The base module of dKart Explorer maritime information system provides all the necessary means for operation with electronic charts, chart catalogues and user-defined objects.

CHART BROWSER

Supports the following set of operations for charts licensed to an operator:

• loading and displaying of a chart;

• scrolling and scaling of a chart;

• interrogating chart contents (retrieving information about chart's objects);

• selection of chart on-screen presentation options (presentation type, color palette, chart presentation level, etc.);

• thematic layers visibility control;

All charts available to the operator are organized in a hierarchical tree-like structure - 'HEAP' - which serves for:

• creation of new folders/sub-folders in the HEAP;

• addition (registering) of new charts;

• deletion of registered charts;

• querying update for a chart and its applying.

As a main source of cartographic information the C-Map world-wide database of electronic charts is used.

CHART NAVIGATOR

Is used for displaying of the mapped area on a small-scale chart (e.g. chart of the world) and for smart relocation to the area that an operator is interested in.

CHART CATALOGUE

Presents an electronic catalogue of charts and publications issued by Hydrographic Agencies. With the help of dKart Explorer an operator may query the Catalogue in order to find charts matching desired conditions (e.g. issued by the particular Agency, covering particular geographic region, published during the particular period of time or in a specific format and so on).

RULER

This function is designed to make measurements directly on the electronic chart:

• distance between 2 points;

• distance along the broken line;

• area-measurements.

USER LAYER

With the help of this function the operator may add his own objects and comments as an overlay to the electronic chart. 

• areas of any complexity;

• lines;

• symbols;

• texts.

The user may select color, footprint as well as orientation and size (for symbols and texts), fill color and pattern (for areas and lines).

User objects are grouped into a number of User Layer's according to the operator choice. Initial cartographic data remains unchanged.

MACROS

Macros technologies introduce additional flexibility to work with cartographic information (for example, ice and weather charts).

Thus, using macros, the user can improve the search, display and processing features of the program for handling arbitrary data. The updated version of macros and related information can be downloaded in "dKart Explorer: additional modules" section.

This module supports operation with the electronic database of Notices to Mariners. The weekly issues of NtM's are being dispatched by e-mail or can be downloaded directly via the Internet. Received information is automatically stored by the program  in the local database. Any moment later the operator may interrogate NtM database for Notices available for the particular chart - the program will look for such records, extract them from the database and present to the user.

Additionally dKart Explorer uses e-mail communication for receiving and applying of Chart Catalogue updates. This operation is fully automated as well as cancellation of temporary NtMs.

This module is used for connection of on-board GPS-receiver to the software. With this option has been enabled dKart Explorer is capable of real-time displaying of all major navigational information on the chart and in the information window (own ship position, speed and course, current time, etc.).

In addition to vector electronic charts (CM93 by C-Map, S-57, etc.) dKart Explorer may use geographic data imported from other sources.

AUTOCAD

dKart Explorer may import external chart data stored in AutoCAD DXF format. Appropriate conversion of data is performed automatically with the help of AutoCAD import option.

RASTER CHARTS

Raster charts are specially prepared (geo-referenced) scanned images of traditional paper charts. Geo-referencing (defining several points with exact geographic coordinates have been known) is provided by the separate dKart Image application.

TOPICAL CHARTS

dKart Explorer also may use charts not conforming to the IHO S-57 standard on cartographic data exchange. The only condition for use of these charts is the exposure of their format that allows writing of a corresponding converter utility. 

This module provides means for routes planning and navigation. It is possible to plane route directly on a chart or in a table form; use Rhumb Line or Great Circle calculations; export route information to an external navigational device (GPS or autopilot) and so on.

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This module provides planning and conducting of search and rescue operations in accordance with MERSAR (Merchant Ship Rescue) regulations. The possibility of distant real-time monitoring of S&R operations is also implemented.

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This module serves for on-chart displaying of targets on the basis of information incoming from external sensors.

TARGETS SIMULATOR

Permits simulation of moving targets basing on the initial position, course and speed entered by the operator. Additionally the operator can assign a route of movement.

ARPA

Provides on-chart displaying of ARPA-targets basing on the information coming from the ARPA-device by NMEA-0183 protocol. It is possible to receive target data from several sources simultaneously and display up to 256 targets.

AIS

Provides on-chart displaying of AIS-targets basing on the information coming from the AIS-transponder by NMEA-0183 protocol. It is possible to receive target data from several sources simultaneously and display up to 256 targets. dKart Explorer also provides backward transmission of AIS-data (i.e. from the system to targets).

The system also provides identification and logging of AIS-targets in the Ships database.

GSM CONDUCTOR

Supports reception of target data acquired via GSM mobile network.

TARGETS INTEGRATOR

Analyzes incoming target data in order to reveal wrong or duplicated one. Also determines possible signal losses.

This module is used for ships identification basing on the incoming target information. Also the module provides continuous recording of all the information related to the ship passage along an assigned route. At the first phase a database of ships' characteristics that had entered or were planning to enter a monitored water space is being created. Further on while identifying a target an operator can link the ship's data with the mark of a target and from this moment all the information of the target's motion will be connected with the ship's information.

Provides prediction of targets movement as well as analysis of their mutual navigation safety. Besides that the module provides the calculation and display of targets rendezvous point as well as their relative motion lines.

On demand of an operator it provides audible and visual alarms and warnings in the following situations:

• appearance of a new target in assigned area;

• target data loss;

• targets dangerous approach;

• target proceeding to a danger

• target deviation from assigned route at an extent that exceeds the predefined value;

• target does not follow the assigned traffic schedule.

All information about ships and targets motion received by the program is being logged in an electronic logbook. The logbook can be successively used for display and on-chart playback of a recorded navigational situation. The on-chart playback is being carried out at a real time slices selected by an operator.

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This module provides real-time displaying of radar raw data atop of an ENC.

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It serves mainly for information network architecture and provides data exchange between the dKart Explorer programs installed at distant workstations. In this case an incoming data addressed to a single program can be simultaneously copied to similar applications by means of local and global protocols.

With the help of specialized meta-language processor a user can write his own applications operating with an ENC that will be queried and carried out by the dKart Explorer program. This module is of special use for tasks oriented on selection and display of data stored in the databases according to special user-defined rules.

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Additional topics related to the program may be discussed in dKart Explorer Online Forum.

The free version of dKart Explorer software may be downloaded from Downloads page. This version contains basic (electronic catalogue of charts and books & chart browser) and macros modules. 

A GPS-edition version of the software that turns system into the basic yet advanced toold for mariners looking for electronic navigation may be ORDERED ONLINE.

To order other modules or get information please contact: support@morintech.spb.su.

NOTE: If you already have CM93/2 disk you need to contact a C-Map representative to get access code.