Raytheon Anschütz Unveils New Navigation Radar

On opening day of SMM, the German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz officially launched the newly developed NautoScan NX network radar transceivers, the centerpiece of its next generation Synapsis Radar system.

The new NautoScan NX transceivers generate raw radar video, which is distributed via Gigabit LAN. Raw video distribution without any analogue losses enables optimized performance with high-fidelity radar data processing through the individual end-user applications on the bridge.

Dr. Axel Schaab, Raytheon Anschütz’s product management leader, said, “We’ve listened to the market and heard the demand for newly developed, state-of-the-art navigational radar. Consequently, we leveraged our experience and extensive radar knowledge and started the in-house development of a very competitive and modern radar.  The new radar is based on network technology and has undergone a complete redesign electronically and mechanically to combine great performance with high reliability.”

An unlimited number of workstations and applications can be linked to the LAN to receive the radar video. A star-based network approach offers highest scalability and flexibility for a wide range of applications and requirements without need for special cabling or conversion hardware. As part of the complete system redesign, critical parts such as the drive unit have been optimized to provide customers with maintenance-free operation and an extended life. Features such as automatic performance monitoring or a Magnetron sleep mode for longer maintenance intervals are now integrated in the system.

Finally, installation and maintenance access have been improved through a new pedestal design. Simplified assembly and configuration, as well as use of standard Ethernet, will lower installation efforts; built-in test features are available for advanced service diagnostic and optimized service performance. All electronic and RF components are mounted on an innovative, removable tray to simplify and speed up service.

Besides integrating the new radar transceivers, the new generation Synapsis Radar is built on the new Synapsis NX system architecture. The Synapsis Radar task is part of the Synapsis NX multifunctional workstations, which integrates all navigational data, tasks and services to enable users full data control with a single action only. The workstations are based on a new standardized, ultra-compact Small Marine Computer with fan-less design and solid-state disk, and feature streamlined sensor collection and distribution to combine high reliability and smooth operation with high scalability, flexibility and simplicity in system layout and configuration.

The new Synapsis software generation has undergone a further upgrade to include features like system wide unique target identifiers, further enhanced central alert management, or advanced user setting management. Synapsis is the world’s first Integrated Navigation System in compliance with IMO’s performance standard MSC.252(83) und IEC 61924-2. Within two years of product launch, more 100 Synapsis systems have been contracted, and more than half are already in operation.

raytheon-anschuetz.com