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Easytrak Alpha
2665 Series
Operation Manual
EZT-2665-8000/6

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Summary of Contents for APPLIED ACOUSTICS Easytrak Alpha 2665 Series

  • Page 1 Easytrak Alpha 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6...
  • Page 2 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for choosing Applied Acoustic Engineering as one of your subsea equipment suppliers. We hope you experience many years of reliable operational use from our products. If you do encounter any technical issues with any of our products then contact our Technical Team via the following methods.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ................................. 5 2. BASIC THEORY ................................7 3. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ............................8 3.1 E ......................... 8 ASYTRAK LPHA OMMAND ONSOLE 3.2 T ..........................8 RANSDUCER AND ECK CABLE 3.3 GPS A .................................
  • Page 4 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.2 S .................................. 32 URVEY 8.2.1 GPS ................................32 8.2.2 UTM Z ..............................33 ONES 8.2.3 W ..............................34 AYPOINTS 8.2.4 D ............................35 ISTANCE LARM 8.3 P ..................................36 RINT 8.4 H ..................................36 8.4.1 D ..............................
  • Page 5: Introduction

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 1. I 2665 E NTRODUCTION TO THE ASYTRAK LPHA This manual provides the user with information on the installation, operation and maintenance of the 2665 Easytrak Alpha Ultra-Short Base Line (USBL) underwater acoustic positioning system. USBL systems are used to position underwater items including Side Scan Sonars ROVs , AUVs...
  • Page 6 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Easytrak Alpha is ideal for small surveys. With the internal Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, absolute positioning of divers, sonar fish, ROVs, or seabed objects in UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) co-ordinates can be achieved. Easytrak Alpha can work with either the internal GPS receiver or an external receiver.
  • Page 7: Basic Theory

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 2. B ASIC HEORY Easytrak Alpha is an Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) Acoustic Navigation System. Alpha uses a single compact transducer containing multiple receiving ceramics and an interrogate ceramic. The receiving ceramics are so arranged that each can detect an acoustic signal from a target’s transmission.
  • Page 8: System Description

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 3. S YSTEM ESCRIPTION Easytrak Alpha consists of a Command Console, power supply, GPS antenna, transducer with deck cable and the computer. 3.1 E ASYTRAK LPHA OMMAND ONSOLE The Easytrak Alpha Command Console controls the signal acquisition and processing.
  • Page 9: Installation

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 4. I NSTALLATION 4.1 C OMPUTER Ensure the computer is secured to prevent falling or sliding due to vessel movement. Please read the computer user manual regarding the connection of the base unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. 4.2 E ASYTRAK LPHA...
  • Page 10: Deck Cable

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ the seabed otherwise, damage to the transducer and pole is likely to occur. Note that prior to a vessel going alongside, the rig has usually to be recovered. 4.5 D ABLE Connects the to the To prevent RANSDUCER ASYTRAK...
  • Page 11: Software Installation

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 4.8 S OFTWARE NSTALLATION The software installation is performed in two parts, firstly, the USB drivers, and secondly, the main Easytrak Alpha program. Please read the instructions in full before starting Note: The supplied CD has been virus scanned. Whilst Applied Acoustic Engineering has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise the risk from viruses, we cannot accept liability for any damage that might occur as a result of software viruses.
  • Page 12: Windows Xp Device Driver Set - Up

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 4.8.1.1 W INDOWS DEVICE DRIVER SET Prior to connecting the USB cable between the computer and Easytrak Alpha, please make a note of the current serial port numbers. To observe the serial port settings select “System”...
  • Page 13 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 The message to the right (or similar) should appear. After a few seconds the dialogue box to right should appear. Select the radio button NOT THIS TIME Then select Next> Next, select radio button NSTALL FROM SPECIFIC LOCATION...
  • Page 14 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Select NCLUDE THIS LOCATION checkbox. SEARCH Next, browse installation CD for folder RIVERS Then select > . The USB drivers will now install. dialogue box will INISH appear. Click the Finish button. The installation will repeat a second time to install the second COM port.
  • Page 15 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 Once both COM ports have been installed a dialogue box may appear requesting for the computer to be restarted. Remove the CD. Restart the computer in all cases. Once the computer has restarted, check the ports now assigned as before using Control Panel.
  • Page 16: Windows 7 Device Driver Set - Up

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 4.8.1.2 W INDOWS DEVICE DRIVER SET Note is required to install Easytrak Alpha in DMINISTRATOR RIVILEGE Windows 7. In Device Manager make a note of any serial port numbers already taken by other devices, e.g. COM1, COM2 etc. With Easytrak Alpha switched off ensure the USB cable is fitted between Alpha and the computer.
  • Page 17 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 Through Device Manager you will see a window below (or similar). Sometimes, rather than USB S being displayed 2665 ERIAL ASYTRAK may be seen. Right click USB S 2665) and then click the ERIAL ASYTRAK PDATE …...
  • Page 18 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Select the … button, select the CD/DVD drive and find USB F ROWSE OLDER Then click OK. You should see the following message (or similar). Note the COM port number is identified in the title bar of the window. Page 18 of 64...
  • Page 19: User Interface Software Installation

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 Repeat from (11.) to install the second serial port. After which, by examining Device Manager, the two ports should be set up as below. Please make a note of the new COM ports numbers; in this case COM3 COM4.
  • Page 20: Planning An Operation

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 5. P LANNING AN OPERATION 5.1 W HAT NEEDS SETTING UP Check that Easytrak Alpha agrees with the settings of the beacons (Please see Appendix D). How often are positions required? The slower the rate, the longer the beacon’s batteries will last.
  • Page 21: Absolute Or A Relative Positioning

    5.7 W HAT RANGE IS REQUIRED Select a beacon suitable for the working range. Consult the beacon manufacturer’s manual for specified working ranges, or contact Applied Acoustics Engineering Ltd. for advice. 5.8 W HAT ACCURACY IS REQUIRED To improve accuracy keep ranges as short as possible, make local measurements of the velocity of sound in water, use manual depth at low depression angles (shallow water).
  • Page 22: Easytrak Alpha Display

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 6. A ROUND THE ASYTRAK LPHA ISPLAY This is the main where the ship and targets are displayed. LOTTING INDOW The ship is coloured blue. A Waypoint (WP) is diamond shaped and coloured brown. Depending on type, beacons can be represented in two different shapes;...
  • Page 23: Special Mouse Operations

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 This is the main data Window where for each beacon is OSITION displayed including distances and bearing from the ship to the target. Signal level is displayed S0 (low) to S9 (high) together with Signal to Noise ratio (s/n).
  • Page 24: Easytrak Alpha Menus

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8. E ASYTRAK LPHA ENUS There are four pull down menus, , and URVEY RINT Fig 2 Pull down menus 8. 1 S On selecting the following menu is displayed: Fig 3 Set Up menu Page 24 of 64...
  • Page 25: Beacon Configuration

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.1.1 B EACON ONFIGURATION Fig 3.1.1 Beacon Configuration menu (Automatic Depth) Selecting allows the choice of beacon channel, type, and EACON ONFIGURATION depth method. Note due to the length of the beacon reply pulse, using the AAE or TPll channels will result in a longer beacon battery life compared to HPR3 and HPR4 channels.
  • Page 26: Fix Interval

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.1.2 F NTERVAL Selecting allows a choice of 1, 2 (default), 4, or 8 second interval NTERVAL between fixes. Fig 3.2 Fix Interval menu 8.1.3 V (VOS) ELOCITY OUND Selecting allows a choice of 1450 m/s, 1475 m/s, 1500m/s ELOCITY OUND (default), or a user entered value in the edit box.
  • Page 27: Offsets

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.1.4 O FFSETS Selecting allows the user to apply position offsets and Magnetic FFSETS declination. Fig 3.4 Offset menu By default, the position given by Easytrak Alpha is that of the transducer. In many cases however, the position needs to be referenced to another part of the vessel, for example, the navigation antenna.
  • Page 28 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Offsets are the measured distances from the desired position to the transducer. X is +ve if the transducer is starboard of the desired point, -ve if port, similarly, Y is +ve if the transducer is forward of the desired point, and –ve if aft. The diagram below shows examples of typical scenarios where the positions desired is the navigation antenna (typical with GPS positioning).
  • Page 29: Compass

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.1.5 C OMPASS Fig 3.5 Compass menu This selection allows the to be switched ON or OFF. Fig 3.5 shows the COMPASS compass switched on (ticked). Default is ON. Note: The Compass must be switched if the transducer is free hanging over the side of the vessel.
  • Page 30: Data Output

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.1.6 D UTPUT Fig 3.6 Data Output menu Selecting allows ‘Data out’ to be switched ON (ticked) or OFF (not UTPUT ticked). Format produces a menu allowing the format of the output data. Fig 3.6.1 Data Output format menu Please see for details of each of the formats.
  • Page 31: Smoothed Position

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.1.7 S MOOTHED OSITION Selecting (default) allows the current position to be smoothed, MOOTHED OSITION helping to eliminate noisy tracking. When in smoothing mode, velocity gating is used to help remove occasional spurious positions. When a position is judged to be spurious or there is no reply, a predicted value based on previous good positions is used.
  • Page 32: Survey

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.2 S URVEY On selecting the following menu is displayed: URVEY Fig 4 Survey 8.2.1 GPS An external GPS receiver will need to output $GPGGA and $GPRMC NMEA format strings at a baud rate of 4800 once per second (preferred) or at least once per two seconds (8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity).
  • Page 33: Utm Zones

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.2.2 UTM Z ONES Fig 4.2 UTM Zones In the UTM Z dropdown menu the user can either allow Easytrak Alpha to ONES automatically calculate the zone derived from valid GPS data (default), or, alternatively, should the user wish to manually enter a particular zone, selecting ‘manual’...
  • Page 34: Waypoints

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.2.3 W AYPOINTS Easytrak Alpha allows ten to be saved or manually entered. There are AYPOINTS two ways for a waypoint to be entered, function key F5 automatically captures the latest beacon position, and the dropdown menu allows positions to be entered manually;...
  • Page 35: Distance Alarm

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 8.2.4 D ISTANCE LARM Fig 4.4 Distance Alarm monitors the distance between two selected points. Should ISTANCE LARM the distance exceed the distance entered, a warning will flash on the computer screen, and if ‘sound’ is set on (ticked) an audio beep will sound. The dropdown menu allows the alarm to be switched on or off (ticked), the audio beep on or off, and set up opens up a dialogue box.
  • Page 36: Print

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 8.3 P RINT Fig 5 Print This drop down menu allows a of waypoints or a screen dump to a RINT printer attached to the computer or on a network (9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity).
  • Page 37: About

    Operation 4 displays the frequency details of Beacons 1, 2, 3 and 4. 8.4.2 A BOUT Selecting will give serial numbers of the Easytrak Alpha Control Unit and BOUT transducer together with software versions. Contact details for Applied Acoustics are also included. Fig 6.2 About __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 37 of 64...
  • Page 38: Function Keys

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ 9. F UNCTION KEYS Beacons can be activated or deactivated by using the on the UNCTION computer keyboard or by a left mouse click on the F1 – F4 keys on the Easytrak Alpha display. A right mouse click on the F1 –...
  • Page 39: Appendixa - Easytrak Alpha Configuration Guide

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 A – E PPENDIX ASYTRAK LPHA ONFIGURATION UIDE It is assumed that the Easytrak Alpha main program and USB drivers have been successfully installed and COM ports correctly set up. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 39 of 64...
  • Page 40 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ RONT AND BACK PANELS OF ASYTRAK LPHA Page 40 of 64...
  • Page 41 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 ASYTRAK LPHA ONSOLE ONFIGURATION XAMPLES ESIRED ONFIGURATION ETTINGS EQUIRED • • GPS ON Internal GPS Referenced Check from the drop-down menu that URVEY option is either (No external GPS plugged in) or Internal. • Check from the drop-down menu that URVEY UTM Zones are set to...
  • Page 42 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ • • FUNCTION KEY F2 Beacon 2 enabled Click F2 or press function key F2. ESIRED ONFIGURATION ETTINGS EQUIRED • • GPS OFF Vessel Referenced X & Y From the drop-down menu ensure that URVEY option is •...
  • Page 43: Appendixb - Data Output Formats

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 B – D PPENDIX UTPUT FORMATS Note, the printer output configuration is set to 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. (AAE) D PPLIED COUSTIC NGINEERING ATA STRING The AAE string has 76 characters including carriage return and line feed when not in GPS mode.
  • Page 44 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Example strings “Normal” string 1,3,115906,**111.1,*-222.2,**333.3,*415.7,153.4,53.3,123.5,**0.4,*-0.6,000CL “GPS” string 1,3,115906,500000.0,6500000.0,**333.3,*415.7,153.4,53.3,123.5,**0.4,*-0.6,000CL Note * = space. Error codes Any error code is constructed by adding the following. Interrogation has timed out Outside velocity gate GPS error Reply signal overload An error code of ‘000’...
  • Page 45 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 STD-EC W/PR D RACKPOINT ATA STRING The simplified STD-EC W/PR string has 80 characters including carriage return and line feed. i*hh:mm:ss*ccc*bbb.b*rrrrr.r*xxxxxx.x*yyyyyy.y*zzzzz.z*-ttttt.t*EE*RRR.R*PPP.PCL Description String code Beacon identification Hour Minute Second Compass Bearing Slant range X (or Eastings) Y (or Northings) Telemetry t (always 0.0)
  • Page 46 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ $PSIMSSB D IMRAD TRING The simplified Simrad $PSIMSSB string is of variable length and is terminated by a carriage return and line feed. Field Name Comment $PSIMSSB Start character and address ,hhmmss.ss Time Real time of measurement Beacon code E.g.
  • Page 47 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 $PSIMSNS D IMRAD ATA STRING The simplified Simrad $PSIMSNS string is of variable length and is terminated by a carriage return and line feed. Field Name Comment $PSIMSNS Start character and address ,hhmmss.ss Time Real time of measurement Beacon code E.g.
  • Page 48 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ $GPRMC D SEUDO ATA STRING RMC - Recommended Minimum Navigation Information. The pseudo $GPRMC string is terminated by a carriage return and line feed. $GPRMC,hhmmss.sss,A,llll.llll,N,yyyyy.yy,E,k.k,c.c,DDMMYY,v.v,V*HHCL Description String code Header $GPRMC Hour Minute Second Status A = OK, V = Warning Latitude ddmm.mmmm North or South (N/S)
  • Page 49 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 SSS D ONAR ATA STRINGS An output is provided for various Side Scan Sonars. This selection outputs three strings one immediately after the other - $GPGGA, $GPVTG, and $GPTLL. The strings $GPGGA and $GPVTG provide the position and course over ground of the vessel, and string $GPTLL provides the position of the towfish.
  • Page 50 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ ONAR ATA STRINGS ONTINUED Vessel track made good and ground speed $GPVTG,ttt.t,T,mmm.m,M,nnn.n,N,kkk.k,K*HHCL Description String code Header $GPVTG True track made good (Degrees) True Magnetic track made good (Degrees) Magnetic Ground speed (Knots) Knots Ground speed (Km/h) Km/h Check Sum Carriage return (CR)
  • Page 51: Appendixc - System Specification

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 C – S PPENDIX YSTEM PECIFICATION YSTEM ERFORMANCE 10cm. ANGE ESOLUTION 2.0° RMS, 3.5% of slant range. Excluding OSITION CCURACY effects due to GPS error, incorrect VOS, ray bending, compass, pitch and roll effects, and acceptable S/N ratio. <0.5°...
  • Page 52 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ ECHANICAL Enclosure 255 x 60 x 315 (mm). (W x H x D) IMENSIONS (excluding cables) Transducer 370 x 100 diameter (mm). Cable 12.5 mm diameter, yellow polyurethane sheathed. Standard length is 20m. Enclosure 2.6Kg approx. EIGHT Transducer 4.6Kg in air, 2.6Kg in water approx.
  • Page 53: Appendixd - Beacon Channel Specification

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 D – B PPENDIX EACON HANNEL PECIFICATION AAE Channels Description Interrogate F1 Interrogate F2 Reply Misc. EASYTRAK 200 & 900 18.500 28.000 TAT 30ms; PULSE WIDTH 2ms EASYTRAK 200 & 900 19.500 26.000 TAT 30ms; PULSE WIDTH 2ms EASYTRAK 200 &...
  • Page 54 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ HPR Channels continued HPR4 23.500 21.000 28.500 TAT 60ms; PULSE WIDTH 10ms HPR4 23.500 24.000 27.500 TAT 60ms; PULSE WIDTH 10ms HPR4 24.000 23.500 27.250 TAT 60ms; PULSE WIDTH 10ms HPR4 24.500 21.000 28.500 TAT 60ms;...
  • Page 55: Appendix E - Minimum Computer Specification

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 E – M PPENDIX INIMUM OMPUTER PECIFICATION The table below lists the recommended minimum specification for the computer to run the Easytrak Alpha program. Care should be taken if an attempt is made to run other programs at the same time, in case there is a conflict or overuse of resources.
  • Page 56: Appendixf - Troubleshooting

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ F – T PPENDIX ROUBLESHOOTING No Power light on the front panel of Easytrak Alpha AULT YMPTOM The Power supply. Is there power to the socket? The Power supply OSSIBLE AUSES is not plugged into Alpha, or the Wall socket, or not switched on. Defective power supply.
  • Page 57 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 F – T PPENDIX ROUBLESHOOTING Short range AULT YMPTOM Attempting an excessive range for conditions. Range is OSSIBLE AUSE dependant on local conditions such as in-band noise from man-made and marine sources. If possible reduce noise or work at a shorter range.
  • Page 58 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ F – T PPENDIX ROUBLESHOOTING Unstable positions - bearing instability but range fairly stable AULT YMPTOM Transducer depth. Transducer may not be deep enough in the OSSIBLE AUSES water. It is recommended the transducer be below the draft of the vessel by at least 1 metre.
  • Page 59 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 F – T PPENDIX ROUBLESHOOTING External GPS Receiver not being seen by Easytrak Alpha AULT YMPTOM Note it can sometimes take 20 - 30 minutes for a GPS receiver OSSIBLE AUSES to initially derive a position, particularly if the receiver was previously used in a different part of the world.
  • Page 60: Appendixg - Connector Pin Outs

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ G – C PPENDIX ONNECTOR • T RANSDUCER ONNECTOR Ref channel+ PS channel+ PS channel – Ref2 channel+ Transmitter + Transmitter Gnd Transmitter Screen RS232 Rx RS232 Tx Ref channel – Ref2 channel – Power +Ve Power –Ve RS232 Gnd...
  • Page 61: Appendixh - Transducer Cable

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 H - T PPENDIX RANSDUCER ABLE Outer jacket: Polyurethane ABLE Diameter: 13.0mm (+/- 0.4mm) Weight (air): 23.7 kg per 100m Weight (water): 10.4 kg per 100m Type – AB Heavy Duty Sealed Bayonet ASYTRAK END CONNECTOR coupling.
  • Page 62: Appendixi - Handling

    Within the EU all electronic components and batteries must be taken for separate collection at the end of their working life under EU WEEE directives. Applied Acoustics as a manufacturer within the EU will responsibly dispose of any returned end of life Applied Acoustics components / batteries through a registered WEEE scheme.
  • Page 63: Index

    2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 Index $GPGGA, 49 NTRODUCTION $GPTLL, 49 MAGNETIC ANOMALIES $GPVTG, 49 , 27 AGNETIC DECLINATION , 37 , 36 BOUT ANUAL , 21 , 23 BSOLUTE OR A RELATIVE POSITIONING ANUAL EPTH , 51 , 55 CCURACY EADING ENSOR...
  • Page 64 2665 Series Operation Manual EZT-2665-8000/6 _______________________________________________________________________________ Page 64 of 64...

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