Bridge Vigia
Bridge VIGIA translated into English as “Bridge LOOKOUT” is a Command and Control software application integrating the distinctive features of a plotter for electronic charting capability, and global satellite reports from a variety of providers, based on two-way data communications between maritime mobiles and shore stations. The data reports are transmitted, generally in real time via satellite, to receiving stations such as a Gateway Earth Station (for ORBCOMM) or a Land Earth Station operated by a telecommunications company (for INMARSAT). From these the information is gathered through the Internet network at Bridge VIGIA which downloads the data to a database, typically MS-SQL.
Once the data reception and standardization stage is completed and passed in electronic mail format to the service provider, positions are displayed georeferentially on a monitor, and at the same time this information is analyzed in the relational database. This data base is shared with the connected customers via a network link. This central depository for data makes it possible to update instantly the information received from receiving stations covering a large area. This information will be distributed to the competent authorities through a graphic format, easy to understand, and simultaneously with great digital precision, providing the ability to monitor the boats which are transmitting their signals to the maritime authority.
The database stored procedures, and Bridge VIGIA application deal with GIS and anomaly detection and reporting, whether over the LAN, WAN software application itself, or Intranet Internet based servers emitting to web browsers. The system is oriented toward the automatization of the routine and the rapid isolation of anomalies and bringing them to the attention of system operators. Likewise the system is focussed on the minimization of human operator time in the analysis of anomalies and their rapid categorization as: Problem, Not-a-Problem and Potential-Problem.
Feedback to mobiles may occur through emitting automatically or manually an alert by electronic mail (including “macro” or “1 byte super compressed” mails) to the indicated users. System operators may receive alerts through audio / visible alarms, pagers or SMS to cellular messaging.
A large variety of network topologies can be used to optimize communications in multi-centered systems, or where bandwidth constraints exist.
The LAN Command and Control of Bridge VIGIA is written in Visual Basic 6.0, and can be executed on the MS Windows 2000, XP & NT platforms. Processed GIS data storage is in the relational and open format database, MSSQL 7.0. This database permits a excellent management of large numbers of primary data records and associated metadata in a format where it is easy to import, export and implement design changes.
Within the functionality of Bridge VIGIA, the following are particularly interesting:
The system’s ability to handle mail, filter messages and generate reply action based on the contents, generating a logic of automatic replies to pre-established messages which can be interpreted by the users of the system.
Various comms technologies in which the data is standardized as to geoid and datum into the database. Mobile objects initiate from the information received by the various comms service providers (Inmarsat formats, ARGOS, various ORBCOMM formats or other technologies through the addition of the required protocol), and ending with a flexible open georeferenced MS SQL database.
Georeferenced objects, and position or chronological based search algorithms tuned to provide instantly accessible metadata for placing voyages and potential alarm events in front of system control operators. Association of various events and external objects to the mobile in a GIS context.
Charting deployment and graphics libraries to provide the high quality charting material required for the system, as well as an extensive range of formats of charted images which it is capable of utilizing “off the shelf”.
Mapping and database functions available through the primary LAN / WAN application Bridge VIGIA programmed in Visual Basic 6, or alternatively served over Internet Intranet for portions of the functional capacity of the VB system.
Huge storage and referential capacity of the open MS SQL database and the flexibility and power of stored procedures and replications, added to the large variety of formats in which it is possible to export system data.
Flexible tiered security mechanisms to authenticate system users and administrators, prohibit unauthorized access and provide historical database use and administration logs.
If to all these qualities, greatly summarized herein, we add a clear, direct and intuitive interface, we have a system which is transparent, flexible and highly versatile.
Far more important than all the above, the greatest advantage of this software may be that it was designed to fulfill the specific requirements of its marine users, and it is open to a wide variety of modifications to optimize particular applications.