Simrad AP50 Operator's Manual page 38

Simrad AP50 Autopilot
Note !
32
Steering Function
(only available if Thruster is selected in the Installation
Dockside Menu, see the AP50 Installation Manual).
Same procedure as in STANDBY mode.
Seastate
Seastate determines the number of degrees the vessel may fall
off the set course before any rudder commands are given to the
rudder.
Select the value for the Seastate filter:
OFF: Provides precise steering but increases rudder
activity.
AUTO: Automatically reduces the rudder activity and
sensitivity of the autopilot in rough weather.
MANUAL: Sets yaw band manually (MAN 1 - MAN 10, 10 ≈
±6°).
This setting determines the number of degrees the vessel may
deviate from the set course before any command is given to the
rudder. In calm weather, it should be set to "OFF", which means
that theoretically, the autopilot allows no deviation from the set
course. The Seastate filter value should be increased with
increasing sea turbulence. This will cause the sensitivity of the
rudder to be decreased such that the vessel has to deviate from
the set course by the number of degrees selected in the Seastate
filter setting before a rudder command is given. The amount of
rudder is calculated by the heading error exceeding the set limit,
multiplied by the p-factor. This will prevent excessive rudder
movement and reduce rudder activity.
In conditions where active steering is required, the Seastate
filter value should be reduced.
Rudder
Rudder sets the rudder gain, which is the ratio between the
heading error (p-factor) and the commanded angle. The default
value depends on the boat length. The value (ranging between
0.05 and 4.00) is determined during Sea trial, but can easily be
adjusted in the User Set-up menu.
Counter Rudder
Counter Rudder is the parameter that counteracts the effect of
the boat's turn rate and inertia. The default value depends on the
boat length. The value (ranging between 0.05 and 8.00) is
determined during Sea trial, but can easily be adjusted in the
User Set-up menu.
20221032 / E