Several companies are offering solutions that allow users to seamlessly roam between different types of (data and voice) networks, based on availability, but also preferences like bandwith and cost. Typically these solutions are hardware oriented (PC cards), but for offshore (30m+) use other types of connectivity (i.e. satellite) should also be included via a software solution. However, when sailing close to shore and with more and more marina's offering Wi-Fi access, these PC-cards can be a very interesting solution.
"'Seamless' to us means that the user isn't necessarily aware which wireless technology he or she is connecting by, and as he or she passes from one coverage zone to another - hotspot to GPRS, say - the system performs a smooth handover."
KVH has developed a new system, eTrac, allowing crew to send out an emergency message containing realt-time position data. Other systems are availaible, but this complies with all new standards like SOLAS and has low lifetime cost.
"Sadly, the danger of hijacking by international terrorists or boarding by pirates is not limited to large commercial ships," explained Ian Palmer, KVH's vice president of satellite sales. "The ability to alert shore-based authorities instantly to any danger is critical to the safety of crews, passengers, harbors, and people on shore. With its global satellite communications capability, multiple 'panic buttons' and integrated GPS, the KVH eTrac SSAS is well-suited for this task."
When GPS fails, it's good to be able to use celestial navigation. A new product is available that will allow you to use it faster.
"After many years of effort, the PROFIX 2004 software program for absolute Celestial Navigation has passed its "shakedown trials" and will be relesed shortly. Finally, a Celestial Navigator will be able to establish the precise fix of his vessel anywhere in the World, from Celestial observations and ANY and ALL Celestial Bodies! The speed is phenomenal, and a precise fix can be completed within minutes - not hours - as all other celestial navigation systems presently require."
Article in The Boating News detailing the effort to stuff an Island Packet 485 with electronics. It's high-end from a main-stream perspective, and the company that carries out the work offers some learnings.
"One aspect to keep in mind is the use of the inverter with the new systems on the market today. The sensitivity of displays in some computers and LCD TVs have created the need for a pure sine wave unit Household items such as microwaves don't seem to have these same problems but a pure sine wave inverter will be more reliable for a computer-based navigation system."
All the basic building blocks of the radar system fully integrated on one chip, including power generation, signal processing, and dozens of other functions? This would save a lot of precious space on ships that require a radar, and it has some other advantages as well. Update: for more information have a look at the Slashdot discussion on this topic.
"Now a team of electrical engineers at the California Institute of Technology has shrunk the functions of a radar system into one tiny, intricately designed silicon chip and eight minuscule antennas.
"Using these extremely high frequencies, you can first capture location, sending out pulses and scanning the area like a bat," said Volkan Ozguz, chief scientist at Irvine Sensors in Costa Mesa, Calif. Irvine Sensors makes miniature electronic systems, including sensors. "Then, using the same chipset, you can start communicating at high frequency," exchanging information without switching to different equipment, he said.
"It should cost no more than a few dollars," he said."
Real-time access to high-quality weather information is as much important as it is difficult. Since internet access is not (yet) ubiquitous, alternatives are popping up that seem to combine strengts of all available technologies.
"The Weather Channel Marine (WCM) service is a continuous stream of live onboard weather from a single analytical source. This packet of information is transmitted from orbiting satellites to a small onboard antenna, then on to a decoding black box, and finally to your computer or monitor screen."
A roundup over at Motor Boating Magazine of different GPS related electronics that will be hot on the market this year.
"For the must-have-it-all skippers, the multifunction, full-featured combinations are most desirable. Furuno, Northstar, Raymarine and Simrad offer exceptional units that include the works�GPS, chartplotter, fishfinder, radar and radar overlay technology. All of these manufacturers either have or are developing networking capabilities that allow you to plug into onboard Internet communications systems to download weather reports and e-mail or even capture on-screen video."
An alarm system that can be hooked up to your outdoor soundsystem might provide a very good solution when problems arise, be it thieves or water.
"Billed as �The only marine alarm system that won�t be ignored,� the VoiceAlarm not only sounds a siren or air horn if a problem is sensed, but it also broadcasts a message in your own (recorded) voice. And it�s loud. With a 240-watt onboard speaker system, your voice can be heard from up to a mile away! Here�s a sample message from the VoiceAlarm Web site: �Warning! Warning! The vessel Laid Back at mooring buoy number 23 in the Salinas Yacht Club Harbor has experienced a high water alarm. Please contact the dockmaster at the Salinas Yacht Club at 727-555-1234 and John Smith at 727-555-1234, immediately!�
It's been out for a while, but it received one of Motor Boating Editors� Choice Awards. I think it's a good example of how boats are being (wirelessly) networked, and that displays therefore do not require computing power in itself. All this allows far more flexibility and possibilities for the use of electronics on board.
"It may seem like a toy, and some fishermen think it is, but Humminbird's SmartCast deserves a serious look for its wireless technology. A portable sensor is imbedded in a bobber that you cast out; the sensor sends "pictures" of fish and bottom contours to a small display screen. The screen can be located in a mobile station or mounted on a fishing rod. It's even available in a wristwatch configuration."
Was reading an article in Slasdot on 3D displays that do not require any glasses to work. I was just imagining that this could be a convenient interface for all kind of data and graphics when sailing, fishing or racing. Guess it will take a while before we see a glass compass replaced by something like this, but, who knows...
"Hitachi, Ltd has developed a 3D display called Transpost which can be viewed from any direction without wearing special glasses. 3D movies can be seen as floating in the display. Also, 3D movies captured at other places can be shown on the display in realtime. The principle of the device is that 2D images of an object taken from 24 different directions are projected to a special rotating screen. They also developed a camera which can capture images from 24 directions simultaneously." The pictures are interesting, but..."
However, when sailing close to shore and with more and more marina's offering Wi-Fi access, these PC-cards can be a very interesting solution.
"Sadly, the danger of hijacking by international terrorists or boarding by pirates is not limited to large commercial ships," explained Ian Palmer, KVH's vice president of satellite sales. "The ability to alert shore-based authorities instantly to any danger is critical to the safety of crews, passengers, harbors, and people on shore. With its global satellite communications capability, multiple 'panic buttons' and integrated GPS, the KVH eTrac SSAS is well-suited for this task."
"After many years of effort, the PROFIX 2004 software program for absolute Celestial Navigation has passed its "shakedown trials" and will be relesed shortly. Finally, a Celestial Navigator will be able to establish the precise fix of his vessel anywhere in the World, from Celestial observations and ANY and ALL Celestial Bodies! The speed is phenomenal, and a precise fix can be completed within minutes - not hours - as all other celestial navigation systems presently require."
"One aspect to keep in mind is the use of the inverter with the new systems on the market today. The sensitivity of displays in some computers and LCD TVs have created the need for a pure sine wave unit Household items such as microwaves don't seem to have these same problems but a pure sine wave inverter will be more reliable for a computer-based navigation system."
"Now a team of electrical engineers at the California Institute of Technology has shrunk the functions of a radar system into one tiny, intricately designed silicon chip and eight minuscule antennas.
Real-time access to high-quality weather information is as much important as it is difficult. Since internet access is not (yet) ubiquitous, alternatives are popping up that seem to 
"For the must-have-it-all skippers, the multifunction, full-featured combinations are most desirable. Furuno, Northstar, Raymarine and Simrad offer exceptional units that include the works�GPS, chartplotter, fishfinder, radar and radar overlay technology. All of these manufacturers either have or are developing networking capabilities that allow you to plug into onboard Internet communications systems to download weather reports and e-mail or even capture on-screen video."
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It's been out for a while, but it received one of Motor Boating Editors� Choice Awards. I think it's a good 
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