SPECTRE Lite

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 11:54 Written by Alison Little Wednesday, 28 April 2010 11:25

SPECTRE Lite is a new edition of the SPECTRE autopilot system, in a compact, rugged diecast aluminium casing with just three connectors aimed for production and retro-fit to surface craft and USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles / Vessels).

In operation, SPECTRE Lite needs a power supply and some means of communicating with a remote control station - typically via a VHF modem. SPECTRE Lite can then control throttle and steering via simple hardware outputs.  A choice of PWM and analogue outputs is available, as well as a rudder feedback signal so that SPECTRE Lite can be easily fitted to almost any standard craft with minimal modifications, using only off-the-shelf components.

Aimed particularly at surface vessels, such as RHIBs (for example, for firing target vessels), the SPECTRE Lite autopilot offers manual, heading and track (waypoint) following control modes. The manual mode provides remote control functionality. H Scientific RCW software suite provides the operator interface, allowing the operator to set modes (e.g. set heading to steer, or upload waypoints for track following) and to monitor and log the mission.

For more information and a review of the differences between the full SPECTRE unit and the SPECTRE Lite, see the Downloads section.