BANANAS (Berthing And NavigatioN Aid System)

An Independent Portable Pilot Unit (PPU)

A solution to provide maritime pilots with an independent berthing and navigation aid system which solely depends on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

The portable sensors send the exact position of the ship, her true orientation and other navigation data used by any navigation software to provide numerous e-navigation aid features.

Benefits

Portable

The PPU kit is easily transportable in its bag. All necessary parts fit together, making the system dependable and quick to set-up.

Connected

The PPU comes embedded with all the necessary telecommunication gear to assure a high degree of connectivity to various types of radio networks: 3G, UHF, VHF, AIS, Wi-Fi, Long-Range Wi-Fi.

Independent

This PPU does not operate by relying on other vessel instrumentations or AIS data. The PPU is completely independent. Pilots bring the sensors on board and connect to it with their tablet.

Augmented GNSS

By relying on augmented-GNSS navigation technology, BANANAS is a highly-sophisticated solution that delivers centimeter precision. As accurate as a navigation sensor can be.

Simple

Despite its sophistication, pilots love its simplicity. There is only one power On/Off button. The PPU has no cables, no connectors, no antennas, and it is compatible with any pilot software.

Everlasting

Hot-swappable batteries give unlimited autonomy

Characteristics

1-2cm

RTK Position Accuracy

GNSS Constellations

By default, its GNSS receivers are set to work with GPS+Glonass constellations. It is also possible to extend to Beidou+Galileo.

GNSS Accuracy

Receivers are powered by Trimble technology which automatically provides 3 levels of accuracy.
RTK: 1cm-2cm. L-Band (RTX): 4cm -10 cm. SBAS 0.5m-1m.

Orientation Accuracy

The 2 beacons form a dual-antenna GNSS compass with Moving Baseline RTK and Gyro-aiding. With 20m baseline the ROT accuracy is less than 0,1°/min and the HDG is as close as 0,01°. Via means of a long-range wireless radio link amongst the beacons, a very long baseline can be established (even 100m).

<0,1°/min

Rate Of Turn

Autonomy

The hot-swappable and rechargeable Nickel–Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH). These type of batteries are safer during transport as compared to Lithium-Ion batteries. Each battery has an autonomy of 6 hours. If needed, a battery can be replaced while a beacon is on, without any loss of power. The recharging time of a battery is 3 hours which allow enough time with a spare set to provide endless autonomy.

Communication Range

The PPU can send navigation data to the pilots' tablet in a range of 100m-200m.

Navigation SW Compatibility

Any navigation software that can take an NMEA feed (e.g.: Qastor, SEAiq, Orca Pilot G2, Pilot Pro, SafePilot, etc.), gives the possibility to choose this navigation sensor.

Download Product Brochure
BANANAS Integration Story

1cm/sec

Speed Detection

Inertial Navigation

GNSS-INS data are fused together and stabilized vie means of advanced Kalman filters. This assures the most accurate and reliable augmented-GNSS navigation solution.

Radio Comms

All antennas, modems, and firmware to make the PPU communicate with various types of radio networks are embedded: 3G/4G, UHF (410-470 MHz, ), AIS, Wi-Fi, Long-Range Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz).

Output Rate

2Hz NMEA wireless output is provided for integration with any navigation software

When Accuracy Matters

See a great maneuver performed in a tight water space using our PPU

Key Features

PPU Technology Insights

Upcoming Exhibitions & Showcase Events

Cadden
Exhibitor
Cadden is an exhibitor

Cadden will present BANANAS to the delegation of the European Maritime Pilots Association. 53rd EMPA General Meeting is held from May 22nd until May 24th in Liverpool, UK.