Microprocessor controlled instrumentation/navigation package for hostile marine environments

Abstract

Currently, many shipboard instrumentation systems are inoperative or inaccurate when AC power is lost to the bus supplying power to the instrumentation. Instrumentation is also subject to failure when it comes into contact with water during a flooding, fire, or steamline rupture casualty. A small, inexpensive, standardized instrumentation package that is water resistant and capable of being powered from a standby battery power source is needed. This research is directed toward developing such an instrumentation system. To prove the water resistance of the system it was first installed on a windsurfing craft. Water resistant sensors using readily available components were also developed in this project.