according to the parameters that the operator entered. In order to make navigator simulator and single ball planetarium simulator simultaneous, we have done some special designs for driving system of the single ball planetarium simulator. In the laboratory, student could not only study both the navigation technology by shipping simulator and astronomical phenomena knowledge by planetarium simulator, but also syncretism navigation technology with astronomical phenomena knowledge much better. By using this laboratory, students will study more technology and improve their practice abilities as if they were on board ships at sea. In order to training navigation students navigate ability; navigator simulator has been widely used in maritime colleges. Modern navigator simulator has played a very important role, since the simulator software can be connected to real ship control levers, instrument repeaters and commercial navigation equipment as auto pilot and GPS. A variety of ship models with different propulsion systems can be supplied with the simulator. The mathematical models are either chosen from stock or made especially for the customer. The simulator system includes all relevant navigational equipment, indicators and simulated ship control levers, such as engine control, steering and thrusters, but a planetarium simulator. It brings about a big problem that students or teacher can only see whole sea scene and the small part sky which connect with sea surface from the simulator. Students or teacher could not see the whole sky. Students only could get their ship position by GPS. As we know if GPS has some troubles the sailor will lost his way. Traditional navigator training includes ship orientation according to astronomical phenomena. It is called astronavigation. Sailor could use sextant to measure the sun or the moon or stars to determine his position. So astronavigation method is very important in today's navigation education. This is why many maritime colleges or universities not only in our country but also in the world have built planetarium simulator laboratory and navigator simulator laboratory. So far the two laboratories are generally built up separation in two rooms or buildings. We find that many practical integration trainings could not be completed in these separate laboratories. In order to solve these questions, we have to design a special dome laboratory for ship navigator simulator based on modern multimedia technology and computer network system technology.