13 - Electronic Navigation

NN 204
Advanced Navigation
Electronic Navigation
Objectives:
1. Understand the theory of wave propagation.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of
electromagnetic wave theory.
3. Be able to list and describe the various

electronic navigation systems.
4. Understand the behavior of waves in the

atmosphere.
Objectives:
5. Be familiar with the different frequency
bands.
6. Understand the different methods of

modulation.
SYSTEMS ARE CLASSIFIED
BY
RANGE
RANGES
• Short Range: Radio beacons, RADAR
• Medium Range: RADAR
• Long Range: LORAN C
• Advanced Navigation Systems: NAVSTAR
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SINS (Shipboard
inertial navigation system)
Electromagnetic Wave Theory
All electronic navigation systems that provide
positional information rely on the radio wave in
some way. A basic understanding of the theory,
characteristics, and behavior of these radio waves
is necessary to understand the errors inherent in
these systems.
The Electromagnetic Wave
Cycle: One complete sequence of values of Period: Time required to repeat on cycle of
the strength of a wave. the wave.
Wavelength: Length of a cycle in distance Phase: The amount (in degrees), by which
units. a cycle has progressed.
Amplitude: The wave strength. Hertz: Cycles per second.
Frequency: Number of cycles/second. Carrier: Base wave before it is modulated.
Modulation
A wave that is transmitted at a constant
frequency cannot convey much information. For a
wave to carry information, it must be modified, or
“modulated”. Different ways to modulate waves are:
• Amplitude Modulation (AM) – The amplitude of a carrier

wave is modulated. (Commercial radio broadcast)
• Frequency Modulation (FM) – The frequency of a carrier
wave is modulated. (radio and TV Audio)
• Pulse Modulation – The continuous wave is broken into
short bursts, or pulses, separated by silence. (RADAR)
• Phase Modulation – The phase of a carrier wave is
modulated. (Satellite Navigation Systems)
Behavior of Waves in the
Atmosphere
• Reflection - any surface can reflect electro-
magnetic waves (smooth vs. rough surface)
• Refraction - the bending of waves as they pass
through a more dense medium
• Absorption - waves lose energy
• Diffraction - the bending of waves around an
obstruction that cannot be penetrated
• Interference - (constructive vs. destructive) waves
colliding with each other
Radio-Navigation Systems
Radio-Navigation Systems help the user determine their
position by receiving radio signal through a receiver. Different
types of systems include:
• Radio Beacons: A continuous wave radio signal that allows a
ship equiped with a radio direction finder to determine an
electronic LOP. Several LOP’s can be combined for a fix.
• LORAN: A long range hyperbolic navigation system that will be
discussed in the next few slides.
• Differential Navigation Systems: A reference receiver at a
known location receives position information from a positioning
system. It then transmits a correction message to ships/aircraft to
give them a more accurate position. It can be used with both
hyperbolic and satellite navigation systems.
LORAN-C
LORAN – C: LORAN is a long range system which
operates on the principle that the difference in time of arrival
of signals from two precisely synchronized transmitting
stations describes a hyperbolic line of position (LOP). This
time difference is measured with a LORAN receiver, and is
either converted into geographic LOPs for use with nautical
charts overprinted with LORAN lines or directly into latitude
and longitude readouts. LORAN stations are situated in chains,
where a centrally located station serves as a timing reference
for the other stations in the chain. This station is called the
master station; the others are secondary stations. The low
frequency of LORAN-C (100Hz) permits usable groundwave
signals over several hundred miles. It is accurate to 500yds.
LORAN-C
• A benefit to using
LORAN-C is its
highly repeatable
absolute accuracy.
GPS The scatterplot at left
shows this. It should
be noted, however,
that the GPS plot is
accurate to within
50m, while the
LORAN LORAN plot is 130m
from center.
LORAN-C
• LORAN-C remains in operation and will continue to operate for
the short term. It is the only Long Range, electronic, alternative to
satellite navigation.
•LORAN-C is limited to the Northern Hemisphere, where it covers
substantial areas of the Pacific Rim, China, Russia, Northern
Europe and North America, as well as smaller systems in India and
Saudi Arabia.
• In Northern Europe, LORAN-C is being used as a differential
correction to satellite signals from GPS and GLONASS.
ADVANCED NAVIGATION
SYSTEMS
Advanced Navigation Systems use the huge benefits
computing power gives to modern mariners. These systems
include satellite navigation, sophisticated inertial navigation
systems, and fully Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) that use
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).
These systems include, but are not limited to:
• SINS: The Ships Inertial Navigation System.
• ESGN: An updated inertial navigation system.
• NAVSTAR GPS: The Global Positioning System. The US
worldwide satellite navigation system.
•ECDIS and IBS: Electronic charting and Integrated Bridge
Systems.
Ship’s Inertial Nav System (SINS)
It is a sophisticated DR system
• Advantages: provides accurate navigational data while the
submarine is submerged
• Disadvantages: errors can be caused by the daily rotational

motion of the earth, friction or imperfections in the
gyro/accelerometers, and misalignment of the stabilized
platform. These errors are cumulative over time, the system
needs updated information from external means, at least
every 7 days.
Electrostatically Suspended
Gyroscopic Navigator (ESGN)
• Advantages: The system does not require
external fix info as often as SINS. It can go up
to thirty days without an update.
• Disadvantages: If the system is shut down it

will need at least 24 hours to warm-up and
settle out.
GPS
• GPS has become the means of

navigation of the future. It will
permit much greater accuracy, in
position and altitude. Global
Positioning System will be
discussed later in this course.
NAVSSI:
NAVigation Sensor System Interface
is one of the US Navy’s ECDIS-N systems
currently in development that will be used for:
1) Safety of navigation
2) Weapons system support
3) Battlegroup planning.
Thank You

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What are some of the different electronic navigation systems discussed?

What are the different ways that electromagnetic waves can be modulated?

NN 204

3. Be able to list and describe the various

4. Understand the behavior of waves in the

6. Understand the different methods of

• Amplitude Modulation (AM) – The amplitude of a carrier

• Disadvantages: errors can be caused by the daily rotational

• Disadvantages: If the system is shut down it

• GPS has become the means of

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