FURUNO GP-90 Marine GPS Navigator
Meeting New IMO Requirements
An Outstanding Solution for SOLAS Carriage Requirements
The FURUNO GP-90 is a new GPS navigator designed for SOLAS ships, complying with the latest IMO performance standards (MSC.112(73) and IEC 61108-1 Ed.2) required on and after July 1, 2003. It serves as a highly reliable standalone Electronic Position-Fixing System (EPFS), providing essential navigation solutions for AIS, radars, VDRs, and other navigational aids.
Key Features:
- Fully meets new IMO Resolution MSC.112(73) and IEC 61108-1 Ed.2 for SOLAS carriage requirements on and after 1 July 2003.
- Ideal sensor of SOG (Speed Over Ground) and COG (Course Over Ground) for AIS, radars, and other navigational aids.
- Augmentation to enhance accuracy via standard fitted WAAS and optional DGPS.
- Multiple display modes available: VideoPlotter, 3-D Highway, Text, etc.
- Memory capacity: 2,000 points for ship's past positions and marks (including up to 99 event marks), 999 waypoints, and 30 routes each containing up to 30 waypoints.
The system consists of an antenna unit and a display unit. The display unit features a 6" silver-bright LCD for optimum viewing, even in direct sunlight. Dual configuration with a second system provides backup or remote operation capabilities.
Display Modes
The GP-90 offers various display modes to suit different navigation needs:
- VideoPlotter Mode: Displays ship's position, course, speed, and waypoints on a chart-like interface.
- Text Mode: Presents navigation data in a clear, text-based format, including date, time, position (latitude/longitude), SOG, COG, and waypoint information.
- Highway Mode: Provides an intuitive visual representation of the ship's path and upcoming waypoints, ideal for following planned routes. It shows steering guidance relative to the ship's heading.
- Steering Mode: Displays critical steering information, including course to steer, distance to go, estimated time to arrival, and speed.
[Description of visual elements: The document displays screenshots of these modes, showing simulated navigation data.]
Augmentation Systems
GPS accuracy can be enhanced through augmentation systems. The GP-90 supports two primary methods:
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System)
WAAS is a GPS navigation system that uses differential correction via geostationary satellites. The US FAA has been testing this system. Similar Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) like Japan's MSAS and Europe's EGNOS are being developed and are expected to be interoperable with WAAS.
[Description of WAAS diagram: A diagram illustrates the WAAS concept, showing GPS satellites transmitting signals, a reference station on Earth monitoring signals, correction data being sent to a geostationary satellite, and then broadcast to users.]
DGPS (Differential GPS)
DGPS operation involves a reference receiver placed at a known location (e.g., radio beacon stations). This receiver compares the known location with the GPS-predicted location to generate correction data. This data is broadcast via MSK-modulated signals, which are received and demodulated by a differential beacon receiver on the ship, applying corrections to the GPS receiver.
[Description of DGPS diagram: A diagram shows GPS satellites, a reference station, a beacon station broadcasting correction data, and a ship receiving GPS and correction data.]
IMO Performance Standards Comparison
The GP-90's adherence to IMO performance standards significantly increases navigation efficiency and safety by providing accurate positional data to integrated systems like AIS, Radars, and INS.
The SOLAS Chapter V, as amended, prohibits new installations of GPS receivers designed to IMO A.819 after July 1, 2003. The GP-90 meets the newer, more stringent standards.
| Major Functionality | MSC.112(73), IEC 61108-1 Ed.2 | A.819(19), IEC 61108-1 Ed.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 13 m (95%) | 100 m (95%) |
| SOG (speed over ground) | Required to accuracy of SDME | SOG prohibited, no testing standard |
| COG (course over ground) | Required to accuracy of ±1° (>17 kt), ±3° (<17 kt) | COG prohibited, no testing standard |
| UTC | Required to output | Data is limited to only L/L |
| RAIM (Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring) | Required to indicate integrity indication of Safe, Caution, Unsafe at confidence level of 10 m and 100 m | No |
| Display update rate | 1 s at latest | every 2 s |
[Description of SOG and COG measurement: Explains that Doppler shifts from GPS satellites determine velocity components. SOG is the vector sum of these components. COG is the angle of the SOG vector relative to North. It notes that COG accuracy is affected by ship speed, with higher speeds yielding better accuracy. An illustration shows SOG error domain and COG error, including an "At anchor" scenario where COG can vary widely.]
Specifications
General
| GPS Receiver: | 12 discrete channels all-in-view, C/A code |
| RX Frequency: | L1 (1575.42 MHz) |
| Time to First Fix: | 12 s (Warm start) |
| Tracking Velocity: | 900 kt |
| Geodetic System: | WGS-84 (NAD-27 or others selectable) |
| Update Rate: | 1 s |
Positioning Augmentation
| DGPS: | Reference Station: Automatic or manual selection. Frequency Range: 283.5 - 325.0 kHz (all ITU regions). Format: RTCM SC-104 Ver 2.0 Type1, 7, 9, 16. |
| WAAS: | Standard fitted in display unit. |
Accuracy
| GPS: | 10 m (95%) |
| DGPS: | 5 m (95%) |
| WAAS: | 3 m (95%), limited coverage |
| SOG: | ±0.001 kt (calm sea) |
| COG: | ±3° (SOG 1-17 kt), ±1° (SOG > 17 kt) |
Display
| Type: | 6" LCD (120 W, 91 H mm), 320 (H) x 240 (V) pixels |
| L/L Resolution: | 0.001 min |
| Display Modes: | VideoPlotter, Highway, Text, Steering |
| VideoPlotter Scale: | 0.02 to 320.0 nm |
| VideoPlotter Plot Interval: | 1 s - 60 min or 0.01-99.99 nm |
Memory Capacity
2,000 points for ship's track and marks, 999 waypoints with comments, 30 routes (containing 30 waypoints/route).
Alarms
Arrival, anchor watch, XTE, speed, time, water depth, trip, DGPS, WAAS.
Integrity Indication
Safe, Caution, Unsafe at accuracy level of 10 m or 100 m.
Interface
IEC 61162-1 Ed 2, NMEA 0183:
- Output: GBS (satellite fault), GLL (L/L), VTG (SOG, COG), ZDA (UTC), WPL (WPT location), etc.
- Input: DBT (Depth), HDT (Compass), MTW (Water temperature), TLL (TGT L/L), VBW (Dual grd/wat spd), etc.
Environment
| Temperature: | Display Unit: -15°C to +55°C; Antenna Unit: -25°C to +70°C |
| Waterproofing: | Display Unit: IPX5 (IEC 60529), CFR46 (USCG); Antenna Unit: IPX6 (IEC 60529) |
| EMC: | IEC 60945 Ed. 4 (up to 2 GHz) |
Equipment List
Standard:
- Display Unit (Specify single or dual) - 1 unit
- Antenna Unit GPA-017S - 1 unit
- Antenna Cable - 15 m
- Interface Cable - 5 m x 2 pcs
- Installation Materials and Spare Parts - 1 set
Option:
- DGPS Receiver Kit OP20-32-1/20-33
- Whip Antenna FAW-1.2 for GPA-018S
- Antenna Cable, 30/50 m
- Interface Cable, 5/10 m
- Antenna Base (Pipe mount, Deck mount, Offset bracket, Handrail mount)
- Flush Mount Kit OP20-24/20-25
- Interface Unit IF-2500
- External DGPS Receiver GR-80
- Rectifier PR-62
Antenna Units Dimensions & Weight
| Model | Weight | Dimensions (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| GPA-017S | 0.15 kg (0.3 lb) | 69 mm (2.7") diameter |
| GPA-018S | 0.3 kg (0.7 lb) | 126 mm (4.9") diameter |
| GPA-019S | 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) | 156 mm (6.1") diameter |
Display Unit Dimensions & Weight
| Weight: | 2.2 kg (4.9 lb) |
| Dimensions (approx.): | 290 mm (11.4") Width x 250 mm (9.8") Height x 40 mm (1.5") Depth |
Interconnection Diagram
[Description of Interconnection Diagram: The diagram illustrates how the GP-90 system connects to various marine equipment. The central GP-90 unit connects to an Antenna Unit (GPA-017S) and optionally a DGPS Antenna Unit (GPA-018S/GPA-019S). Cables of specified lengths (e.g., 15m, 5m) link these components. The GP-90 can interface with Radar, VideoPlotter, Autopilot, Echo Sounder, Sonar, and AIS systems. It can also connect to a DGPS Beacon Receiver and a PC, potentially via an Interface Unit (IF-2500). A Rectifier (PR-62) is shown providing power (12-24 VDC / 115/230 VAC). A second display unit can also be connected.]
