Glossary | SBG Systems

UART – Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter

Ricardo — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:55:42 +0000

A Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) is a fundamental communication interface widely used in embedded systems. In inertial navigation systems (INS), where sensors continuously generate critical motion data, UART offers a simple yet reliable way to transfer information between IMUs and processors. By eliminating the need for a dedicated clock line and using flexible baud rates, UART ensures efficient, low-latency, and robust data exchange. This makes it an ideal choice for compact, power-constrained, and mission-critical navigation applications.

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Surge

Ricardo — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:33:37 +0000

Surge refers to a vessel’s forward and backward motion along its longitudinal axis, significantly impacting maritime operations and navigation. It directly affects ship speed, propulsion efficiency, and course stability. By accurately measuring and managing surge, vessels can maintain optimal performance, reduce fuel consumption, and ensure crew and cargo safety. Advanced sensors and control systems continuously monitor surge, enabling real-time corrections, motion compensation, and improved operational efficiency across commercial, defense, and offshore applications.

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Ship motion measurement

Ricardo — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:39:03 +0000

Ship motion measurement refers to the process of quantifying the six degrees of freedom that describe a vessel’s movement at sea. A ship is constantly influenced by waves, wind, and currents, which generate both translational and rotational motions. These include surge, sway, and heave, which are linear displacements, and roll, pitch, and yaw, which are angular rotations. Accurate measurement of these motions is essential for navigation, stability analysis, offshore operations, and scientific research. Modern systems rely on inertial sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and GNSS receivers to capture high-precision motion data in real time. This information is used to improve vessel control, ensure crew safety, and support applications such as dynamic positioning, hydrographic surveys, and active heave compensation. By continuously monitoring ship motions, operators can anticipate challenges, optimize performance, and maintain reliable operations in demanding marine environments.

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Heave

Ricardo — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:06:22 +0000

Heave in navigation refers to the vertical movement of a vessel or platform caused by ocean waves and swell. Unlike pitch or roll, which involve rotational motion, heave represents purely up-and-down displacement. Understanding heave is essential for maritime operations, offshore drilling, and precise survey activities. It directly affects vessel stability, operational accuracy, and crew safety. Accurate measurement and compensation of heave ensure reliable navigation, improve equipment performance, and maintain operational efficiency. In modern marine operations, advanced sensors, heave compensation systems, and predictive models are used to monitor and manage vertical motion, allowing vessels and platforms to operate safely and precisely in dynamic sea conditions.

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Yaw

Ricardo — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:44:24 +0000

Yaw is a fundamental rotational movement around the vertical axis, essential for navigation and control across diverse applications. It determines heading and directional stability, influencing how ships maintain course, how aircraft counter crosswinds, how vehicles handle corners, and how UAVs and drones navigate complex environments. By accurately measuring and managing yaw, systems can achieve improved stability, safety, and efficiency. Sensors such as gyroscopes, magnetometers, and inertial measurement units provide continuous yaw data, enabling precise control in marine, aviation, automotive, robotics, and virtual reality applications. Understanding yaw dynamics is key to ensuring reliable performance in both everyday transportation and advanced mission-critical operations.

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