Navigational Aids

SET – 1
1. a. Explain what is meant by “Pseudo-Random-Noise” (PRN) Code?
b. Describe briefly the two codes which are transmitted.
c. Explain why two frequencies are used.

2. Describe the working principle of GLONASS.

3. Explain with diagrams the effect of permanent and induced magnetism with the change
of latitudes.

4. Describe the operating principle of TMC.

5. Explain the meaning of the term “free gyroscope” and the properties “gyroscopic
inertia” and “precession”.

6. Explain how a free gyroscope is made north seeking under the influence of gravity
control.

7. Describe the operating principle of a gyro repeater system.

8. Briefly describe the principle function of the AIS.

9. Describe the operating principle of Loran-C.

10. Briefly explain the three categories of INS as defined by IMO.

SET – 2
1. Describe how the position is determined by GPS receiver.

2. Describe the limitation of the GLONASS system receiver.

3. What is co-efficient? Explain which co-efficient change with change of latitude and
which co-efficient remain unchanged.

4. Describe the use of damping in azimuth and damping in tilt to cause settling of the axis
and thus produce a gyro-compass.

5. Describe settling or damping error and explain why this error changes with change of
latltude.
6. Describe the effect of rolling on a liquid ballistic for various ship’s headings. Explain why
the movement of the liquid causes an error except on the cardinal headings.

7. With the aid of a diagram describe the gyro compass repeater system.

8. Explain the two types Class A and Class B of AIS.

9. Explain and demonstrates how position fixing is achieved using Loran-C.

10. Explain how the IBS system can be beneficial for the navigator.

SET – 3
1. List and describe the main sources of error in the determined position of GPS.

2. What is magnetic de-gaussing and it can be achieved?

3. Describe the parts of Magnetic compass and their function.

4. Describe the connection procedure of Magnetic compass and the person responsible
for connection.

5. Describe the apparent movement of a free gyroscope on the earth’s surface, given its
position and initial altitude.

6. Explain the behavior of a liquid ballistic during a change of speed or an alteration of

course.

7. Describe the working principle of the AIS. How the AIS uses a time-division multiple
access (SOTDMA) scheme to share the VHF frequency.

8. Describe the operating principles of e-Loran and state the principal difference between
e-Loran and traditional Loran-C.

9. What is IBS? Describe the limitations of the IBS system.

10. Describe the operational requirements of BNWAS.

SET – 4
1. Describe why three or more satellites fixes require to determine position whereas two
satellites are enough to fix a two dimensional position on the surface of the earth.
2. Explain the concept of Galileo. What is the advantage of Galileo over Navstar?

3. Enumerate the probable causes to develop co-efficient apparent A.

4. Outline the performance standards of a magnetic compasses.

5. Explain why a gyro-compass that is damped in tilt will settle with its spin axis at a small
angle to the meridian, except when at the equator.

6. Explain with diagram how the course and speed error is produced and what is the
remedial action manufacturer takes to counteract this error.

7. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of AIS.

8. Lists and explain the errors of Loran-C.

9. Describe the working concept of LRIT and the criteria to obtain LRIT data of a ship to
member states.

10. Briefly describe the concept of VDR and the data that can be achieved from a VDR.
What is the difference between VDR and SVDR?

SET – 5
1. Describe the components, principles, coverage area and various usage of e-Loran.

2. Describe the principles, usage, limitation, coverage area and accuracy of GPS.

3. Describe the principles, usage, limitation, coverage area and accuracy of DGPS.

4. Describe the principles, usage, limitation, coverage area and accuracy of GLONASS.

5. Describe the principles, usage, limitation, coverage area and accuracy of Galileo.

6. State the various methods of displaying AIS information and functions of AIS. Explain
the advantage and disadvantages of AIS. State the use of AIS at sea and in port mentioning
precautions necessary when AIS is used as an aid for collision avoidance.

7. Explain the operating principle of Fiber Optic gyro-compass and ring laser gyro-compass
and their advantages over the mechanical/ballistic gyro-compass.

8. Explain how the gyro-compass is preventing from any tendency to tum when swinging
pendulously as a result of rolling or pitching. Explain how errors caused by acceleration of
the compass during rolling and pitching can be reduced.
9. Describe the parts of the Magnetic compass and explain their function. Briefly explain
the operating principle of Transmitting Magnetic Compass (TMC).

10. Explain the purpose of BNWAS and bow these are achieved. List and explain the
operational sequence of indications and alarms of BNWAS.

SET – 6
1. a. What is AIS? What are the potential benefits of AIS?
b. Describe AIS static information, AIS dynamic information, AIS short safety message.

2. What is VDR, SVDR and VDR capsule? Would you recommend the connection of ECDIS
as an input to a VDR? What are some advantage and disadvantage of doing so?

3. What is ROTI? How to plan for constant radius turn? State the advantage and
precaution taken when using ROTI. State the SOLAS requirement of ROTI onboard?

4. What is IBS? Draw a block diagram of IBS. State the advantage and disadvantage of IBS.

5. Describe the use of ECDIS. What is the difference between Raster and Vector Chart?

6. State the principle of Doppler Log. Describe the errors of Doppler log. How to check
Doppler log before put in use?

7. What do you understand by the following terms and the effect they have on GPS?
a. Spoofing; b. Jamming; c. Solar flares; d. Satellite based augmentation

8. What are the properties of gyroscope? Describe the effect of gyro failure during
transiting Singapore Strait.

9. State the sequence of placing the connectors and the reason for same. State what
precautions need to be taken when swinging compass.

10. Write a short note on following:

a. e-Navigation; b. SSAS; c. BNWAS

SET – 7
1. Describe the effect of gravity control and precision of free gyroscope. Sketch the
principle of gravity control use in Sperry gyro-compass.
2. A Ship was heading 150°, deviation 2° W. After applying correction, permanent magnet
removed from 55 cm below the compass. Forward and Aft observed deviation 2° E. After
altering course to 090° deviation observed 5° E. Describe why the deviation changed.

3. Write short notes on:

a. TMC (Transmitting Magnetic Compass); b. Rate of Turn Indicator

4. Describe the basic principles of Auto Pilot. Describe the function of various control of
Auto Pilot with sketch.

5. a. Describe the basic principles of GPS.

b. Describe precautions to be taken when plotting GPS position.
c. How you will get GPS warning?
d. How many types of frequencies are used in GPS?

6. Draw a block diagram of echo sounder and function of each component. Write down
merit of using transducer if fitted in pierced hull and fitted internally.

SET – 8
1. A free gyroscope placed on the earth in lat 10° N pointing to a star declination 30° N.
Show with suitable diagram the path of axis of this gyroscope will draw on a proper place
vertically at its north and in next 24 hours. Give reason if the figure drawn will be vertically
oval or horizontally oval.

2. The following observations were made of the sun when swinging ship slowly to adjust
a well-placed standard compass at a position where the variation was 20° W.
Comp. Hdg 000 045 090 135 180 225 270 315
Comp. Brg 140.0 138.5 140.5 142.0 143.5 145.0 146.0 147.5
True Brg 124.0 124.5 125.5 127.0 127.5 128.0 129.0 129.5
a. Obtain a list of deviation
b. analyse them into various co-efficient
c. Explain how you will attempt to locate the cause and remove the effect of the largest
co-efficient observed.

3. Write short notes on:

a. ECDIS; b. VDR; c. AIS

4. Draw a block diagram of echo sounder and function of each component.

5. Describe the following echo sounder error and explain how it affect echo sounder.
a. Multiple echo; b. Second trace return; c. Stylus speed error
SET – 9
1. a. State the main causes of heeling error in magnetic compasses.
b. With the aid of sketches explain how deviation changes due to change in magnetic
latitude, change of course, change of heel.

2. Explain with suitable sketch the causes and effect of LAT, Course and Speed error in a
Gyro Compass. Also indicate how these are minimized or compensated.

3. Sketch and describe a Rate of Turn Indicator.

4. Explain the operation of Doppler Log with suitable sketch. Why it is essential to have
two transmitted beam of energy one ahead and one astern knows Janes configuration in
case of Doppler system of log.

5. Describe the principle of an echo sounder with appropriate sketch. Give details of the
factors that affect the propagation of sound wave in water.

6. Write a short note on:

a. Integrated Bridge System (IBS); b. Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR);
c. Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS)

7. Explain with suitable figure the concept of GPS. What improvements have been brought
in DGPS system?

8. State the basic principle of AIS. What information can be obtained from AIS? How AIS
can be used to improve maritime safety and security? State the dangers associated with
over reliance on AIS.

9. State the errors associated with echo sounder. What are the false echoes in echo
sounder? How echo sounder can be used for safety of navigation and obtaining position
lines? What special precautions are exercised with echo sounder transducers during the
dry docking of the vessel?

10. What are the carriage requirements of ship borne navigational systems and
equipment under SOLAS for a vessel of more than 50,000 GRT?

SET – 10
1. Sketch and describe the Principles and operation of repeaters systems of a gyro
compass.

2. Write short notes on following:

a. e-navigation; b. e-Loran; c. VDR; d. LRIT
3. Explain what kind of correctors should be used to compensate the deviation due to
permanent magnetism and deviation due to induced magnetism and give reason for your
answer. Explain why the heeling error correction does not remain effective with the
change of magnetic latitude.

4. Outline the performance standards of a magnetic compasses. Explain the importance

of keeping a record of observed deviations.

5. Discuss the use of radar as a land fall aid.

6. Describe the effect of gyro compass failure in the navigation of the vessel. List the other
bridge equipment likely to be affected by gyro compass failure.

7. In Global Positioning System how the pseudo ranges are measured? Does the
measurement indicate a true range? Differentiate between GPS and Galileo.

8. What you understand by the following terms and the effect they have on GPS?
a. Spoofing; b. Jamming; c. Solar flares; d. Satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS)

9. Describe AIS and state how AIS can be used to improve maritime safety and security.

10. Describe ECDIS. How ECDIS can be used in four stages of passage planning.