Stabilité du logiciel :
The stability of navigation software is an important element. Navigation
software is dynamic and can be used for long periods, sometimes several weeks
without interruption. It is dependent on the external instruments it is
connected (GPS, AIS, pilot, data multiplexer, etc.). On boats of modest size
having little autonomy in it must be able to withstand without problem the
standby of the computer and be immediately available when the computer wakes up.
To achieve this but StarNavPilot uses a service technology (like the Windows 10
operating system). A service is an independent executable module launched,
controlled, then closed by a service manager which is also independent but
controlled by the main module. The StarNavPilot service manager able to fix the
failure of a module by stopping and restarting it reliably. For example,
communication with navigation instruments via USB ports uses several services.
With software that does not use this technology, the fact of violently
unplugging a USB plug (on purpose or because of a bad contact) causes the
program or even the computer to freeze, requiring manual intervention. With
StarNavPilot, it is possible to disconnect a USB plug and even reconnect it to
another socket without causing more than a few seconds of positioning delay
since the ports used by the different devices (GPS, AIS) are detected
automatically. It is inconceivable to think that an anti-collision safety system
could not work due to some problem. In a serious case of failure that cannot be
resolved by restarting a module, the service manager is able to restart the
complete software which will find itself in a few seconds in exactly the same
situation as before the problem (position, route active, chart, etc ...).
StarNavPilot uses 41 modules, the majority of which are services.
This
technology allows StarNavPilot to achieve this exemplary stability so
appreciated by users.
The stress test:
In order to highlight
this characteristic and in order to detect any code defect that could cause
problems, StarNavPilot has undergone without any failure the stress test
consisting of using a special configuration to run for 5 hours at a speed of
1000 times its normal operating speed. The success of this test demonstrates the
quality of the code used and the absence of any synchronization fault between
the different modules.
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