Table of Contents
Related Manuals for JW Fishers SSS-100K PC
Summary of Contents for JW Fishers SSS-100K PC
- Page 1 SIDE SCAN PC OPERATION MANUAL JW FISHERS MFG INC rev 071211 USB JW FISHERS MFG INC 1953 COUNTY ST. E. TAUNTON, MA 02718 USA (508) 822-7330; (800) 822-4744; FAX (508) 880-8949 Email: jwfishers@aol.com WEB: www.jwfishers.com...
- Page 2 SSS-100K PC SSS-600K PC SSS-100K/600K PC SIDE SCAN SONAR OPERATION MAINTENANCE MANUAL JW FISHERS MFG INC 1953 COUNTY STREET EAST TAUNTON, MA 02718...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
• SONAR BASICS ....................... 8 • SIDE SCAN SONAR BASICS ................... 9 • JW FISHERS SIDE SCAN SONAR ................ 12 • JW FISHERS SIDE SCAN SONAR THEORY OF OPERATION....... 14 • OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS ............25 • INSTALLING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ............40 •... -
Page 4: Do's And Don't
220 vac, then use a wall mount power supply with an output of 12 vdc at 1,500 ma or more. The correct wall mount power supply is available from JW Fishers. • Always turn off the power switch on the Sonar Processor before unplugging the power cord. -
Page 5: Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS TOWFISH: • Frequency SSS-100K ....................100 Khz. SSS-600K ....................600 Khz SSS-100K/600K Dual Frequency ......100 Khz/600Khz User Selectable • Beamwidth Hor/vert ..............1 deg/40 deg, tilted 10 deg downward. • Pulse length ..........................1 ms. • Power Output ..................... 1000 w per channel. •... -
Page 6: Minimum System Requirements (If You Are Supplying Your Own Pc)
SONAR VIEW is a high performance software package designed specifically for JW Fishers side scan sonars. The software can be loaded onto either a notebook or desktop PC. SONAR VIEW MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS If a computer was not purchased with the SONAR VIEW software, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements: CPU: Intel or AMD. -
Page 7: Detection Ranges For Targets
DETECTION RANGE CHART RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED NORMAL MAXIMUM "RANGE" "RANGE" TARGET SIZE SETTING FOR SEARCHING SETTING FOR SEARCHING (you can always a use shorter range) Body ............... 5 m. (16 ft) ..........10 m. (32 ft) Lobster trap ............ 5 m. (16 ft) ..........10 m. (32 ft) 55 gal drum ........... -
Page 8: Sonar Basics
SONAR BASICS GENERAL Sonar is the bouncing of a acoustic signal off a target and then measuring the time it takes to return - thus giving distance- and measuring the size or amplitude of the returned signal, thus showing hardness of the target. Since the speed of sound in water is 4800 ft per second it is easy to determine the distance to a target by simply measuring the time it takes to make the round-trip and dividing by two. -
Page 9: Side Scan Sonar Basics
SIDE SCAN SONAR BASICS SIDE SCAN SONAR The main features that distinguish side scan sonars from other forms of sonar are: sideways looking, narrow beam, two channels, and towed transducers. Sideways look: Originally, sonars 'looked' straight down and were used to measure bottom depth or locate large objects resting on the bottom. - Page 10 Side scans operate by transmitting a short, high energy, narrow width acoustic wave out each side of the fish. This high energy acoustic wave hits directly below the fish first (as shown below) Fish Acoustic Wave 100 m Range Switch Target #1 Target #2 10 m...
- Page 11 As the fish is towed through the water it sends out an acoustic wave and listens for returned waves. How often it sends out a acoustic wave depends on the Range setting. The figure below shows a top view of a series of 12 waves sent out from a passing fish (arrow).
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Page 12: Jw Fishers Side Scan Sonar
JW FISHERS SIDE SCAN SONAR INTRODUCTION Fishers basic Side Scan PC system consists of : • Tow fish with two 100Khz, 1 deg by 40 deg transducers (if SSS-100K). • Tow fish with two 600Khz, 1 deg by 40 deg transducers (if SSS-600K) •... - Page 13 Tow Cable: The tow cable consists of three electrical cables inside of a hollow-core polypropylene rope. It is tough, durable, and highly abrasion resistant. Cable is available in 150 to 500' lengths. Sonar Processor: The Sonar Processor provides an interface between the Fish and the computer. It receives signals from the Fish, amplifies them, and sends them to the computer using an integrated PC interface board.
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Page 14: Jw Fishers Side Scan Sonar Theory Of Operation
JW FISHERS SIDE SCAN SONAR THEORY OF OPERATION BLOCK DIAGRAM The key to side scan operation is to understand how the side scan works. We will begin with an overall block diagram and then discuss the individual components. Computer Sonar... - Page 15 Shadow Shadow Transmit pulse Next transmit pulse 1624 Samples Delay After the transmit pulse, the CPU generates a short delay* (to allow the transducers to settle ) and after the delay, it looks at the output of the TVG circuit, and takes evenly spaced samples of the signal. The spacing between each sample pulse is determined by the Range selected.
- Page 16 Close to the transducer, is a very broad beam which is the result of side lobes. All side scan transducers have side lobes. Top quality transducers, such as those used in the JW FISHERS Side Scan Sonar, have very short side lobes which extend a very short distance.
- Page 17 The transducers horizontal beam is 1 degree wide. Right Main Beam (horizontal/top view) 4800 fps To insure complete bottom coverage, out away from the fish, the vertical part of the narrow beam must be very wide. The vertical part of the beam is 40 deg wide. The transducer is tilted (pointed) 10 deg down to insure that the main impact of the beam will sweep across the bottom.
- Page 18 Some part of the main beam and the secondary component go above the fish. When operating in water depths of 50+ ft, with the fish near the bottom, the upper sound wave does not effect the display. However, with the fish within 20 ft of the surface, the water surface and targets on the surface will effect the display.
- Page 19 FISH ELECTRONICS The fish contains a underwater housing that contains the electronics to generate the 1000 watt power pulse to each transducer; and preamps to amplify the returning echoes received by the transducers. The amplified signals are then sent to the surface Sonar Processor where they are processed. Wires To Surface Control Box Sonar Processor Transmit Pulse...
- Page 20 TIME VARIABLE GAIN (TVG) The sonar Processor contains a TVG circuit on the PC board that receives the echo signals from the fish preamplifier boards. The TVG circuit amplifies and makes time variable gain adjustments to the signal to make up for signal losses which occur when the echoes are traveling through the water.
- Page 21 The signal (second drawing below) feeds the input of the TVG amp. The TVG amp has been adjusted, by the operator, to automatically increase the gain over time. The third drawing below shows the gain increase (called the ramp). Fish Acoustic Wave 100 m Range Switch Target #1...
- Page 22 Each TVG amplifier has three operator controls. They are located on the top panel of the Sonar Processor. Recommended settings for the TVG controls are provided in the Operation Section of this manual. Final TVG adjustments are made by the operator while the unit is running. The function of these controls is to adjust the amplifiers to compensate for losses that occur when the signal travels through the water.
- Page 23 Delay Commonly called water column removal. Generally, the fish is towed off the bottom 10 - 15% of the Range setting. If we are looking for a small target, that would require a 25 m (80 ft) Range setting, we would tow the fish 3-4 m (12 ft) off the bottom.
- Page 24 Computer The system will run on a Laptop, Desktop, or on JW Fishers optional “Splash Proof” computer. The “Splash Proof” is a computer system that is built into a Underwater Kinetics case. It utilizes a 10” Ultra Bright” display which is much easier to read in a open boat.
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Page 25: Operator Switches And Controls
OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS THE HARDWARE Sonar Processor Box - There are two sets of GAIN controls on the Sonar Processor box. One set is for the right channel (right side transducers on the side scan fish) and the other set for the left channel (the left side transducer on the side scan fish). - Page 26 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (continued) • TOWFISH CONNECTOR - The cable from the towfish is attached to this connector. • GPS INPUT connector - Your GPS plugs into this connector. The Sonar Processor requires a NMEA 0183 input. It may be necessary to select this type of output from a menu in your GPS unit (see the Appendix in the back of this manual for more detail).
- Page 27 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (Continued) - THE SOFTWARE The majority of operator controls are located in toolbars on the screen. The number of tools in each toolbar, and therefore the number of toolbars, will depend on the resolution setting on your computer display.
- Page 28 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (continued) TOP TOOLBAR (continued) View: • Standard Toolbar - Displays icons for various tools at the bottom of the screen directly above the Controls toolbar (range, boat speed, colors, etc). • Control Toolbar - Shows operator adjustable controls at the bottom of the screen (range, boat speed, colors, etc).
- Page 29 Bottom Tracking The Bottom Tracking tool calculates the depth of water beneath the towfish. When Bottom tracking is active the Towfish Altitude is displayed to the right of the “Standard Toolbar”. If the towfish is the proper distance from the bot- tom, the Towfish Altitude text is green.
- Page 30 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (continued) TOP TOOLBAR (continued) Settings: • Select Serial Port number - The SONAR VIEW software will identify available com ports. The operator must select one of the available com ports and plug the Sonar Processor box into that port.
- Page 31 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (continued) TOOL BARS: (CONTINUED) Standard Toolbar- icons for standard toolbar commands are shown at the bottom of the sonar screen when “Standard Toolbar” is selected under VIEW at the top of the sonar screen. 1 - Records new file (Note: Pressing the “F1” key on the keyboard also records a new file.) 2 - Monitor mode, only real time viewing of the sonar image with no recording of data.
- Page 32 ZOOM There are two ways to zoom in on an area: 1. Use the Standard toolbar zoom button ( a. Click on the zoom button. b. Move the cursor to the top corner of the area you want to zoom on. c.
- Page 33 Target Height Measurement The Target Height measurement tool allows you to measure the height of a scanned object. To measure the height of an object: 1. Click Measure Target Height toolbar button The Measure Target Height Dialog box pops up and walks you through measuring the target height.
- Page 34 Annotations To describe object on the sonar image, the Annotation feature allows you to create a text description of the object. The annotation name tag is displayed on the sonar image, and clicking the name tag will show the full details of the Annotation. Example of name tag on sonar image Creating New Annotations Annotations can be added during recording or during playback.
- Page 35 3. The “Click Target on Screen” button disappears and red instruction text directs you to enter a name for the annotation. The box for the name becomes active and reads “<Enter Name>”. The name can be up to 14 characters a.
- Page 36 Viewing Annotations You can view stored Annotations details in different ways. The following three methods allow you to view annotation details when an annotation name tag is cur- rently displayed on the sonar image screen. 1. Select “View all Annotations” in the application “View” menu. 2.
- Page 37 Viewing Annotations (continued) The following methods allow you to view annotation details when an annotation name tag is not currently displayed on the sonar image screen. 1. Select “View all Annotations” in the application “View” menu. 2. Click the “View Annotation” button on the Standard Toolbar.
- Page 38 Editing Annotations The “Annotation Details” tab also allows information to be edited. Annotation Details Window 1. Click the “Edit Annotation” button. a. The name and description boxes turn white and become active allow- ing the Annotation Name and description text to be edited. b.
- Page 39 OPERATOR SWITCHES AND CONTROLS (continued) TOOL BARS: (CONTINUED) Controls Toolbar - Shown at the bottom of the sonar screen. Clicking on “Controls Toolbar” under VIEW at top of page, user can select which controls are shown at the bottom of the page. The operator adjustable controls are: •...
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Page 40: Installing Hardware And Software
Before connecting the Side Scan Sonar system to your PC for the first time it is necessary to install the JW Fishers Sonar View software, the required hardware drivers, and configure your PC for use with your JW Fishers Side Scan Sonar system. Follow the instructions on the next five pages to complete this process. - Page 41 (Windows XP) 1. Click on the Windows START button on the lower left corner of the screen. 2. Click on “Control Panel” 3. Double click on “SYSTEM” 4. Under System Properties select the Advanced Tab 5. In the “PERFORMANCE” section select “SETTINGS” 6.
- Page 42 2. Insert SONAR VIEW Installation CD into CD or DVD drive. 3. The JW Fishers SONAR VIEW banner should appear. If it does, Skip to step 5 4. If the SONAR VIEW banner box does not open within 60 seconds, the installa- tion can be performed from Windows Explorer.
- Page 43 16. A message box will appear stating ‘You must restart your computer for the con- figuration changes made by JW Fishers Sonar View to take effect. Click on ‘Yes, I want to restart my computer now’ and ‘OK’ to complete the InstaCal installation.
- Page 44 INSTALLING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE (continued) When you first connect the Sonar Processor SP to PC Interface (USB Cable), the Windows “Found New Hardware Wizard will launch. 1. The first message box will state: ‘Can Windows Connect to Windows update to search for software?’...
- Page 45 INSTALLING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE (continued) When you run the SONAR VIEW software for the first time it will be necessary to configure the SONAR VIEW software to open the correct COM (serial) port for communications. To select the COM (serial)port number that the software will use: 1.
- Page 46 6. Select Jwf – SONAR VIEW . Open the SONAR VIEW folder. Click on Setup. This will start the SONAR VIEW installation program. 7. The ‘Welcome to JW Fishers SONAR VIEW Setup Wizard’ box opens. Click ‘Next’ to continue. 8. The customer information box opens “Enter your name, organization, and the software serial number provided by JW Fishers.
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Page 47: Cabling The System
CONNECTING THE CABLES The drawing below shows the cable connections between the side scan towfish, the Sonar Processor, the boat’s GPS system, and the PC. A description and picture of each of the Interface cables is shown below. Sonar Processor Fish SP to PC tow cable to... - Page 48 CONNECTING THE CABLES (continued) Step 3. Attach the output cable from the GPS system to the SP box. NOTE: The GPS system must have a serial output, not USB. There is no adaptor to connect a GPS with USB output to a serial port. If the data cable for your GPS has a 9 pin “D”...
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Page 49: Operation
If you have problems or questions at any time please fax, call, or email the factory JW FISHERS MFG INC 1953 COUNTY ST. -
Page 50: Sample Playback
The default location of the sample files is: C:\Program Files\JW Fishers\SONAR VIEW \Sample Data Files 2. Under the VIEW command at the top of the screen select the Standard Toolbar and Control Toolbar. - Page 51 Left Blank...
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Page 52: Sample Recording
Unless you have JW Fishers Ultra Bright “Splash Proof” PC, viewing a computer display on a bright sunny day can be very difficult. Also operating out of an open boat, with splashing water and spray, could cause serious damage to the computer. - Page 53 SAMPLE RECORDING (continued) 4) Power up the computer. 5) Power up the Sonar Processor after the computer has booted up (the computer will not properly boot up if the Sonar Processor is powered up) The procedure below provides an example on how to record a file and will step you through some of the recording options.
- Page 54 SAMPLE RECORDING (continued) 7. Lower the Fish to 10-15% of Range off bottom. This area (water column) will be black on the screen. 8. SONAR VIEW is now ready to begin displaying and recording sonar data. To record a new file you can: 1.
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Page 56: Faqs
(body), you will need to perform several shorter range scans. The 5 meter and 10 meter ranges are best for small target searches. How do I get the update of JW Fishers Sonar View Software? Contact JW Fishers for information on software updates. -
Page 57: Troubleshooting
The JW Fishers Sonar requires a COM (serial) port to pass operation parameters from the PC to the Sonar. It will be necessary to configure the JW Fishers Sonar software to open the correct COM (serial) port for communications. Below are instructions for configuring the COM (serial) port. - Page 58 The driver software for this interface board is installed as part of the JW Fishers Sonar application installation process. After the JW Fishers Sonar application installation process is completed and before the sonar system is run for the first time, a program to configure the interface board must be run.
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Page 59: Appendix A (Configuring Gps)
APPENDIX A CONFIGURING YOUR GPS The Side Scan accepts standard NMEA 0183 information obtained from a con- nected GPS or Loran C receiver to display your boat’s heading and position (Latitude and Longitude). For most GPS systems you will need to enable the data output, select a version of NMEA 0183 to output and select the output’s baud rate (data speed). -
Page 60: Appendix B (Usb To Serial Adaptor)
APPENDIX B USB TO SERIAL ADAPTOR Windows XP 1. Load the driver software for the USB to Serial Adapter. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Leave the adapter connected to the PC. Skip this step if it has already been done. Complete the following steps to open the ‘Device Manager’ on your PC. These steps are necessary to find out what ‘Com Port Number’... - Page 61 APPENDIX B (continued) USB TO SERIAL ADAPTOR (continued) Windows 98SE 1. Load the driver software for the USB to Serial Adapter. Follow the manufacturers instructions. Leave the adapter connected to the PC. Skip this step if it has already been done. Complete the following steps to open the ‘Device Manager’...
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Page 62: Mapping Option
Side Scan Sonar Coverage Map (option - can be purchased anytime) Call or email factory (see below) to purchase and activate JW FISHERS MFG INC 1953 COUNTY ST. E. TAUNTON, MA 02718 USA (508) 822-7330; (800) 822-4744; FAX (508) 880-8949 Email: jwfishers@aol.com... - Page 63 Side Scan Sonar Coverage Map (option - can be purchased anytime) The SSS Coverage Map uses GPS or Loran information to generate a map representing the ground covered when scanning with your JWF Side Scan Sonar. This coverage map allows thorough scanning of an area. When you start scanning, an area representing the ground covered is high- lighted yellow on the coverage map window.
- Page 64 • If survey data is stored in several different files, you can play back the files consecutively and the map will retain the previous file’s coverage information, allowing the area that has been scanned for the entire job to be displayed on one map.
- Page 65 Menus: There are three pull down menus in the Sonar Coverage Map window. FILE, VIEW, and ACTIONS. The selections available under each heading are: File: Load SSS Coverage Map From File – Opens and displays a Sonar Coverage Map Data File. Open Marker and Waypoint File –...
- Page 66 Actions: Center – Centers the Coverage map on the current boat position. Zoom In – Increases the current zoom level Zoom Out – Increases the current zoom level. Manage Waypoints and Markers – Opens a control that allows the Select which Waypoints and Markers to display on the Map and edit existing Waypoints and Markers.
- Page 67 ToolBar: A tool bar with commonly used controls is displayed in the lower portion of the coverage map window. This toolbar is automatically hidden if the map window size is reduced too much, allowing the window to be dedicated to displaying the coverage map.
- Page 68 Navigational Aid Markers (part of map option - can be purchased anytime) Three different types of navigational aid markers can be placed on the cover- age map window to assist in planning and performing survey or search operations. Markers showing user defined waypoints, the location of text annotations stored in sonar file, and general purpose markers, aid in navigation and relocating previously scanned targets.
- Page 69 (The headers are what the software used to determine what kind of marker to place) *Note: A sample text file can be found in the “JW Fishers\Sonar View\Sample Data Files” folder. Sample File: Show this mark on the coverage map...
- Page 70 Creating Navigational Aid Markers During Operation 1. From the coverage map “Actions” menu, select “Add Waypoint” or “Add Marker”. The interactive tool window will appear. Window for creating Waypoints and Markers 2. This window allows you to define a navigational aid marker in two ways. a.
- Page 71 Editing Navigational Aid Markers During Operation Navigational aid markers can be edited during operation by selecting the coverage map “Actions” menu item, “Manage Waypoints and Markers”. The following tool window will appear. Click the tab of the marker type you wish to view or edit. Window for Editing Navigational Markers •...
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Page 72: Adjustable Transducer Option
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTABLE TRANSDUCERS (OPTION) The adjustable transducer option allows the 600k transducers in the side scan fish to be adjusted so that vertical walls (pilings) and boat hulls (bottoms) can be scanned (two different transducer adjustments). Adjustment of the transducers is accomplished by removing the thumbscrew from the top of the fish (tail section) and rotating the fin section to the appropriate position which is marked on the fish. - Page 73 Hull Bottom Left In this position, the left 600K transducer is at a +10 degrees from the horizon. This is the position that is used for scanning the bottom of a boat on the left side of the fish. The PC is set up to display left channel only;...
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Page 74: Maintenance
The warranty does not cover lost fish, broken cables, or damage due to dropping or general misuse. The warranty covers JW Fishers equipment only. JW Fishers will not be liable outside of the remedies stated above.