EDISOFT has today the operational capability of providing Near Real Time (NRT) Vessel Detection and Classification services using satellite SAR imagery and other non EO sources like AIS and VMS.
EDISOFT’s service chain encompasses 4 major blocks: data acquisition, data extraction, value addition and delivery.
Data Acquisition
In terms of satellite data, the service provided by EDISOFT uses level 1B SAR imagery received from different satellite missions, like ENVISAT and ERS-2. EDISOFT is also today adding the capability to use RADARSAT-1 and plans in the near future the incorporation of new missions like COSMO-SKYMED, TerraSAR-X and ALOS. This level 1B imagery is received in NRT by FTP from different Ground Stations. Regarding non EO data and for value addition purposes, EDISOFT is receiving in NRT AIS and VMS data. The VTS data is used for validation and is also received in NRT. In terms of ancillary data, it is being used meteorological data from the MET office.
Data Extraction
EDISOFT uses its own SAR vessel detection and classification software to automatically detect all the vessels identified on SAR imagery. In addition, for each detected vessel, the software provides classification information like the size, speed and heading (part of this information can only be derived when the ship’s wake is available). The output of this software is a report containing general information, like the date/time of acquisition or the satellite data used, together with all the detection and classification information. The software automatically generates this report in two formats (text file and a Google Earth .kmz file). In addition, when the detection and classification information is available, a software component is automatically activated, placing the applicable information in a structured way in the EDISOFT EO Vessel Detection and Classification database. It is possible to query all the information reported in a given area and in a given period from the referred database.
Figure 1: EdiVDC – EDISOFT vessel detection and classification software
In what concerns AIS, EDISOFT has developed and installed a system which receives in Real Time all AIS messages, namely the messages 1, 2 and 3 (position reports) and messages 5 (ship static and voyage related data). When new information is received, a software component is automatically activated which parses the AIS information received and places the applicable information in a structured way in the EDISOFT Non EO database. It is possible to query all the AIS information that was reported in a given area and in a given period from the referred database.
Regarding VTS, EDISOFT receives in Real Time all the ships identified in a given area at the time of the acquisition. When a given vessel is detected by the VTS radar and it is also transmitting AIS, the information is automatically consolidated and the information provided is a merge of all the information coming from both the AIS and the VTS radar. When new information is received, a software component is automatically activated which parses the VTS information received and places the applicable information in a structured way in the EDISOFT Non EO database. From the referred database it is possible to query all the VTS information that was reported in a given area and in a given period.
In what concerns VMS, EDISOFT receives, also in real time, all the VMS data transmitted in a given area. When new information is received, a software component is automatically activated which parses the VMS information received and places the applicable information in a structured way in the EDISOFT Non EO database. From the referred database it is possible to query all the VMS information that was reported in a given area and in a given period.
Value Addition
In what concerns value addition, EDISOFT concentrates in different databases all the collected non EO information and the EO Vessel Detection and Classification information performed for the different satellite acquisitions. The integration of all this data in a structured way is by itself the start of the value addition. Using as input the referred databases, EDISOFT’s correlating software is activated when all the applicable information extraction is performed for a given satellite acquisition. This software will be responsible firstly for interpolating the non EO information available in the database to the exact date/time of a given satellite acquisition. Then the software will automatically find matches between the vessels identified in an EO SAR image and the available non EO information. This match is performed within a set of criteria that can be configured, like the circle radius within which a match can be considered. When the correlating software finds a match between a vessel detected through a SAR image and stored AIS or VMS data (meaning that the detected vessel is transmitting either AIS or VMS), it classifies it as non suspect vessel. If, on the other side, the correlating software does not find a match, it classifies it as a suspect vessel. The correlating software generates a report in two formats, text file and a Google Earth .kmz file. The report contains, in addition to general data, the following information:
• Non suspect vessels: all the vessels detected by SAR which are transmitting AIS or VMS;
• Suspect vessels: all the vessels detected by SAR which are nor transmitting neither AIS nor VMS;
• False positives: all vessels which were detected by SAR but which were not detected by the VTS radar;
• False negatives: all vessels which were not detected by SAR but which were detected by AIS, VTS or VMS.
Delivery
All the reports generated are automatically produced in two formats, text files and a Google Earth .kmz files.
Figure 2: EDISOFT service in the Portuguese Coast (Google Earth automatic output)
The products generated by EDISOFT within this service are sent in NRT by e-mail to the service users (and when needed, or requested, by FAX and phone). In addition, EDISOFT has available a GIS enabled “Vessel Detection and Classification web portal” where, for all the authorised users, the results of the service are made available.
Figure 3: EDISOFT Vessel Detection and Classification web portal
Conclusions
EDISOFT has in place an operational Near Real Time capability to provide to its users Vessel Detection and Classification products, together with value addition through correlation with non EO data like AIS and VMS data. All the service results are provided to the users through a GIS enabled web portal where all the services and correspondent results are available for navigation and for download. This capability has been exercised during 2007 for the Portuguese Users in the scope of the GSE GMES MARISS project.
CONTACT
Bárbara Guerra Manso, Head of Business Development & Marketing
Edisoft, S.A
Rua Quinta dos Medronheiros – Lazarim
Apartado 382 Monte de Caparica
2826-801 Caparica Portugal
Tel.: (+351) 212 945 900
Fax: (+351) 212 945 999
Mobile: (+351) 93 235 1618
E-mail: barbara.manso@edisoft.pt