ARPA, which stands for Automatic Radar Plotting Aid, is a system used on ships and vessels to assist in the automatic tracking and tracing of targets detected by radar. Its primary use is to improve situational awareness and navigation safety by providing real-time information on the positions, courses and speeds of nearby vessels and objects relative to the own vessel.
ARPA processes radar data and displays target information on a radar screen, allowing operators to monitor target movements, predict potential collisions and make informed navigation decisions.
The main goal of ARPA is to automate and improve the accuracy of target tracking and collision avoidance on maritime vessels. By integrating radar data with the vessel’s navigation information, such as heading, speed and GPS coordinates, ARPA calculates the closest point of approach (CPA) and closest point of approach (TCPA) for detected targets.
This information allows vessel operators to assess collision risks, take preventative measures to avoid collisions, and navigate safely in congested or low visibility conditions.
Radar and ARPA (Automatic Radar Plot Aid) work together synergistically to provide comprehensive situational awareness and navigation capabilities on ships. While radar detects and measures target range and roll, ARPA further processes this data by automatically tracking and plotting target positions over time.
By overlaying ARPA-generated target tracks on the radar display, operators can view the movement patterns of nearby vessels, assess their potential paths, and predict future positions. This integrated approach improves the effectiveness of radar systems in maritime operations, improving collision avoidance and navigation efficiency.
The ARPA channel refers to the ability of ARPA systems to track and display past movements or historical tracks of targets over time.
This feature allows radar operators to examine and analyze the paths taken by vessels or objects detected by the radar, providing valuable information about their behavior, intentions and potential collision risks. ARPA channel functionality supports enhanced decision-making processes on vessels, allowing operators to anticipate vessel movements, identify navigation patterns, and evaluate the effectiveness of previous navigation maneuvers .
Automatic Tracking Aid (ATA) is a built-in feature in ARPA systems that automates the process of tracking and tracing Radar-detected targets.
ATA uses algorithms and software to continuously monitor and update target positions based on radar data, eliminating the need for manual plotting by radar operators. This automation reduces workload, improves accuracy and ensures consistent tracking performance, especially in dynamic maritime environments with multiple moving targets. ATA contributes to improved situational awareness, effective collision avoidance and safer navigation practices on board vessels equipped with ARPA systems