From Sensors to MASS. Digital Representation of the Perceived Environment enabling Ship Navigation

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) do require shifting from human information processing to automation functions. While supporting the sensory processing of human navigation by automated information acquisition from different sensors is an already established (and even in many cases mandatory) technology with a set of framing standards and information exchanges, defining a common data set for a perceived environment model is currently neglected which hinders modularization of MASS technology development. Beginning with an introduction into the navigational process as well as information processing, this paper subsequently proposes an initial minimum data set for different aspects of ship navigation.