OVERVIEW

The course provides the principles, operation and accuracy of the main electronic navigation systems, including GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), to fix position and navigation. Then, electronic cartography and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the management, analysis and display of cartographic data are described, with particular attention to electronic nautical cartography (ENC) and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Principles of cartography and electronic mapping. Fixing position and navigation.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Theoretical and practical acquisition of the techniques for the Electronic Positioning and for the treatment of Electronic Cartography, with particular focus on the nautical field.

Elements for the treatment of observations to evaluate the position accuracy.

Capacity of results analysis depending on the metric resolution of data.

Use of free and open source software, when possible, in accordance with the directive of the Minister for Innovation and Technology, December 19, 2003 that encourage the use of these technologies.

PREREQUISITES

The notions provided by the course "Navigation" are certainly closely related to what is dealt with in this course

Teaching methods

Theoretical lectures followed with practical lectures.

The course is held in English.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course provides the principles, operation, limitations, error sources and accuracy of the main electronic navigation systems, including Loran C, eLoran and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and its augmented services, to fix position and navigation. Then, the main elements of electronic cartography, geographic data format for data interoperability, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the management, analysis and display of cartographic data are described, with particular attention to electronic nautical cartography (ENC), its content and quality, and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). The theoretical fundamentals of geodesy, reference systems, cartographic projections and of positioning are provided too.

In more detail:

Basis of Geodesy: The theoretical fundamentals of geodesy: The shape of the Earth. Gravity field and Equipotential surfaces. The geoid. Reference surfaces and datums. The geodesic line and Loxodrome. Theorems of operative geodesy.  Coordinate and Reference Systems, Reference Frames and transformations between them

Numerical cartography: Cartographic projections and deformations. Nautical chart projections and Nautical position.  Numerical cartography: geographic data type and format for data interoperability in GIS, nominal scale and error of graphism, metric and semantic data, topology, metadata and interoperability. The EPSG codes for the management of different datum, georeferencing procedure. Electronic nautical cartography (ENC), its content and quality, and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). Practical lessons on management, analysis and display of cartographic data

Basis of statistical treatment of measurements: Concepts of errors, concept of precision and accuracy; average, variance and mean square error of a function of observed quantities; Concepts of redundancy of measurements and their compensation using least squares adjustment, confidence ellipse. Practical lessons on statistical treatment of measurements

Electronic Positioning: Introduction and principles of GNSS; Spatial segment: orbits; status of the constellation; Control segment. User segment: characteristics of receivers. GNSS signal: frequencies, codes C/A, P and D, emission and reception. Accuracy vs. errors: ionosphere and troposphere delays. Multipath. Reliability. Absolute, differential, RTK and PPP positioning: fundamentals, position correction, transmission protocol, system message. Hints on SBAS Augmentation Services. Influence of satellite geometry on the accuracy. Dilution of precision index. Suitability and accuracy of positioning. Hints on Loran C, eLoran and their integration with GNSS system. Practical lessons on GNSS Positioning

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes and material provided by the teacher.

Books for consultation:

Hofmann-Wellenhof B., Lichtenegger H, Collins J.: Global Positioning System - Theory and Practice. Springer&Verlag, Vienna

Leick A.: GPS Satellite Surveying, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New Jersey, USA, ISBN 0-471-05930-7

Mikhail E. M.: Observations and Least Squares. University Press of America, Lanham, MD, 1976.

Burrough P.A., McDonnel R.A., Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Oxford University Press, 1998.

Longley P.A., Goodchild M.F., Maguire D.J., Rhind D.W., Geographic Information Science and Systems, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2015, ISBN: 1118676955, 9781118676950.

Exam Board

BIANCA FEDERICI (President)

SARA GAGLIOLO

ILARIA FERRANDO

LORENZO BENVENUTO

DOMENICO SGUERSO (President Substitute)

Teaching methods

Theoretical lectures followed with practical lectures.

The course is held in English.

LESSONS START

Beginning of the first semester

Exam description

Oral exam

Assessment methods

During the oral exam, the teacher will verify the knowledge of the theoretical concepts essential for a correct positioning with electronic systems and for the management of geographical data in the nautical field. A discussion of the practical experience gained during the course will be discussed.

Exam schedule