DP Trainer delivery
The simulator software is based on a client-server architecture and includes several applications to provide a training scenario: Server application, Instructor application, Visualization application, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTS) and other auxiliary applications.
Server is the computing core of the simulator's software.
Other applications of the DP Trainer and workstation PCs are server clients that receive all the necessary data from the server in real time to display the state of the virtual scene and send messages to the dynamic positioning system. At the same time, clients send control commands to the server to control the progress of the exercise, create and configure a virtual environment, save and restore scenes, change the position and state of objects and equipment, etc.
Instructor application
This application has all the necessary tools to control the exercises in the simulator by an intuitive GUI.
The functionality of the application allows to:
- Prepare new and edit existing exercises
- Select the area for the exercise: sailing area, time of day and weather
- Set and change weather conditions: waves, wind, current, precipitation and visibility
- Add objects to the specified position or remove them from the exercise
- Set and change object parameters: position, heading, speed, etc.
- Start, pause, and resume exercise
- Monitor the progress of the exercise by using an electronic chart, object and equipment properties panels, error panels
- Take control of the vessel by using the built-in software vessel control panel
- Introduce deliberate malfunctions in the ship's equipment to simulate emergency situations
- Save a recording of the exercise and play it for the briefing (visual briefing before a class), or debriefing (recordings of completed exercises to be analyzed and discussed with student), with the ability to demonstrate correct and erroneous actions and their consequences
Instructor application provides real-time display (or with a specified acceleration) of technical characteristics of the ships and their equipment added to the exercise, motion mode and its parameters, motion trajectory of ships and other objects in the exercise, as well as data on environmental parameters (wind, current, and water depth).
Visualization
Additional application allows the sailor, operator or instructor to enable the 3D visualization of the exercise scene as an advanced observer in the following modes:
- Free view — move around the scene using the keyboard and mouse and choose the best observation viewpoint.
- Follow mode — lock the view to any object in the exercise and move freely using the keyboard and mouse relative to the selected object.
- Fixed view — switch to the predefined viewpoint of a particular object in the exercise (view from a virtual video camera on the ship, a bird's-eye view). In this case, the view is available from the selected point and moving around the scene is not available, however, camera can be rotated.
Visualization can be delivered both in a single-channel mode (for one workplace, i.e. visualization is available on one monitor or widescreen), or in a three-channel mode.
Basic or extended VTS
The simulator includes a software control panel emulator that simulates the Vessel Traffic Control System (VTS) on the navigation bridge, including a control switch from Manual mode to DP mode.
The minimum delivery set includes a standard one-screen control panel, including the major elements of the conning panel and propulsion controls, configured to operate the supplied model of the vessel.
As an additional option, it is possible to install an extended multi-screen VTS that completely imitates the control system panels on the navigation bridge of a specific vessel.
This version of the VTS involves the use of several screens to display control panels, and is best suited for training not only in conjunction with the DP system, but also for navigation and mooring exercises.
Extended VTS includes several control and indication panels, and provides flexible customization of their layout for the required use case.
All control panels are available in four color schemes: select the most suitable display option depending on the time of day.
Helper applications
Server
Server ensures the creation of a virtual scene and real-time calculation of physical and hydrodynamic interactions between objects, etc. in the virtual world, which are required for a reliable representation of a particular practical scenario, as well as transmitting and receiving data from client applicatio. Transmitted data contains messages on the parameters of objects, the state of the simulated environment, equipment configuration, and control commands.
Server does not have a graphical interface, however, any user action during the simulation process is carried out through the server, which provides synchronous data exchange with other components and allows recording and subsequent playback of the exercise.
DP Gate
A non-GUI helper application that provides two-way messaging between the simulator and the Dynamic Positioning Station. It provides the connection between the real DP system and the digital twin of the ship in the simulator.
Various ships and vessels
The minimum delivery set includes one specialized vessel, developed in accordance with customer needs, based on the management of a real DP system: the basic model of the vessel includes the preparation of visual, hydrodynamic and engineering models (in fact, a digital twin of the vessel), testing and adjustment of the model in DP mode, and the documentation for the virtual vessel.
It also includes a basic model of a semi-submersible drilling rig (SDR), which can be used as an auxiliary static object during positioning exercises.
Extensions for ships and vessels
As an additional option to the basic ship model, supplied according to the minimum delivery set, ship model debugging is provided for the special requirements of the customer. It involves fine-tuning the behavior of the hydrodynamic model during special maneuvers, fulfilling the customer’s individual wishes for detailing and placing this or that equipment on the visual model vessel, adding non-standard or additional sources of lighting and lights, detailing of the wheelhouse, etc.
As an additional option for the SDR model, a set of control panels for the ballast system and control panels for propulsion units (four rudder propellers) can be provided. In this case, the SDR model ceases to be just a static object, and turns into a full-fledged model to train ballast operations and move the platform.
Sailing areas
The simulator can be equipped with a sailing (navigation) area, if the training needs to be carried out near the coastline and the navigator needs known landmarks on the ground. Detailing of certain objects of the region, such as piers and narrow passages, locks and gates, drawbridges, piers with lifting mechanisms and gangways, is considered as an additional option. Such detailing of the area makes it possible to carry out exercises near the shore and train the mooring, passing in the straits, etc.
The basic area includes the visualization of the sailing area, i.e. free view mode for the area, navigation buoys and lights, realistic relief of the coast and bottom. At the same time, the basic area does not include exercises on the passing to the piers and mooring.
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