New Raytheon Anschütz Radar
German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz has announced the launch of a new generation navigation radar for this year’s SMM. The new radar is distinguished mainly by two innovations on the transceiver: Network technology replaces analog data transmission, and a newly designed pedestal reduces cost of ownership and simplifies service.
According to Raytheon Anschutz, the new NautoScan NX radar transceivers are based on modern hardware and software infrastructure to achieve highest reliability on a high performance level. With the new radar transceivers network technology replaces analog data transmission through expensive and complex special cables. Radar status and raw video is generated in the transceiver, shared through a digital interface and distributed through Dual Gigabit LAN to an unlimited number of PCs without any analogue losses.
The advantages are that through the digital technology the new radar can provide high-quality raw data and at the same time, applications on the bridge are given great flexibility in processing the radar signals – with all the diverse possibilities of modern network infrastructure. All workstations can access and use the radar video, if needed, which supersedes the current “slave” type of configuration. For a workstation to become master it has to communicate with the transceiver via a secured channel that protects the radar setup from unwanted interference or changes in configuration – the former “master mode” reloaded. Correspondingly the range of applications and requirements is wide – from a single navigation radar on a small vessel to large bridge systems, from a simple “point-to-point” connection setup to a dual-redundant radar distribution network.
The new radar comes with a number of further improvements, such as an improved signal processing for better performance, a built-in-test for easy service diagnosis, an integrated and automated performance monitoring or an innovative “Sleep Mode” to save Magnetron lifetime when radar is on standby.
Additionally, a pedestal which is newly constructed electrically and mechanically will simplify service and reduce cost of ownership. According to Raytheon Anschütz, the new pedestal offers a robust, practice-oriented design and improved service accessibility with a simplified handling of the electronics. The maintenance-free gear box further reduces service costs.
NautoScan NX will become an essential component of the new generation Synapsis Radar. Besides the new radar transceivers, the new generation Synapsis Radar consists of a display selectable from a range of different sizes, a newly introduced standard PC with solid-state drive and a fan-less, compact design, the Radar software, and flat-profile antennas with diameters of 6ft, 8ft or 12ft.
Raytheon Anschütz GmbH is a subsidiary of Raytheon Company and a leading supplier of navigation systems and integrated bridge systems for all kinds of commercial vessels, specialized vessels, mega yachts, and naval ships. More than 30,000 vessels worldwide are equipped with Raytheon Anschütz navigation systems.
Visit Raytheon Anschütz at SMM 2014 in hall B6 at booth 304.
By Jake Frith
