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FarSounder 1000 Operation Manual

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Operation Manual
FarSounder-500, FarSounder-1000 and FS-3DT Navigation Sonars
FarSounder, Inc.
151 Lavan Street
Warwick, RI 02888
United States
phone: +1 401 784 6700
info@farsounder.com
www.farsounder.com
Copyright © 2002-2017 FarSounder, Inc.
FarSounder is committed to providing the best quality and performance possible with our
products. As part of this policy, all information herein is subject to change as new and
improved versions of our software and hardware are released.
FarSounder, the FarSounder logo, Power Module, Transducer Module, and SonaSoft are
trademarks of FarSounder, Inc.
FarSounder, Inc.
F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)
Page 1 of 69

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  • Page 1 Copyright © 2002-2017 FarSounder, Inc. FarSounder is committed to providing the best quality and performance possible with our products. As part of this policy, all information herein is subject to change as new and improved versions of our software and hardware are released.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    1.7. Operating the Sonar ......................27 2. SonaSoft™ User Interface Computer Requirements ..............28 2.1. Overview ......................... 28 2.2. Minimum Requirements for FS-3DT, FarSounder-500, and FarSounder-1000 systems ..28 3. The User Interface Workspace ....................29 3.1. Overview ......................... 29 3.2.
  • Page 3 E. Troubleshooting .......................... 66 1. Overview ..........................66 2. Power Module LED Descriptions ..................66 3. Power Module LED Diagnostics ..................66 4. C-MAP Chart Display Missing Data Around Border .............. 69 FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 3 of 69...

  • Page 4: Installation Of Shipboard Equipment

    1.1. Transducer Module Connection Cable System installation begins with the Transducer Module Connection Cable. This cable is a custom designed to connect a FarSounder Transducer Module to a FarSounder Power Module. The wet end connector can be connected dry or underwater.
  • Page 5 Power Module location. This is best done while the vessel is in dry-dock, but FarSounder can prepare a cable for submersion if requested. A cable puller is useful for this operation. Figure 1. Cable with puller attached...
  • Page 6 Standard T568B wiring should be used for the Cat-5e cable coming out of the Transducer Module Connection Cable bundle. It is recommended that the Ethernet cable used to connect the Power Module to FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 6 of 69...
  • Page 7 The coax cable is terminated with a standard BNC crimp style connector. There are many varieties of these connectors depending upon the particular cable specifications. FarSounder supplies a BNC connector suitable for the supplied cable with the Power Module. Standard coax preparation tools can be used to strip the coax jacket and conductor.
  • Page 8 RJ-45 is connected to the correct receptacle. Prior to mating to the circuit board, allow the cables to be coiled once to remove any strain as they come from the gland. Figure 6. Minimize strain on wires - bulkhead mount Power Module FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 8 of 69...
  • Page 9 The wiring diagram for this is shown in table 2. The dry end connector is approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Figure 8. Legacy dry end connector FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 9 of 69...
  • Page 10 CAT5 WHITE/ORANGE CAT5 BLUE CAT5 WHITE/BLUE CAT5 BROWN CAT5 WHITE/BROWN Table 2. FarSounder Cable Pin Mapping Important The outer braded shield of the cable is a structural component only. There is no need to connect it to ground. Wet End Preparation The wet end of the cable is terminated with a Subconn BH16MSS connector.

  • Page 11: Transducer Module

    The most obvious component in your sonar system is the Transducer Module. Though different models are supplied with the FarSounder-500 and FarSounder-1000, the installation concepts discussed here are the same for all Transducer Modules. Transducer Modules for legacy FS-3DT products have the same mechanical footprint and installation process as the FarSounder-500.
  • Page 12 Figure 12. FarSounder-500 Transducer Module Figure 13. FarSounder-1000 Flat Faced Transducer Module Figure 14. Legacy FarSounder-1000 Curved Transducer Module Bow mounted Transducer Modules should be installed as far forward and as far below the water as possible on the vessel.
  • Page 13 The Transducer Module has a single underwater matable connection. This connector is used to connect the Transducer Module to the Power Module via FarSounder's Transducer Module Connection Cable. When properly installed, the face protrusion and the rear connector should be at the 12 o'clock position.
  • Page 14 The standard material for the Transducer Module pressure case is SS 316. To ensure the longest operational life of the unit, it is recommended that the Transducer Module is not electrically isolated from FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 14 of 69...

  • Page 15: Power Module

    1.3. Power Module The Power Module for FarSounder's current products is offered in a bulkhead mounted enclosure designed to be mounted in a dry location. Previous products were offered with a 2U rack mount enclosure. The Power Module houses the sonar system's power supplies, transmit signal generator, and power amplifier.
  • Page 16 Power Module. The minimum cable bend radius is 6 inches (15 cm). Therefore, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) minimum clearance at the cable gland outside the Power Module is recommended. FarSounder is not responsible for damage to the cable due to excessive bending. Standard cable/wire anchors or ties can be used to support/secure the cable to any bulkheads or mounting hardware as necessary.

  • Page 17: Network Connections

    1.4. Network Connections FarSounder's sonar systems operate on a standard Ethernet network using TCP/IP protocol layers. Due to the high bandwidth needs of the FarSounder systems, the network must be capable of 1 Gbps connectivity. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)
  • Page 18 It is also strongly recommended that the Ethernet network be private. For best performance results, the network should not be shared with other non-FarSounder network traffic. A private network can be established by keeping the network used to connect the user interface computers to the Power Module physically separate from any other Ethernet networks on the vessel.

  • Page 19: Sonasoft™ Software

    In order to use the SonaSoft™ software, a system-specific installer is needed. This contains factory calibration information specific to the Transducer and Power Modules. The sonar's software is pre-installed on computers purchased from FarSounder. The installer software can also be downloaded from FarSounder directly. Contact service@farsounder.com with the vessel's name and/or Transducer Module serial number to receive a download link.
  • Page 20 C-MAP Chart License and Data Installation FarSounder's display software includes chart overlay capabilities using C-MAP Professional+, ENC data from C-MAP, or S-57/63 charts. The chart data, however, must be licensed separately. In order to use the C-MAP or S-57/63 charts, the SonaSoft™...
  • Page 21 Registering a New Database To register a database, first make sure that you have the latest chart data available on your machine. FarSounder provides C-MAP databases upon request, however we strongly recommend contacting C-MAP directly for their most up-to-date releases.
  • Page 22 C-MAP or a C-MAP distributor. Each license number is generated for a specific database and C-MAP eToken. If you already have a C-MAP eToken dongle, the dongle ID number must be provided to C-MAP. If not, dongles can be purchased from FarSounder or directly from C-MAP. Enabling S-57/63 Support An S-57/63 support license is needed to enable use of these charts within SonaSoft™.
  • Page 23 "Add License" button. Repeat this process for each Zone or Area that has been licensed. Once the license is applied, click the "Close" button to exit the dialog box. Then close the "C-MAP Chart Manager" by, again, clicking on the "Close" button in that window. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 23 of 69...
  • Page 24 The ENCImporter imports S-57/63 charts for use within SonaSoft™. Figure 27. ENCImporter The steps to using S-57 charts are as follows: • First, locate the "ENCImporter.exe" in the "C:/Program Files (x86)/FarSounder/SonaSoft*/bin/" directory. Right click and select "Run as Administrator". FarSounder, Inc.
  • Page 25 Using S-63 charts require a few extra steps in addition to the ones above. • The charts must be encrypted using a unique UserPermit which is obtained from FarSounder. This UserPermit must be provided to your chart providers and is used by them for encryption purposes.

  • Page 26: External Sensor Connections

    FarSounder's thin client software can be installed on multiple bridge stations. The display and control of each thin client operates independent of one another. All processor settings are shared across the network and the sonar can be controlled from the server or any client. Contact FarSounder for thin client details and pricing.

  • Page 27: Operating The Sonar

    In order to avoid interference with one another, it is recommended that the echo sounders be located as far from the FarSounder sonar as possible. To ensure that there is no interference (particularly if the echo sounders must be located near the FarSounder system) 200 kHz echo sounders should be used.

  • Page 28: Sonasoft™ User Interface Computer Requirements

    SonaSoft™ is run on a platform that does not meet these requirements. It is recommended that no other software applications are run during SonaSoft™ operation. As with any shipboard electronic systems, it is highly recommended that both the user interface computer and the FarSounder Power Module be powered through a UPS.

  • Page 29: The User Interface Workspace

    This way more display real estate is used for displaying pertinent navigation information. Note that when moved to the main workspace, no arrow buttons are ever displayed and menu bars are always visible. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 29 of 69...

  • Page 30: Using The Application Buttons

    The configuration manager button is shaped like a gear. Clicking this button displays the system menu. This menu provides access to: • Configuration options for various components • The System Status display FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 30 of 69...
  • Page 31 Otherwise, a dot with no bars indicates that there is little to no signal, one bar indicates a low strength signal, two a medium strength signal, and three bars a high strength signal. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 31 of 69...

  • Page 32: System Status

    Each box represents the spatial location of an individual hydrophone. Clicking on one of the boxes selects that channel for the waveform display. Note that the four corner channels are always blank. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 32 of 69...

  • Page 33: Customizable Hotkey Support

    • autocenter - toggle autocenter on/off • zoomin - zoom in for chart viewer • zoomout - zoom out for chart viewer • erbl - toggle electronic range and bearing line on/off FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 33 of 69...
  • Page 34 • cycletheme - cycle through theme options • setthemeday - switch to day theme • setthemedusk - switch to dusk theme • setthemenight - switch to night theme • setthemered - switch to red theme FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 34 of 69...

  • Page 35: First Time Configuration

    (if available) be connected to the SonaSoft™ computer. Not including position, heading, depth, speed over ground, course over ground, and rate of turn information may significantly reduce the detection capabilities of the FarSounder system. Some of the other benefits of connecting external sensors include: •...
  • Page 36 Message selection is independent of COM port selection. This means that if a particular message is selected for a given data type, it does not matter on which COM port it is received. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 36 of 69...

  • Page 37: System Settings Options

    Filtered data is also required to perform True Target Motion™ in the 3D Display. If the filtered heading and position of your vessel in your FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)

  • Page 38: Chart Setup

    Ship Sensor Parameters Vessel characteristics, such as length, beam and draft, along with GPS sensor and FarSounder™ sonar position should be specified using the Sensor Layout Configurator tool, which can be accessed using the "Set ship parameters"...

  • Page 39: The 3D Sonar Display

    3D location. All FarSounder sonars are specified as 8 water depth sonars. This means that they can map the seafloor out to a distance of at least 8 times the depth of water in which the sonar is operating. Beyond their water depth capabilities, the products can still detect in-water targets out to the full range of the system.

  • Page 40: Profile View

    This looks much like a common radar display. However, where radar gives a picture of what is above the water, FarSounder’s sonar displays a picture of what is below the water. As with the 3D volumetric mode, the standard mode has the capability to map color to depth or signal level.

  • Page 41: Forward Looking Alarm Use

    The trigger area is defined to be the volume of water bounded by 4 thresholds: Field-of-View (FOV) angle, Max Range, Min Range and Max Depth. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 41 of 69...

  • Page 42: Additional Configuration Manager Options

    Configuration Manager's System Settings. Like any marine sensor (radar, echo sounder, etc), the FarSounder sonar systems may detect spurious noises. These "noises" include reflections from bubbles in the water column and small bits of debris in the water.

  • Page 43: Menu Bar Controls

    SonaSoft™ at at least 1 Hz, and rate of turn must be available at at least 10 Hz. 5.6. Menu Bar Controls Processor Settings Click this button to toggle display of the Processor Settings toolbar (see section entitled "3D Sonar Processing Options"). FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 43 of 69...

  • Page 44: Mouse Controls

    When in 3D mode and not over the end of the profile selector, left click dragging the mouse will rotate the 3D display volume. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 44 of 69...

  • Page 45: Sonar Processing Options

    • Alternating between 90° x 330m (1080 ft) and 60° x 440m (1440 ft) Detect Bottom Check Box The FarSounder system is typically capable of mapping the seafloor down to 50 meters depth (approximately 165 feet). In deeper water, the processing algorithms may falsely interpret in-water targets as the sea bottom and create some strange images.
  • Page 46 This will help to ensure that real targets are not missed due to squelch levels set too high. When making squelch adjustments, typically a change of a few dB is all that is needed. Remember that changes generally take two pings to become visible. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 46 of 69...

  • Page 47: Chart Display

    Figure 44, “SonaSoft™ Chart Display” shows a sample screen shot. The various features and controls are explained in the following subsections. Figure 44. SonaSoft™ Chart Display FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 47 of 69...

  • Page 48: Chart Overlay Explained

    Dragging the mouse with the right mouse button down will draw an orange range line from the initial mouse position when first depressed to the final mouse position when released. While the button is depressed, the FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)

  • Page 49: Configuration Manager Options

    The user can select between RMC (recommended minimum specific GNSS data), GGA (global positioning system fix information), HDG (heading, deviation, and variation) and HDT (heading true) where appropriate. Figure 45. Chart Display Configuration Manager Options FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 49 of 69...
  • Page 50 If licenses have been purchased for this database, use the Licenses tab in the Chart Manager to unlock the purchased areas. Please refer to documentation from C-MAP for more information about using their licenses. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 50 of 69...
  • Page 51 Shallow Pattern Used When selected, a dedicated pattern will be applied to all depth areas shallower than the Safety Contour. Anticluttering When selected, clutter from chart labels and symbols will be reduced. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 51 of 69...

  • Page 52: Local History Mapping

    In order to take advantage of the chart dispaly in SonaSoft™, the following must be configured on each computer where the Chart Display will be used. • C-MAP chart database must be installed. Currently supported databases are: • Professional+ database from C-MAP FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 52 of 69...
  • Page 53 • ENC databases from C-MAP • S-57/63 charts • C-MAP USB dongle must be installed. These can be acquired from FarSounder for a nominal fee. • C-MAP license must be installed. This can be purchased through a C-MAP dealer or directly from C- MAP.

  • Page 54: Nav Info Display

    • RMC: Recommended minimum specific GNSS data. For vessel speed over ground, the user can select from the following NMEA messages: • RMC: Recommended minimum specific GNSS data. • VTG: Course over ground and ground speed. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 54 of 69...

  • Page 55: Using The Export Option

    One of the options under the Configuration Menu is "Export". The export feature is used for sharing system data with FarSounder. When this feature is activated, a .zip file will be saved to the desktop containing: • raw sonar data for the last few pings, •...

  • Page 56: Understanding Water Depth Performance

    To best understand how FarSounder's technology is able to operate so well in shallow water it is first necessary to understand the metrics used in shallow water sonars.
  • Page 57 At some angle, not enough energy is reflected back to the receiver to allow for sea bottom detection and mapping. The FarSounder-500 and FarSounder-1000 products are specified as 8 water depth sonars. This means they can map the seafloor out to a range equal to 8 times the depth below the transducer.
  • Page 58 The sonar can help the vessel operator know exactly where their ship is located relative to the edge of the channel. Please visit the screen shots gallery at http://www.farsounder.com for examples of shallow water operation at ranges well beyond our water depth capability.

  • Page 59: Ping-To-Ping Target Stabilization

    "gap". SonaSoft™ will only fill these gaps for a maximum of 5 pings before determining that those expected targets are no longer reliable. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 59 of 69...

  • Page 60: Understanding Interference And Other Limitations

    FarSounder is pointed towards the other ship. Such interference appears on the FarSounder display as partial or whole "rings" of echoes all at the same range as shown in figure C.1. Usually, they appear as in-water targets, but sometimes they can also appear as a raised mound or sharp dip in the sea bottom at all angles.
  • Page 61 FarSounder has taken great care in ensuring that their sonars will not cause any harm to any marine life. The duty cycles and transmit powers are significantly lower than those of other marine acoustic systems that are commonly accepted throughout the world.

  • Page 62: Bubble Cloud/Wake Interference

    This effect is not unique to FarSounder sonars. Rather this effect is true for all sonar technologies. Bubble clouds consisting of large bubbles tend to reflect echos back to the sonar and prevent sound energy from continuing beyond the bubble cloud.

  • Page 63: Sea State Limitations

    However, should the unit be transmitting or receiving during that period, no image will be seen. Additionally, if the unit is in the water and a wave trough FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)

  • Page 64: Vessel Speed Limitations

    5. Vessel Speed Limitations The FarSounder-500 and FarSounder-1000 sonars are designed for use at vessel speeds up to 20 and 25 knots respectively. This rating is based upon an ideal installation where vessel induced mechanical vibration noise is not present.

  • Page 65: Maintenance

    D. Maintenance 1. Overview Your FarSounder sonar system has been designed with minimum maintenance requirements. However, like any shipboard system, it is important to periodically check the status of the system. This section of the manual outlines the recommended maintenance procedures and schedule for FarSounder's sonar systems.

  • Page 66: Troubleshooting

    E. Troubleshooting 1. Overview The development team at FarSounder has worked hard to create robust, reliable products. However, as with any piece of complex marine equipment, there is always the chance of something unexpected happening. FarSounder technicians and and engineers are always willing to work directly with our customers and dealers to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.
  • Page 67 LED light. Possible values for each indicator are as follows: • : The light is off. • : The light is on. • : The light is flashing. • : The light may be on or off. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 67 of 69...
  • Page 68 Power Module has an internal fault After powering on the Check RED, WHITE, and BLUE Power Module while wires at the cable to Power Module waiting for a connection connection. to SonaSoft™ Table E.1. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0) Page 68 of 69...

  • Page 69: C-Map Chart Display Missing Data Around Border

    • A white square will appear. Measure this square with a ruler, enter the resulting measurements and click "Ok". The C-MAP is now properly configured for the resolution of the current monitor and SonaSoft™ should be restarted. If the problem persists, please contact FarSounder™ technical support. FarSounder, Inc. F31552 (Rev. 3.8.0)

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