Intro

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is,

basically a display system meeting strict specifications required to display approved
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data
a 'stand alone' unit with basic sensor inputs such as course and speed displaying the ship's real
time position on an ENC
used as an alternative for paper nautical charts
a computer-based automated decision aid
to provide continuous position (i.e. continuously determi ning ship's position in relation
to land, charted objects, navigation aids and unseen hazards)

How it helps navigate the seas
ECDIS provides on a screen a digitized chart of the area and will indicate automatically
the position of the ship upon it
It surrounds the ship with a safety net alerting the watch keeper if the depth under
the keel reduces, or if navigational hazards become too close
There is an automatic activation of the alarm signal upon the detection of dangerous
objects marked on the chart

ECDIS provide Warnings and Alarms. It combines several different functions into one
computerized system which is possible to provide alarms or display warnings (indication) when
certain parameters are met or exceeded as determine by the navigator.
Types of Warning
Deviating from a planned route;
Approach to waypoints;
Failure of the positioning system;
Vessel crossing safety contour and;
System malfunction or failure etc.

Components of ECDIS
ECDIS represents an item of equipment consisting of hardware, software and data. Whilst a
high performance PC or workstation installed in a console linked with other items of ships
equipment, such as:
Course to steer linked with Gyro compass
Rate of turn linked with a turn indicator
Speed and distance linked with log
Ship position is fed from the GNSS/GPS
Radar data overlaid from source of radar.




Military Applications
http://www.iicacademy.com/docs/hydro-03.pdf
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_American_Practical_Navigator/Chapter_14#MILITARY_ECDI
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