ARPA system
An ARPA system ( A utomatic R adar P lotting A id) is an automatic radar Plotteinrichtung, a radar -Plotthilfe or a radar image-evaluation device. Ships in the area are automatically tracked and their course and speed are shown on the display.
The ARPA system is a modern aid (information transmitter) when the ship's command decides to pass safely - taking into account the collision prevention rules of 1972 - and when using the radar information correctly and effectively to reduce environmental pollution. It enables systematic observation of displayed objects at a high level, quick, exact and comprehensive assessment of the situation and realizes the following functions, among others:
- alphanumeric target data display
- Target discovery, acquisition and tracking
- Representation of the ship's movement
- automatic warnings
- Simulation of maneuvers
- additional synthetic symbols on the screen
- Own drive and course
ARPA devices work with the information from the radar, gyrocompass and speed measurement system and can display secondary information obtained from the ship's radar system. Furthermore, the processed information can be displayed on a separate screen. The technical operating requirements for the ARPA system (performance standard / performance parameters) were drawn up by the IMO and adopted in 1979 as resolution of the General Assembly A. 422 (XI).