IEC 62388:2013

Overview

IEC 62388:2013 - Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - Shipborne radar: Performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results - is an IEC international standard that specifies minimum operational and performance requirements and defined test methods for shipborne radar. The standard is aligned with IMO Resolution MSC.192(79) and supplements general installation requirements (IMO A.694(17) and IEC 60945) by defining performance standards, test procedures and required test results for radar equipment used in maritime navigation. This second edition (2013, incl. corrigendum Feb 2014) supersedes the 2007 edition.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

The standard covers practical, testable requirements across shipborne radar performance and presentation:

• Performance testing and methods: environmental, RF and over-sea performance tests, test sites and target simulation, and required test result formats.
• Transmission and interference: frequency requirements and interference mitigation.
• Performance optimisation: gain control, automatic/manual sea and rain anti-clutter, and continuous monitoring.
• Signal processing: target enhancement, correlation, latency, second-time-around echoes and image processing descriptions.
• Detection and discrimination: minimum range, range and bearing discrimination, and target detection performance assessments in cluttered and minimal conditions.
• Antenna characteristics: vertical/horizontal radiation patterns, pitch/roll behaviour and sidelobe control.
• Availability and reliability: standby/transmit availability tests and required outcomes.
• Display presentation and navigation tools: linearity, color use, CCRP and own-ship presentation, VRM/EBL/ERBL, cursors, range rings, parallel index, and map/route functions.
• Orientation, motion and stabilisation: azimuth alignment, heading reference, sea/ground stabilisation and motion modes.

Applications - Who Uses IEC 62388:2013

This standard is essential for:

• Radar manufacturers and system integrators for design, factory acceptance and type-approval testing.
• Shipbuilders and naval architects for equipment selection and installation compliance.
• Test laboratories and classification societies conducting performance verification and certification.
• Flag state authorities, procurement teams and maritime equipment specifiers ensuring conformity with IMO performance standards.
• Ship operators and technical managers validating radar performance during sea trials and in-service checks.

Related Standards

• IMO Resolution MSC.192(79) (radar performance standards)
• IEC 60945 (general maritime navigation equipment environmental and performance requirements)
• IMO Resolution A.694(17) (radar installation guidance)

IEC 62388:2013 is the authoritative reference for maritime radar performance testing and compliance - critical for safe navigation, collision avoidance and regulatory certification.