Watercraft steer-by-wire system

• US 7,036,445 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chandy, Ashok, Millsap, Scott A., Gillman, Stephen V., Kaufmann, Timothy W., Card, James M., Petrowski, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/643,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20040031429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 114/144.R, 114/144.E, 114/144.RE, 701/21, 701/42, 701/43, 701/44
• US Class Current: 114/144.0RE
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/061 by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/04 automatic, e.g. reacting to compass
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/42 Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements by jets B63H25/46; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers

Abstract

A watercraft steer-by-wire control system for watercraft comprising: a direction control system including a rudder position sensor; a helm control system including at least one of; a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and an optional torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque sensor signal. The system optionally including a watercraft speed sensor and a master control unit in operable communication with the watercraft speed sensor, the helm control system, and the direction control system. The master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the watercraft speed signal, the helm torque sensor signal and the helm position signal. The master control unit includes a torque control process for generating the helm command signal, based on the helm torque sensor signal, the helm position signal and the watercraft speed signal.

Claims

1. A watercraft steer-by-wire control system comprising:

a direction control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, said direction control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal;

a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm from an operator and providing tactile feedback to an operator, said helm control system including at least one of a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and a torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque signal, said tactile feedback including at least one of;

a resistive force, a reaction torque to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold;

a watercraft speed sensor for producing a watercraft speed signal;

a master control unit in operable communication with said watercraft speed sensor, said helm control system, and said direction control system;

said master control unit includes a position control process for generating said directional command signal in response to said watercraft speed signal, said helm torque signal and said helm position signal;

said master control unit includes a torque control process for generating said helm command signal based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal; and

a lateral thruster in operable communication and cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

2. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 further including a rudder force sensor in operable communication with said direction control system to produce and transmit a rudder force signal and wherein at least one of said direction control system and said torque control process is responsive to said rudder force signal.

3. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said torque control process includes an active damping process wherein a damping torque command signal is generated based on a time rate of change of said helm position signal and modified by said helm torque signal and said watercraft speed signal.

4. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said torque control process implements a compensator to configure spectral content of a damping torque command signal thereby generating a compensated torque command signal, said compensator is configured to facilitate at least one of a modification of the spectral content of said tactile feedback and maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire control system.

5. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said torque control process further implements a feel process comprising an assist sub-process responsive to a compensated torque command signal and said watercraft speed signal, which generates an assist torque command and a return sub-process responsive to said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal, which generates a return torque command.

6. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said position control process calculates and produces a variable steering ratio signal in response to said helm position signal, said helm torque signal, and said watercraft speed signal.

7. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said position control process further comprises a directional command process that calculates a theta correction and generates a theta corrected directional command signal from a variable steering ratio signal, said helm torque signal, and said helm position signal.

8. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said helm control system comprises a closed loop control system responsive to said helm command signal and said helm torque signal.

9. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said helm control system configured to exhibit a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate said torque control process maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire system.

10. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said helm control system comprises a helm control unit and a helm dynamics unit;

said helm control unit is responsive to said helm command signal and said helm torque sensor signal and generates a torque command signal;

said helm dynamics unit is responsive to said torque command signal and provides said tactile feedback in response thereto to an operator.

11. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 10 wherein said helm control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said torque command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said helm control system and increasing bandwidth of said helm control system.

12. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said direction control system is configured to exhibit a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate said position control process maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire system.

13. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said direction control system comprises a closed loop control system responsive to said directional command signal and said rudder position signal.

14. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 wherein said direction control system comprises a rudder control unit and a rudder dynamics unit;

said rudder control unit is responsive to said directional command signal and a rudder position signal and generates a position command signal;

said rudder dynamics unit is responsive to said position command signal and provides a rudder position in response thereto.

15. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 14 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said direction control system and increasing bandwidth of said direction control system.

16. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 1 further including an inclination control system comprising:

an inclination sensor in operable communication with said master control unit;

at least one of an I/O trim and a trim tab, with an actuator in operable communication with said master control unit; and

wherein said master control unit provides a trim command to said trim tab to control watercraft inclination.

17. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 16 wherein said trim tab comprises a port trim tab and starboard trim tab to facilitate lateral inclination control.

18. A method for directing a watercraft with a watercraft steer-by-wire system comprising:

receiving a watercraft speed signal;

receiving a helm position signal;

receiving a helm torque sensor signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal, and said watercraft speed signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator, said tactile feedback including at least one of;

a resitive force, a reaction force to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm control moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold;

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said watercraft speed signal, said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of sustantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

19. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further comprising:

receiving a rudder force signal and wherein said a helm command signal is also based on said rudder force signal; and

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said watercraft speed signal, said helm position signal, and at least one of said rudder position signal and said rudder force signal.

20. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further comprising:

generating damping torque command signal responsive to said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal;

wherein said damping torque command signal is responsive to a time rate of change of said helm position signal.

21. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 20 further comprising compensating said damping torque command signal to configure spectral content of said damping torque command signal and thereby, generating a compensated torque command signal, wherein said compensating includes filtering configured facilitate at least one of tailoring said tactile feedback, maintaining stability of said steer-by-wire system.

22. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 21 wherein said helm command signal is responsive to a combination of an assist torque command and a return torque command, and wherein said assist torque command is responsive to said compensated torque command signal and said watercraft speed signal;

and said return torque command is responsive to said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal.

23. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further comprising calculating and producing a variable steering ratio signal in response to said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal.

24. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 23 wherein said generating said directional command signal is based on said helm position signal, said helm torque signal, and said variable steering ratio signal.

25. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further including generating a torque command signal in a helm control system such that said helm control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate a torque control process generating said helm command signal to facilitate maintaining stability of said steering.

26. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 wherein said helm control system comprises a helm control unit and a helm dynamics unit, said helm control unit is responsive to said helm torque command signal and said helm torque signal and generates a torque command signal, said helm dynamics unit is responsive to said torque command signal and provides a reaction torque in response thereto to an operator.

27. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 26 wherein said helm control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said torque command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said helm control system and increasing bandwidth of said helm control system.

28. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further including generating a position command signal in a direction control system such that said direction control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate a position control process generating said rudder command signal to facilitate maintaining stability of said steering.

29. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 28 wherein said direction control system comprises a rudder control unit and a rudder dynamics unit, said rudder control unit is responsive to said directional command signal and said rudder position signal and generates a position command signal;

said rudder dynamics unit is responsive to said position command signal and provides a rudder position in response thereto.

30. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 29 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said direction control system and increasing bandwidth of said direction control system.

31. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 29 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal such that said direction control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate generation of a rudder command signal by a position control process to maintain stability of said steer-by-wire system.

32. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 18 further including:

receiving an inclination signal from an inclination sensor; and

generating and providing a command to at least one of an I/O trim and a trim tab to control watercraft inclination.

33. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 32 wherein said trim tab comprises a port trim tab and starboard trim tab to facilitate lateral inclination control.

34. A storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for steering a watercraft, said storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

receiving a watercraft speed signal;

receiving a helm position signal

receiving a helm torque sensor signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator, said tactile feedback incuding at least one of;

a resistive force, a reaction force to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm control moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold;

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said watercraft speed signal, said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

35. A computer data signal for steering a watercraft, said computer data signal including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

receiving a watercraft speed signal;

receiving a helm position signal

receiving a helm torque sensor signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator, said tactile feedback incuding at least one of;

a resistive force, a reaction force to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm control moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold; and

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said watercraft speed signal, said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

36. A watercraft steer-by-wire control system comprising:

a direction control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, said direction control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal;

a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm from an operator and providing tactile feedback to an operator, said helm control system including a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal,

a master control unit in operable communication with said helm control system, and said direction control system,

said master control unit includes a position control process for generating said directional command signal in response to said helm position signal, said position control process calculates and produces a variable steering ratio signal; and

a lateral thruster in operable communication and cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

37. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 further including a watercraft speed sensor for producing a watercraft speed signal and wherein said position control process is responsive to said watercraft speed signal.

38. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 further including a watercraft mode selector for producing a mode selection signal and wherein said position control process is responsive to said mode selection signal.

39. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 further including a rudder force sensor in operable communication with said direction control system to produce and transmit a rudder force signal and wherein at least one of said direction control system and a torque control process is responsive to said rudder force signal.

40. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 further including a torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque signal, said master control unit includes a torque control process for generating said helm command signal based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal.

41. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said torque control process includes an active damping process wherein a damping torque command signal is generated based on a time rate of change of said helm position signal and modified by said helm torque signal and said watercraft speed signal.

42. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said torque control process implements a compensator to configure spectral content of a damping torque command signal thereby generating a compensated torque command signal, said compensator is configured to facilitate at least one of a modification of the spectral content of said tactile feedback and maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire control system.

43. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said torque control process further implements a feel process comprising an assist sub-process responsive to a compensated torque command signal and said watercraft speed signal, which generates an assist torque command and a return sub-process responsive to said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal, which generates a return torque command.

44. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said helm control system comprises a closed loop control system responsive to said helm command signal and said helm torque signal.

45. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said helm control system configured to exhibit a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate said torque control process maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire system.

46. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 40 wherein said helm control system comprises a helm control unit and a helm dynamics unit;

said helm control unit is responsive to said helm command signal and said helm torque sensor signal and generates a torque command signal;

said helm dynamics unit is responsive to said torque command signal and provides said tactile feedback in response thereto to an operator.

47. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 46 wherein said helm control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said torque command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said helm control system and increasing bandwidth of said helm control system.

48. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said variable steering ratio is response to at least one of said helm position signal, a helm torque signal, a watercraft speed signal, and watercraft mode selector for producing a mode selection signal.

49. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said position control process further comprises a directional command process that calculates a theta correction and generates a theta corrected directional command signal from a variable steering ratio signal, and said helm position signal.

50. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 49 wherein said theta corrected directional command signal, is based on a helm torque signal.

51. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said tactile feedback includes at least one of:

a reaction torque to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold.

52. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said direction control system is configured to exhibit a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate said position control process maintaining stability of said watercraft steer-by-wire system.

53. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said direction control system comprises a closed loop control system responsive to said directional command signal and said rudder position signal.

54. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said direction control system comprises a rudder control unit and a rudder dynamics unit;

said rudder control unit is responsive to said directional command signal and a rudder position signal and generates a position command signal;

said rudder dynamics unit is responsive to said position command signal and provides a rudder position in response thereto.

55. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 54 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said direction control system and increasing bandwidth of said direction control system.

56. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said at least one of said port command and said starboard command is based on at least one of a selected directional input from an operator, an operator input at said helm, and a mode selection signal.

57. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 56 wherein at least one of a port command and a starboard command is based on a selected directional input from an operator at said helm in excess of a selected threshold, wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to pulse width modulation scheme with a duty cycle responsive to at least one of a magnitude of said selected directional input, and a selected threshold from a variable stop of said helm control.

58. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 wherein said a lateral thruster is responsive to a selected gear or direction.

59. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 36 further including an inclination control system comprising:

an inclination sensor in operable communication with said master control unit;

at least one of an I/O trim and a trim tab, with an actuator in operable communication with said master control unit; and

wherein said master control unit provides a trim command to at least one of said I/O trim and said trim tab to control watercraft inclination.

60. The watercraft steer-by-wire control system of claim 59 wherein said trim tab comprises a port trim tab and starboard trim tab to facilitate lateral inclination control.

61. A method for directing a watercraft with a watercraft steer-by-wire system comprising:

receiving a helm position signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm position signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator;

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft;

producing a mode selection signal, wherein said generating a directional command signal is responsive to said mode selcetion signal; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

62. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further comprising receiving a watercraft speed signal and wherein at least one of said generating a helm command is further based on said watercraft speed signal and said generating a directional command signal is further based on said watercraft speed signal.

63. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further comprising:

receiving a rudder force signal and wherein said a helm command signal is also based on said rudder force signal; and

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said watercraft speed signal, said helm position signal, and at least one of said rudder position signal and said rudder force signal.

64. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further comprising receiving a helm torque signal and wherein said generating a helm command is further based on said helm torque signal.

65. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 64 further comprising:

generating damping torque command signal responsive to said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and a watercraft speed signal;

wherein said damping torque command signal is responsive to a time rate of change of said helm position signal and said helm command signal is based on said damping torque command signal.

66. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 65 further comprising compensating said damping torque command signal to configure spectral content of said damping torque command signal and thereby, generating a compensated torque command signal, wherein said compensating includes filtering configured facilitate at least one of tailoring said tactile feedback, maintaining stability of said steer-by-wire system.

67. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 65 wherein said helm command signal is responsive to a combination of an assist torque command and a return torque command, and wherein said assist torque command is responsive to said compensated torque command signal and said watercraft speed signal;

and said return torque command is responsive to said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal.

68. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further comprising calculating and producing a variable steering ratio signal in response to at least one of said helm position signal, a helm torque signal, a watercraft speed signal, and watercraft mode selector for producing a mode selection signal.

69. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 68 wherein said generating said directional command signal is based on said helm position signal, said helm torque signal, and said variable steering ratio signal.

70. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 wherein said tactile feedback includes at least one of:

a reaction force to an operator;

an on center detent as a helm control moves thru a center position; and

variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold.

71. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further including generating a torque command signal in a helm control system such that said helm control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate a torque control process generating said helm command signal to facilitate maintaining stability of said steering.

72. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 71 wherein said helm control system comprises a helm control unit and a helm dynamics unit, said helm control unit is responsive to a helm torque command signal and said helm torque signal and generates a torque command signal, said helm dynamics unit is responsive to said torque command signal and provides a reaction torque in response thereto to an operator.

73. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 72 wherein said helm control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said torque command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said helm control system and increasing bandwidth of said helm control system.

74. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further including generating a position command signal in a direction control system such that said direction control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate a position control process generating said directional command signal to facilitate maintaining stability of said steering.

75. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 wherein said direction control system comprises a rudder control unit and a rudder dynamics unit, said rudder control unit is responsive to said directional command signal and said rudder position signal and generates a position command signal;

said rudder dynamics unit is responsive to said position command signal and provides a rudder position in response thereto.

76. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 75 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal to facilitate at least one of maintaining stability of said direction control system and increasing bandwidth of said direction control system.

77. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 75 wherein said rudder control unit includes a compensator configured to characterize spectral content of said position command signal such that said direction control system exhibits a bandwidth sufficient to facilitate generation of a rudder command signal by a position control process to maintain stability of said steer-by-wire system.

78. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 wherein said at least one of said port command and said starboard command is based on at least one of a selected directional input from an operator, an operator input at said helm, and a mode selection signal.

79. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 78 wherein at least one of a port command and a starboard command is based on a selected directional input from an operator at said helm in excess of a selected threshold, wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to pulse width modulation scheme with a duty cycle responsive to at least one of a magnitude of said selected directional input, and a selected threshold from a variable stop of said helm control.

80. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 wherein said a lateral thruster is responsive to a selected gear or direction.

81. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 61 further including:

receiving an inclination signal from an inclination sensor; and

generating and providing a command to at least one of an I/O trim and a trim tab to control watercraft inclination.

82. The method for steering a watercraft of claim 81 wherein said trim tab comprises a port trim tab and starboard trim tab to facilitate lateral inclination control.

83. The storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for steering a watercraft, said storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

receiving a helm position signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm position signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator;

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft; and

producing a mode selection signal, wherein said generating a directional command signal is responsive to said mode selcetion signal; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.

84. A computer data signal for steering a watercraft, said computer data signal including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

receiving a helm position signal;

receiving a rudder position signal;

generating a helm command signal to a helm control system based on said helm position signal to provide tactile feedback to an operator;

generating a directional command signal to a direction control system based on said rudder position signal, and said helm position signal to control direction of said watercraft;

producing a mode selection signal, wherein said generating a directional command signal is responsive to said mode selcetion signal; and

commanding a lateral thruster in cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations;

wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.