Critical Debugging and Repair of Navigation System for Maritime Industry

Client

Leading global technology provider for defense and aerospace sector.

Challenge

A next-generation navigation system, intended for use on vessels, exhibited sporadic, critical positioning errors. Due to high security requirements (security-cleared environment) of the project, diagnostics and repair had to be conducted entirely on-site, at the client’s facility in Germany. It was necessary to identify and eliminate the source of the problem in a complex, multi-layered embedded application.

Solution

As an embedded software expert, I had to conduct deep analysis (deep-dive debugging) of the system.

My work focused on the application layer running on the main processor. I identified the problem in the module responsible for parsing NMEA data streams coming from the GPS receiver.

I discovered that the parser incorrectly handled certain specific or non-standard NMEA frames, leading to data corruption or module instability. My work involved:

Accurately replicating the error in a test environment.

Identifying the faulty logic in the NMEA parser.

Designing and implementing a fix (patch) that hardened the system against erroneous frames and ensured correct parsing of all data streams.

Verifying the fix in cooperation with the client’s team.

Result

The implemented fix completely eliminated the parsing error, restoring full reliability and accuracy of the navigation system. Work performed in the client’s strictly controlled environment confirmed the ability to quickly solve complex problems in mission-critical systems.

Technologies Used

System: Embedded Linux

Languages: C, C++

Concepts: NMEA Protocol, GPS Data Parsing, Debugging, System Integration

Domain: Maritime, Defense & Aerospace