1. COMPONENT BASED CONFIGURATION
At the heart of all ARI simulators is an advanced architecture platform that enables unprecedented degrees of modularity. To our customer that implies the ability to pick and choose components of interest and relevance, thereby building a simulator suited precisely to their requirement.

Further, given that requirements evolve over time, customers require to grow the capacity and functionality of a simulation installation over time. The modularity of ARI’s simulators makes this completely feasible. As training requirements or volumes grow, it is possible to incrementally procure components and integrate them with the base simulator installation.

ARI recognizes that procuring a simulator represents a long-term investment and our modular and scalable products make it easy to ensure stable returns on investment over several years.The point is best illustrated with an example. Let us consider the scenario encountered by a growing training establishment.

The point is best illustrated with an example. Let us consider the scenario encountered by a growing training establishment.

PHASE I: At the outset of its operations, when focus would lie in establishing a market presence with minimal investment, the institute can install a single software-only RADAR simulator running off desktop PC’s, and use this for RADAR/ARPA training programs. Increasing capacity is easy and quick, involving the installation of additional RADAR stations, with or without consoles and hardware.

PHASE II: Assuming favorable market conditions, the requirement is likely to grow, with emerging demand for, say, Bridge Team Management (BTM) training programs. If so, then all that needs to be done is to procure additional components that seamlessly work together with the base RADAR installation(s) to enable BTM training. The institute would therefore scale up by procuring a suitable combination of an ECDIS, Navigation Aids and Ownship Controls, and integrate them with the existing RADAR simulator. Numerous configurations are possible at this stage, be it a stand-alone bridge or interactive multi-bridges, with hardware or without, and with visualizations or without, depending on the training objectives.

PHASE III: The next stage of growth may see this institute needing a Full Mission bridge simulator with an accurate and realistic bridge environment and the ability to simulate total shipboard bridge operations, allowing for training all levels of navigation officers. This is possible by simply adding required components to the existing installation. These could include additional RADAR stations, steering control, conning display, chart table, auto pilot, communication console(s), main engine controls, auxiliary machinery controls, anchor handling, navigational lights, sound signals etc. Once again various configurations are possible, with the option to interface real shipboard equipment or simulated equipment. Visualization channels can range from 60o to 3600, depending on the requirement, available space and budgets. The resulting Full Mission Ship Maneuvering Simulator can be used as a stand-alone bridge, as interactive multi-bridges, or coupled to an Engine Simulator. It can be used to provide training in compliance with all relevant STCW 95 competency requirements.