Fugro Seastar®

Fugro Seastar^® – Safe and reliable positioning for DP

Fugro operates a fully duplicated network for the production and delivery of high-performance Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) augmentation services. The network includes independent Network Control Centres (NCC) in Singapore, and Houston, USA with back up NCC in Australia and USA. Dual satellite broadcast data links in all ocean regions.

Based upon the use of this worldwide network of reference stations, we are able to calculate corrections to orbit and satellite clock values, for all available GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo).

Access to multiple lines of position, derived from a mix of satellites, means that any satellite with an inconsistent measurement can be treated as an ‘outlier’ and therefore ignored in the position calculation. Additional satellites confirming the calculated position build confidence and reliability.

‘More is Safer’ - for a satellite-based system this means an unobstructed view of the satellites. But when operating close to large structures, satellites can easily be obscured leading to reduced performance – just when it is most necessary.

Use of a wider range of satellites gives more resistance to ionospheric scintillation effects which tend to be localised in a particular part of the sky. Any radio navigation system depends upon effective receipt of signals.

A choice of services is available ranging from the Fugro Seastar^® Standard L1 sub-meter level, GPS only, single frequency service to one of Fugro’s innovative Seastar^® G4 service.

Services

Fugro Seastar® DGNSS services are delivered over dual independent delivery paths. Reception is via a small dedicated omni-directional antenna or an existing, compatible Inmarsat system. This connection has no impact on use for normal two-way communications and does not affect equipment approvals.

Seastar^® G4

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, 10 cm accuracy phase based service using orbit clock data valid worldwide.

Seastar^® G2

GPS, GLONASS, 10 cm accuracy phase based service using orbit clock data valid worldwide.

Seastar^® XP3

Accuracy phase based service, using orbit/ clock data valid worldwide, based on GPS, GLONASS and Galileo L1 and L2 frequencies. Independent of G2/G4.

Seastar^® XP2

Accuracy phase based service, using orbit/ clock data valid worldwide, based on GPS and GLONASS L1 and L2 frequencies. Independent of G2/G4.

Seastar^® XP

Accuracy phase based service, using orbit/ clock data valid worldwide, based on GPS L1 and L2 frequencies. Independent of G2/G4.

Seastar^® SGG

Integrated DGPS/DGLONASS, sub metre level, code based service using orbit/clock data based on GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou L1 and L2 frequencies.

Seastar^® Std. L1

Sub metre level, code based service based on GPS L1 frequency (GLONASS optional).

Receiving corrections over internet - NTRIP

To complement the standard satellite broadcast delivery channels, we offer our customers an alternative delivery of correction data using the NTRIP protocol as a backup. (Networked Transport of RTCM over Internet Protocol).

Fugro Seastar® spoofing protection

Pending receiver equipment and QC systems installed Fugro Seastar^® can alert the crew by triggering an alarm when a vessel’s position is being manipulated. Fugro Seastar^® offers two independent approaches to deliver a higher level of positioning trust:

Spatial Integrity Analysis

This is the most powerful anti-spoofing technique and uses a multi-receiver design concept. Fugro Seastar® constantly compares GNSS antenna geometry with known offsets. If one or more antennas depart from their expected location, the system will trigger a spoofing alert.

Fugro SatGuard^®

Using our patented technique for GNSS navigation message authentication, Fugro Seastar^® applies data from more than 100 Fugro reference stations around the world. SatGuard^® monitors the status and receives data from each GNSS satellite. A unique signature for each satellite is received on the vessel as part of our G2/G4 correction service.

Onboard equipment

Fugro Seastar^® 9410AUT

A multi-constellation GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo receiver, multi frequency sensor with display. Prepared for Fugro Satguard^®. Fugro GNSS QC solution available as option.

Other receivers prepared for Fugro Seastar^® services:

• Kongsberg DPS I4 with Seastar^® HP/XP/G4 engine: A multi-constellation GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo receiver, multi frequency sensor, 4 RTCM inputs, with display and extended QC capabilities. Including graphs. Prepared for Fugro Satguard^®

• Kongsberg DPS I2 with Seastar^® HP/XP/G2 engine: GPS and GLONASS multi frequency sensor, 4 RTCM inputs, with display and extended QC capabilities. Including graphs. Prepared for Fugro Satguard^®

• Kongsberg DPS I1 with Seastar^® SGG/G4/XP engine: Integrated GPS/GLONASS/ BeiDou/ Galileo sensor and L-Band receiver/ demodulator, with IALA beacon receiver; 3 x RS 232/RS 422 serial ports,2 x LAN & 1 x USB port and built-in display.

Additional benefits - Beyond 70 degrees North 

Fugro Seastar® high performance satellite navigation augmentation services can be delivered beyond normal coverage limits. The standard method of correction data delivery is by broadcast over the Fugro network of L-band geostationary communication satellites. This is an extremely reliable and robust system, but geostationary satellites located above the equator have a coverage footprint that is limited to around 70 deg North using standard spot beam antennas.

The combination of our unique purpose-made L-band antennas for low elevation satellites (AD493 receiving corrections up till 75 deg North) and our NTRIP solution delivered over VSAT ensures you get the corrections you need for maintaining reliable and safe operations in the Arctic.

The Fugro NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM over Internet Protocol) service is available as a back-up method over data delivery for all users.

When you subscribe to Fugro Seastar® services, you can be confident that your vessels and offshore assets have a reliable, stable, 24/7 supported and safe positioning service.

Support

24/7 technical duty phone service available on

+47 21 50 14 20

Visit the Fugro Seastar support portal