Digital Yacht have unveiled their TriNav™ GPS160, a GPS antenna with NMEA 0183. This is a new, high performance positioning sensor using GPS, Glonass and the new Galileo satellite systems.

Therefore, providing exceptional position accuracy and redundancy. Typical accuracy is better than 3 ft. Data can also be set to output at up to 18Hz for smoother plotter track displays. TriNav™ software technology also improves positioning inaccuracy that could occur through spoofing and local interference.

The GPS160 NMEA 2000 model features the GPS160 GPS antenna with an NMEA 2000 interface. The device has a variety of modes through field programming.

This includes single GNSS operation (eg Galileo only) as well as output configurations such as update rate, NMEA sentence structure etc. The GPS160 GPS antenna with NMEA 2000 version includes the Digital Yacht iKonvert NMEA 2000 gateway. This therefore allows an easy and flexible install of the NMEA 2000 without the need for cumbersome drop cables. It allows an easy and thin 33 ft cable to be run from the GPS160 to the nearest point on the NMEA 2000 backbone. Thus allowing the iKonvert to connect to it. The GPS160 also supports a simple external MOB (man-over-board) switch or device. When triggered, the GPS160 creates a “synthesized” AIS SART MOB message on its NMEA output.

This can then interface with a local plotter to identify the MOB. Most modern plotters support this with a clear MOB icon. As well as instant bearing and distance data to navigate to the casualty.

Galileo:

Galileo is the new global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that has been in development over the past two decades. It joins the GPS and GLONASS systems and offers mariners a 3rd reliable positioning source. It is now fully operational as of 2020. There are currently 22 satellites in usable condition. This means the satellite is working and adds to the service provision. There are then 2 satellites that are in “testing” and 2 more are marked as not available. The final constellation now consists of 30 satellites (24 operational and 6 spares) as of 2020.