Computers and navigation

Navigation has always relied on data collection, processing, and computation. The aplication of modern computers and microprocessors to this field dramatically highlights the interdependance. Nevertheless, there is much to be accomplished to close a "processing gap" that has opened up, especially in the field of marine navigation. More on-line, real-time processing of data gathered on-board small pleasure vessels is possible by using inexpensive sensors and microprocessors. Database management techniques on-board large vessels can be used to reveal potentially dangerous changes in aids to navigation; advanced communication methods can be used to Update the navigation database. When modern navigation methods are employed in millions of land-based vehicles, the economic incentives to introduce improvements will sharply increase; hundreds of thousands of marine users will benefit from the larger supply of hardware and software that will appear in this marketplace.