Training Manual

®
APOS for HiPAP /HPR Technical Course
Sections

1 Course descriptions, details, evaluation etc.

2 Company presentation
3 HiPAP® and HPR 400 introduction
4 Hydroacoustic
5 Surface hardware
6 Transponder hardware
7 APOS Introduction
8 The Screen and Views
9 ‘Default parameters’ and ‘SSBL properties’
10 Transponder configure
11 SSBL Troubleshooting
12 System administration
13 Data sheets
14 Responders
15 Communication protocols
16 Configure

Rev. E2 Page 1 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

Document logistics

Revision Date Written by

A 15 sept 2004 kgr
B June 2, 2005 kgr
C September 1, 2005 kgr
D January 15, 2006 kgr
E February 1, 2006 kgr
E1 May 22, 2006 kgr
E2 June 15, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A New preliminary edition based on ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’, ‘APOS
for HiPAP Technical Course’ and ‘APOS for HPR 400 Technical Course’
B Based on rev H of ‘APOS Basic Operator Course. Hardware Chapter split
into 3 Chapters. Minor changes throughout.
C Base on rev. I of ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’. ‘Communication
protocols’ moved to Chapter 15. Minor changes throughout.
D Based on ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’, rev J. Minor changes throughout.
New frontpage
E Chapter 17 – 20 is moved to the ‘HiPAP Technical Course’ manual and the
‘HPR 400 Technical Course’ manual.
E1 Chapter 16 updated. Page numbering modified
E2 Minor changes throughout.

Rev. E2 Page 2 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

Training Manual

Note
Kongsberg Maritime AS makes every effort to ensure that the information contained
within this document is correct. However, our equipment is continuously being improved
and updated, so we cannot assume liability for any errors which may occur.

Copyright
©2006 Kongsberg Maritime AS
The information contained within this document remains the sole property of Kongsberg
Maritime AS. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form or by
any means, and the information contained within is not to be communicated to a third
party, without the prior written consent of Kongsberg Maritime AS.

KONGSBERG MARITIME AS

Strandpromenaden 50, Telephone: +47 33 02 38 00

P.O.Box 111 Telefax: +47 33 04 76 19
N-3191 Horten www.kongsberg.com
Norway E-mail: [email protected]

Rev. E2 Page 3 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Blank page

Rev. E2 Page 4 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Chapter 1

APOS Basic Operator Course

APOS for Offshore Loaders

APOS for ‘HiPAP®/HPR

Technical Course

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

COURSE DETAILS

TIME TABLE

COURSE EVALUATIONS

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Rev. E2 Page 5 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Revision Date Written by
A June 2, 2005 kgr
B August 15, 2005 kgr
C September 1, 2005 kgr
D October 23, 2005 kgr
E January 15, 2006 kgr
E1 February 1, 2006 kgr
F May 1, 2006 kgr
F1 June 19, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A Introduced revision numbers. Technical courses included
B Minor changes. Chapter 12 added
C Technical course details changed
D Minor changes throughout. Changes in Timetable for ‘APOS
Basic’ and ‘Offshore Loaders’. New subscription.
E New revision of Basic Course Description. Changes in ‘Course
details’, chapter 6, ‘Timetable for Technical Course’ and ‘Basic
Course’ changed. Subscription updated.
E1 Changes in ‘Course details’ for Configure and Hardware - HiPAP.
Removed chapter 17 – 20 in the ‘APOS for HiPAP Technical
Course’. Minor changes.
F Chapter 16 is added to ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’. Minor
changes.
F1 Minor changes for the ‘Technical courses’. Training circle
removed.

Rev. E2 Page 6 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 K on g s b e r g Maritime

HiPAP® Technical Course

High Precision Acoustic Positioning (HiPAP®) Reference System

Objective Teaching medium

Give the participants basic understanding of the The course documentation is written in English and
HiPAP® 350 and HiPAP® 500 principles and how the course will be held in English, unless otherwise
the system is operated, teach them about the standard agreed.
system units and maintenance of the different units.
Duration
Target audience 3 days
Ship electricians.
Venues
Entry requirements • Kongsberg Maritime AS, Horten, Norway
None. • Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Content of course
• Background information
• Basic positioning on demo computers
• Communication
• System unit descriptions
• Operator station
• Transceiver
• Hull unit
• Transducer
• Transponders
• Maintenance
• Trouble shooting
• Use of standard documentation

Teaching method
The teaching will be presented in a combination of
theoretical lessons and practical exercises. The par-
ticipants will train on system operation on their own
demo computer with generic software.

Kongsberg Maritime reserves the right to make changes to the material or product described, at any time without notice. 172173E
Rev. E2 Page 7 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course
Standard conditions

To enquire for information or enrol for a course, please

contact the training centres. The course coordinator
will assist with hotel reservation.

Conrmation Dates and prices

The course coordinator conrms the enrolment in writ- Please see separate sheets.
ing, which is then considered binding.
Booking
Course documentation Please contact:
The course documentation is written in English, and
the courses will normally be held in English. The Course Coordinator
Kongsberg Maritime AS
Course diploma Strandpromenaden 50
The participants receive a course diploma when the P.O. Box 111
course is successfully completed. 3191 Horten - Norway
Tel.: +47 33 03 41 00
Cancellation Fax: +47 33 04 76 19
Cancellation has to be in writing. e-mail: [email protected]

Cancellation fee The Course Coordinator

Cancellation more than four (4) weeks before starting Kongsberg Maritime Ltd
date of course: None Campus 1
Science & Technology Park
Cancellation from two (2) to four (4) weeks before Balgownie Road
starting date of course: 50% of course price Bridge of Don
Aberdeen AB22 8GT, Scotland - UK
Cancellation less than two (2) weeks before starting Tel.: +44 (0) 1224 226 500
date of course: 100% of course price Fax: +44 (0) 1224 226 501
e-mail: [email protected]
Cancellation of courses
We reserve the right to cancel courses for which less
than four participants have enrolled.

KONGSBERG MAR I T IME AS

PO Box 483, N-3601 Kongsberg, Norway
Telephone +47 32 28 50 00 Telefax +47 32 28 50 10
e-mail: [email protected], www.kongsberg.com

Rev. E2 Page 8 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 K on g s b e r g Maritime

HPR 400 Technical Course

Hydroacoustic Position Reference (HPR) System

Objective Teaching medium

Give the participants basic understanding of the HPR The course documentation is written in English and
400 principles and how the system is operated, teach the course will be held in English, unless otherwise
them about the HPR 400 series standard system units agreed.
and maintenance of the different units.
Duration
Target audience 3 days
Ship electricians.
Venues
Entry requirements • Kongsberg Maritime AS, Horten, Norway
None. • Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Content of course
• HPR 400 background information
• Basic positioning using demo computers
• Serial line communication
• Network communication
• System unit descriptions
• Operator station
• HPR 400 transceiver
• HPR 400 hull unit
• HPR 400 transducer
• Transponders
• System unit maintenance actions
• Troubleshooting
• Use of standard documentation

Teaching method
The teaching will be presented in a combination of
theoretical lessons and practical exercises.
The participants will train on system operation on
their own demo computer with generic software.

Kongsberg Maritime reserves the right to make changes to the material or product described, at any time without notice. 172174C
Rev. E2 Page 9 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course
Standard conditions

To enquire for information or enrol for a course, please

contact the training centres. The course coordinator
will assist with hotel reservation.

Conrmation Dates and prices

The course coordinator conrms the enrolment in writ- Please see separate sheets.
ing, which is then considered binding.
Booking
Course documentation Please contact:
The course documentation is written in English, and
the courses will normally be held in English. The Course Coordinator
Kongsberg Maritime AS
Course diploma Strandpromenaden 50
The participants receive a course diploma when the P.O. Box 111
course is successfully completed. 3191 Horten - Norway
Tel.: +47 33 03 41 00
Cancellation Fax: +47 33 04 76 19
Cancellation has to be in writing. e-mail: [email protected]

Cancellation fee The Course Coordinator

Cancellation more than four (4) weeks before starting Kongsberg Maritime Ltd
date of course: None Campus 1
Science & Technology Park
Cancellation from two (2) to four (4) weeks before Balgownie Road
starting date of course: 50% of course price Bridge of Don
Aberdeen AB22 8GT, Scotland - UK
Cancellation less than two (2) weeks before starting Tel.: +44 (0) 1224 226 500
date of course: 100% of course price Fax: +44 (0) 1224 226 501
e-mail: [email protected]
Cancellation of courses
We reserve the right to cancel courses for which less
than four participants have enrolled.

KONGSBERG MAR I T IME AS

PO Box 483, N-3601 Kongsberg, Norway
Telephone +47 32 28 50 00 Telefax +47 32 28 50 10
e-mail: [email protected], www.kongsberg.com

Rev. E2 Page 10 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Course details
The instructor will chose from the subjects listed below

HiPAP® and HPR introduction

APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
3.1 Our aims and philosophy with this course V V
3.2 Abbreviations V V V
3.3 What is HiPAP®? V V V
3.4 What is HPR? V V V
3.5 Topside system units overview V V V
3.6 Subsea system units overview V V V
3.7 ‘Slant Range’ measurements V V V
3.8 Positioning principles V V V
3.9 Hardware names V V V
3.10 Free APOS trainer V V V
3.11 HiPAP® and HPR history V V V
3.12 Applications V V V

Hydroacoustic
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
4.1 What is sound V V
4.2 Fundamental parameters V V
Self study for the interested

4.3 What is dB V V
Just a short introduction

4.4 Factors influencing in hydroacoustic V V

4.5 Geometrical spreading V V
4.6 Absorption V V
4.7 Noise V V
4.8 Reflections V V
4.9 Air bubbles V V
4.10 Azimuth V V
4.11 Ray bending effect V V
4.12 Velocity of Sound V V
4.13 Sound velocity profiles V V
4.14 The sonar equation NI NI NI

Rev. E2 Page 11 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Surface hardware
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
5.1 Transducers V V V
5.2 Transducer element V V V
5.3 Beam width V V V
5.4 Beam shapes V V V
5.5 Directivity NI NI NI
5.6 HPR 400 SSBL Transducers V V V
5.6a Narrow beam transducer V NI V
5.6b Standard transducer V V
5.6c Tracking transducer NI
5.6d PMT 301 transducer – “–
5.7 Maintenance V – “– NI
5.8 System units and configurations V V V
5.9 HiPAP® SSBL positioning V V V
5.10 HPR 400 SSBL positioning V V V

Transponder hardware
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
6.1 Where is the transponder mounted? V V V
6.2 What does a transponder look like? V V V
6.3 What is a transponder? V V V
6.4 What is a responder? V V
6.5 Transponder safety V V V
6.6 Transponder tester, TTC 400 V NI V
6.7 Main parts of MPT and SPT transponders V V V
6.8 Transponder models V V V
6.9 Transponder identification V NI V
6.10 Transponder beam pattern – “–
6.11 Transponders with floating collar V – “–
6.12 Special remarks for some transponder models V – “–
6.13 Dismantling x1x aluminum transponders NI – “–
6.14 Dismantling x3x steel transponders – “– – “–
6.15 Battery packs V – “– V
6.16 HPR 300 medium frequency channels V – “– NI
6.17 HPR 400 medium frequency channels V – “– – “–
6.18 Medium frequency channels overview V V V
6.19 HPR 300 low frequency channels NI NI NI
6.20 HPR 400 low frequency channels – “– – “– – “–
6.21 Low frequency channels overview – “– – “– – “–
6.22 Pulse positioning with sensor information V V – “–
6.23 Transponder modes V NI – “–
6.24 HPR 300 pulse command function NI – “– – “–
6.25 HPR 400 acoustic coding principle - Telemetry V – “– – “–

Rev. E2 Page 12 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 APOS Introduction
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
7.1 APOS help V V V
7.2 Two vessels, two transponders V NI NI
7.3 Basic SSBL Positioning V V V
7.4 Screen V V V
7.5 ‘Right clicking’ V V V
7.6 SSBL Positioning and ‘APOS File handling’ V V V
7.6e File handling with two or more operator stations V V NI
7.7 Vessel Heading line NI V NI
7.8 Offset rel. CG – “– V – “–

The Screen and Views

APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
8.1 The view V V V
8.2 Cartesian and Polar view V V NI
8.3 Zoom and Display scale V V V
8.3d Display scale (Old version) NI NI NI
8.4 Set view center V – “– – “–
8.5 Center – “–
8.6 Orientation V V – “–
8.7 Measure V NI – “–
8.7a Measure (old version) NI – “– – “–
8.7b Using the center point (0,0) as reference (old version) – “– – “– – “–
8.7c Using a positioning object as a reference (old – “– – “– – “–
version)
8.8 Show Error Ellipses V V – “–
8.9 Numeric view V V – “–
8.10 Colours V V V
8.11 Panel light V V V
8.12 Filtered Positions NI NI NI
8.13 Toolbar V V – “–
8.14 Positioning toolbar V V – “–
8.15 Status bar V V V
8.15e The ‘I/O server’ on the ‘Status bar’ V NI V
8.16 Measurements NI – “– NI
8.17 Alarms V V V
8.18 Event view V V V
8.18b Attitude error V V NI
8.18c DRP, TMC and Fifo descriptions V V – “–
8.19 Alarms on Inclinometer Transponder NI NI – “–
8.20 Trend view V V V
8.21 Documentation of the ‘Screen’ V V NI
8.22 Documentation of ‘Active Window’ V V – “–
8.23 Troubleshooting the Screen V V – “–

Rev. E2 Page 13 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 ‘DEFAULT PARAMETERS’ + SSBL POSITIONING
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
9.1 ‘SSBL Positioning’ dialog box V V V
9.2 Default parameters V V NI
9.3 Interrogation Interval V V V
9.3a Adjusting the Interrogation Interval V V V
9.3b Signal Traveling Time V V NI
9.3c DP update rate V V – “–
9.3d Checking your Interrogation Rate V V – “–
9.3e HiPAP® calculation time NI NI – “–
9.4 Transponder type V V V
9.5 Max Range V V V
9.5a Max Range, HPR 400 V V NI
9.5b Max Range, HiPAP® V V – “–
9.6 Position Offset V NI – “–
9.7 Operation V V – “–

TRANSPONDER CONFIGURE
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
10.1 General V V V
10.2 Transponder history NI NI NI
10.3 Access to ’Transponder Configure’ V V V
10.4 Transponder Configure V V V
10.5 Trusting the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box V V V
10.6 Transponder Setup V V V
10.6b Modes & TAD & LIC V NI NI
10.6c Batteries V – “– V
10.7 Transponder Functions V V V
10.7a Enable/Disable SSBL transponder V V V
10.7b Responder V NI NI
10.7c Beacon – “– – “–
10.7d Release V – “– V
10.7e Switch channel V – “– NI
10.8 Transponder with a ‘built in’ sensor NI V – “–
10.8a Depth sensor – “– – “–
10.8c Inclination sensor – “– V – “–
10.8d Inclination sensor, calibration – “– NI – “–
10.8e Differential Inclination sensor – “– – “– – “–
10.9 Telemetry Transducer V V
10.10 TxRx Diagnostics NI NI NI
10.11 Transponder testing V – “– V
10.12 Troubleshooting V – “– – “–

Rev. E2 Page 14 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 SSBL Troubleshooting
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
11.1 Trouble types V V V
11.2 SSBL step-by-step troubleshooting V V V
11.3 SSBL Troubleshooting exercise V V NI
11.3a All vessels V V – “–
11.3b Vessels with two or more transducers NI NI – “–
11.4 Telemetry troubleshooting – “– – “– – “–

System administration
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
12.1 Introduction V V V
12.2 APC 10 and APOS evolution NI NI NI
12.3 ‘Shutting down’ the OS V V V
12.4 Backup the OS V V V
12.5 System report V V NI
12.6 System Backup and Restore V V – “–
12.7 Service Mode V V V

Responders
APOS APOS for
Chapter Subject Basic Offshore Technical
Operator Loaders
14.1 Introduction V
14.2 Responder type, MST V
Not included

V
As needed
14.3 Responder type, SPT or MPT
14.4 Responder connection in the HiPAP® V
Transceiver
14.5 Responder in HPR 400 Transceiver V
14.6 Change of Responder drive V
14.7 RPT Transponders V

AN: As needed
NI: Not included

Rev. E2 Page 15 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 HAIN
APOS
Chapter Subject Basic Technical
Operator
15 HAIN FIO NI

Configure ‘light’ + Configure

APOS
Chapter Subject Basic Technical
Operator
16 Configure V V
16.1 Objective V V
16.2 Configuration V V
16.3 Transceiver… (HiPAP) V V
16.3.a Reference – Change Gyro and VRS V V
16.3.b Transceiver Interface NI V
16.3.c Transducer V NI
16.3.d Operation Mode V – “–
16.3.e Data Acquisition V V
16.3f Reset V V
16.3.h Syncronization NI NI
16.3g Spectrum Analyse V – “–
16.4 Transceiver (HPR 400) V V
16.4.a Reference NI
16.4.b Transducers – “–
16.4.c Data Acquisition – “–
16.4.d Synchronization – “–
16.5 Output… – “–
16.5.a Configure ‘Outputs…’ – “– V
16.5.b NMEA output to floppy – “– V
16.5.c Connecting the APC 10 to the DP – “– NI
16.5.d NMEA Positions – All Operator Stations are – “– – “–
sending position telegrams to the DP
16.5.e HPR 400 Positions – Telling the DP which – “– – “–
transceiver that calculated the positions
16.6 External interfaces… – “– V
16.6.a Configure a new GPS input – “– V
16.7 Transceiver Interface – “– NI
16.7.a Serial lines – “– – “–
16.7.b Checking Ethernet configuration for the – “– NI
transceiver

FIO: For information only

AN: As needed
NI: Not included

Rev. E2 Page 16 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS
Chapter Subject Technical
15 For details, see Chapter 15.1 V

Rev. E2 Page 17 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Timetable: APOS for HiPAP®/HPR 400 Technical
Course
Day 1
09:00 – 09:15 Course Introduction
09:15 – 10:00 HiPAP® and HPR 400 Introduction APOS Chapter 3
10:15 – 11:30 Hydroacoustic APOS Chapter 4
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 13:15 Topside hardware APOS Chapter 5
Transponder hardware APOS Chapter 6
13:30 – 14:30 APOS Introduction APOS Chapter 7
14:45 – 15:45 The screen and views APOS Chapter 8
Homework Transponder battery safety. APOS Chapter 13
Study the Transponder Manual (if
applicable)

Day 2
09:00 – 09:15 Discussing ‘Battery safety’ APOS Chapter 6
09:15 – 10:00 ‘Default parameters’ + SSBL Positioning APOS Chapter 9
10:15 – 11:30 ‘Default parameters’ + SSBL Positioning APOS Chapter 9
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 13:15 Transponder Configure APOS Chapter 10
SSBL Troubleshooting APOS Chapter 11
System administration APOS Chapter 12
Responder APOS Chapter 14
13:30 – 15:45 Hull Unit HiPAP Chapter 9 - 14
Homework Communication protocol APOS Chapter 15

Day 3 (HiPAP®)
09:00 – 10:00 Communication protocols APOS Chapter 15
10:15 – 11:30 Configure APOS Chapter 16
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 13:15 HiPAP® hardware HiPAP Chapter 1 – 8
13:30 – 14:30 Transponder Hardware Transponder manual
14:45 – 15:30 Transponder Tester TTC manual
15:30 – 15:45 Course evaluation APOS Chapter 1
Questions
Ending

Day 3 (HPR 400)

09:00 – 10:00 Communication protocols APOS Chapter 15
10:15 – 11:30 Configure APOS Chapter 16
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 13:15 HPR 400 hardware HPR 400 Chapter 1 – 13
13:30 – 14:30 Transponder Hardware Transponder manual
14:45 – 15:30 Transponder Tester TTC manual
15:30 – 15:45 Course evaluation APOS Chapter 1
Questions
Ending

Rev. E2 Page 18 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Course Evaluation

Course Name:
Student Name:
Company/Vessel/Installation:
Student Profession:
Instructor(s) Name:
Course Date:

Please give your personal opinion!

Course
NO T VE R Y
RE L E V A
Was the course relevant for you? RELEVA
NT
RELEVA
NT NT

FA R T O O TO O SU F- TO O FA R T O O
Was the course duration suitable? SHORT SHORT FICIENT LONG LONG

FA R T O O TO O TO O FA R T O O
How was the balance between theory and BA L A N C MUCH MUCH
MUCH MUCH
practical work? THEORY THEORY
ED PRACTI PRACTI
CE CE
NO T A T
Did you benefit from the exercises? ALL
A BIT MU C H

Comments:

Documentation
NO T VE R Y EX C E L -
How was the documentation? BA D
GOOD
GO O D
GOOD LENT

Comments:

Instructor
How was the instructor’s knowledge of the NO T VE R Y EX C E L -
BA D GO O D
subjects taught? GOOD GOOD LENT

Did the instructor manage to explain the NO T VE R Y EX C E L -

BA D GO O D
matters in a clear way? GOOD GOOD LENT

How was the communication between you and NO T VE R Y EX C E L -

BA D GO O D
the instructor? GOOD GOOD LENT

Comments:

Facilities
YE S
Did you feel welcome as a guest with Kongsberg NO T A T
A BIT VERY
Maritime? ALL
MUCH

How were the classrooms? Please comment:

0 25 50 75 100
On a scale from 0 to 100 where 100 is the best,
how will you rate this course?
PLEASE TURN THE PAGE!

© Kongsberg Maritime AS
K:\DIVERSE\Spesielle dok\EVALUATION E 2004.DOC

Rev. E2 Page 19 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Course Evaluation

Please let us know what was most appreciated:

Please let us know what was least appreciated:

Please write down your suggestions for improvements:

Do you have any comments on your hotel and transportation?

Do you have any comments on the information received prior to the course?

Other comments?

© Kongsberg Maritime AS
K:\DIVERSE\Spesielle dok\EVALUATION E 2004.DOC

Rev. E2 Page 20 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Subscriptions

Kongsberg Maritime distributes magazines and training

information. If you want to be on the e-mail list, please enter
information about yourself below, and what kind of info you
would like to receive.

Please use block letters

Name
Position
Vessel
Company
E-mail

Course info
Course types Aberdeen Horten Trondheim
ACS (BOP Control)
AIS Training
Artemis
DARPS
DP
DPS - GPS/DGPS
Fanbeam
HAIN
HiPAP® & HPR
SEAPATH

Magazines
Full picture*
Subsea Newsletter
Positioning Newsletter

*) Write down your post address below, if you want the ‘Full picture’ magazine as a
paper copy.

Rev. E2 Page 21 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Blank page

Rev. E2 Page 22 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 WORLD CLASS – through people, technology and dedication
WORLD CLASS – through people, technology and dedication

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 1

KONGSBERG's history

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 2

Rev. E2 Page 23 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 KONGSBERG's history

ƒ 1624 – 1814 The discovery of silver in Kongsberg

ƒ 1814 – 1955 Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk and the
maritime community at Horten
ƒ 1955 – 1987 Industrial locomotive
ƒ 1987 – 1992 Crisis and revitalisation
ƒ 1992 – 2004 Maritime campaign, stock exchange listing and growth

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 3

Kongsberg Gruppen - KONGSBERG

ƒ An international technology corporation

headquartered in Norway
ƒ Operations at more than 40 locations in 24 countries
ƒ About 900 of the Group's 4 000 employees work outside
Norway
ƒ In 2004 the Group earned 71 per cent of its consolidated
operating revenues of NOK 6.4 billion outside Norway

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 4

Rev. E2 Page 24 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 KONGSBERG – operations in 24 countries

Svalbard

St. John (Canada)

Halifax (Canada) Norway

Sweden
Vancouver (Canada) Scotland Denmark

Washington (USA) Ireland Germany

England Holland
Connecticut (USA) Hungary South-Korea
Texas (USA) France Italy
Greece
Spain China
United Arab Emirates
India
Louisiana (USA)
Florida (USA) Singapore

Peru
Brazil
Chile

South Africa

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 5

KONGSBERG's core competencies

KONGSBERG's products are based on four core competencies:

ƒ Signal processing
ƒ Cybernetics
ƒ Software
ƒ Systems integration

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 6

Rev. E2 Page 25 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course

 Organisation

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

Financial Affairs - Communications – Legal affairs –
Human Resources/Organisational Development – Business Development - Property

Kongsberg Maritime AS Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS

Offshore & Merchant Marine Defence & Aerospace

Dynamic Positioning & Navigation Missiles & Space

Marine Automation Naval Systems
Process Automation Land Systems & Communications
Hydroacoustics Aircraft & Air Defence Systems
Satellite Positioning & AIS Dynamic Systems
Marine IT

Yachting & Fishery (SIMRAD)

Marine Electronics (autosteering, hydroacoustics,

navigation, communication)

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 7

KONGSBERG – key figures 2004

ƒ Operating revenues: MNOK 6 439 (MNOK 6 651)

ƒ EBITA: MNOK 223 (MNOK 383)
ƒ Backlog of orders: MNOK 5 425 (MNOK 5 913)
ƒ Number of employees: 4 017 (4 176)

5 041 5 033 4 600

1 939 1 618 1 839

2002 2003 2004

Operating revenues outside Norway Operating revenues in Norway

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 8

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 Operating revenues

8000 600
7000 500
6000
5000 400
4000 300
3000 200
2000
1000 100
0 0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Operating revenues Operating revenues EBITA

outside Norway in Norway

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 9

Operating revenues by geographic area

Other 1 %
Asia 16 %

Norway 29 %

America 20 %

Europe 34 %

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 10

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 KONGSBERG – focusing on R&D

ƒ KONGSBERG spends MNOK 600-700 (more than 10 % of its

operating revenues) on research and development (R&D)
each year. Half is equity-financed; the remainder
externally funded

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 11

Kongsberg Maritime

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 12

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 Kongsberg Maritime

ƒ Kongsberg Maritime is among the world's leading suppliers of

high-technology products and systems in the
field of marine electronics

ƒ The products are marketed under

two brand names:

KONGSBERG and SIMRAD

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 13

Kongsberg Maritime – key figures 2004

ƒ Operating revenues: MNOK 3 638 (MNOK 3 470)

ƒ EBITA: MNOK 254 (MNOK 297)
ƒ Backlog of orders: MNOK 1 673 (MNOK 1 463)
ƒ Number of employees: 2 392 (2 432)

2 824 2 707 2 816

919 763 822

2002 2003 2004

Operating revenues Operating revenues

outside Norway in Norway

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 14

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 Offshore & Merchant Marine

KONGSBERG - a world leader in:

Offshore
ƒ Dynamic positioning, marine automation
systems and hydroacoustics

Merchant Marine
ƒ Products related to automation and navigation systems,
cargo management systems, sensors and maritime
simulators and training systems

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 15

WORLD CLASS – through people, technology and dedication

WORLD CLASS – through people, technology and dedication

KONGSBERG 12.04.2005 16

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 3 HiPAP® and HPR 400 introduction

Revision Date Written by

E August 15, 2005 kgr
F January 15, 2006 kgr
F1 May 1, 2006 kgr
F2 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
E Minor corrections. 3.1 included. HiPAP 400. Topside → Surface
F Minor changes in Abbreviations
F1 Minor changes in 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7. New format and automatic figure
numbering
F2 Minor changes in 3.9

Contents

3 HiPAP® and HPR 400 introduction

3.1 Our aims and philosophy with this course

3.2 Abbreviations
3.3 What is HiPAP®?
3.4 What is HPR?
3.5 Surface system overview
3.6 Subsea system overview
3.7 ‘Slant Range’ measurements
3.8 Positioning principles
3.9 Hardware names
3.10 Free APOS Trainer
3.11 HiPAP® and HPR history
3.12 Applications

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 3.2 Abbreviations

ACC Acoustic control command unit MULBL Multi user long base line
ACS Acoustic control system OS Operator Station
AiL Acoustic interface logger PMT Portable mini transducer
APC 10 Acoustic Position Computer ROV Remotely operated vehicle
APOS Acoustic positioning operator RSP Responder
station SBL Short base line
BOP Blow out preventer SDP Simrad dynamic positioning
CH Channel S/N Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
COS Common Operator Station SR Slant range
dB Decibel SSBL Super short base line
DGPS Differential global position SSLBL Super short and long base line
system TAD Turn around delay
DP Dynamic positioning TD Transducer
GPS Global positioning system TP Transponder
HPR Hydroacoustic position reference TRC Transceiver
HSC 400 Hydroacoustic system controller TTC 400 Transponder Test and Configuration
HiPAP® High precision acoustic unit
positioning VoS ‘Velocity of Sound’ or ‘Speed of
HTC 10 HiPAP® transceiver computer Sound’
iRMX Intel Real Time Executive VRU Vertical reference unit
operating system VRS Vertical reference system
LBL Long base line UTM Universal Transversal Mercator
LF Low frequency
MF Medium frequency
MRU Motion reference unit

The above list of abbreviations is related to the ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’ only. Separate
abbreviations lists for LBL courses, Offshore Loaders courses etc. are included for those courses.

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 3.3 What is HiPAP®?

HiPAP® is short for ‘High precision acoustic positioning’ and is a Hydroacoustic Position Reference
(HPR) system based on the principles of sound in water. It is delivered in five versions, HiPAP® 100,
350 and 350P, 450 and 500.

HiPAP® 100 is a full spherical transducer with low frequency, intended for deep water.

HiPAP® 350 and 350P is utilizing the semi-spherical transducer were the HiPAP® 350 is a fixed
onboard system, and the and HiPAP® 350P is a portable system.

HiPAP® 450 is a fixed onboard system with a full spherical transducer, but using the HiPAP® 350
transceiver.

HiPAP® 500 is fixed onboard system utilizing the full spherical transducer.

The main purpose for the HiPAP® system is to position a vessel relative1) to a transponder(s). The
HiPAP® system can also be used for monitoring sensor values, such as temperature, pressure (depth),
inclination and heading.

The HiPAP® system may also be used to control subsea system, such as Acoustic Control System
(ACS) and Acoustic Interface Logging (AiL), using telemetry

When we describe a HiPAP® system, we split it into two parts. The system onboard the vessel, which
we call the ‘surface system’, and the system on the seabed which we call the ‘subsea system’.

Figure 3.1

1) Don’t mix relative in this context with relative positions as DP reference

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 3.4 What is HPR?

The HPR (Hydroacoustic Positioning Reference) system is the system, preceding the HiPAP® system.
It has more or less the same possibilities as the HiPAP® system, but with poorer performance. The
HPR system is now obsolete (except and 400S).

Since the development of the HPR 400 system has ceased, a vessel equipped with a HiPAP® system
will have more options and features than the HPR 400 system. In this course, we will mainly refer to
the HiPAP® system. If the subject does not apply to the HPR 400, the reader will be notified.

The HPR 400 family: HPR 408 LBL positioning

HPR 410 SSBL positioning
HPR 418 LBL + SSBL positioning

HPR 400P A portable system able to do LBL, SSBL or both

HPR 400S A subsea transceiver able to do LBL.

The hole HPR 400 family can do either low frequency, medium frequency or both.

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 3.5 Surface system overview

The topside system is the components you find onboard your vessel. Figure 3.2 shows a typical
HiPAP® 500 system. Basically the system consists of 5 main units:

1. Operator Station (OS)

2. Transceiver (TRC)
3. Hull unit with Transducer (TD)
4. Hoist control unit
5. Remote control unit

Each of these units can be configured or supplied in different ways or with various options were some
of the options are listed below:

1. Operator Station
• Number of OSs
• Types of OS, console or stand alone
• Software types on the OS(s), APOS or HSC
• Options in OS software
• Number of COM ports
2. Transceiver
• Number of transceivers
• Number of Com ports
• Air condition (optional)
• Synchronization (optional)
3. Hull unit with Transducer
• Hull Unit length
• Electrical actuator (optional)
4. Remote control unit
• Separate unit or in console

On a HiPAP® system, each transducer requires a separate transceiver. On a HPR 400 system, one
transceiver can run up to 4 transducers.

APOS is the program running on the OS, which is used by the operator to control the HiPAP or HPR
400 system. APOS is Windows® based and has succeeded the HSC 400 system, which was running on
a MS-DOS computer.

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 Figure 3.2

One or more gyros and VRS are connected to the HiPAP® transceiver (the HPR 400 does not require a
gyro and can take only one gyro and VRS). A DGPS, depth sensor and ROV heading may be
connected to the OS, and typically the OS distribute the transponder positions to external computers
like DP, BLOM, surveyor etc.

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 3.6 Subsea system overview

The subsea system is the components you find in the water, except the vessel mounted transducer.
Depending on model types, these components may be used by both HiPAP® and HPR 400 systems.

Figure 3.3

Transponder Acoustic receiver and transmitter

Placed on the seabed, on board an ROV or any other structure to be positioned
Triggered by acoustic pulses from the vessel/rig using acoustic signals
In normal operation answers with one, two or three reply pulses
Responder Acoustic transmitter
Placed on board an ROV
Triggered by electric pulses through an umbilical
Array A group of transponders on the seabed used in the positioning principle called long
base line

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 3.7 ‘Slant Range’ measurements

When the HiPAP® system is positioning a transponder, he measure both range and direction from the
vessel towards the transponder. The introduction to ‘range measurement’ is easiest described by
introducing the Echo sounder concept.

Figure 3.4

Echo sounder concept

The Echo sounder measures the water depths below the vessel by sending out an ‘acoustic pulse’ into
the water and at the same time start a ‘stop watch’. The ‘acoustic pulse’ propagates (travel) throughout
the water with the ‘Velocity of Sound’ (VoS), hits the seabed, and is reflected (echo) and starts its
return travel back up towards the vessel again. When the echo hits the vessel (transducer) the ‘stop
watch’ stops. Based on the elapsed time we read on the ‘stop watch’ and our knowledge of the VoS,
we are able to calculate the water depth.

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 t
D = VoS
2

Here we have: D = water depth

t = elapsed time on the ‘stop watch’
VoS = Velocity of Sound

To be able to do accurate depth measurement, we need a good ‘stop watch’ and know the VoS
accurately. The ‘stop watch’ is an integral part of the transceiver, and its accuracy is determined by
how good the system is able to detect the returning pulse. The VoS in water varies with water
temperature, salinity and depth (pressure). To know the VoS accurately it needs to be measured.
Special instruments1 are available for that purpose. VoS in seawater will vary between 1450 m/s up to
1550 m/s. For classroom discussions, we will use 1500 m/s.

Example 3.1

Let’s assume you send an ‘acoustic pulse’ into the water. The pulse will use 1 second down to the
seabed, and 1 second back upwards, totally 2 seconds. VoS is 1500 m/s. Calculate the depth.

t 2s
D = VoS = 1500 m / s = 1500 m
2 2

Exercise 3.1

If the VoS is 1500 m/s and the water depth is 750 meters. How long time will the ‘acoustic pulse’ use
from the vessel to the seabed and back up to the vessel again?

2∗ D
t= = = s
VoS

1
See the homepage for
a) Applied Microsystems Ltd, www.aml.bc.ca
b) Valeport Ltd, www.valeport.co.uk
for further information’s

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 ‘Slant range’ measurement

To use the HiPAP® system for positioning, we need a transponder in the water. The range between the
HiPAP® transducer and the transponder is called the slant range (SR).

Figure 3.5

When the HiPAP® system measures the SR, he sends an ‘acoustic pulse’ (interrogation) into the water
and start his stop watch, just as the echo sounder did. The acoustic pulse will also be reflected from the
seabed, once again similar to an echo sounder. The HiPAP® transducer will not listen for the reflected
signal.

Figure 3.6

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 Part of the signal will also hit the transponder. The transponder sits on the seabed waiting for the
interrogation. The interrogation is an ‘acoustic pulse’ with a specific frequency. When the transponder
receives that specific frequency, (actually it is 2 pulses with different frequencies) he will answer with
his reply frequency. The answer is not coming instantly, like an echo, but there is a small turnaround
delay (TAD). This small TAD is necessary for the transponder to verify that the frequency he hears is
the one he is supposed to answer. There are a lot of sounds (noise) in the water, and the transponder
has to verify that is not answering any noise, but on a real interrogation.

Figure 3.7

When the transponder reply arrives at the vessels transducer, the HiPAP® system will stop the ‘stop
watch’. Based on the time readings from the stop watch, and the VoS he is able to calculate the slant
range.

t − TAD
SR = VoS [m]
2

Here we have: SR = Slant range

t = Time from the stop watch
TAD = Turn around delay
VoS = Velocity of Sound

During our classroom discussions, we will not pay attention to the TAD, but keep in mind that both
the transponder as well as the transceiver has TAD.

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 We will therefore use a simpler version of the equation for the SR

t
SR ~ VoS [m]
2

We see that this equation is quite similar to the one used by the Echo sounder.

For DP positioning, time is a critical factor, and that’s way we will pay a lot of attention to signal
traveling time in this course.

Exercise 3.2

Assume you have a transponder in the water. The interrogation pulse takes 1.5 second down to the
transponder, and the reply pulse takes 1.5 seconds back up to the vessels transducer. Assume VoS is
1500 m/s. How far away is the transponder?

t
SR ~ VoS = 1500m / s = m
2 2

The HiPAP® 350 system and HPR 400 system has reduced beam width, compared to what is shown in
Figure 3.6.

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 3.8 Positioning principles

The previous section described how we measured the ‘slant range’ towards a transponder. This means
we know the distance to the transponder, but not the direction. To say it differently; the transponder is
somewhere on a sphere around the vessel. We know the radius of the sphere, which is equal to the
‘slant range’.

Figure 3.8

We can also say it differently; if we know the transponders position, the vessel will be somewhere on
a sphere around the transponder.

Figure 3.9

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 Example 3.2

Imagine you are in a boat and it’s dark and foggy. A sound beacon is sending out a sound pulse at
regular intervals, like 01:00:00, 01:01:00, 01:02:00 etc. Your clock is synchronized with this beacon,
and you read the time when you receive the sound pulse. Based on this time difference you are able to
calculate the range towards the beacon, but not the direction. You are somewhere on a circle around
this beacon, were the radius of the circle is equal to the range.

Example 3.3

Imagine you are in a boat and it’s dark and foggy. Somewhere near you there is a rock wall. You are
using your fog-horn, and you can hear the echo. Based on that, you are able to calculate the distance
towards the rock, but not the direction. The rock is somewhere on a circle around your vessel.

To pin-point your vessels position in a 3 dimensional coordinate system, you need more information
than ‘slant range’. For that purpose we can utilize several positioning principles.

Before we start talking about the different positioning principles available, I would like to say a few
words about the vessels transducer. A hydro-acoustic transducer may appear in many different
versions. For positioning it will have either one element or 3 or more elements.

When we discuss 3 dimensional positioning, we will refer to the number 3 in several instances. You
will either need 3 transponders or minimum 3 transducer elements, to be able to find the 3 dimensional
position. We see an analog situation for GPS positioning, were you need at least 4 satellites to get a 3
dimensional position. The reason why you need 4 satellites, instead of 3 is do to timing. In the HiPAP®
system we control the timing, and therefore need only 3 transponders or transducers. In a GPS system
you don’t control the timing.

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 cd 5562 and 5576

Figure 3.10

As you can see in figure 3.10, we have 3 different positioning principles:

1) Long Baseline (LBL) positioning

2) Short Baseline (SBL) positioning
3) Super Short Baseline (SSBL) positioning, or also called Ultra Short Baseline (USBL)

LBL positioning is the most accurately positioning system, particularly on deeper water. It has a
slower update rate than SBL and SSBL, particularly in shallow water

Long Baseline (LBL) positioning

To do LBL positioning, we need only a transducer with one single transducer element in its simplest
version. We need however a minimum of 3 transponders, but can use up to 8. By increasing the
number of transponders, you will introduce redundancy in the system, which will increase both
position accuracy as well as operational stability.

When we interrogate the LBL array, we use a common frequency for all the transponders. Each
transponder has an individual and different ‘Turn around delay’ (TAD), which means the reply from
the transponders, will not appear at the transducer at the same time. The system is working in a
parallel manner.

The baselines in a LBL system is the distance between the transponders on the seabed, and will typical
vary between 50 to 2000 meters.

Before you can start using a LBL array, you need to calibrate the baselines.

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 Short Baseline (SBL) positioning

If you look at the center picture of Figure 10, the system is now turned upside down. You need only 1
transponder, but at least 3 transducers (single element). The baseline is the distance between the
transducers onboard the vessel. This is a system we rarely see.

Super Short Baseline (SSBL) positioning

The SSBL system is the most common type we are producing. You can get a full 3 dimensional
position with one transducer and one transponder. This transducer will however need at least 3
transducer elements. The HiPAP® 500 transducer2 has 241 elements. If you once again look at the
center picture of Figure 3.10, and you imagine that you move the forward located transducer towards
the center transducer, and you move the aft located transducer toward the center transducer. If you
take all this 3 transducer elements, and put them together inside one housing, the baseline will then be
the distance between these 3 transducer elements. Typically the baseline will be less than 10 cm. This
is the transducer you see in the right part of figure 3.10. We will discuss more of transducers in a later
chapter.

If you have more than one active SSBL transponder, you will interrogate one at the time. All the
transponders will have the same TAD, but individual interrogation frequencies. The system is working
in a serial manner.

2
HPR 400 SSBL transducers have 3 receiver elements (or groups) and one transmitter element

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 3.9 Hardware names

On the drawing below, point on and write down the names on the main components and processes:

1) Operator Station (OS)

2) Transceiver (TRC)

3) Transducer (TD)

4) Transponder (TP)

5) On which computer is APOS running?

Offshore Loaders can skip question 6 to 8.

6) Make a sketch of a responder on a ROV, and show where the cables are connected (applies
only to vessels using responders)

7) How many responder outputs is available on a HiPAP® system? ___________

8) How many responder outputs is available on a HPR 400 system? ___________

On the remaining part, draw a line with an arrow, indicating the direction of the communication flow
for:

9) Position signals to the DP, ‘Blom computer’ or surveyor

10) Gyro and VRS input signals

11) DGPS

12) Between the O.S. and TRC.

Figure 3.11

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 3.10 Free APOS Trainer

All APOS courses are a combination between a theoretical part and a practical part. The practical part is
done on a simulator called APOS Trainer. When you enroll in an Operator or Technical Course arranged
by Kongsberg Maritime, the APOS Trainer will be included (free) from December 17, 2003, as part of the
course material distributed to the participants on the training center.

The main reason for doing this, is that we, Kongsberg Maritime, would like you to continue the training
when you arrive home or onboard your vessel. Even if we consider APOS easy to use, you will still need
continuous experience to be a professional operator.

For many operators, it is hard to receive the necessary experience with the HiPAP® system to become
comfortable as an operator of the system. This is where the trainer comes in handy.

One typical example of operators who may find it hard to receive the necessary HiPAP® or HPR
experience, is the operators onboard drilling vessels, using LBL. When they arrive on a new location, the
LBL array has to be calibrated. Since this operation is done only once upon arrival to a new location, we
see quite often, that some operators by incident rarely do this part. In this case, the APOS Trainer may
come in handy. If the operator run a LBL calibration simulation before he arrive on the location, his level
of readiness will increase several hundreds percentage.

Another example is the crew onboard the Offshore Loaders. The vessel owner likes to have their crew
trained, to have maximum manpower flexibility. This means that a navigator onboard an Offshore Loader
without the HiPAP® system, has to be prepared to change vessel permanently or temporarily, to a vessel
with HiPAP® system onboard, in a short time. Even if he has received APOS training, he will lack the
experience. If he starts the APOS Trainer, and redo the exercises from the course, he will be better
prepared for the job.

It is important to realize that APOS trainer is not a program designed for the mass market, and as such has
some limitations. Program requirements are listed Chapter 12, ‘Data sheets’. You will also need to be
logged on as an Administrator to be able to run the program.

When Kongsberg Maritime is delivering a full APOS system, for the vessel, we have done a thorough
testing of the system, before we ship it, and therefore can guaranty the functionality. When we distribute
the APOS Trainer, we don’t have this opportunity. If you consider the vast type of computers, software’s
and configurations, there is no way we can test our trainer on all this systems. We are therefore
distributing this trainer with no support. We are however quite confident, that by using a modern
computer, the APOS Trainer will function correctly. If you experience any problems, you may send an e-
mail to [email protected], describing the problem, and we will help you as much as we can.

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 3.11 HiPAP® and HPR history

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 3.12 Applications

The HiPAP® and HPR systems have a wide use of applications, and a few of them are listed below.

• DP reference
• Offshore loading
• Drilling
• Diving
• Survey
• Data logging
• Construction
• Cable laying
• ROV operations
• Rock dumping
• Trenching
• Pipe laying
• Acoustic control

It has been developed special applications for some of these operations. Some of the special operations
will be covered in separate courses.

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 4 HYDROACOUSTICS

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the theory of sound in water. We will
try to limit the subject as much as possible, and you can skip the boxes marked advanced.

For those of you which have a greater interest in this subject, I will recommend you to
read the parts in the text boxes marked with ‘Additional subjects’, ‘Definitions’,
‘Advanced’ etc. But you may skip them without loosing the goals of this course. Those
marked with ‘Advanced’ usually contain a mathematical equations

This chapter is written based on the following references:

Fundamentals of Acoustic by Kinsler, 3 edition

Principles of Underwater Sound by Urick, 3 edition.
Introduction to Underwater Sound, Kongsberg Maritime, 857-164237

Revision Date Written by

A 15 jan. 2005 kgr
B June 1, 2005 kgr
C August 15, 2005 kgr
C1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on 856-160943/C
B Added 4.8 and 4.9. Minor changes
C Minor changes in 4.12
C1 Minor change in 4.3, ‘History of chess’.

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 Contents

4 HYDROACOUSTICS
4.1 What is sound?
4.2 Fundamental parameters
4.3 What is dB?
4.4 Factors influencing in hydroacoustics
4.5 Geometrical spreading
4.6 Absorption
4.7 Noise
4.8 Air bubbles
4.9 Azimuth thruster
4.10 Reflections
4.11 Ray bending effect
4.12 Sound velocity
4.13 Sound velocity profile
4.14 The sonar equation

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 4.1 What is sound?

Sound are pressure waves (alternating high pressure and low pressure waves) travelling
(transmitted) through the medium (air, water, steel etc).

The signal strenght of an acoustic signal is measured in Pascal (Pa) or watt per. square
meter (W/m2), and is usually given in decibel (dB).

4.2 Fundamental parameters

In the MKS system (metre, kg, second) the pressure unit is:
1 Pa = 1 N/m2 (1)

For reference values of sound in the sea we use (see Kinsler, page 117):
1 micro Pa (µPa) = 10-6 Pa (2)

1 µPa ~ 6.76 x 10-19 W/m2. (3)

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 Definitions

λ = wave length (m) distance between two maxima on the wave

f = frequency (Hz) the number of maxima which pass per second
c = sound velocity (m/s) the distance one maxima travels in one second
T = period (s) the time between two maxima

c
λ= (4)
f
1
f = (5)
T

Advanced subject

The sound intensity is defined as the energy passing through a unit area per second. For plane
waves the intensity is related to pressure by:

p2
I = (6)
ρc

I = intensity (W/m2)
p = pressure (Pa)
ρ = water density (kg/m3)
c = speed of sound in water (m/s)

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 4.3 What is dB?

The subject of decibels usually confuses the newcomer to hydroacoustic, and even many
an old-timer seems to have occasional memory lapses regarding the subject. For the
benefit of both, and because the subject is so vitally important to understanding
hydroacoustic, we will review the decibel.

History

The decibel measurement originated in the telephone industry and was named after
telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell. The original unit was the bel. The prefix deci
means 1/10, so the decibel is one-tenth of a bel. The bel is too large for most common
applications, so it is rarely, if ever, used. Thus, we will concentrate only on the more
familiar decibel (dB).

The easy way

If you double a number (value), the value is increased with 3 dB. If you reduce a number
with 50 %, the value is reduced with -3 dB.

If a value is increased to 400%, you have a 6 dB increase, and if a value is reduced to

25%, you have a -6 dB decrease.

Example 4.1

In Hydroacoustic, one of our fundamental parameters is intensity (W/m2). If you have an

intensity, let’s say 1 W/m2, and you increase the intensity to 200% of the initial value of 1
W/m2, you will get 2 W/m2, which is equal to 3 dB increase

Example 4.2

From Example 4.1, if you continue to increase the intensity, let’s say to 400% of the
initial setting of 1 W/m2, you will get 4 W/m2, which is equal to a 6 dB increase from 1
W/m2.

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 Advanced subject

To calculate a ratio and express the result in dB, we use the following equation:

I1
dB =10 log (7)
I2

Reworking Example 4.1:

I1 2W / m 2 2
dB = 10 log = 10 log 2
= 10 log = 10 × 0.30103 = 3.0103 ≈ 3 dB
I2 1W /m 1

Example 4.3

If you have an intensity, let’s say 2 W/m2, and you reduce the intensity with 50%, you
will get 1 W/m2 which is equal to -3 dB decrease

Example 4.4

If you have an intensity, let’s say 4 W/m2, and you reduce the intensity with 75%, you
will get 1 W/m2 which is equal to -6 dB decrease

Advanced subject

When the telephone company decided that it might be convenient to handle gains and losses
using dB, they invented a unit of gain measurement called a "Bel," named after Alexander
Graham Bell.

They defined the Bel as: Gain in Bels = log A

where A = Power amplification factor

It quickly occurred to the telephone company engineers that using Bels meant they would be
working to at least two decimal places. They couldn't just round things off to one decimal
place, since 4.179 bels is a power gain of 15,101 while 4.2 bels is a power gain of 15,849,
yielding an error of about 5%. At that point it was decided to express power gain in units
which were equal to one-tenth of a Bel, or in deci-Bels. This simply meant that the gain in
Bels would be multiplied by 10, since there would be ten times more decibels than Bels.

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 Advanced subject

The equation for intensity, when using the standard reference from equation 3, we get:

I
dB =10 log
[W / m ]
1
−19 2
(8)
6.76 x10

From the relationship between pressure and intensity (equation 6), we notice that there is a
square relationship between intensity and pressure, and we need to modify our equation when
we work with pressure values.

p12
2
I ρc p2 ⎛ p ⎞ p
dB = 10 log 1 = = 10 log 12 = 10 log ⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟ = 20 log 1 (9)
I2 p22 P2 ⎝ p2 ⎠ p2
ρc

The equation for intensity, when using the standard reference from equation 3, we get:

p1
dB = 20 log (10)
10 − 6

If we double the sound pressure we increase the ratio with 6dB.

If you knew the dB value, and would like to convert it back to a pressure or intensity value,
the following equations will apply:

dB

I1 = 6.76 ×10 −19 × 10 10 (11)

dB
−6
p1 =10 × 10 20 (12)

Example 4.5

Calculate both the intensity, as well as the pressure for a transponder with 188 dB output.

188
−19
From equation. 11: I1 = 6.76 × 10 × 10 = 10
(13)
= 6.76 x 10-19 x 6309573444801932494
= 6.76 x 0.63
= 4,3 W/m2

188
−6
From equation. 12: p1 =10 × 10 20 = 2512 Pa (14)

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 Advanced subject

The beauty of working with dB rather than in W/m2 or Pa:

i) we reduce the problem of calculating the S/N (signal to noise ratio) to add/subtract
values instead of multiply/division.
ii) since our reference values is so small, the ratios would be enormous.

From example 4.5, we may typically express a transponder output to 188 dB, which is similar
to 2511 Pa, or 4.3 W/m2 when we talk about intensity and our reference is 1 µPa.

2511 Pa
It typically means our output pressure is = 2511000000 = 2.511 x 109 stronger than
10 −6 Pa
4.3 W / m 2
our reference or our intensity is = 6.3×1018 times stronger than the
6.76 ×10 −19 W / m 2
reference.

Additional subject

History of chess (fiction)

An old story said: An Arabian sultan was bored, and told his wise man to arrange some
amusements for him. The wise man went into his private closet, inventing a new toy for the
sheik. After a few days, he went back to sheik, bringing along a chess game. The sheik and the
wise man played several games, and the sheik was so pleased with the invention, he told the
wise man to express what he wanted as an award. As a reply the wise man said he would like 1
rice corn for the first square on the chess board, 2 rice corns for the second square, 4 rice corns
for the third square, 8 rice corns for the fourth, and so on.

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 Additional subject (continued)

The sheik thought this was a humble wish, and told him to select some more valuable items.
But the wise man was a clever man, and insisted on the rice corn. The sheik went to his vizir,
and told him to give the wise man rice corn according to the agreement. When they started to
collect the rice corn, they soon discovered that the sheik didn’t have that many corns in his
barn, not even in the hole country. If you had that many rice corn, you would be able to cover
the surface of the earth with rice corn.

As you know there are 8 x 8 squares on chess board, totally 64 squares. When you go from
square one to 2, you double the number of rice corn, from 1 to 2, which is equal to a 3 dB
increase. When you go from square 2 to 3, you once again double the number of rice corn,
from 2 to 4, which again is a 3 dB increase, or a total increase of 6 dB from square 1. When
you go from square 3 to 4, you once again double the number of rice corn, from 4 to 8, which
again is a 3 dB increase, or a total increase of 9 dB from square 1. When you come to square
64, you will have an increase of 189 dB. This is 263 which is equal to 63 x 3 dB = 189 dB.

263 = 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 ~ 9 x 1018

This was for the last square only, and then you will have to add all the other squares as well.
What the wise man asked for, expressed mathematically:

63
rice = ∑2
n=0
n
= 2 0 + 21 + 2 2 + ....... + 2 63

= 1 + 2 + 4 + …….. + 9 x 1018
= 18.4 x 1018 rice corns
= 18.4 quintillion rice corns

This story simply tell us that when we start expressing values in dB, they quite easily approach
ratios the human being is not able to grasp. In this case our reference was 1 rice corn.
Regardless of the reference value, 189 dB increase will always be 9 x 1018 times more than the
reference. In hydroacoustic our reference is such a small value, so a 189 dB increase means a
intensity of 4.3 W/m2 . (Or related to pressure: 189 dB is equal to 2818 Pa, which is not a high
pressure ( 1 bar = 105 Pa), but still it is 9 x 1018 times stronger than the reference)

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 4.4 Factors influencing in hydroacoustics

Water is a complex medium for propagation of sound and many physical factors
influence the sound signals in several ways.

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.1 gives an overview of the most important factors influencing in hydroacoustics,
and they are listed below:

• Transmission loss caused by geometrical spreading

• Transmission loss caused by absorption
• Noise
• Reflection
• Ray bending caused by variation in water properties

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 4.5 Geometrical spreading

The sound energy is radiated spherically by the signal source. The wave front covers a larger
and larger area and the sound energy will therefore decrease as the wave front moves away
from the transducer. In a distance r away from the signal source the radiated sound energy will
then be reduce by the factor 1/r2. If we double the distance the sound intensity is reduced four
times. Notice that geometrical spreading is independent of frequency.

Figure 4.2

The transmission loss caused by spreading is expressed by:

2
I r2 ⎛r ⎞ ⎛r ⎞
TLS = 10 log = 10 log 2 = 10 log ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 20 log ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
I0 r0 ⎝ r0 ⎠ ⎝ r0 ⎠

where I0 and I is the sound intensities at distance r0 and r. r0 is the reference distance and r is the
distance to the object. When we set r0 to reference distance of 1 metre we have:

TLs=20 * log r

r (m) TLs (dB)

2 6
10 20
50 34
100 40
500 54
1000 60
3000 70
6000 76

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 4.6 Absorption

The sound is also in some extent exposed to absorption when passing through the water.
This absorption is caused by loss due to heating of the water and salt molecules by
friction as the sound pulses cause them to move against each other.
The absorption loss is expressed by:

TLa = 10 *log(I/I0) = a * (r-r0) = a *r (if r>>r0)

a is named the absorption coefficient
r0 is the reference distance and r is the distance to the object

The value increases strongly with frequency. Low frequencies have less loss than higher,
and should work at longer range. There is a trade-off between range and accuracy. Lower
frequencies give longer wave lengths and less resolution.
A typical value in the North Sea is 7 dB/km for medium frequency signals.

Figure 4.3

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 4.7 Noise
One of the factors which causes problems in hydroacoustics is acoustic noise. Noise can
be generated from the vessel or rig itself (equipment, motors, thrusters etc.), from
neighbouring installations or vessels, ROVs, other HPR users, seismic activity or from
the waves.
From the diagram below you can see the contribution from different sources with respect
to frequency.

Figure 4.4

As you can see from the curves the thruster noise is far stronger than other types of noise
in connection with HPR frequencies, typical 9500-30000Hz. Azimuth thrusters generally
generate more noise than tunnel thrusters.
Thrusters generate noise but they might also make air bubbles in the water. If the bubbles
are between the transducer and the transponder, the signal can be blocked.
Also going astern with the vessel using the main propellers normally pulls a lot of air
under the hull and might cause signal blockage similar to that caused by the thrusters.
Going astern or having the weather or waves from astern might give difficult acoustic
conditions. Having the thrusters wash between the transducer and transponder might also
cause signal blockage.

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 4.8 Air bubbles

The purpose of the hull unit is to enable the transducer to be lowered out through the
vessel’s hull to a depth below aerated water and other sources of acoustic noise.

The vessel movement in the water creates aerated water around the hull, and the
transducer is not able to transmit/receive acoustic signals through air.

4.9 Azimuth thruster

The azimuth thruster may pose special problems for the HiPAP® system, especially if the
thruster is facing directly towards the transducer, burying the transducer in the aerated
water and noise flowing out of the thruster.

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 4.10 Reflections
Reflections of the sound waves by the surface, the seabed and underwater structures
might also create distortions. The system has therefore been designed with regard to
influence from such distortion sources, both through hardware and software signal
detection and by use of signal filtering techniques.

The cartoon below is presented as an animation on the training course. This is a shallow
water example.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

Figure 4.5

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 (g) (h)

(i)

Figure 4.5 (continued)

In Fig. 4.5a, we interrogate on the transponder and sound wave propagates through the
water in b) and hits the transponder in c). This will trigger the transponder to reply, as we
see in d). After the transponder has replied, the transponder is blocked for 0.8 seconds.
We also notice in d), that part of the signal continues to propagate throughout in the
water, and as we see in e), we have a reflected signal from the sea bottom. In f), the
transponder reply arrives at the transducer, and the HiPAP® system is able to calculate a
position. In g) we notice that part of the reply passes the transducer, and hits the vessel
hull, and being reflected as shown in h). In g) we also note that part of the interrogation
signal has been reflected from the seawall, and travelling back towards the transponder,
also shown in h), and arriving at the transponder as shown in i). Since this is a shallow
water example, the reflected signal from the seawall appears at the transponder while he
is still blocked, causing no false reply.

The HiPAP® system will now start over again, interrogating again.

If the interrogation signals leaving the vessel and transponder reply is too strong, we may
generate a yo-yo action, causing problems at a later stage.

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 4.11 Ray bending effect

Ray bending effect is dependent on the acoustic transmission direction. The sound waves
will follow a path from the surface to the seabed depending on salinity and temperature
layers.
There might be several different layers with different characteristics from the surface
down to the seabed. When the sound waves pass through layers of different temperature
and/or salinity, the rays will be bent, and the changes reflected in the sound velocity. It is
the different temperature layers that causes ray bending, not the temperature itself.
When the velocity increases from the surface to the bottom (higher salinity and/or
temperature) the signal path will be bent up. When the velocity decreases from the
surface to the bottom (lower salinity and/or temperature) the signal path will be bent
down.

Vertical rays have no bending, see Fig. 4.7. As soon as the signal has a non-vertical
direction, ray bending will take place. When the angle exceeds 15°, it will have an
influential effect. Generally we say that the signal will bend towards lower velocity of
sound.

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 4.12 Sound velocity

The speed of sound in water is depending on salinity, temperature and pressure. The
speed increases with warmer water temperature and decrease with cooler water. We use
the speed of sound in water when calculating ranges and angles in the water. More about
this in the chapter of positioning principles.

Figure 4.6

The Del Grosso formula for sound velocity is:

V = 1448.6 + 4.618 * temp - 0.0523 * temp2 + 1.25(salinity - 35) + 0.017 * depth

Note ! The sound velocity is increasing with increasing depth by 0.017 m/s per meter.
At e.g. 1000m depth the velocity will be 17 m/s higher than the figures from the
table.

Typical value for salinity in the North Sea is 25 o/oo. With a temperature of 12° C the
sound velocity is about 1485m/s, which is the value typically used by the Offshore
Loaders.

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 Additional subject

As a comparison, the speed of other signals

Speed of Sound in air: 330 m/s

Speed of Sound in water: 1 500 m/s
Speed of Sound in steel: 5 000 m/s
Speed of light in vacuum: 299 792 458 m/s (approx. 300 000 km/s)

For all of this signals, the speed will vary depending on the temperature, density etc. for
the material .

4.13 Sound velocity profile

A sound velocity probe can be lowered to calculate the speed of sound through these
water layers. If it is required, this information can be applied to the HPR system and used
to compensate for this error.
The mean sound velocity is used to calculate the range, while the transducer sound
velocity is used to calculate the direction angles to the transponders. Using the
transponder depth function might give a more accurate position calculation of the
transponder if the ray bending effect is significant.
The figure below shows an example of a profile. The velocity at the surface is lower than
at the seabed and you can see a sudden increase in the velocity down to 50m depth
followed by a smaller decrease from 50m depth. The changes are most likely caused by
different temperature and/or salinity layers.

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 Figure 4.7

The sudden change in the sound profile is also found on the ray trace diagram.
The ray trace tells us it is difficult to have any direct contact with a transponder at the
horizontal ranges above 600-700m range and 30-40m depth since all the rays are bent
down to the seabed or up to the surface. This area is called the “The shadow zone”.

In the APOS the sound profile and ray diagram will be displayed in the same window.
The ray trace in the figure tells us it is difficult to have any direct contact with a
transponder at horizontal ranges above 300m range and 20-30m depth.

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 5 Surface Hardware

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the hardware you find onboard the vessel, as well as
describing the transducer in some details. The transducer theory also applies to the transponders
described in Chapter 6.

If you need further hardware information for troubleshooting, wire connection etc., you are advised to
go into the instructions manuals applying to your system.

For those of you which have a greater interest in this subject, I will recommend you to read the parts in
the text boxes marked with ‘Additional subjects’, ‘Definitions’, ‘Advanced’, ‘etc. But you may skip
them without loosing the goals of this course. Those marked with ‘Advanced’ usually contain a
mathematical equation.

Revision Date Written by

A 16 March 2005 kgr
B August 15, 2005 kgr
C January 15, 2006 kgr
D May 1, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on 856-160940/D, as well as the previous
version of this chapter
B Minor changes throughout. Transducer slides removed. Portable systems
is moved to ‘Advanced subjects’
C Chapter 5.9 – 5.12 is updated and changed from PowerPoint to Word.
D New format and automatic figure numbering. Minor changes throughout.

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 Contents

5 Surface Hardware

5.1 Transducer
5.2 Transducer element
5.3 Beam width
5.4 Beam shapes
5.5 Directivity
5.6 HPR 400 SSBL Transducers
5.6.a Narrow beam transducer
5.6.b Standard transducer
5.6.c Tracking transducer
5.6.d PMT 301 transducer
5.7 Maintenance
5.7.a Transducer maintenance
5.8 System units and configurations
5.8.a Operator station
5.8.b Optional Operator stations
5.8.c Transceiver
5.8.d Hull Unit
5.9 HiPAP® SSBL Positioning
5.10 HPR 400 SSBL Positioning

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 5.1 Transducer

One of the main parts in a HiPAP®/HPR system is the transducer. In everyday talk, we mean the
transducer located on the vessel. But the transponders have transducers as well.

Figure 5.1

During the rest of this chapter our focus will be on the transducer mounted on the vessel, but keep in
mind that the theory applies equally to the transponders transducer.
Figure 5.1 shows some of the transducers in the HiPAP® and HPR system. The HiPAP transducer is
spherical shaped, while the transducers in the HPR system have flat acoustical face. The long thin
cylindrical shaped transducer is the PMT 301 (Portable Mini Transducer) for the HPR 400P (portable)
system, while the remaining is designed to be installed on a hull unit.

The standard transducer is the cylindrical shaped with the acoustic face towards the reader, while the
two remaining are the Tracking and Narrow Beam transducers, with the Tracking in front of the two.

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 Definitions

Transducer: device that converts input energy into output energy, the latter usually differing in kind
but bearing a known relation to input. Originally, the term referred to a device that
converted mechanical stimuli into electrical output, but it has been broadened to include
devices that sense all forms of stimuli—such as heat, radiation, sound, strain, vibration,
pressure, …

Elelectromechanical transducer: any type of device that either converts an electrical signal into
sound waves (as in a loudspeaker) or converts a sound wave into
an electrical signal (as in the microphone). Many of the
transducers used in everyday life operate in both directions, such
as the speakerphone on certain intercoms.

Encyclopædia Britannica from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.

http:/www.britanica.com Accessed March 16, 2005

It is also quite common to use the word sonar of equipment using underwater sound in one way or
another. The device generating the sound is a projector, and the hydrophone listens for sound.

In our case we may compare a transducer with a loudspeaker and a microphone. When the transducer
is in transmit mode he acts like a loudspeaker, and when he is in receive mode he acts like a
microphone.

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 5.2 Transducer element

A transducer may consist of one or several transducer elements. The transducers shown in Figure
5.1all consist of many transducer elements, while transponders often contain a single element. Some
transducer elements are designed to both transmit and receive signal, while other have separate
elements for each task.

Figure 5.2

In the HiPAP® and transponder transducers, we use the same transducer element(s) for transmitting
and receiving the acoustic signals, as shown in Figure 5.3 Figure 5.4. In the HPR 400 transducers we
have separate transmit and receive elements, as shown in Figure 5.3 Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.3 Figure 5.4

A typical design of a transducer element has a circular or square aluminium head, a piezoelectric ring
in the middle, a circular bronze or steel tail and a centre bolt to keep the parts together. The
dimensions and the materials are chosen to give the element the required resonance frequency. The
lower frequency the larger the element must be. Soldering ears are included for electrical connections.

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 The centre bolt keeps the parts together

Insulation is applied to keep an electric

separation

The tail is rather heavy and made of

bronze or steel. The vibrations from the
ceramics find it very hard to go through
the heavy tail. Instead the vibrations go
the easier way through the light
Figure 5.5

The aluminium head is the part that creates the low and high pressure waves in the water via a rubber
coating. The head is very light and transmits the vibrations very easily.

There are a number of materials having the ability to convert electric energy to acoustic energy and
vice versa. Today piezoelectric ceramics is the most widely used material. It is often referred to as
piezoceramics. An alternating voltage, applied to the electrodes on opposite sides of a piezoelectric
disc, causes the disk to vibrate and thus radiate sound waves.

Vice versa if the piezoelectric disk is placed in a sound field, the pressure waves set the piezoelectric
disk into vibrations and it generates an electric voltage across the disk. Piezoelectric ceramics is
manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (discs, rings, tubes, spheres) for application in various
transducer types.

We try to find a ceramic with a resonance frequency similar, or very close to, the frequency we want
to transmit in the water. In that way it takes smaller energy to maintain the vibration.

Figure 5.6

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 5.3 Beam width

The transducer transmits and receives acoustic signals in a beam such as a torch do with light. Earlier
we compared the transducer with a loudspeaker and a microphone, but as we see, it is also comparable
to a torch.

By transducer design we are able to construct transducers with different beam width, customizing the
transducer to applications, surrounding noise and range.

Figure 5.7

The transducer beam depends on the transducer size, the greater the transducer, the narrower the beam.
The narrower the beam, the higher accuracy and less sensitive to surrounding noise.

A transducer using the same elements for transmit and receive, will have the same beamwidth
regardless if he is transmitting or receiving signals1.

The beam pattern of a transducer, in the transmit mode, describes how the sound energy is radiated
into different directions. The beam pattern is most drawn as a polar plot, representing the radiation 360
degrees around in one plane through the beam axis, as seen in Figure 5.8.

1
In the HiPAP® system we use software to improve the beamwidth. In that case you may have different transmit
and receive beamwidths. In the HPR 400 tracking transducer the beam direction is electronically controlled. In
both of these cases the control is taking place on the signal before or after it enters/leaves the transducer.

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 Figure 5.8

The transducer beam width is defined as the angle between the two points where the radiation is 3dB
down from the maximum level.
Important features in the beam pattern are:
• Main lobe
• Side lobes
• Back radiation

In most applications the side lobes are unwanted. Transducer tapering is a technique for reducing the
side lobe level. In a multi element transducer this is done by giving more power to centre element than
to the elements on the periphery.

One of the unwanted effects of the side lobes is ghost echoes. That is echoes which do not arise from
targets within the main lobe. They may show up in a situation with nearby rising slope on the bottom,
hit by a side lobe.

The back-radiation from a hull mounted transducer is directed upwards and into the vessel. At some
point it meats steel to air interface where it is reflected downwards and received by the transducer
through the back lobe.

When the transducer is used as receiver the beam pattern presents the transducer sensitivity for sound
coming from the different directions.

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 5.4 Beam shapes

The various beam shapes from the HPR 400 SSBL transducer is presented in the Figure below.
Observe that narrower beams have longer range.

Figure 5.9

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 5.6 HPR 400 SSBL Transducers

HPR 400 SSBL transducers can be considered to be a multi element transducer, which is many
transducer elements, grouped together inside one housing.

Figure 5.10

The transducer shown above is the narrow beam transducer, were you can see all the transducer
elements. This transducer is also shown in Figure 5.1.

Inside the transducer the transducer elements is assembled into 4 groups. The three square groups are
the receiver elements, and the circular shaped element are the transmit element.

The three receiver groups is called X, Y and Ref.

X is for the athwart ships axis, Y is for the along ships axis and Ref. is used as a reference element for
the time delay measurement.

We can use one element or groups of elements. It gives us the option to use different beam shapes with
the same transducer.

The beam angle is determined by the size of the transducer head relative the wavelength. A small
transducer will produce a wide beam and a large transducer will produce a narrow beam.

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 5.6.a Narrow beam transducer

The narrow beam transducer uses square receiver elements and a circle
shaped transmitter element such as in Figure 5.12. Only one beamwidth
is available for transmitting.

To receive in ‘wide beam’ with a narrow beam transducer we let one

element in each group receive signals. We let 16 elements in each group
receive at the same time to receive with in ‘narrow beam’.
Figure 5.11

Figure 5.12

For further technical details, see Chapter 13 Data sheets and the HPR 410 leaflet.

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 5.6.b Standard transducer

Figure 5.13 Figure 5.14 Figure 5.15

The standard transducer can be mounted with the transducer face straight down or tilted 20° or 55°.

The standard transducer uses the same type of elements in the transmitter section as in the receiver
section of the transducer. The elements are square. Only one beamwidth is available for transmitting.

To receive in ‘wide beam’ with a standard transducer we can use one element in each group. For
‘medium beams’ we let 4 elements in each group receive at the same time.

Figure 5.16

For further technical details, see Chapter 13 Data sheets and the HPR 410 leaflet.

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 5.8 System units and configurations

The HiPAP® system may be configured in a great many ways, with a combination of both the HiPAP®
and HPR 400 system, as shown in Figure 5.21. You may also see several operator stations.

Figure 5.21

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 5.8.a Operator station

Figure 5.22

The operator station consists of the APC 10 computer, monitor and the keyboard. The computer runs
on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. For ease of use, the user interface is a fully graphical
user interface, designed as a standard Windows XP application. A keyboard and a roller ball control
the operation. The Operator Station is common for the HPR 400 Series and the HiPAP® system. The
APC 10 is the computer in the HiPAP® Operator Station. It holds all the operational software, and
interfaces to display, keyboard, printers, network and other peripheral devices as required. The unit is
normally fitted with a 3.5” floppy drive. The APC 10 may be mounted attached to the color monitor,
in a 19” rack or on a 'desk top'.

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 5.8.b Optional Operator stations

The Operator Station may also be delivered in a console as shown in Figure 5.23 Figure 5.24 (old
type) or integrated in the DP console as shown in Figure 5.23 Figure 5.24 below.

Figure 5.23 Figure 5.24

The new type Operator Stations is shown in Figure 5.25.

Figure 5.25

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 A special type of Operator Stations are those intended for portable systems, See Figure 5.26 for the
HPR 400P

Figure 5.26

5.8.c Transceiver

Figure 5.27

Optional Air-condition is available if max ambient air temperature is above 35 °C

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 5.8.d Hull Unit

Figure 5.28

The hull unit may be delivered with one of the following lengths: HL 2180, HL 3770, HL 4570 or HL
6120

Hull Unit Depth below keel for HiPAP® 5002 Max speed
HL 2180 1130
HL 3770 2720
HL 4570
HL 6120 5070

2
’Depth below keel’ is an indication only, and will typically be the maximum depth. Depending on the
installation, it will quite often be shorter than indicated in the table above.

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 5.9 HiPAP® SSBL Positioning

The HiPAP® system is working in two modes, Search and Track.

Search mode

When the HiPAP® system starts to interrogate a transponder, using the SSBL principle, he has no
ideas were the transponder is located. After the interrogation pulse is created, he will turn into
listening mode, and he will listen for as long time as set in the ‘Max range’. When he is listening, the
information received on all the transducer elements are sampled and stored in the HiPAP® transceiver
computer (HTC 10), as well as Gyro and VRS readings.

The HTC 10 will then start to calculate a position, using the stored data, to create a few ‘wide beams’.
After he finds an approximate position, he will once again use the stored data, but this time he will
create a ‘narrow beam’, using all the elements facing the transponder.
The HiPAP® system will stay in ‘Search mode’ during the 3 - 4 first interrogation, to perform a
‘quality control’ of the position, and then switch in ‘Track mode’.

Track mode

When the HiPAP® system has established the transponders position, he will switch to ‘Track mode’.
In ‘Track mode’ he will sample and store the signals for a short time (window) around the expected
time for the received transponder signal.
Based on the Gyro and VRS readings, he will then used the stored readings from those elements facing
the transponder, and calculate the position.

The ‘Track mode’ is a much more time efficient positioning mode, compared to ‘Search mode’.
If the HiPAP® system doesn’t receive a transponder position for several successive interrogations, he
will switch back to ‘Search mode’.

Figure 5.29 Figure 5.30

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 5.10 HPR 400 SSBL Positioning

The SSBL transducers used in HPR400 series systems consist of several transducer element groups.
The direction to the transponder is computed from a phase measurement between the SSBL transducer
elements. The system also has to compensate for roll and pitch before the position is calculated.

Filte Amplifie

X
R Y Element

Figure 5.31

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 Blank page

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 6 Transponder hardware

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to transponder basics. Further information
is available in Chapter 13, and in the transponder manuals

For Offshore Loaders, a reduced edition of this chapter is included. No further

information is included, except the ‘Safety Information for Transponder and Transponder
Battery’ in Chapter 13.

Revision Date Written by

A 15 sept. 2004 kgr
B 15 jan. 2005 Kgr
C June 1, 2005 kgr
D August 15, 2005 kgr
E January 15, 2006 kgr
E1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on Chapter 3 in the previous version of this
manual, and Chapter 4 in 856-160940/D, 6.17.2 updated
B Moved Chapter 10.3 to 6.15. Minor changes. 6.9 is new.
C Added 6.5a. Minor changes. Changed order of subchapter 6.23 – 6.25
D Minor changes throughout. Responder details moved to chapter 14
E Minor changes
E1 6.5, 6.8b, 6.12b and 6.22b changed

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 Contents
6 Transponder hardware
6.1 Where is the transponder mounted?
6.2 What does a transponder look like?
6.3 What is a transponder?
6.4 What is a responder?
6.5 Transponder safety
6.5a ‘Transponder battery safety’ homework
6.6 Transponder tester, TTC 400
6.7 Main parts of MPT and SPT transponders
6.8 Transponder models
6.8a Main groups
6.8b Transponder name
6.8c MST transponders
6.8d SPT transponders
6.8e MPT transponders
6.9 Transponder identification
6.10 Transponder beam pattern
6.11 Transponders with floating collar
6.12 Special remarks for some transponder models
6.12a Depth and temperature sensor
6.12b Inclination sensor
6.12c Heading compass sensor
6.13 Dismantling x1x aluminum transponders
6.14 Dismantling x3x steel transponders
6.15 Battery packs
6.15a Introduction
6.15b Lifetime dependent factors
6.15c Battery lifetime presentation
6.15d Battery exercise
6.16 HPR 300 medium frequency channels
6.17 HPR 400 medium frequency channels
6.18 Medium frequency channels overview
6.19 HPR 300 low frequency channels
6.20 HPR 400 low frequency channels
6.21 Low frequency channels overview
6.22 Pulse positioning with sensor information
6.22a Introduction
6.22b Inclination transponders
6.22c Depth transponders
6.22d Compass transponders
6.23 Transponder modes
6.24 HPR 300 pulse command function
6.25 HPR 400 acoustic coding principle - Telemetry

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 6.1 Where is the transponder mounted?

A transponder is an acoustic receiver/transmitter placed on the seabed, on board an ROV

or any other structure to be positioned. See figure 3.1.

6.2 What does a transponder look like?

A transponder might look like one of these, as seen in figure 6.1

Figure 6.1

6.3 What is a transponder?

A transponder is an acoustic receiver/transmitter placed on the seabed, on board an ROV

or any other structure to be positioned. The transponder is triggered from the vessel/rig
using acoustic signals, and will in normal operation answer with one, two or three reply
pulses. The transponder is able to receive and transmit inside the transducer beam. When
ordering a transponder, you have a great selection of transducer heads to choose among,
which is deciding your transducer beam. Typically a transponder can have only one
transducer, which mean only one transducer beam. Occasionally you may see
transponders were you can select among various beams, and we also have dual beam
transponders, for vertical and horizontal beams.

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 The power source in an ROV transponder will normally be rechargeable batteries or
external power. Other fixed transponder locations will normally use Lithium batteries to
increase the lifetime and save recovery costs.

6.4 What is a responder?

A responder is an acoustic transmitter, but it is triggered by an electric pulse through the

ROV umbilical. By using responders we can better avoid interference from disturbing
environment such as rock dumping, drilling, seismic activity etc.

The responders are often used on ROVs or at towed fishes on seismic vessels. The
responders are usually powered by the ROV, but can also run on batteries.

More about responders in Chapter 14 in the ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’ and ‘APOS
for HiPAP®/HPR Technical Course’ manuals.

We don’t focus on responders in the ‘APOS for Offshore Loaders’ Operator Course.

6.5 Transponder safety

This is your homework tonight. In Chapter 13, you will find ‘Safety Information for
Transponder and Transponder Battery’. Read it, do the exercise 6.5a and we will discuss
it tomorrow

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 6.5a ‘Transponder battery safety’ homework

1) For what types of batteries does this ‘data sheet’ apply?

________________________________________________________________

2) What is the critical temperature for an explosion?

________________________________________________________________

3) Mention some possible reason why a transponder battery will experience high
temperature?

________________________________________________________________

4) If you have water ingression, inflammable/explosive gas is created. What types

of gas is that?

________________________________________________________________

5) How to fire-fight a fire in the room you store the transponder batteries?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6) If you have a water ingression, why may you then get a high temperature?

________________________________________________________________

7) Why may you get a pressure build-up inside the transponder with a water
ingression?

________________________________________________________________

8) When you handle a transponder, what types of status do we group them into?

________________________________________________________________

9) What do you have to pay attention to when you dispose a lithium battery?

________________________________________________________________

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 6.6 Transponder tester, TTC 400

Further details available in Chapter 13

Figure 6.2

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 6.7 Main parts of MPT and SPT transponders

• Transducer
• Housing
• Battery pack
• Circuit boards:
- Transmitter board (Tx)
- Receiver board (Rx)
- Receiver amplifier board
- Microcontroller board
- Mother board
• Sensors (optional)
• Bottom end cap

Figure 6.3

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 6.8 Transponder models

6.8a Main groups

We have three main groups of transponders:

• MPT Multifunction positioning transponder

• SPT Super Short Base Line positioning transponder
• MST Mini SSBL transponder

• RPT Remotely Operated Vehicle positioning transponder (obsolete)

MPT SPT MST

(RPT)

LBL Positioning
Array Calibration

General telemetry commands*)

SSBL Positioning

Figure 6.4

*) General telemetry commands:

• Read sensor data
- Depth
- Temperature
- Inclination
- Heading
• Acoustic release
• Switch transponder channel
• Change source level; 4 steps of 3dB
• Change receiver sensitivity; 2 steps, 106/100dB

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 6.8b Transponder name

The transponder model name gives the user information about operating frequency, depth
rating, transducer beam width and options. The transponder name is put together like this:

Transponder name = Model name + Model number + Options

Model name:

MPT Multifunction Positioning Transponder

SPT Super Short Base Line Positioning Transponder
RPT Remotely Operated Vehicle Positioning Transponder

Model number:

1. digit
1 = 15 kHz (low frequency)
3 = 30 kHz (medium frequency)
2. digit
1 = 1000 meter depth rating
2 = 2000 meter depth rating
3 = 3000 meter depth rating
6 = 6000 meter depth rating
3. digit
1 = ± 15° beam width
3 = ± 30° beam width
4 = ± 45° beam width
6 = ± 60° beam width
9 = ± 90° beam width

Options available:

Dt = Depth and temperature sensor

H = Heading magnetic compass
I = Inclinometer
II = Internal and external inclinometers
R = Release mechanism
N = Rechargeable battery pack
Rsp = Responder
DuB = Dual beam
Sx = Short tube
St = Stainless Steel tube
L = Long tube
Eex = Explosion proof housing

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 6.8c MST transponders

Further details are available in Chapter 13, Data sheets.

6.8d SPT transponders

Further details are available in Chapter 13, Data sheets.

6.8e MPT transponders

Further details are available in Chapter 13, Data sheets.

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 6.9 Transponder identification

Each transponder is supplied with an identification clamp ring, as seen in figure 6.5,
displaying: Transponder name and options, Serial No., Channel and Battery type.

I II
(Cd5976)

Fig. 6.5

On the CPU (Central Processor Unit) board in the transponder, Rotary switch S2 and S3
is setting the Channel.

Rotary switch S2
4-way Dip switch S1 Rotary switch S3

Software
name
and
version
(CD3791)

Fig. 6.6

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 6.10 Transponder beam pattern

Further details are available in Chapter 13, Data sheets.

6.11 Transponders with floating collar

Note! The anchor weight must be lifted separately from the transponder. The
transponder cage is only certified for lifting the transponder and the buoyancy
element.

The length of the rope between the transponder base and the weight can be several
meters. The recommended weight of the sinker is different for 1000m and 3000m
transponders. Check the transponder instruction manual for details.

Keep in mind the current when transponders are deployed or released. The weight might
be increased if the current is strong.

When a transponder is released remember to have the interrogation on while it floats to

the surface. Also notice that there might be current drifting the transponder some distance
away from your position.

Figure 6.7

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 6.12 Special remarks for some transponder
models

6.12a Depth and temperature sensor

Figure 6.8

Hole for contact between sea water and the depth and temperature sensors fitted. Ensure
that it is kept clean and open at all times.

Calibration of transponders only applies to transponders including the /DT functions.

The depth-sensing transponders calculate their current depth by comparing the external
water pressure and temperature within their housings. When the housing has been
opened, the air pressure within the housing will change due at altering ambient conditions
and to differences in the volume of air trapped in the housing during the re-assembly
procedure.
Therefore, after the housing has been closed and while the unit is still on deck, the depth
sensor must be re-calibrated.
The calibration is performed from the HPR/HiPAP operator station. Refer to the System
operator manual or APOS on-line help for the calibration procedure.

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 6.15 Battery packs

6.15a Introduction

The transponders are normally self contained with power supply. A lithium battery is
used to ensure long life.

The transponder battery consists of two sections, one for the receiver and one for the
transmitter.

Note! Be aware that some of the models can be changed or taken out of production
without further notice.

6.15b Lifetime dependent factors

A transponder uses power every time it receives and transmits a pulse/ping. If the
transponder has not received a ping for some time it automatically goes into sleep mode
but the transponder uses some power in sleep mode as well.

The lifetime of the battery depends on the following factors:

• Activity
- How often you interrogate the transponder.
- One ping is used to send a reply pulse for calculation of the position.
- Two pings are required to transmit depth or compass information.
- Three pings are required to transmit inclination information.
- When the transponder is set to HPR 400 and used for full telemetry, seven
pings are required for each telegram. The battery lifetime could therefore
be much reduced from that stated. However each reply is counted up and
can be available for the operator.

• Source level
- The higher source level the more power is used.

• Pulse length
- The longer pulse the more power is used.

• Sensors

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 6.15c Battery lifetime presentation

Battery lifetime can be presented as the number of reply pulses available based on 10ms pulse
length.

Using high source levels will approximately double the number of replies from max. source
level.

Figure 6.13

Figure 6.14

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 Max continues on time is the maximum time the transponder can be continuously in
operation, receiving and transmitting. If a low interrogation rate is used this time may be
consumed.

Quiescent lifetime is the total time the transponder can listen for interrogation pulses.
After this time the transponder will not be able to reply.

Figure 6.15

Figure 6.16

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 Figure 6.17

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 6.15d Battery exercise

NB!! This exercise applies to SPT and MPT transponders.

On the drawing below, indicate the Tx and Rx part of the battery.

Figure 6.18

1) What does Tx means? ___________________________________

2) What does Rx means? ___________________________________

For an SPT 331/MPT 331 transponder, write down the following information:

3) Millions of ping in ‘Low S.L.’: ______________________

4) Millions of ping in ‘Max S.L.’: ______________________

5) Max. continuous on time: _____________ days

6) Quiescent time: _____________ days

7) What is the meaning of quiescent time?

_________________________________________________________

8) What is the meaning of ‘Max continuous on time’?

_________________________________________________________

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 9) On the diagram below, fill in the appropriate values, for an interrogation interval
of 1 second, for Maximum, High, Low and Minimum power. Compare with
page…..

Transponder type: ______________________

Battery
full

Battery Days of
empty continuous use

Limited by Tx battery capacity Limited by Rx battery capacity

Figure 6.19

10) On the diagram below, fill in the appropriate values for an interrogation interval
of 2 seconds, for Maximum, High, Low and Minimum power.

Transponder type: ________________________

Battery
full

Battery Days of
empty continuous use

Limited by Tx battery capacity Limited by Rx battery capacity

Figure 6.20

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 11) If you connect your battery in the transponder, leave it onboard for 1 year, and
then deploy it. What is your ‘Max continuous on time’?

___________________________________________________________

12) It is a good idea to use a logbook for the transponders.

OBSERVE: If your APOS software version is 3.3.0 or higher, and your

transponder software is 5.1 or higher, you will have a full control
of the remaining battery capacity. You will only need to write
down the Tx and Rx values, if you disconnect the battery
temporarily.

a) Note the time when you connect the battery in the transponder.

b) Write this time on the battery as well.

c) Note the time when you start interrogating on the transponder

d) Monitor the ping counter

e) Note the time when you stop pinging on the transponder

f) Note the time you disconnect the battery, for temporarily store.

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 6.18 Medium frequency channels overview

Figure 6.21

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 Blank page

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 7 APOS Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the basic use of APOS with SSBL positioning.

Revision Date Written by

A 12.01.04 KGr
B 15 sept. 2004 kgr
C 15 jan. 2005 kgr
D June 1, 2005 Kgr
E August 1, 2005 kgr
F January 15, 2006 kgr
G May 1, 2006 kgr
G1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on Chapter 7 in Handouts, and ‘SSBL & LBL
Positioning’ in the ‘Training Manual’
B Renamed to Chapter 7. Exercise 7.1 and 7.2 transferred from Chapter 3.
Minor changes
C Minor changes
D Added 7.9 and 7.10. All figures are numbered. Minor changes
E 7.9 and 7.10 moved to Chapter 12.
F Minor changes throughout. 7.6e is added.
G New format and automatic figure numbering. Minor changes throughout.
G1 Changes in 7.6

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 Contents

7 APOS Introduction

7.1 APOS Help

7.1.a Software versions
7.1.b Contents
7.1.c Index
7.1.d Search
7.2 Two vessels, two transponders
7.3 Basic SSBL Positioning
7.4 Screen
7.5 ‘Right clicking’
7.6 SSBL Positioning and APOS File handling
7.6.a Start Positioning
7.6.b Save your work
7.6.c Delete Transponder in SSBL Positioning
7.6.d ‘Delete’ transponder in ‘Transponder Configure…’
7.6.e File handling with two or more operator stations
7.7 Vessel Heading line
7.8 Offset relative CG

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 7.1 APOS Help

7.1.a Software versions

Select ‘Help’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘About APOS’

1) What is the Software Version of APOS (WinHPRU): ______________

2) What is the Software Version of the transceiver: _____________________
3) When will we need this information? ____________________________
4) Press ‘OK’

Figure 7.1

OBSERVE: Onboard your vessel you will probably find older versions.

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 Software versions
HiPAP HPR 400 TRC
Transceiver DSP
Version Date Version Date Version Date
4.4.4 140501 3.0.11) 310300 7.4.4 311000
4.5.0 270502 3.1.02) 210600 7.4.5 240602

4.6.0 130303 3.1.73)

4.7.0 070704
Figure 7.2

1) HiPAP® transceivers with DSP software version 3.0.1 will send TX pulse on all elements
(default).
2) HiPAP® transceivers with DSP software version 3.1.0 will use only the downward facing
elements (elements pointing 0 – 90 degrees from vertical line).
3) HiPAP® transceivers with DSP software version 3.1.7 have operator adjustable transmit beams

7.1.b Contents

Select ‘Help’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘Help’:

1) Select ‘Contents’
2) Find information about the ‘Depth sensor’ in the ‘Transponder Function’ dialog box
3) Find information about ‘Numeric View’ in the ‘Screen’ folder
4) Check out ‘Release info’.

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 7.1.c Index

Use the ‘Help’ function and ‘Index’ and read about:

1) SSBL positioning
2) View menu
3) Frequencies
a) Find the frequency table
b) Study the signals from the vessel to transponders and backwards
c) See the list of all Simrad MF frequencies.

7.1.d Search

Use the ‘Help’ function and ‘Search’:

(This exercise has to be done on a computer with alphanumeric keyboard)

1) scan for channel

2) “scan for channel”
3) What is the difference: ___________________________________
___________________________________
4) power

Observe: The ‘Search’ and parts of the ‘Index’ function will not work on the WinKeyboard.

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 7.3 Basic SSBL Positioning

General: This exercise will show you how to operate the HiPAP/HPR 400 in conjunction with
APOS.

The shuttle tanker is a typical vessel, which runs the HiPAP/HPR 400 with limited
operator interface.

Operating situation: Your vessel is arriving at OLS, where there are already deployed
transponders.

Step by step:

1) Select ‘File’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and then ‘Open’.

Figure 7.4

2) In this exercise we will use the ‘Offshore Loading System’ file.

Figure 7.5

3) ‘Left click’ on the transponder you want to use for positioning.

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 General: You have now started to position the vessel with the HiPAP/HPR 400 system, which
means that the DP system is receiving the HiPAP/HPR 400 positions.

As long as you are at that location, or the vessel has the same heading, the
HiPAP/HPR 400 does not require any further inputs from the operator.

If the vessel is turning (weather vaning), due to ex. a change in wind directions, you
might need to change the transponder used for positioning.

Operating situation: Your vessel is changing the heading due to a change in the wind
direction, and you need to switch the transponder.

Step by step:

1) ‘Left click’ on the other transponder symbol.

2) When a position from the new transponder is received, you can stop positioning on the first
selected transponder.

3) ‘Left click’ on the activated transponder to stop positioning

Operating situation: When the vessel is finished loading the oil, and leaving the location, it is
customary to switch off the interrogation of the transponders, and raise
the hull unit.

Step by step:

1) ‘Left click’ on the activated transponder to stop positioning

2) Raise the hull unit

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 Operating situation: Your vessel is approaching the ‘South Arne’ field, and you need to start
positioning with the HiPAP/HPR 400.

Step by step:

1) Select ‘File’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and then ‘Open…’.

2) In this exercise we will use the ‘Single Anchor Loading’ file.

General: This exercise shows the basic of the HiPAP/HPR 400 operation in conjunction
with APOS.

For a navigator on a shuttle tanker, if he limits his manipulation of the system to a

minimum, this exercise showed the necessary operation.

If you run into operational problems due to acoustic problems and you need to
optimize the performance, or you face other problems, the remaining part of this
course will cover such situations.

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 7.4 Screen

On the picture below, draw a line from the item and down to the appropriate text.

Figure 7.6

Positioning toolbar Status bar

Toolbar Menu bar

Numeric view Alarm bar

Positioning window (Polar view)

Inclination view

Go to ‘Help’ and select the ‘Contents’ tab. ‘Left click’ on the ‘Screen’ folder, and read about the
views.

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 7.5 ‘Right clicking’

The main way to manipulate the display is by ‘Right clicking’ with the mouse button.

1. ‘Right click’ in the ‘Positioning window’, outside the vessel and any transponder symbol, and
observe the menu
2.1 ‘Right click’ in the positioning window and on the vessel and observe the menu.
2.2 ‘Right click’ on the vessel symbol in the ‘Positioning toolbar‘ and observe that the menus are
identical to the one above.
3.1 ‘Right click’ in the positioning window and on the transponder and observe the menu.
3.2 ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbol in the ‘Positioning toolbar‘ and observe that the menus
are identical to the one above.
4 ‘Right click’ in the ‘Numeric view’.
5 ‘Right click’ in the ‘Inclination view’.
6 ‘Right click’ on the ‘Transceiver pane’ in the ‘Status bar’.

Note: In APOS software versions preceding 4.0.0 (14 October 2003), you would not get the
display menu, when ‘right clicking’ on the vessel, transponder etc.

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 7.6 SSBL Positioning and APOS File handling

OBJECTIVE: Learn how to configure transponders into APOS by using ‘New SSBL
Positioning Transponder’ and how files are handled by APOS.

7.6.a Start Positioning

Operating Situation: Imagine your ship is arriving at a location where there are 4 transponders
located at the sea bottom.
The transponders are not configured (not installed) into your computer,
but you have information about the transponders.

Transponders on sea bottom:

Serial no. Channel Type + options
5061 B61 SPT 319 DTR
5062 B62 MPT 339
5063 B63 RPT 324
5065 B65 MST 342

Step by step

1) Select ‘File’ and ‘New’

Figure 7.7

2) You will be prompted to answer Yes or No, to start a new file.

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 Figure 7.8

In real life, this is a serious question, and has to be considered carefully.

Here at the simulator, you are supposed to answer Yes.

3) Select the ‘New SSBL Positioning Transponder’ on the Toolbar.

Figure 7.9

4) When you enter the dialog box, press the ‘Help’ button and read the ‘Step by Step’ procedure.

Figure 7.10

5) The instructor will guide you through the configuration of Transponder B61

6) The additional ‘Depth’ information will be covered later.

7) It is recommended to uncheck ‘Activate’

8) Repeat for Transponder B62, B63 and B65 (continue at step 3).

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 7.6.b Save your work

1) Select ‘File’ and ‘Save as’.

Figure 7.11

2) Give the location a suitable name (use today’s date).

Figure 7.12

NB! On your vessel your standard keyboard does not have alphanumeric keys

3) Press ‘Save’.

4) If you have more than one OS, do also 7.6e.

Detailed (optional for Offshore Loaders)

Go to ‘Help’ and select the ‘Index’ tab and ‘File Save’. Read what is saved.

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 7.6.c Delete Transponder in SSBL Positioning

1) Right click with the mouse on the transponder symbol for B61 in the left hand
toolbar
2) Select Delete

7.6.d ‘Delete’ transponder in ‘Transponder Configure…’

This description applies to APOS version 3.8.0 and newer. Older version shall follow 10.5a.

In the last exercise you ‘Deleted’ the Transponder. That means you removed the connection between
the ‘Transponder configuration’ and the use of that Transponder in SSBL positioning.

The transponder is still registered in APOS.

For removing the Transponder completely:

1) Select ‘Configure’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and then ‘Transponder…’

2) ‘Left click’ on the appropriate transponder to ‘high light’ (blue) it.

3) ‘Right click’ on the ‘high lighted’ transponder and select ‘Delete’.

4) Save it again if you want the ‘delete’ to be permanent.

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 8 THE SCREEN AND VIEWS
Preface

When you operate a HiPAP® or HPR system, your focus shall always be directed towards the
consequence of what you are doing (this is common for everything you operate). By that I mean, what
is the consequence for the DP, surveyor or other user of the system, included yourself.

All commands given to APOS will configure the system, one way or the other.

This chapter will deal with the configuration of the screen, and as such have no consequence for the
DP, surveyor etc. But you may easily configure the display, so important information will not be
displayed, and as such, may have important or disastrous operation consequences.

A typical Screen is shown in exercise 7.4. This is a good starting point for troubleshooting the system.
Also use the ‘Help’ function for the screen, which is referred to in the same exercise.

This chapter will only cover the most common configurations, typically used by an ‘Offshore Loader’
or a ‘Multipurpose Vessel’. Other configurations will be covered in advanced subjects, covered by the
‘APOS Advanced Operator Course’.

Revision Date Written by

C 31.08.04 kgr
D 15 jan 2005 Kgr
E June 1, 2005 Kgr
F August 1, 2005 kgr
G January 15, 2006 kgr
H May 1, 2006 kgr
H1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
C Renamed to Chapter 8
D Error corrected in 8.20. Updated 8.7 and 8.8. Minor changes
E Added 8.5. Added advanced subject on error ellipses. Minor corrections
throughout.
F Added 8.18c.
G 8.9 and 8.15 modified. Figure numbering and autom. chapters added. Minor
changes throughout.
H 8.19 moved to the ‘Advanced subjects’, drilling module. Expanded 8.17 and
8.18. Minor changes throughout.
H1 Changes to 8.3.a, 8.5, 8.9, 8.10, 8.15.d, 8.17 and 8.18

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 Contents

8 THE SCREEN AND VIEWS

8.1 The view
8.2 Cartesian and Polar view
8.3 Zoom and Display scale
8.3.a Zoom with the mouse
8.3.b Scroll to Origin
8.3.c Display scale
8.3.d Display scale (old version)
8.4 Set view center
8.5 Center
8.6 Orientation
8.7 Measure
8.7.a Measure (old version)
8.7.b Using the centerpoint (0,0) as reference (old version)
8.7.c Using a positioning object as a reference (old version)
8.8 Show Error Ellipsis
8.9 Numeric view
8.10 Colours
8.11 Panel light
8.11.a Panel light for Windows®XP keyboard
8.11.b Panel light for Windows NT keyboard
8.12 Filtered Positions
8.13 Toolbar
8.13.a Toolbar On/off
8.13.b ‘Help’ on the toolbar
8.14 Positioning Toolbar
8.15 Status bar
8.15.a Status bar On/off
8.15.b Status bar panes
8.15.c ‘Help’ on ‘Status bar’
8.15.d The transceiver on the ‘Status bar’
8.15.e The ‘I/O server’ on the ‘Status bar’.
8.16 Measurements
8.17 Alarms
8.18 Event view
8.18.a No reply
8.18.b Attitude error
8.18.c DRP, TMC and Fifo descriptions
8.19 Alarms on Inclinometer Transponder
8.20 Trend View
8.21 Documentation of the ‘Screen’.
8.22 Documentation of ‘Active Window’.
8.23 Troubleshooting the Screen

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 8.1 The view

APOS has the screen divided into 3 views. The most “common” configuration is the one shown in the
Exercise 7.4. But as you can see, I put “common” into quotation marks, because there is no such thing
as the most “correct” or “right” configuration of the screen.

During this exercises you will learn, that you as an operator, has a great choice of configuration
possibilities and combinations. To cover all this configuration possibilities, would make this training
manual to excessive. Keep also in mind, that APOS has evolved over the years, so what is shown her,
may not apply to your vessel.

Figure 8.1

When you ‘right click’ in any of the 3 views, you got a menu, which is divided, into two parts by a
grey line (from APOS version 4.0.0, sometimes 3 parts).

The upper part will manipulate the view which is selected in the lower part.

Example: The figure shown above is ‘check marked’ for Polar view, and all the options
available over the line, will configure the Polar view.

Some of the changes you do in the upper part will apply to several of the views in the lower part.

Example: If you do any changes in the ‘Display scale’, this change will influence ‘Cartesian
View’, ‘Polar View’ and ‘UTM View’.

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 8.3 Zoom and Display scale

It is 6 ways to manipulate the Position Window Scale

1. Hold down the left mouse button while dragging the mouse to the right and down and
you will ‘Zoom In’.
2. Hold down the left mouse button while dragging the mouse to the left and up and you
will ‘Zoom Out’.
3. From the Menu line, select View and then ‘Zoom Full’.

Right click in the ‘Position window’ and you will find:

4. Zoom Full (introduced in APOS 3.4.0)

5. Undo Zoom
6. Display Scale

8.3.a Zoom with the mouse

• Observe the Display scale: ________________

• What are the units? ________________

• Use method 1 to Zoom in, what is the minimum scale? ________________

• Use method 2 to Zoom out, what is the maximum scale? ________________

8.3.b Scroll to Origin

1. After the last exercise you probably see that the vessel is not in the centre anymore.
2. Right click with the mouse in the ‘Position Window’.
3. Select ‘Scroll to Origin’

When the vessel is outside the centre, there is 4 ways to get it back into centre.

1. The one you just used

2. Use the handle bars to the right and at the bottom.
3. Select ‘View’ on the menu bar, and ‘Zoom full’. This method also change the scale
4. ‘Right click’ in the ‘Display view’, and select ‘Zoom full’.

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 8.3.c Display scale

‘Right click’ in the view and select ‘Display scale’

Figure 8.4

Try different scales.

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 8.10 Colours

1) Select ‘View’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘Colours’ and ‘Night’.

Figure 8.18

2) We also have an optional way, use the ‘moon’ and ‘sun’ on the toolbar

Figure 8.19

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 8.11 Panel light

8.11.a Panel light for Windows®XP keyboard

Keyboards delivered with APOS, running on Windows®XP Operating System, has the new keyboard.
This keyboard has back-lighting supplied through the PS/2 plug. Ther is no adjustment of this
keyboard light.

(Cd7080a)
(Cd7079a)

Figure 8.20 Figure 8.21

8.11.b Panel light for Windows NT keyboard

Keyboards delivered with APOS, running on Windows®NT Operating System, has the old keyboard.
The back-lighting is controlled from APOS.

2 1c)
(Cd40

Figure 8.22 Figure 8.23 Figure 8.24

Select ‘View’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘Panel Light’

What happens? ____________________________________________________

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 8.15 Status bar

8.15.a Status bar On/off

Select ‘View’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘Status bar’.

Observe the change. Switch it back on.

8.15.b Status bar panes

The status bar can be divided into 4 panes.

In the APOS 3.6.0 version (Dec. 13, 2001), a status pane for the I/O server, as well as colours
was introduced for the status panes for the transceiver and I/O server.

8.15.c ‘Help’ on ‘Status bar’

1) Select ‘Help’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and then ‘Help’ again.

2) Select the ‘Contents’ tab

3) Select ‘Screen’ and ‘Status bar’

Write down the 4 available types of status panes, from left to right:

a) ____________________________

b) ____________________________

c) ____________________________

d) ____________________________

4) Select ‘Transceivers’, and see a description of the status pane for the transceiver.

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 8.15.d The transceiver on the ‘Status bar’

Generally The ‘transceiver status’ on the ‘status bar’ gives you important information related to
transceiver status. Any problems, status bar is the first place to look.

Navigation is the “normal” status you usually will see. It simply means that the operator station and
the transceiver is communicating and the transceiver is (ready to) positioning.

Offline is shown when the transceiver is Off, or the communication is not working. When the
Operator Station (OS) and the Transceiver has established communication, the Transceiver will go
into Download status. The Download period will last for a few seconds, and the OS is downloading
the settings the Transceiver needs for performing his tasks (i.e. which transponder to position, power,
max range etc.). The transceiver will now go into the Navigation status and then perform positioning
(SSBL, LBL, Dual, MULBL etc.). The Telemetry mode is used when you request information from
the transponder or will do configuration change on the transponder. The Training2 mode is typically
used for testing telegrams and by by the DP service engineer. The Training mode enables the
transceiver to simulate a transponder and display it on the OS. The OS will forward this position to
other connected computers, and the DP system, and i.e. the DP service engineer is able to check
communication all the way from the Transceiver to the DP system. The position telegram will
however contain a flag, preventing the DP from using this position. Transponders available in training
mode will be B28, B48 and B68.

Write down the colour for each of the different transceiver statuses:

• Offline ________________
• Download ________________
• Navigation ________________
• Telemetry ________________
• Training ________________

Figure 8.26

2
Don’t mix the Transceivers Training mode with the APOS simulator we are using during this course.

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 8.15.e The ‘I/O server’ on the ‘Status bar’.

OBSERVE: This exercise applies only to those vessels that have the ‘I/O server’ active

The ‘I/O server’ status is indicated by various colors. Open ‘Help’ (Select ‘Contents’, ‘Screen’ and
‘Status bar’) and describe the meaning of the different colors:

• Grey ________________

• Red ________________

• Cyan ________________

• Yellow ________________

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 8.17 Alarms

1) Select ‘alarm symbol’ on the tool bar.

Figure 8.27

2) Close the ‘Alarm view’.

3) Select ‘Help’ on the menu bar, and then ‘Help’.

Figure 8.28

4) Close Help.

5) What keyboard button to silence the horn? ____________________

6) Select the alarm symbol on the toolbar.

7) Close the ‘Alarm view’.

8) Configure B75 and start positioning .

9) Observe the warning and the alarm.

10) What is the colour of the warning in the ‘Numeric view’? ______________

11) What is the colour of the alarm in the ‘Numeric view’? ______________

12) What is the alarm message? _____________________

13) Check in Help for the meaning. _________________________________________

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 8.18 Event view

1) Select the ‘event symbol’ on the toolbar.

Figure 8.29

2) Close the ‘Event view’ with the ‘event symbol’ on the toolbar.

3) Select Help on the menu bar, and then Help.

Figure 8.30

4) Close Help.

5) Continue positioning on B51

6) Select ‘View’ on the menu bar, and then ‘Events’.

7) What is the message from B51? ______________________________

8) Check in Help for the meaning

9) Close the ‘Event view’.

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 8.18.a No reply

1. If the Transceiver is not able to detect a reply signal from the Transponder, within the time span,
determined by the ‘Max range’ (we will discuss ‘Max range’ in Chapter 9), APOS will report
this as a ‘No reply’ event.

2. i) If the Transceiver is not able to detect 4 consecutive reply signals, a Warning in the ‘Alarm
view’ is given.

ii) If the Transceiver is not able to detect a reply signal within 30 seconds, a Warning in the
‘Alarm view’ is given.

3. i) If the Transceiver is not able to detect 10 consecutive reply signal, an Alarm in the ‘Alarm
view’ is given.

ii) If the Transceiver is not able to detect a reply signal within 60 seconds, an Alarm in the
‘Alarm view’ is given.

4. There might be several reasons for receiving a ‘No reply’ message, mention a few.

i) __________________________

ii) __________________________

iii) __________________________

iv) __________________________

Figure 8.31

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 8.20 Trend View

General

The ‘Trend View’ is able to display any activities less than 1 hour old. This means that if you want to
se the trend of something happened less than an hour ago, configure the ‘Trend View’, and display it.

Step by step

1. ‘Right click’ in the ‘Display view’, and select ‘Trend View’

2. Depending on previous use of trends, your view will now display some trends.

3. ‘Right click’ in the view, and select ‘Trend Setup’, and you will get access to the ‘Trend
Plot’ dialog box

Figure 8.34

4. Press the ‘Help’ button and read about this dialog box.

5. Make a ‘Trend View’ with 2 graphs, one for the Depth of transponder B65, and the other for
the ‘Slant range’.

6. Make sure only No. 1 and 2 are selected in the ‘Visible’ ‘check box’.

7. Select ‘Depth’ in the No. 1 ‘Graph’ ‘drop-down list box’.

8. Select ‘Slant range’ in the No. 2 ‘Graph’ ‘drop-down list box’.

9. Press the ‘Sources…’ button for No. 1 and 2 trends, and select B65

10. Check the ‘Time Span’ and ‘Y Axis’, and set to appropriate values.

11. ‘Right click’ in the view, and select ‘Trend Setup’. Press the ‘Help’ button. Read about
‘Zooming’ and try it.

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 9 ‘Default parameters’ and ‘SSBL
Properties’

As we said in the introduction to Chapter 8, your focus shall always be directed towards the
consequences of what you are doing. This will be even more important in this chapter, because several
of the configurations we can do here will have direct consequence on the telegrams we send to
external computers, most typically the DP, Blom or surveyor. Even if an external computer is not
connected, your configuration will influence on the direct reading from the display.

When you do changes in the ‘Default parameters’ dialog box, the changes will take place in the
Transceiver. If you do changes in the ‘SSBL Properties’ dialog box, the changes will take place in the
Transceiver, or in the display on the Operator Station (APOS).

In this chapter, we will focus on the most common type of vessels use of APOS. Other applications,
like Drilling Rigs, Survey etc. will be covered in special training modules, as listed in ‘APOS
Advanced Operator Course’ description.

Extensive information is available in APOS help for further study.

Revision Date Written by

C 15 jan. 2005 Kgr
D June 1, 2005 Kgr
E August 1, 2005 kgr
F January 15, 2006 kgr
G May 1, 2006 kgr
G1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
C Minor changes and corrections
D Minor changes, Fig. 9.1, new file in 9.3c, 9.4a – d moved to chapter 13. 9.4e
and 9.8 moved to Advanced subjects
E Exerc. 9.5 use B74. Minor changes.
F Minor changes
G New format and automatic figure numbering. 9.2 is expanded. Minor changes
throughout.
G1 Changed 9.3 and 9.7

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 Contents

9 ‘Default parameters’ and ‘SSBL Properties’

9.1 ‘SSBL Positioning’ dialog box

9.2 Default parameters
9.3 Interrogation Interval
9.3.a Adjusting the Interrogation Interval
9.3.b Signal Traveling Time
9.3.c DP update rate
9.3.d Checking your Interrogation Rate
9.3.e HiPAP Calculation Time
9.4 Transponder type
9.5 Max range (Max Slant range)
9.5.a Max Range, HPR 400
9.5.b Max Range, HIPAP®
9.6 Position Offset
9.7 Operation

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 9.1 ‘SSBL Positioning’ dialog box
This dialog box is available from
a) ‘Right clicking’ on a transponder symbol and select ‘Properties…’ or
b) Selecting Positioning on the ‘menu bar’ and then ‘SSBL Positioning…’.

Geographic position
was introduced with APOS software
version 3.8.0

Help

If you are looking for any information,

try the ‘Help’ button

Figure 9.1

General

This dialog box gives you a great number of configuration possibilities. Some of them may apply to
your operation. During this exercise we will try to sort out which is important for you.

Function Applies to your vessel DP consequences? Comments

Interrog. Interval
Transponder type
Transmit transducer
Transmit Power
Max Range
Geographic position
Position Offset
Operation
Heading input
Deskew
Depth see ‘Advanced subjects’

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 9.3 Interrogation Interval

9.3.a Adjusting the Interrogation Interval

Operating Situation: Your ship is at a location where there are 2 transponders in the water.

B61 is on the seabed, used for DP positioning and B27 is on an ROV.

To save battery on the ROV transponder, you will like to increase the
interrogation interval to 10 sec.

The transponders are not configured into your Operator Station.

Transponders on sea bottom:

Serial no. Channel Type + sensor

5061 B61 MPT 339
5027 B27 RPT

Step by Step

1) Select ‘File’ and ‘New’

2) Select ‘New SSBL Positioning Transponder’ on the toolbar.
3) Start positioning on B27 and B61
4) You are still worried about the battery capacity, and you want to increase the interrogation
interval to 15 seconds for B27.

5) ‘Right click’ on transponder B27, and select ‘Properties’

6) Read in ‘Help’ about the ‘Interrogation Interval’

7) Enter 15 seconds in the ‘Interrogation interval’

8) Observe and describe the difference between the update rates for B27 and B61:

__________________________________________________________________________

9) What is the minimum ‘Interrogation interval’? _________________________

The ‘minimum interrogation interval’ is due to a setting internally in the transponder, blocking
the transponder, reducing the replies from the transponder due to reflections

10) What is the maximum ‘Interrogation interval’? _______________________

The ‘maximum interrogation interval’ is due to a setting internally in the transponder, forcing it
into sleep mode.

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 Control Question

1) Where is this change taking place?

Figure 9.3

2) Will the change have any consequence for the telegram APOS sends to the DP, surveyor,
Blom computer etc?

_________________________________________________________

Hint If you are interrogating a transponder, and you quite often receive erroneous positions, try
to increase the ‘Interrogation interval’. The reason for this may be due to reflections of
the signals in the water, making the system to lose or get the wrong positions.

Play around with the ‘Interrogation interval’, until you hopefully get a stable position.

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 9.4 Transponder type

Figure 9.6

Beacon is not discussed in this course

Responder is discussed in Chapter 14.

Depth is not discussed this course, see Advanced subjects

Inclinometer is not discussed in this course

Diff. Incl. is not discussed in this course.

Compass is not discussed in this course.

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 9.5 Max range (Max Slant range)

OBJECTIVE: Learn about the ‘Max range’ function. Use it to find the ‘Slant range’.
We will also see that ‘Default parameters’ will not always be the
optimum solution.

Operating Situation: Your ship has 2 transponders in the sea.

Transponders on sea bottom:

Serial no. Channel Type + sensor

5173 B74 SPT 331/RspSx 110 Vac
Use the one in the classroom

Step by step:

1) Start with a new file and configure the transponders.

2) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbol, and select ‘Properties’.

3) Press the ‘Help’ button and read about ‘Max Range’

4) What is the meaning of ‘Max Range’ (Max slant range)?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

5) Write the current value for ‘Max Range’ for our transponders in the table below

6) Guess a ‘Slant range’ and write it in the table below

7) Play around with the ‘Max range’ until you find the “true” ‘Slant range’, and write it in the
table below.

Transponder Current Guessed “True”

‘Max range’ Slant range Slant range
B74
B68

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 Blank page

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10 Transponder Configure

Revision Date Written by

A 15 sept. 04 kgr
B 15 jan. 2005 Kgr
C 11 May 2005 Kgr
D August 1, 2005 kgr
E January 15, 2006 kgr
E1 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on Chapter 7 in previous versions of this
manual, as well as the Chapter 10 in handouts.
B Added 10.6a and 10.11. 10.3 moved to Chapter 6
C Chapter 10.7b and c is moved to Chapter 13. Chapter 10.8a and b is
moved to Advanced subjects
D 10.11 →10.12, 10.11 added
E Minor changes throughout.
E1 Changes in 10.7.a, 10.7.b and 10.12

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 Contents

10 Transponder Configure

10.1 General
10.2 Transponder history
10.3 Access to ‘Transponder configure’
10.4 Transponder Configure
10.4a ‘Remove’ transponder in ‘Transponder Configure…’
10.5 Trusting the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box.
10.6 Transponder Setup
10.6b Modes & TAD & LIC
10.6c Batteries
10.7 Transponder Functions
10.7a Enable/Disable SSBL transponder
10.7b Responder
10.7c Beacon
10.7d Release
10.7e Switch channel
10.8 Transponder with a ‘built in’ sensor
10.8a Depth sensor
10.8b Inclination sensor
10.8c Inclination sensor, calibration
10.8d Differential Inclination sensor
10.9 Telemetry Transducer
10.10 TxRx Diagnostics
10.11 Transponder testing
10.11a TTC 400
10.11b HPR 400 with ‘Test transducer’
10.12 Troubleshooting

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10.1 General

As we said in the introduction to Chapter 8 and 9, your focus shall always be directed towards the
consequences of what you are doing. This is equally important in this chapter, as it was in the previous
Chapters, because several of the configurations we can do here will have direct consequence on the
telegrams we send to external computers, most typically the DP, Blom or surveyor. Even if an external
computer is not connected, it will influence on the direct reading from the display.

When you do changes in the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box, the changes will take place in either:

i) transponder if the changes are done in the ‘Transponder Setup’ or the ‘Transponder Function’
tab.
or

ii) Transceiver/Transducer onboard the vessel if the changes are done in the ‘Telemetry
Transducer’ tab

In this chapter, we will focus on using the transponders in SSBL application.

Extensive information is available in APOS help for further study.

Your involvement in Transponder Configuration is depending on your type of operation. There are a
great number of options available; few of them will probably be available to you. Also in some cases
the transponders are deployed and configured by some other vessels, and you will use them for
positioning only, without worrying about battery capacity, configuring etc. Typically here would be an
Offshore Loader.

In the exercises to follow, discuss with the instructors, which would apply to you.

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10.3 Access to ‘Transponder configure’

Access to the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box is available in three ways:

i) By ‘right-clicking’ on the transponder in ‘Positioning toolbar’, and selecting ‘Transponder…’.

Fig. 10.1

ii) By ‘right-clicking’ on the transponder in the ‘Positioning window’, and selecting

‘Transponder…’.

Fig. 10.2

iii) By selecting ‘Configure’ on the menu bar, and then ‘Transponder…’.

Fig. 10.3

All of this gives us access to the same dialog box, ‘Transponder Configure’.

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10.4 Transponder Configure

When you enter the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box by ‘right clicking’ on the transponder symbol,
that particular transponder will then be on display. That is shown below, were transponder B61 is
grayed.

Fig. 10.4

You may however select any of the other transponders, by simply ‘left clicking’ on any of the other, as
well as noticing that the particular transponder then will be highlighted in blue. If you instead access
the dialog by selecting ‘Configure’ on the menu bar, the first transponder on the list would be
displayed.

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 Fig. 10.5

By ‘right clicking’ on one of the transponders, you get access to ‘Delete’, ‘Change…’ and add a
‘New..’ transponder.

All of this has been covered earlier in this course.

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10.4a ‘Remove’ transponder in ‘Transponder Configure…’

This description applies to APOS software version preceding 3.8.0.

In the last exercise you ‘Deleted’ the Transponder. That means you removed the connection between
the ‘Transponder configuration’ and the use of that Transponder in SSBL positioning.

The transponder is still registered in APOS.

For removing the Transponder completely:

1) Select ‘Configure’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘Transponder’

2) Select the appropriate transponder, and then press ‘Remove’.

Fig. 10.6

Fig. 10.7

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10.5 Trusting the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box.

This may seem to be a strange heading of a chapter, but the idea is that the information displayed in the
‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box will not always display the setting in the transponder. Some of the
reasons for this are described below.

i) The transponder has been reset, due to a battery change

ii) Some other vessel has changed the setting in the transponder

iii) You have sent a telemetry message to the transponder, due to a telemetry error; the operator
station will not reflect the new setting

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10.6 Transponder Setup

The ‘Transponder Setup’ tab in the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box, consist of the functions, as
shown in the picture below.

Fig. 10.8

A detailed description of this dialog box is available in ‘Help’. Press the ‘Help’ button.

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Control question

1) When you do changes in the ‘Nav. Tx. Power’, were is the change taking place?

2) When you do changes in the ‘Tel. Tx Power’, where is the change taking place?

Figure 10.9

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10.6c Batteries

Operating situation: You are on a location with four transponders in the water.

Channel Type + sensor

B61 SPT 319 DTR
B62 SPT 319 DTR
B63 SPT 319 DTR
B65 SPT 319 DTR

Read the batteries in the transponders, and evaluate the situation.

Step by step

‘Open’ the file ‘SSBL Positioning’.

1) Read the batteries in the transponders and write it down in the table below.

Channel TX used [%] RX used [%]

B61
B62
B63
B65

2) Evaluate the situation

3) What is your recommendation?

_____________________________________________________________

4) Are you using the ‘Depth sensor’? __________________

5) If you are using the ‘Depth sensor’, what effect does it have on the battery?

____________________________________________________________

6) As you know the battery is divided into two parts, TX and RX. Which part is the ‘Depth
sensor’ consuming power from?

____________________________________________________________

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10.7 Transponder Functions

The ‘Transponder Function’ tab in the ‘Transponder Configure’ dialog box, consist of the functions, as
shown in the picture below. Some of the buttons shown below is optional, and installation dependable.

Fig. 10.11

A detailed description of this dialog box is available in ‘Help’. Press the ‘Help’ button.

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10.7a Enable/Disable SSBL transponder

Operating situation: You are at the Oslofjord location.

Step by step

1) Open the file ‘SSBL Positioning’.

2) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbol, and select ‘Transponder…’

3) Select the ‘Transponder Functions’ tab, and press the ’Disable Tp’ button.

4) Wait a short time. What happens to your positioning?

____________________________________________________________

5) What are you reading in the ‘Event view’?

____________________________________________________________

6) Check in ‘Help’ for an explanation of the description.

____________________________________________________________

7) What are you reading in the ‘Alarm view’?

____________________________________________________________

8) Check in ‘Help’ for an explanation of the alarm

____________________________________________________________

9) Select the ‘Transponder Functions’ tab, and press the ‘Enable SSBL Tp’ button.

10) Verify that we receive positions again.

11) Acknowledge the Alarm.

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10.7d Release

1) Read the transponder manual before deploying the transponder.

2) Before you deploy the transponder, interrogate the transponder and test the release function.

3) Don’t lift the transponder in the ‘transducer cage’ for deployment.

4) When you release a transponder, follow the transponder position on the Operator station on
its way to the surface.

5) Release only one transponder at the time.

6) Release operation during daytime is recommended.

7) The HiPAP/HPR system uses telemetry for release operations. This is a two-way
communication between the system onboard the vessel and the transponder.

a) The vessel is sending a Release command to the transponder

b) When the transponder is receiving this message,

i) he sends a confirm message to the vessel

ii) he starts the release operation

c) The Operator station onboard the vessel displays the ‘confirm message’.

If for some reasons, the ‘confirm message’ is not received onboard the vessel, the Operator
station will display a telemetry error message, and the transponder will still start the release
operation.

Therefore you will have to watch the transponder position and depth, to be sure if the
release is in progress.

Hint You may need to send two release messages to release the transponder. This may be due to
that the motor is not turning the release screw enough.

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10.9 Telemetry Transducer

Fig. 10.14

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10.11 Transponder testing

10.11a TTC 400

10.11b HPR 400 with ‘Test transducer’

10.12 Troubleshooting

1) Let the instructor show you how to use either a HPR 400 transceiver with a test transducer or
the TTC 400 to communicate with a transponder

2) Let the instructor configure your exercise

3) What may be wrong?

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 11 SSBL Troubleshooting

Revision Date Written by

A 15 sept. 2004 kgr
B 15 jan. 2005 Kgr
C June 1, 2005 Kgr
D August 1, 2005 kgr
E May 1, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on handouts
B Minor corrections
C Added Slant Range ~500 m in 11.3a
D Added 11.4.
E New format. 11.1 and 11.2 updated. Minor changes.

Contents

11 SSBL Troubleshooting

11.1 Trouble types

11.2 SSBL step-by-step troubleshooting
11.3 SSBL Troubleshooting exercise
11.3.a All vessels
11.3.b Vessels with two or more transducers
11.4 Telemetry troubleshooting

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 11.1 Trouble types

There may be several reasons way your HiPAP®/HPR 400 system is not working, and we will split the
reasons into four groups:

a) Hardware errors
b) Software errors
c) Operational errors
d) Acoustical problems

Hardware errors

The hardware errors are typically problems with the equipment, like empty transponder battery,
transducer damaged or hard disk damaged. This type of problem arises as part of equipment ageing,
abuse or equipment malfunctions for various reasons. The risk for equipment breakdown will typically
be reduced by performing the preventive maintenance. Hardware troubleshooting is part of the
technical course.

Software errors

Software errors are more subtle, like the configuration of the communication between gyro and
transceiver. This type of problems is usually solved during installation of the equipment.

Operational error

You as an operator have a great selection of configuration options available. Some of these
configurations may create problems at your location.

Acoustical problems

Noise, distance, ray bending or other environmental causes may create problems. In some cases, this
may prevent the system completely from being able to function. This problems may also be of a
temporarily type, which disappear when i.e. the weather improves. These problems may also be solved
by i.e. adjusting the power to a higher level, if thruster noise increases due to worse wether conditions

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 11.2 SSBL step-by-step troubleshooting

1) Configure the display as shown in Exercise 7.4.

2) Make sure ‘Status bar’ is showing ‘Navigation’ (if you don’t see ‘Navigation’, contact the
electrician).

3) Check Alarm and Event views.

4) If operations permit, try to ‘Reset’ the transceiver. Point on the transceiver on the ‘Status
bar’ and ‘right click’. Press the ‘Reset’ button.

5) Has there been any weather change lately, which is causing:

a) the thrusters to run differently

b) the vessels movement may give you problems
c) look for other changes

6) Select ‘Systems’ on the menu bar, and then ‘Default parameters’. Make sure you are using
proper values.

7) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbols in the ‘Positioning toolbar’, and select
‘Properties…’.

a) Make sure ‘Default parameters’ are ‘checked marked’.

b) Compare the configuration with Exercise 9.1.

8) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbols in the ‘Positioning toolbar’, and select
‘Transponder …’. Press the ‘Read’ button, and check the settings.

a) Press the Read button

b) Make sure the transponder is enabled.
c) Make sure the sensor is enabled if needed.

9) If you have an unstable position, play around with:

a) the ‘Interrogation interval’ and ‘Transmit power’ in ‘Properties…’.

b) and ‘Nav. Tx Power’ in the ‘Transponder configure’.

Applies to HiPAP®

10) Reduce ‘Max Gain’.

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 Blank page

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 12 System administration

Revision Date Written by

A July 1, 2005 kgr
B January 1, 2006 kgr
C May 1, 2006 kgr
C1 June 1, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part. Chapter 7.10 and Appendix A included in this chapter
B 12.6 changed.
C New format. 12.4 have a new name.
C1 Changes in 12.7

Contents

12 System administration

12.1 Introduction
12.2 APC 10 and APOS evolution
12.3 ‘Shutting down’ the OS
12.4 APOS Backup file (Image of the hard disk)
12.5 System Report
12.6 System Backup and Restore
12.7 Service Mode

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 12.1 Introduction

The computers in the HiPAP® transceivers (HTC 10) and APOS (APC 10) operator stations are mainly
built upon components used in standard PCs. As such, they are subject to the same types of problems
we see in common PCs, except most of today’s PCs are connected to internet, and the problems
related to virus etc. does not affect us, since we are on a closed network, or no network at all.

Since the users do not have access to the installation software, we have developed several other
functions, which will help you to come around some of the most common problems we have seen the
users meet.

What we will focus on in this chapter is the system administration for the operator station.

There have been several changes on the APC 10 and APOS over the year. At present we distribute
APOS 4.2.0.47, were 47 indicates that this is release 47.

An overview of the main changes and improvements in the APOS releases is available in APOS Help,
see Exercise 7.1b.

APOS runs on Windows® computers. From the first version and until the summer of 2004, APOS was
delivered with Windows® NT. Microsoft stopped supporting Windows® NT in the summer of 2004,
and APOS is now delivered with Windows® XP. As an APOS user, we don’t see any big difference
between Windows NT and Windows®XP.

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 12.3 ‘Shutting down’ the OS

It is two main ways to stop your APOS computer, the ‘right way’ and ‘wrong way’.

Wrong way

The wrong way to stop your computer is to use the power switch, reset button or simply pull out the
power cord.

Microsoft requires the user to stop all the programs on the computer, before you switch off the power.
The reason for this is Windows® may be in the middle of a process of saving data on the hard disk. If
the computer looses the power in the middle of such a process, the programs may not work properly
on the next start-up, and in worst case the computer may not start again.

If you use the front panel power switch on a Windows® XP computer, Windows® XP reads the power
switch button, and will not shut down the computer before the data is saved.

If you use the front panel power switch on a Windows® NT computer, the computer stops
immediately, and data may be lost.

Right way

When you select ‘Stop/Shutdown…’ from within File on the menu bar (see Fig. 7.7) in your APOS
program, both APOS and Windows® will stop.

By following this procedure, you will eliminate possible error sources, and in case something goes
wrong, the service engineer will not blame the error on the stopping procedure, if it really is something
else.

Exercise

1) Stop APOS and Windows, and shut off the power.

2) Do not restart

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 12.4 APOS Backup file (Image of the hard disk)

Your APOS computer (OS) is supplied with a DVD or CD writer, and an ‘APOS Backup file’ (systems
delivered after November 2001). The backup program is Ghost from Symantec, and will make a copy (image)
of your hard disk, writing it to a CD/DVD.

This backup CD/DVD will serve as an emergency repair disk, if any software error should appear on your
hard disk.

Systems delivered with Windows® XP will have a DVD writer. A Windows® XP backup will not fit on a
single CD, but will normally fit on a DVD.

If your vessel has more than one OS, you need to make a backup of each, because they are configured
differently.

For those of you having systems delivered without any CD or DVD writer, I will strongly recommend you to
have the service engineer installing one, on his next visit.

Windows® NT

An image created on a Windows® NT computer can most likely be copied to any identical type of computer,
but you may need to reinstall the networks card. Windows® NT also gives us the possibility to create a hard
disk in Horten with a similar setup, and ship it to you.

Windows® XP

Microsoft is supplying different version of the Windows® XP. The one we are using is called an OEM
version. Each CD with Windows® XP has an individual serial number. The installation need to be registered
with Microsoft, and a code is needed. This simply means that this CD can’t be used on any other computer,
because part of the registration is to read the serial numbers of different components in the computer, like
hard disk, motherboard, CPU etc. You can change one or a few of the components for upgrade or repair, but
not all.

If you make an image of this computer, you will have to install the image on the same computer again, or if
you i.e. have a hard disk failure, you can change that.

We can’t configure a hard disk in Horten and ship it to you. In that case we will have to ship a complete
computer

Exercise

In chapter 13 you will find the user manual of the ‘APOS Backup file’. Read it and make an image.

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 12.7 Service Mode

General

APOS is protecting some of the configurations with passwords. Some passwords are available only for
the Kongsberg Simrad personnel, and one is available for the crew on the vessel.

The reason we are using passwords is to protect the user from doing unintended configurations.

For the crew, APOS can be in two modes:

1) Operator Mode, this mode is giving the minimum configuration possibilities, and
is considered to be the normal mode.

2) Service Mode, this mode is giving the Operator extended configurations. Use
this mode only in special circumstances, and it may be a good
idea to contact Kongsberg Maritime's service department, before
any use.

3) Administrator Mode, no use

NB! APOS have no indication on the main display to tell you that Service Mode is enabled. You
will have to enter the dialog box to see which mode is enabled (this feature was included in
APOS 4.2.0).

NB! The ‘Service Mode’ will be enabled for one hour, followed by an automatic return to
‘Operator Mode’.

APOS Software Versions preceding 4.2.0

APOS does not have a time-out on the ‘Service Mode’, which will change it back to ‘Operator Mode’
after a certain time.

It is therefore important to switch APOS back to ‘Operator Mode’ after the necessary configuration
change has been done.

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 Operating situation: You need to change a parameter in a dialog box, where the ‘OK button’ is
grayed.

Step by step

1) Select ‘User’ on the ‘Menu line’, and then ‘Logon…’

2) Select ‘User’ as ‘Service’
3) Enter 1997 as the password
4) Verify that APOS are in ‘Service Mode’

How can you do that? _________________________________________

5) After the necessary configuration change has been done, set APOS back to ‘Operator Mode’.
6) Verify That APOS are in ‘Operator Mode’

How can you do that? _________________________________________

Control Questions

1) Mark the two NBs and the OBSERVE in this Exercise.

2) How long will APOS stay in Service Mode? _______________________

OBSERVE: Not all configurations in APOS are PASSWORD protected by the Service
Mode. You must therefore be careful when operating. I will list a few, where
you will have to be careful:

1) Changing COM ports

2) Setting the transceiver in Training Mode

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 13 Data sheets for ‘APOS for
HiPAP®/HPR Technical
Course

In this section you will find some data sheets, product descriptions, product
specifications and different brochures:

— 164508 HiPAP® 500

— 164509 HiPAP® 350
— 160956 HPR410
— 164414 TP QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
— 164523 MST
— 160762 SPT & MPT 31X
— 160760 SPT & MPT 33X
— 164733 SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TRANSPONDER AND TRANSPONDER BATTERY
— 164818 TTC 400 TRANSPONDER TEST AND CONFIGURATION UNIT
— 216300 APOS BACKUP FILES
— 164819 HAIN POSITIONING REFERENCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
— 164085 APOS TRAINER
— 172170 APOS BASIC OPERATOR COURSE
— 172171 APOS ADVANCED OPERATOR COURSE
— 172807 ACS400 OPERATOR AND TECHNICAL COURSE

More datasheets are available at: www.km.kongsberg.com

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 Revision Date Written by
A 01.03.04 Kgr
B 15 sept 2004 Kgr
C June 1, 2005 Kgr
D September 1, 2005 kgr

Revision Comments
A New
B Converted to Word
C RPT replaced by MST
D Moved to Chapter 13

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 14 Responder
Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to tell you how to configure a responder in APOS, and a basic
introduction to the hardware. A complete introduction is available in the Instruction manuals.

Revision Date Written by

A June 1, 2005 kgr
B August 15, 2005 kgr
C January 15, 2006 kgr
D May 1, 2006 kgr
D1 June 1, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on Chapter 9.4a – d and 10.7b – c.
B Moved to chapter 14. Added 14.2b and c.
C 14.2b → 10.13c. 14.2c → 14.2b
D New format and automatic figure numbering added. Added
chapter 14.8 and 14.9.
D1 Changes in ‘Contents’, 14.1, 14.2, 14.2.a and 14.6

Contents

14 Responder

14.1 Introduction
14.2 Responder type, MST
14.2.a Responder to transponder change, MST (RPT) type
14.2.b Battery packs
14.2.c MST maintenance
14.3 Responder type, SPT or MPT
14.3.a Responder to transponder change, SPT or MPT types
14.4 Responder connection in the HiPAP® Transceiver
14.5 Responder in HPR 400 Transceiver
14.6 Change of Responder drive.
14.7 RPT transponders
14.8 ‘ROV graphic symbol’ in APOS
14.9 ROV heading

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 14.1 Introduction

Kongsberg Maritime delivers responders as MPT/SPT types or MST types. The MST is a mini
transponder, and has no telemetry functions.

The RPT types of transponders are obsolete, and replaced by MST.

ROVs and ‘TOW Fishes’ can with great advantages be positioned with responders.

Some of the advantages of using a responder:

• Less sensitive to noise

• Reduced battery cost
• Higher position update rate
• Smaller size and less weight
• Increased operational time

Disadvantage

• Wiring from transceiver through umbilical

For various reasons, the responder may stop working. Below is listed some reasons:

• broken umbilical and the responder will receive no trigger signal

• hardware error in the transceiver
• hardware error in responder
• connection between transceiver and the umbilical

Describe with your own word how you interrogate a responder compared to a transponder:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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 14.2 Responder type, MST

General MST transponders are commonly used on ROVs, survey cables (not as
responders) etc.

In the bottom part of the transponder, 24 VDC is connected, as well as the

trigger signal. The MST will switch automatically from responder to
transponder if:

the responder looses the power (23 - 30 VDC)

no trigger signal within 65 seconds

The MST will function as a responder again, as soon as the power and trigger pulse is received again.

It is also possible to have the MST on i.e. an ROV, feed it with 24 VDC, and use it as a transponder.
This way you don’t have to worry about the battery capacity.

Operating Situation: You have a ROV in the water, were MST responder B16 is mounted, and
you want to interrogate it.

Serial no. Channel Type + sensor

5035 B16 MST 342

Step by Step

1) Select ‘File’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘New’.

2) Configure B16 as a responder.

3) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbol, and select ‘Properties’.

4) Press the ‘Help’ button and read about Responders

5) ‘Tick’ the ‘Responder’ check box, and observe that the drop-down list box underneath got
highlighted.

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 Figure 14.1

6) Select, which drive you, want to use.

7) Press ‘Apply’ or ‘OK’ and observe the change on the transponder symbol in the ‘Positioning
toolbar’.

8) If you have a responder 750 meters away (slant range). What is your update rate for this
responder?

______________________________________

9) If you have a transponder 750 meters away (slant range). What is your update rate for this
transponder?

______________________________________

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 14.2.a Responder to transponder change, MST (RPT) type

Operating Situation: We will proceed from the previous exercise.

We have a ROV in the water with a MST 324 responder, using channel
B16.

For some reasons, the umbilical broke.

You want to locate the ROV position for a possible recovery, and needs
to tell APOS/HiPAP® that the responder is now operating as a
transponder.

Step by Step

1) ‘Right click’ on the responder (B16) you will turn into a transponder, and select ‘Properties’.

2) Unselect it as a responder. Make sure it is ‘Active’ and press ‘OK’.

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 14.2.b Battery packs

The MST is usually fitted with a rechargeable battery, but can also be fitted with a lithium battery
pack.

Figure 14.2

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 14.2.c MST maintenance

The main subjects related to MST maintenance are listed in the ‘MST instruction manual’, but a few
additional items will be listed here.

Charging the MST

The MST charger has a LED showing the charging status. Observe that this LED is also green after
the 180 minutes timeout

Greasing the connector

The MST transponders are equipped with Subconn® male/female connectors used as on/off switch.
The female plug contains 3 o-rings for each pin. This o-rings needs grease, as shown in the procedure
below.

On/off plug

(Cd6416a)
Transponder base

Figure 14.3

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 On Subconn® homepage http://www.subconn.com/pdf/not02.pdf the following procedure is available:

1) What types of grease (lubricant) to use? ______________________________________

2) How much grease to use? __________________________________________________

3) OBSERVE: Using to much grease may damage the o-rings

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 14.3 Responder type, SPT or MPT

General: The SPT and MPT RspSx types of transponders are mostly used on the plow
(plough) and tow fish tracking.

This transponders also have a 110 VAC option, meaning it can be powered
from an external 110 VAC power supply.

The default1 mode of the SPT or MPT RspSx types of transponders is responder
modes, i.e. the transponder function is disabled.

To make the responder operate as a transponder, the function will need to be

enabled.

This function can be enabled also when the transponder is functioning as a

responder, but after a possible reset of the transponder, the transponder function
will be disabled

OBSERVE: The SPT/MPT RspSx types of transponders have a short tube, which also gives
you a small internal battery, compared to a full size SPT/MPT type of
transponder, see chapter 6.15c. When the 110 VAC is disconnected, the
transponder will start using the internal battery. We recommend you to
disconnect the internal battery, making sure you keep it fully charged.
Alternatively to keep the transponder supplied with 110 VAC.

1) What is the ‘quiescent time’ for an SPT 331 RspSx 110 VAC transponder?

_________________________________________________

2) What is the ‘Max continuous on time’ for an SPT 331 RspSx 110 VAC transponder?

_________________________________________________

1
Default is the setting in transponder/responder after a battery change, or a telemetry command telling the
transponder to go back to default mode.

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 Operating situation: You are towing a plow. On the plow, a SPT 331 RspSx is mounted.
You will have to configure it as a responder. The battery is recently connected, so you can
assume it is in ‘Responder mode’.

Serial no. Channel Type + sensor

5035 B35 SPT 331/RspSx 110Vac

Step by Step

1) Select ‘File’ on the Menu bar, and then ‘New’.

2) Configure B35.

3) The default mode of an SPT 331/Rsp is responder mode2.

4) ‘Right click’ on the transponder symbol, and select ‘Properties’.

5) Press the ‘Help’ button and read about Responders

6) ‘Tick’ the ‘Responder’ check box, and observe that the drop-down list box underneath got
highlighted.

Figure 14.4

7) Select, which drive you, want to use.

8) Press ‘Apply’ or ‘OK’ and observe the change on the transponder symbol in the ‘Positioning
toolbar’.

9) What happened? _____________________

2
This means that we will have to send a telemetry message to it, if we want to use it as a
transponder.

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 14.3.a Responder to transponder change, SPT or MPT types

Operating Situation: We will proceed from the previous exercise. For some reasons, the
pulling wire broke.

You will need to tell APOS that the responder will have to operate as a
transponder, as well as changing the transponder mode from responder to
transponder.

Serial no. Channel Type + sensor

5035 B35 SPT 331/RspSx 110Vac

Step by Step

1) Right click on the responder B35, and select ‘Properties’.

2) Unselect it as a responder. Make sure it is ‘Active’ and press ‘OK’.

3) Right click on B35, and select ‘Transponder’, and then select the ‘Transponder Function‘
tab.

4) Press ‘Enable SSBL Tp’.

Control Question

1) Where is step 4) taking place?

Figure 14.5

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 2) When you lift the plow onto the vessel, and disconnect the 110 VAC. What will happen to the
transponder?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3) What steps do you have to take?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

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 14.4 Responder connection in the HiPAP® Transceiver

Figure 14.6

Figure 14.7

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 Figure 14.8

Figure 14.9

Exercise

If you have a HiPAP® Transceiver in the training facilities, find out where the responder is connected.

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 14.5 Responder in HPR 400 Transceiver

Figure 14.10

Figure 14.11

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 Figure 14.12

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 14.6 Change of Responder drive.

1) How many responder drives do you have on your system?

• HiPAP® 500 ____________

• HiPAP® 450
• HiPAP® 350 ____________
• HPR 400 ____________

2) Make a sketch on the drawing underneath where the wire to responder is connected electrically.

Figure 14.13

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 Operating Situation: You are towing a plow. On the plow transponder B35 is mounted. You
got some problems with the responder and will try to change the
Responder Drive

Step by Step

1) Right click on the responder symbol and select ‘Properties’

2) Change from ‘Drive 1’ to ‘Drive 2’
3) Press ‘OK’

Control Question

Figure 14.14

1) What else will you have to do before the change is taking place?

_____________________________

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 14.7 RPT transponders

The main subjects related to RPT transponder maintenance are listed in the ‘RPT instruction manual’,
but a few additional items will be listed here.

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 Blank page

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 15 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS

Revision Date Written by

A 12.01.04 KGr
B 01.04.04 kgr
C June 1, 2005 kgr
D September 1, 2005 kgr
E January 15, 2006 kgr
E1 June 15, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on copies from the Internet and handouts
B Minor change
C New chapter number. Minor changes. Added numbers to the figures
D Moved from chapter 14 to 15. Changes in 15.1.
E Subchapters relocated. Chapter 15.5 is rewritten. Added 15.10 and
15.12. Minor changes throughout. Autom. figure and sub chapter nos.
added.
E1 Minor changes.

The HiPAP® or HPR system consists of different computers and electronic units, which is
communicating with each other.

For troubleshooting purposes it is important to have an idea of how this communication is working. It
is also useful to know the name of different types of communication.

We mainly use RS422 and Ethernet for communications. Old DP-systems used ‘current loop’, and
once in a while we see RS232.

During this course, we will introduce RS232, because it makes it easier to appreciate RS422 and
Ethernet.

At Kongsberg Maritime AS’s training centre in Horten, we have collected some information from
Internet in this chapter, which we consider your homework. See 14.1. The important thing here is not
to understand it fully, but to be familiar with the concepts and names involved. We will later on
discuss the important details in the classroom.

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 Contents

15 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS
15.1 Homework for Day 2.
15.2 Data Communications Basics
15.2.a What is Data Communications?
15.2.b Communications Channels
15.2.c Serial Communications
15.2.d Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Transmission
15.2.e The ASCII Character Set
15.2.f Parity and Checksums
15.2.g Data Compression
15.2.h Data Encryption
15.2.i Data Storage Technology
15.2.j Data Transfer in Digital Circuits
15.2.k Transmission over Short Distances (< 2 feet)
15.2.l Noise and Electrical Distortion
15.2.m Transmission over Medium Distances (< 20 feet)
15.2.n Transmission over Long Distances (< 4000 feet)
15.2.o Transmission over Very Long Distances (greater than 4000 feet)
15.3 ADSL
15.4 RS232/RS422 specifications
15.5 The RS 232 Standard
15.5.a The RS 232 History
15.5.b The full version.
15.5.c The PC world
15.5.d How is RS 232 working?
15.5.e Limitations of the RS 232 standard
15.5.f Cable lengths
15.6 RS 422
15.7 Twisted pairs
15.8 SELECTION OF TRANSMISSION LINE FOR RS-485
15.8.a CABLE SELECTION FOR RS-422 AND RS-485 SYSTEMS
15.8.b Plenum cable
15.9 Copies from the PowerPoint, Serial Lines
15.10 Scope pictures of RS 422 communications
15.11 Ethernet
15.12 Cat 5 cables
15.12.a Introduction
15.12.b LANs simplified
15.12.c NETWORK CABLE AND CONNECTORS
15.12.d CONNECTORS
15.12.e NETWORK CABLE TOOLS
15.12.f A little theory
15.12.g COLOR-CODE STANDARDS
15.13 Network glossary
15.14 Exercises
15.15 Troubleshooting network
15.16 Permissions

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 15.1 Homework for Day 2.

Chapter 15.2 to 15.13 is enclosed for information only. It is copied from the Internet, with permissions
granted. The idea is not that you shall understand it fully, but be familiar with the concepts and names
involved.

Don’t panic if you get a hard time reading it. Just browse through the material and you will have an
easier day tomorrow.

In the table below, I list what I think you should read. The rest is for your own pleasure.

Keep in mind that this subject does not apply to HiPAP®/HPR/DP only, but is becoming more and
more part of our daily life at an increasing rate

15.2 Data Communications Browse through the material

Basics
15.3 ADSL Not included
15.4 RS232/RS422 Browse through the material
specifications
15.5 The RS 232 Standard Foundation. If you understand this, you are well off.
15.6 RS 422 Important
15.7 Twisted pairs Important
15.10 Scope pictures of RS 422 Browse through the material
communications
15.11 Ethernet Drawings used in the PowerPoint presentation
15.12 Cat 5 cables Important
15.13 Network glossary Browse through the material
15.14 Exercises Exercise
15.15 Troubleshooting network Browse through the material
15.16 Permissions Not included

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 15.2 Data Communications Basics

This page is copied from:

http://www.camiresearch.com/Data_Com_Basics/data_com_tutorial.html

Written by Christopher E. Strangio

Copyright © 1993-2003 by CAMI Research Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts

15.2.a What is Data Communications?

The distance over which data moves within a computer may vary from a few thousandths of an inch,
as is the case within a single IC chip, to as much as several feet along the backplane of the main circuit
board. Over such small distances, digital data may be transmitted as direct, two-level electrical signals
over simple copper conductors. Except for the fastest computers, circuit designers are not very
concerned about the shape of the conductor or the analog characteristics of signal transmission.

Frequently, however, data must be sent beyond the local circuitry that constitutes a computer. In many
cases, the distances involved may be enormous. Unfortunately, as the distance between the source of a
message and its destination increases, accurate transmission becomes increasingly difficult. This
results from the electrical distortion of signals traveling through long conductors, and from noise
added to the signal as it propagates through a transmission medium. Although some precautions must
be taken for data exchange within a computer, the biggest problems occur when data is transferred to
devices outside the computer's circuitry. In this case, distortion and noise can become so severe that
information is lost.

Data Communications concerns the transmission of digital messages to devices external to the
message source. "External" devices are generally thought of as being independently powered circuitry
that exists beyond the chassis of a computer or other digital message source. As a rule, the maximum
permissible transmission rate of a message is directly proportional to signal power and inversely
proportional to channel noise. It is the aim of any communications system to provide the highest
possible transmission rate at the lowest possible power and with the least possible noise.

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 15.2.b Communications Channels
A communications channel is a pathway over which information can be conveyed. It may be defined
by a physical wire that connects communicating devices, or by a radio, laser, or other radiated energy
source that has no obvious physical presence. Information sent through a communications channel has
a source from which the information originates, and a destination to which the information is
delivered. Although information originates from a single source, there may be more than one
destination, depending upon how many receive stations are linked to the channel and how much
energy the transmitted signal possesses.

In a digital communications channel, the information is represented by individual data bits, which may
be encapsulated into multibit message units. A byte, which consists of eight bits, is an example of a
message unit that may be conveyed through a digital communications channel. A collection of bytes
may itself be grouped into a frame or other higher-level message unit. Such multiple levels of
encapsulation facilitate the handling of messages in a complex data communications network.

Any communications channel has a direction associated with it:

Figure 15.1
The message source is the transmitter, and the destination is the receiver. A channel whose direction of
transmission is unchanging is referred to as a simplex channel. For example, a radio station is a
simplex channel because it always transmits the signal to its listeners and never allows them to
transmit back.

A half-duplex channel is a single physical channel in which the direction may be reversed. Messages
may flow in two directions, but never at the same time, in a half-duplex system. In a telephone call,
one party speaks while the other listens. After a pause, the other party speaks and the first party listens.
Speaking simultaneously results in garbled sound that cannot be understood.

A full-duplex channel allows simultaneous message exchange in both directions. It really consists of
two simplex channels, a forward channel and a reverse channel, linking the same points. The
transmission rate of the reverse channel may be slower if it is used only for flow control of the forward
channel.

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 15.2.c Serial Communications

Most digital messages are vastly longer than just a few bits. Because it is neither practical nor
economic to transfer all bits of a long message simultaneously, the message is broken into smaller
parts and transmitted sequentially. Bit-serial transmission conveys a message one bit at a time through
a channel. Each bit represents a part of the message. The individual bits are then reassembled at the
destination to compose the message. In general, one channel will pass only one bit at a time. Thus, bit-
serial transmission is necessary in data communications if only a single channel is available. Bit-serial
transmission is normally just called serial transmission and is the chosen communications method in
many computer peripherals.

Byte-serial transmission conveys eight bits at a time through eight parallel channels. Although the raw
transfer rate is eight times faster than in bit-serial transmission, eight channels are needed, and the cost
may be as much as eight times higher to transmit the message. When distances are short, it may
nonetheless be both feasible and economic to use parallel channels in return for high data rates. The
popular Centronics printer interface is a case where byte-serial transmission is used. As another
example, it is common practice to use a 16-bit-wide data bus to transfer data between a
microprocessor and memory chips; this provides the equivalent of 16 parallel channels. On the other
hand, when communicating with a timesharing system over a modem, only a single channel is
available, and bit-serial transmission is required. This figure illustrates these ideas:

Figure 15.2
The baud rate refers to the signaling rate at which data is sent through a channel and is measured in
electrical transitions per second. In the EIA232 serial interface standard, one signal transition, at most,
occurs per bit, and the baud rate and bit rate are identical. In this case, a rate of 9600 baud corresponds
to a transfer of 9,600 data bits per second with a bit period of 104 microseconds (1/9600 sec.). If two
electrical transitions were required for each bit, as is the case in non-return-to-zero coding, then at a
rate of 9600 baud, only 4800 bits per second could be conveyed. The channel efficiency is the number
of bits of useful information passed through the channel per second. It does not include framing,
formatting, and error detecting bits that may be added to the information bits before a message is
transmitted, and will always be less than one.

Figure 15.3

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 15.2.d Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Transmission
The data rate of a channel is often specified by its bit rate (often thought erroneously to be the same as
baud rate). However, an equivalent measure channel capacity is bandwidth. In general, the maximum
data rate a channel can support is directly proportional to the channel's bandwidth and inversely
proportional to the channel's noise level.

A communications protocol is an agreed-upon convention that defines the order and meaning of bits in
a serial transmission. It may also specify a procedure for exchanging messages. A protocol will define
how many data bits compose a message unit, the framing and formatting bits, any error-detecting bits
that may be added, and other information that governs control of the communications hardware.
Channel efficiency is determined by the protocol design rather than by digital hardware
considerations. Note that there is a tradeoff between channel efficiency and reliability - protocols that
provide greater immunity to noise by adding error-detecting and -correcting codes must necessarily
become less efficient.

Serialized data is not generally sent at a uniform rate through a channel. Instead, there is usually a
burst of regularly spaced binary data bits followed by a pause, after which the data flow resumes.
Packets of binary data are sent in this manner, possibly with variable-length pauses between packets,
until the message has been fully transmitted. In order for the receiving end to know the proper moment
to read individual binary bits from the channel, it must know exactly when a packet begins and how
much time elapses between bits. When this timing information is known, the receiver is said to be
synchronized with the transmitter, and accurate data transfer becomes possible. Failure to remain
synchronized throughout a transmission will cause data to be corrupted or lost.

Two basic techniques are employed to ensure correct synchronization. In synchronous systems,
separate channels are used to transmit data and timing information. The timing channel transmits clock
pulses to the receiver. Upon receipt of a clock pulse, the receiver reads the data channel and latches the
bit value found on the channel at that moment. The data channel is not read again until the next clock
pulse arrives. Because the transmitter originates both the data and the timing pulses, the receiver will
read the data channel only when told to do so by the transmitter (via the clock pulse), and
synchronization is guaranteed.

Techniques exist to merge the timing signal with the data so that only a single channel is required.
This is especially useful when synchronous transmissions are to be sent through a modem. Two
methods in which a data signal is self-timed are nonreturn-to-zero and biphase Manchester coding.
These both refer to methods for encoding a data stream into an electrical waveform for transmission.

In asynchronous systems, a separate timing channel is not used. The transmitter and receiver must be
preset in advance to an agreed-upon baud rate. A very accurate local oscillator within the receiver will
then generate an internal clock signal that is equal to the transmitters within a fraction of a percent. For
the most common serial protocol, data is sent in small packets of 10 or 11 bits, eight of which
constitute message information. When the channel is idle, the signal voltage corresponds to a
continuous logic '1'. A data packet always begins with a logic '0' (the start bit) to signal the receiver
that a transmission is starting. The start bit triggers an internal timer in the receiver that generates the
needed clock pulses. Following the start bit, eight bits of message data are sent bit by bit at the agreed
upon baud rate. The packet is concluded with a parity bit and stop bit. One complete packet is
illustrated below:

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 Figure 15.4

15.2.e The ASCII Character Set

The packet length is short in asynchronous systems to minimize the risk that the local oscillators in the
receiver and transmitter will drift apart. When high-quality crystal oscillators are used,
synchronization can be guaranteed over an 11-bit period. Every time a new packet is sent, the start bit
resets the synchronization, so the pause between packets can be arbitrarily long. Note that the EIA232
standard defines electrical, timing, and mechanical characteristics of a serial interface. However, it
does not include the asynchronous serial protocol shown in the previous figure, or the ASCII alphabet
described next.

Characters sent through a serial interface generally follow the ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange) character standard:

Figure 15.5

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 15.2.f Parity and Checksums

This standard relates binary codes to printable characters and control codes. Fully 25 percent of the
ASCII character set represents nonprintable control codes, such as carriage return (CR) and line feed
(LF). Most modern character-oriented peripheral equipment abides by the ASCII standard, and thus
may be used interchangeably with different computers.

Noise and momentary electrical disturbances may cause data to be changed as it passes through a
communications channel. If the receiver fails to detect this, the received message will be incorrect,
resulting in possibly serious consequences. As a first line of defense against data errors, they must be
detected. If an error can be flagged, it might be possible to request that the faulty packet be resent, or
to at least prevent the flawed data from being taken as correct. If sufficient redundant information is
sent, one- or two-bit errors may be corrected by hardware within the receiver before the corrupted data
ever reaches its destination.

A parity bit is added to a data packet for the purpose of error detection. In the even-parity convention,
the value of the parity bit is chosen so that the total number of '1' digits in the combined data plus
parity packet is an even number. Upon receipt of the packet, the parity needed for the data is
recomputed by local hardware and compared to the parity bit received with the data. If any bit has
changed state, the parity will not match, and an error will have been detected. In fact, if an odd number
of bits (not just one) have been altered, the parity will not match. If an even number of bits has been
reversed, the parity will match even though an error has occurred. However, a statistical analysis of
data communication errors has shown that a single-bit error is much more probable than a multibit
error in the presence of random noise. Thus, parity is a reliable method of error detection.

Figure 15.6
Another approach to error detection involves the computation of a checksum. In this case, the packets that
constitute a message are added arithmetically. A checksum number is appended to the packet sequence so
that the sum of data plus checksum is zero. When received, the packet sequence may be added, along with
the checksum, by a local microprocessor. If the sum is nonzero, an error has occurred. As long as the sum is
zero, it is highly unlikely (but not impossible) that any data has been corrupted during transmission.

Figure 15.7
Errors may not only be detected, but also corrected if additional code is added to a packet sequence. If
the error probability is high or if it is not possible to request retransmission, this may be worth doing.
However, including error-correcting code in a transmission lowers channel efficiency, and results in a
noticeable drop in channel throughput.

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 15.2.g Data Compression

If a typical message were statistically analyzed, it would be found that certain characters are used
much more frequently than others. By analyzing a message before it is transmitted, short binary codes
may be assigned to frequently used characters and longer codes to rarely used characters. In doing so,
it is possible to reduce the total number of characters sent without altering the information in the
message. Appropriate decoding at the receiver will restore the message to its original form. This
procedure, known as data compression, may result in a 50 percent or greater savings in the amount of
data transmitted. Even though time is necessary to analyze the message before it is transmitted, the
savings may be great enough so that the total time for compression, transmission, and decompression
will still be lower than it would be when sending an uncompressed message.

Some kinds of data will compress much more than others. Data that represents images, for example,
will usually compress significantly, perhaps by as much as 80 percent over its original size. Data
representing a computer program, on the other hand, may be reduced only by 15 or 20 percent.

15.2.h Data Encryption

A compression method called Huffman coding is frequently used in data communications, and
particularly in fax transmission. Clearly, most of the image data for a typical business letter represents
white paper, and only about 5 percent of the surface represents black ink. It is possible to send a single
code that, for example, represents a consecutive string of 1000 white pixels rather than a separate code
for each white pixel. Consequently, data compression will significantly reduce the total message
length for a faxed business letter. Were the letter made up of randomly distributed black ink covering
50 percent of the white paper surface, data compression would hold no advantages.

Privacy is a great concern in data communications. Faxed business letters can be intercepted at will
through tapped phone lines or intercepted microwave transmissions without the knowledge of the
sender or receiver. To increase the security of this and other data communications, including digitized
telephone conversations, the binary codes representing data may be scrambled in such a way that
unauthorized interception will produce an indecipherable sequence of characters. Authorized receive
stations will be equipped with a decoder that enables the message to be restored. The process of
scrambling, transmitting, and descrambling is known as encryption.

Custom integrated circuits have been designed to perform this task and are available at low cost. In
some cases, they will be incorporated into the main circuitry of a data communications device and
function without operator knowledge. In other cases, an external circuit is used so that the device, and
its encrypting/decrypting technique, may be transported easily.

15.2.i Data Storage Technology

Normally, we think of communications science as dealing with the contemporaneous exchange of

information between distant parties. However, many of the same techniques employed in data
communications are also applied to data storage to ensure that the retrieval of information from a
storage medium is accurate. We find, for example, that similar kinds of error-correcting codes used to
protect digital telephone transmissions from noise are also used to guarantee correct readback of
digital data from compact audio disks, CD-ROMs, and tape backup systems.

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 15.2.j Data Transfer in Digital Circuits
Data is typically grouped into packets that are either 8, 16, or 32 bits long, and passed between
temporary holding units called registers. Data within a register is available in parallel because each bit
exits the register on a separate conductor. To transfer data from one register to another, the output
conductors of one register are switched onto a channel of parallel wires referred to as a bus. The input
conductors of another register, which is also connected to the bus, capture the information:

Figure 15.8
Following a data transaction, the content of the source register is reproduced in the destination
register. It is important to note that after any digital data transfer, the source and destination registers
are equal; the source register is not erased when the data is sent.

The transmit and receive switches shown above are electronic and operate in response to commands
from a central control unit. It is possible that two or more destination registers will be switched on to
receive data from a single source. However, only one source may transmit data onto the bus at any
time. If multiple sources were to attempt transmission simultaneously, an electrical conflict would
occur when bits of opposite value are driven onto a single bus conductor. Such a condition is referred
to as a bus contention. Not only will a bus contention result in the loss of information, but it also may
damage the electronic circuitry. As long as all registers in a system are linked to one central control
unit, bus contentions should never occur if the circuit has been designed properly. Note that the data
buses within a typical microprocessor are fundamentally half-duplex channels.

15.2.k Transmission over Short Distances (< 2 feet)

When the source and destination registers are part of an integrated circuit (within a microprocessor
chip, for example), they are extremely close (thousandths of an inch). Consequently, the bus signals
are at very low power levels, may traverse a distance in very little time, and are not very susceptible to
external noise and distortion. This is the ideal environment for digital communications. However, it is
not yet possible to integrate all the necessary circuitry for a computer (i.e., CPU, memory, disk
control, video and display drivers, etc.) on a single chip. When data is sent off-chip to another
integrated circuit, the bus signals must be amplified and conductors extended out of the chip through
external pins. Amplifiers may be added to the source register:

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 Figure 15.9
Bus signals that exit microprocessor chips and other VLSI circuitry are electrically capable of
traversing about one foot of conductor on a printed circuit board, or less if many devices are connected
to it. Special buffer circuits may be added to boost the bus signals sufficiently for transmission over
several additional feet of conductor length, or for distribution to many other chips (such as memory
chips).

15.2.l Noise and Electrical Distortion

Because of the very high switching rate and relatively low signal strength found on data, address, and
other buses within a computer, direct extension of the buses beyond the confines of the main circuit
board or plug-in boards would pose serious problems. First, long runs of electrical conductors, either
on printed circuit boards or through cables, act like receiving antennas for electrical noise radiated by
motors, switches, and electronic circuits:

Figure 15.10
Such noise becomes progressively worse as the length increases, and may eventually impose an
unacceptable error rate on the bus signals. Just a single bit error in transferring an instruction code
from memory to a microprocessor chip may cause an invalid instruction to be introduced into the
instruction stream, in turn causing the computer to totally cease operation.

A second problem involves the distortion of electrical signals as they pass through metallic
conductors. Signals that start at the source as clean, rectangular pulses may be received as rounded
pulses with ringing at the rising and falling edges:

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 Figure 15.11
These effects are properties of transmission through metallic conductors, and become more
pronounced as the conductor length increases. To compensate for distortion, signal power must be
increased or the transmission rate decreased.

Special amplifier circuits are designed for transmitting direct (unmodulated) digital signals through
cables. For the relatively short distances between components on a printed circuit board or along a
computer backplane, the amplifiers are in simple IC chips that operate from standard +5v power. The
normal output voltage from the amplifier for logic '1' is slightly higher than the minimum needed to
pass the logic '1' threshold. Correspondingly for logic '0', it is slightly lower. The difference between
the actual output voltage and the threshold value is referred to as the noise margin, and represents the
amount of noise voltage that can be added to the signal without creating an error:

Figure 15.12

15.2.m Transmission over Medium Distances (< 20 feet)

Computer peripherals such as a printer or scanner generally include mechanisms that cannot be
situated within the computer itself. Our first thought might be just to extend the computer's internal
buses with a cable of sufficient length to reach the peripheral. Doing so, however, would expose all
bus transactions to external noise and distortion even though only a very small percentage of these
transactions concern the distant peripheral to which the bus is connected.

If a peripheral can be located within 20 feet of the computer, however, relatively simple electronics
may be added to make data transfer through a cable efficient and reliable. To accomplish this, a bus
interface circuit is installed in the computer:

Figure 15.13

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 It consists of a holding register for peripheral data, timing and formatting circuitry for external data
transmission, and signal amplifiers to boost the signal sufficiently for transmission through a cable.
When communication with the peripheral is necessary, data is first deposited in the holding register by
the microprocessor. This data will then be reformatted, sent with error-detecting codes, and
transmitted at a relatively slow rate by digital hardware in the bus interface circuit. In addition, the
signal power is greatly boosted before transmission through the cable. These steps ensure that the data
will not be corrupted by noise or distortion during its passage through the cable. In addition, because
only data destined for the peripheral is sent, the party-line transactions taking place on the computer's
buses are not unnecessarily exposed to noise.

Data sent in this manner may be transmitted in byte-serial format if the cable has eight parallel
channels (at least 10 conductors for half-duplex operation), or in bit-serial format if only a single
channel is available.

15.2.n Transmission over Long Distances (< 4000 feet)

When relatively long distances are involved in reaching a peripheral device, driver circuits must be
inserted after the bus interface unit to compensate for the electrical effects of long cables:

Figure 15.14
This is the only change needed if a single peripheral is used. However, if many peripherals are
connected, or if other computer stations are to be linked, a local area network (LAN) is required, and it
becomes necessary to drastically change both the electrical drivers and the protocol to send messages
through the cable. Because multiconductor cable is expensive, bit-serial transmission is almost always
used when the distance exceeds 20 feet.

In either a simple extension cable or a LAN, a balanced electrical system is used for transmitting
digital data through the channel. This type of system involves at least two wires per channel, neither of
which is a ground. Note that a common ground return cannot be shared by multiple channels in the
same cable as would be possible in an unbalanced system.

The basic idea behind a balanced circuit is that a digital signal is sent on two wires simultaneously,
one wire expressing a positive voltage image of the signal and the other a negative voltage image.
When both wires reach the destination, the signals are subtracted by a summing amplifier, producing a
signal swing of twice the value found on either incoming line. If the cable is exposed to radiated
electrical noise, a small voltage of the same polarity is added to both wires in the cable. When the
signals are subtracted by the summing amplifier, the noise cancels and the signal emerges from the
cable without noise:

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 Figure 15.15
A great deal of technology has been developed for LAN systems to minimize the amount of cable
required and maximize the throughput. The costs of a LAN have been concentrated in the electrical
interface card that would be installed in PCs or peripherals to drive the cable, and in the
communications software, not in the cable itself (whose cost has been minimized). Thus, the cost and
complexity of a LAN are not particularly affected by the distance between stations.

15.2.o Transmission over Very Long Distances (greater than 4000 feet)

Data communications through the telephone network can reach any point in the world. The volume of
overseas fax transmissions is increasing constantly, and computer networks that link thousands of
businesses, governments, and universities are pervasive. Transmissions over such distances are not
generally accomplished with a direct-wire digital link, but rather with digitally-modulated analog
carrier signals. This technique makes it possible to use existing analog telephone voice channels for
digital data, although at considerably reduced data rates compared to a direct digital link.

Transmission of data from your personal computer to a timesharing service over phone lines requires
that data signals be converted to audible tones by a modem. An audio sine wave carrier is used, and,
depending on the baud rate and protocol, will encode data by varying the frequency, phase, or
amplitude of the carrier. The receiver's modem accepts the modulated sine wave and extracts the
digital data from it. Several modulation techniques typically used in encoding digital data for analog
transmission are shown below:

Figure 15.16
Similar techniques may be used in digital storage devices such as hard disk drives to encode data for
storage using an analog medium.

END

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 15.4 RS232/RS422 specifications

Figure 15.21

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 15.5 The RS 232 Standard

15.5.a The RS 232 History

In the early 1960s, a standards committee, today known as the Electronic Industries Association,
developed a common interface standard for data communications equipment. The RS 232 was
introduced in 1962, and despite rumors for a short life, has remained widely used through the industry.
This standard was originally intended for specifying the connection between an electromechanical
teletypewriter and a modem. When electronic terminals (smart and dumb) began to be used, they were
often designed to be interchangeable with teletypes, and so supported RS-232. The C revision of the
standard was issued in 1969 in part to accommodate the electrical characteristics of these devices.

Figure 15.22.
The U.S. Army's standard teletypewriter of the 1950's weighed about 200 pounds. It was 42-1/8" high, 18"
wide, and 21-5/16" deep, composed of a keyboard unit, a typing unit, a motor unit, and a base unit, all on
a metal table with everything painted green. The keyboard had the keys arranged as on a standard
QWERTY typewriter, but in only three rows with 31 keys and a spacebar.

Since application to such devices as computers, printers, test instruments, and so on were not part of
the standard, and no ‘simplified’ standard was agreed upon, many slightly different protocols and
cables were created. Common problems were non-standard pin assignment of circuits on connectors,
incorrect or missing control signals. The lack of adherence to the standards produced an expanding
industry of breakout boxes, patch boxes, test equipment, books, and other aids for the connection of
disparate equipment.

For many years (and still is), a RS-232-compatible port was a standard feature for serial
communications, such as modem connections, on many computers.

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 Since the teletypewriter and modem usually was located close to each other, the standard didn’t
implement the twisted pair1 cables.

The standard has been renamed several times during its history as the sponsoring organization changed
its name, and has been variously known as EIA RS 2322, EIA 232, and most recently as TIA 2323. The
standard continues to be revised and updated by the EIA and since 1988 by the TIA. Revision C was
issued in a document dated August 1969. Revision D was issued in 1986. The current revision is TIA-
232-F Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment
Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange, issued in 1997. Changes since Revision C have been in
timing and details intended to improve harmonization with the CCITT4 standard V.24, but equipment
built to the current standard will interoperate with older versions.

1
It is somewhat tragic that the RS-232 standard from 1969 did not use twisted pair technology which could
operate about a hundred times faster. Twisted pairs have been used in telephone cables since the late 1800's.
In 1888 (over 115 years ago) the "Cable Conference" reported its support of twisted-pair (for telephone
systems) and pointed out its advantages. But over 80 years after this approval by the "Cable Conference",
RS-232 failed to utilize it. Since RS-232 was originally designed for connecting a terminal to a low speed
modem located nearby, the need for high speed and longer distance transmission was apparently not
recognized
2
Electronic Industries Alliance. Until 1997 Electronic Industries Association.
3
|Telecommunications Industry Association
4
International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee, from the French name "Comité consultatif
international téléphonique et télégraphique"

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 15.5.b The full version.

The intention of the RS 232 was serial communication between an electromechanical teletypewriter
and a modem, as seen in Figure 15.23.

Figure 15.23
On the other end of the telephone line you would typically see another modem and computer. Quite
often two computers are connected directly to each other without any modems in between, and this
connection is using a ‘null modem cable’ (see Figure 15.25).

The complete RS 232 standard is quite extensive, and specifies a 25 pins connector (usually a DB-25)
with 22 wires.

Figure 15.24

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 15.5.c The PC world

The RS 232 standard was implemented many years before today’s computers, and the designers
implemented their own version of the standards on the equipment, creating non-standard pin
assignment, incorrect or missing control signal and varying signal voltages.

On the positive side, we saw simpler configuration. , especially when two PC’s is talking to each
other. One very simple configuration is called the ‘Null modem without handshaking’, as seen in
Figure 15.25.

Figure 15.25
In this case the ‘Interface Cable’ is called a ‘Null modem Cable’. When you are using a ‘Null modem
cable’, it is not obvious which part is the DTE, and which part is the DCE.

How to use the handshaking lines in a ‘null modem’ configuration?

The simplest way is to don't use them at all. In that situation, the data lines (Tx/Rx) are cross
connected in the ‘null modem communication cable’. All other pins have no connection. An example
of such a ‘null modem cable without handshaking’ can be seen in the figure below.

Connector 1 Connector 2 Function

2 3 Rx Tx
3 2 Tx Rx
5 5 Signal ground

Figure 15.26
®
For the HiPAP /HPR 400 systems we use the ‘Null modem cable’ for communicating.

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 15.5.d How is RS 232 working?

Electronic data communications between computers will generally fall into two broad categories:
single-ended and differential-ended. RS 232 is single-ended.

The difference between single-ended and differential-ended is explained in Chapter 15.6, RS 422
communication. The differential-ended categories typically use twisted-pair wires, which the RS 232
can’t use. More on twisted-pairs in Chapter 15.715.6.

Independent channels are established for two-way (full-duplex) communications. The RS232 signals
are represented by voltage levels with respect to a system common (power / logic / signal ground). The
"idle" state (MARK5) has the signal level negative with respect to common, and the "active" state
(SPACE) has the signal level positive with respect to common.

Figure 15.27
Let’s assume the ‘Source equipment’ is an APC 10 computer, and the ‘Destination equipment’ is a
transceiver computer. The APC 10 will i.e. send a series of bits onto the transmit line. Which will be
received by the transceiver on the receive line. The transceiver will then revert with another series of
bits on his transmit line, going into the APC-10 receive line.

5
Tthe first practical fully serial binary system generally gets credited to S.F.B. Morse. In Morse code,
characters are symbolized by dots and dashes (binary- 1's and 0's). Morse's first system isn't like we see today in
the movies. It actually had a needle contacting a rotating drum of paper that made a continuous mark. By
energizing an electromagnet the needle would "bounce" away from the paper creating a space. Very soon
telegraph operators noticed that they didn't have to look at the paper to read the code but they could interpret the
code by the sound the needle made when scratching the paper. So this device was replaced by a sounder that
produced click sounds instead of paper etchings. Incidentally, the terms MARK and SPACE originated from
Morse's original device. When the needle contacted the paper we called this a MARK and when the needle
bounced it was called a SPACE.

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 Voltages of -3v to -25v with respect to signal ground (pin 5) are considered logic '1' (the marking
condition), whereas voltages of +3v to +25v are considered logic '0' (the spacing condition). The range
of voltages between -3v and +3v is considered a transition region for which a signal state is not
assigned.

Figure 15.28
Logic states are assigned to the voltage ranges shown here. Note that this is a "negative logic" convention,
which is the reverse of that used in most modern digital designs.

Most contemporary applications will show an open-circuit signal voltage of -8 to -14 volts for logic '1'
(mark), and +8 to +14 volts for logic '0' (space). Voltage magnitudes will be slightly less when the
generator and receiver are connected (when the DTE and DCE devices are connected with a cable).

IMPORTANT: If you insert an LED signal tester in an RS 232 circuit to view signal states, the
signal voltage may drop in magnitude to very near the minimum values of -3v for
logic '1', and +3v for logic '0'. Also note that some inexpensive RS 232 peripherals
are powered directly from the signal lines to avoid using a power supply of their
own. Although this usually works without problems, keep the cable short, and be
aware that noise immunity will be reduced.

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 15.5.e Limitations of the RS 232 standard
Because the application of RS-232 has extended far beyond the original purpose of interconnecting a
terminal with a modem, successor standards have been developed to address the limitations. Issues
with the RS-232 standard include:

- The large voltage swings and requirement for positive and negative supplies increases power
consumption of the interface and complicates power supply design. The voltage swing
requirement also limits the upper speed of a compatible interface.

- Single-ended signaling referred to a common signal ground limit the noise immunity and
transmission distance.

- Multi-drop (meaning a connection between more than two devices) operation of an RS-232
compatible interface is not defined; while multi-drop "work-around" has been devised, they
have limitations in speed and compatibility.

- The handshaking and control lines of the interface are intended for the setup and takedown of
a dial-up communication circuit; in particular, the use of handshake lines for flow control is
not reliably implemented in many devices.

- While the standard recommends a connector and pinout, the connector is large by current
standards.

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 15.5.f Cable lengths

There is one final topic that you should keep in mind when you are doing serial communication over
RS-232. There are some hard physical limits to how far serial data communication can occur over a
piece of wire. When you apply a voltage onto a wire it takes some time for that voltage to go down the
full length of the wire and there are other unstable conditions that happen when you send a "pulse"
down the wire and change voltages too quickly. This problem is worse as wires become longer and the
frequency (i.e. baud rate) increases. This distance can vary based on a number of factor, including the
thickness of the wires involved, RF interference on the wires, quality of the wires during the
manufacturing process, how well they were installed... e.g., are there any "kinks" in the wires that
force it into a sharp bend, and finally the baud rate that you are transmitting the data.
This table presumes a fairly straight and uniform cable that is typical for most low-voltage
applications. Typically something like a CAT-5 cable (also used for local networks or phone lines)
should be more than sufficient for this purpose.

Baud Rate Maximum Distance (in feet)

2400 3000
4800 1000
9600 500
19200 50

You should also be aware that there are ways to get around this limitation. There are "short haul
modems" that can extend this distance to several miles of cable. There are also telephone lines, or
conventional modems, and other long-distance communications techniques

Figure 15.29
An acceptable pulse (top) moves through the transition region
quickly and without hesitation or reversal. Defective pulses
(bottom) could cause data errors.

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 15.6 RS 422

http://www.sangoma.com/signal.htm

RS-422, RS-485, V.11 and other balanced interfaces.

The limitations of RS-232 are largely eliminated by the balanced line interface.

Figure 15.30

A pair of wires is used to carry each signal. The data is encoded and decoded as a differential voltage
between the two lines. A typical truth table for a balanced interface is as follows:

VA-VB < -0.2v =0

VA-VB > +0.2v=1

As a differential voltage, in principle the interface is unaffected by differences in ground voltage

between sender and receiver.
Furthermore, if lines A and B are close together, they will be affected almost identically by external
electromagnetic noise. If the lines are also twisted together, then neither line is permanently closer to a
noise source than the other. Hence the well known "twisted pair" is extremely effective in eliminating
noise from the signal.

Balanced systems are used by LAN topologies like Ethernet and Token Ring. They can support line
speeds over 100Mbps and work reliably at distances of several kilometers.
There are several standards that incorporate balanced line signals into DB connectors. These include
RS-449 (DB37), X.21 (DB15) and RS530 (DB25). The threshold voltages in the truth table are not
identical for these standards, but the standards are usually interoperable.
As line speeds and lengths go up, the problem of signal reflections becomes important. Lines must be
properly terminated by a resistor that makes the cable look electrically like it is infinitely long (an
infinitely long cable, of course, can have no reflected signals because the far end is infinitely far
away). These terminating resistor values depend on the geometry of the cable itself. So you will see
cable designated as 75 Ohm cable or 50 ohm cable, etc. What this means is that by installing a 50 ohm
resistor, say, between the signal pair, this particular type of cable will have the electrical
characteristics of an infinitely long cable. Note that the designation "50 ohm cable" has nothing to do
with the electrical impedance of the physical cable itself.
In theory, extraneous noise, input equally on each line of a pair has no effect. In practice, however, the
characteristics of the receivers are such that sufficiently high noise levels cause one side of the
receiver to saturate, leading to data errors. Resistor networks are frequently included that provide low
resistance paths to earth to dissipate noise.

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 Figure 15.31

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 15.7 Twisted pairs

This page is copied from:

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=serial-port.htm&url=http://www.cab.u-
szeged.hu/LDP/HOWTO/Serial-HOWTO-3.html

RS-232 Cable is Low Speed & Short Distance

The conventional EIA-232 serial port is inherently low speed and is severely limited in distance. Ads
often read "high speed" but it can only work at "high speed" over very short distances such as to a
modem located right next to the computer. Compared to a network card, even this "high speed" is
actually low speed. All of the EIA-232 serial cable wires use a common ground return wire so that
twisted-pair technology (needed for high speeds) can't be used without additional hardware. More
modern interfaces for serial ports exist but they are not standard on PC's like the EIA-232 is. Some
multiport serial cards support them.

The following section is copied from:

http://bwcecom.belden.com/college/techpprs/wcfsbetp.HTM

Twisted Pairs

Twisted pairs (Figure 15.30) consist of two insulated wires twisted together. They are specifically
intended for carrying signals and were invented in the 1880’s for wiring up the early telephone
systems. Twisted pairs offer low noise pick-up and low noise emission from a cable because it is a
balanced line and because a balanced line offers "common-mode noise rejection".

Figure 15.32

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 What is a Balanced Line?

A balanced line is a configuration where two wires are kept close together, usually by twisting them
(Figure 15.31). Conductors need to be the same length, the same size, with a constant distance
between them.

Figure 15.33
It should be noted that the signal, at any instant in time, is exactly the same but opposite polarity on
the two wires. Another way of saying that is, if you note the signal voltage at any point of the cable,
they should add up to zero.

When Noise Appears….

Noise is a fact of life. It is electromagnetic radiation and can come from many sources including
fluorescent lighting, motors, car ignition systems, equipment such as hospital analyzers, transmission
equipment from CB’s, truck, taxis, radio and television broadcasters, and natural sources such as the
sun.
When noise appears, and hits the two wires in our twisted pairs (Figure 15.31), the electromagnetic
radiation of the noise induces a voltage in both wires. However, the direction is the same or "common
mode" in both wires.

Figure 15.34
When the two noise signals reach either end of the cable, there is either a passive balancing device
(such as a transformer shown in Figure 15.32) or the equivalent active balanced input. As you can see,
the two noise signals on the two wires cancel each other out. In this way, the noise cancels out and the
signal (which is "differential mode") can continue through.

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 15.8 SELECTION OF TRANSMISSION LINE FOR
RS-485

http://www.arcelect.com/485info.htm

When choosing a transmission line for RS-485, it is necessary to examine the required distance of the
cable and the data rate of the system. Losses in a transmission line are a combination of ac losses
(skin effect), dc conductor loss, leakage, and ac losses in the dielectric. In high quality cable, the
conductor losses and the dielectric losses are on the same order of magnitude.

15.8.a CABLE SELECTION FOR RS-422 AND RS-485 SYSTEMS

Selecting data cable for an RS-422 or RS-485 system isn't difficult, but often gets lost in the shuffle of
larger system issues. Care should be taken, however, because intermittent problems caused by
marginal cable can be very difficult to troubleshoot.
Beyond the obvious traits such as number of conductors and wire gauge, cable specifications include a
handful of less intuitive terms.

Characteristic Impedance (Ohms): A value based on the inherent conductance, resistance, capacitance
and inductance of a cable that represents the impedance of an infinitely long cable. When the cable is
cut to any length and terminated with this

Characteristic Impedance, measurements of the cable will be identical to values obtained from the
infinite length cable. That is to say that the termination of the cable with this impedance gives the
cable the appearance of being infinite length, allowing no reflections of the transmitted signal. If
termination is required in a system, the termination impedance value should match the Characteristic
Impedance of the cable.

Shunt Capacitance (pFft): The amount of equivalent capacitive load of the cable, typically listed in a
per foot basis. One of the factors limiting total cable length is the capacitive load. Systems with long
lengths benefit from using low capacitance cable.

Propagation velocity (% of c): The speed at which an electrical signal travels in the cable. The value
given typically must be multiplied by the speed of light (c) to obtain units of meters per second. For
example, a cable that lists a propagation velocity of 78% gives a velocity of 0.78 X 300 X 10' - 234 X
106 meters per second.

15.8.b Plenum cable

Plenum rated cable is fire resistant and less toxic when burning than non-plenum rated cable. Check
building and fire codes for requirements. Plenum cable is generally more expensive due to the
sheathing material used.
The RS-422 specification recommends 24AWG twisted pair cable with a shunt capacitance of 16 pF
per foot and 100 ohm characteristic impedance. While the RS-485 specification does not specify
cabling, these recommendations should be used for RS-485 systems as well.
It can be difficult to quantify whether shielding is required in a particular system or not, until problems
arise. We recommend erring on the safe side and using shielded cable. Shielded cable is only slightly
more expensive than unshielded.

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 There are many cables available meeting the recommendations of RS-422 and RS-485, made
specifically for that application. Another choice is the same cable commonly used in the twisted pair
Ethernet cabling. This cable, commonly referred to as Category 5 cable, is defined by the
EIA/TIA/ANSI 568 specification. The extremely high volume of Category 5 cable used makes it
widely available and very inexpensive, often less than half the price of specialty RS422/485 cabling.
The cable has a maximum capacitance of 17 pF/ft (14.5 pF typical) and characteristic impedance of
100 ohms.
Category 5 cable is available as shielded twisted pair (STP) as well as unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
and generally exceeds the recommendations for RS-422 making it an excellent choice for RS-422 and
RS-485 systems.

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 15.9 Copies from the PowerPoint, Serial Lines

Figure 15.35

Figure 15.36

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 15.10 Scope pictures of RS 422 communications

Figure 15.37

In Figure 15.37 we see a scope picture of the communication line from the Operator Station (OS) to
the Transceiver (TRC) in Navigation mode.

How many times a second is OS sending a telegram to TRC? _____________________

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 Figure 15.38

In Figure 15.38 we see the same telegram as in Figure 15.37, but this time we have zoomed in. What is
the time scale?

____________________________________________

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 15.11 Ethernet

How Ethernet Works

by Nick Pidgeon

In today's business world, reliable and efficient access to information has become an important asset in
the quest to achieve a competitive advantage. File cabinets and mountains of papers have given way to
computers that store and manage information electronically. Coworkers thousands of miles apart can
share information instantaneously, just as hundreds of workers in a single location can simultaneously
review research data maintained online.

Computer networking technologies are the glue that binds these elements together. The public Internet
allows businesses around the world to share information with each other and their customers. The
global computer network known as the World Wide Web provides services that let consumers buy
books, clothes, and even cars online, or auction those same items off when no longer wanted.

Networking allows one computer to send information to and receive information from another. We
may not always be aware of the numerous times we access information on computer networks.
Certainly the Internet is the most conspicuous example of computer networking, linking millions of
computers around the world, but smaller networks play a roll in information access on a daily basis.
Many public libraries have replaced their card catalogs with computer terminals that allow patrons to
search for books far more quickly and easily. Airports have numerous screens displaying information
regarding arriving and departing flights. Many retail stores feature specialized computers that handle
point-of-sale transactions. In each of these cases, networking allows many different devices in
multiple locations to access a shared repository of data.

In this edition of HowStuffWorks, we will take a very close look at networking, and in particular the
Ethernet networking standard, so you can understand the actual mechanics of how all of these
computers connect to one another. Before getting into the details of a networking standard, we must
first understand some basic terms and classifications that describe and differentiate network
technologies -- so let's get started!

Local Area vs. Wide Area

We can classify network technologies as belonging to one of two basic groups. Local area network
(LAN) technologies connect many devices that are relatively close to each other, usually in the same
building. The library terminals that display book information would connect over a local area network.
Wide area network (WAN) technologies connect a smaller number of devices that can be many
kilometers apart. For example, if two libraries at the opposite ends of a city wanted to share their book
catalog information, they would most likely make use of a wide area network technology, which could
be a dedicated line leased from the local telephone company, intended solely to carry their data.

In comparison to WANs, LANs are faster and more reliable, but improvements in technology continue
to blur the line of demarcation. Fiber optic cables have allowed LAN technologies to connect devices
tens of kilometers apart, while at the same time greatly improving the speed and reliability of WANs.

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 The Ethernet
In 1973, at Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center (more commonly known as PARC),
researcher Bob Metcalfe designed and tested the first Ethernet network. While working on a way to
link Xerox’s "Alto" computer to a printer, Metcalfe developed the physical method of cabling that
connected devices on the Ethernet as well as the standards that governed communication on the cable.
Ethernet has since become the most popular and most widely deployed network technology in the
world. Many of the issues involved with Ethernet are common to many network technologies, and
understanding how Ethernet addressed these issues can provide a foundation that will improve your
understanding of networking in general.

The Ethernet standard has grown to encompass new technologies as computer networking has
matured, but the mechanics of operation for every Ethernet network today stem from Metcalfe’s
original design. The original Ethernet described communication over a single cable shared by all
devices on the network. Once a device attached to this cable, it had the ability to communicate with
any other attached device. This allows the network to expand to accommodate new devices without
requiring any modification to those devices already on the network.

Ethernet is a local area technology, with networks traditionally operating within a single building,
connecting devices in close proximity. At most, Ethernet devices could have only a few hundred
meters of cable between them, making it impractical to connect geographically dispersed locations.
Modern advancements have increased these distances considerably, allowing Ethernet networks to
span tens of kilometers.

Protocols
In networking, the term protocol refers to a set of rules that govern communications. Protocols are to
computers what language is to humans. Since this article is in English, to understand it you must be
able to read English. Similarly, for two devices on a network to successfully communicate, they must
both understand the same protocols.

Ethernet Terminology
Ethernet follows a simple set of rules that govern its basic operation. To better understand these rules,
it is important to understand the basics of Ethernet terminology.

• Medium - Ethernet devices attach to a common medium that provides a path along which the
electronic signals will travel. Historically, this medium has been coaxial copper cable, but
today it is more commonly a twisted pair or fiber optic cabling.
• Segment - We refer to a single shared medium as an Ethernet segment.
• Node - Devices that attach to that segment are stations or nodes.
• Frame - The nodes communicate in short messages called frames, which are variably sized
chunks of information.

Frames are analogous to sentences in human language. In English, we have rules for constructing our
sentences: We know that each sentence must contain a subject and a predicate. The Ethernet protocol
specifies a set of rules for constructing frames. There are explicit minimum and maximum lengths for
frames, and a set of required pieces of information that must appear in the frame. Each frame must
include, for example, both a destination address and a source address, which identify the recipient
and the sender of the message. The address uniquely identifies the node, just as a name identifies a
particular person. No two Ethernet devices should ever have the same address.

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 Figure 15.39

Since a signal on the Ethernet medium reaches every attached node, the destination address is critical
to identify the intended recipient of the frame. For example, in the figure above, when computer B
transmits to printer C, computers A and D will still receive and examine the frame. However, when a
station first receives a frame, it checks the destination address to see if the frame is intended for itself.
If it is not, the station discards the frame without even examining its contents.

One interesting thing about Ethernet addressing is the implementation of a broadcast address. A
frame with a destination address equal to the broadcast address (simply called a broadcast, for short) is
intended for every node on the network, and every node will both receive and process this type of
frame.

CSMA/CD
The acronym CSMA/CD signifies carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection and
describes how the Ethernet protocol regulates communication among nodes. While the term may seem
intimidating, if we break it apart into its component concepts we will see that it describes rules very
similar to those that people use in polite conversation. To help illustrate the operation of Ethernet, we
will use an analogy of a dinner table conversation.

Let’s represent our Ethernet segment as a dinner table, and let several people engaged in polite
conversation at the table represent the nodes. The term multiple access covers what we already
discussed above: When one Ethernet station transmits, all the stations on the medium hear the
transmission, just as when one person at the table talks, everyone present is able to hear him or her.

Now let's imagine that you are at the table and you have something you would like to say. At the
moment, however, I am talking. Since this is a polite conversation, rather than immediately speak up
and interrupt, you would wait until I finished talking before making your statement. This is the same
concept described in the Ethernet protocol as carrier sense. Before a station transmits, it "listens" to
the medium to determine if another station is transmitting. If the medium is quiet, the station
recognizes that this is an appropriate time to transmit.

Carrier-sense multiple access gives us a good start in regulating our conversation, but there is one
scenario we still need to address. Let’s go back to our dinner table analogy and imagine that there is a
momentary lull in the conversation. You and I both have something we would like to add, and we both
"sense the carrier" based on the silence, so we begin speaking at approximately the same time. In
Ethernet terminology, a collision occurs when we both spoke at once.

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 In our conversation, we can handle this situation gracefully. We both hear the other speak at the same
time we are speaking, so we can stop to give the other person a chance to go on. Ethernet nodes also
listen to the medium while they transmit to ensure that they are the only station transmitting at that
time. If the stations hear their own transmission returning in a garbled form, as would happen if some
other station had begun to transmit its own message at the same time, then they know that a collision
occurred. A single Ethernet segment is sometimes called a collision domain because no two stations
on the segment can transmit at the same time without causing a collision. When stations detect a
collision, they cease transmission, wait a random amount of time, and attempt to transmit when they
again detect silence on the medium.

The random pause and retry is an important part of the protocol. If two stations collide when
transmitting once, then both will need to transmit again. At the next appropriate chance to transmit,
both stations involved with the previous collision will have data ready to transmit. If they transmitted
again at the first opportunity, they would most likely collide again and again indefinitely. Instead, the
random delay makes it unlikely that any two stations will collide more than a few times in a row.

Figure 15.40

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 Limitations of Ethernet

A single shared cable can serve as the basis for a complete Ethernet network, which is what we
discussed above. However, there are practical limits to the size of our Ethernet network in this case. A
primary concern is the length of the shared cable.

Electrical signals propagate along a cable very quickly, but they weaken as they travel, and electrical
interference from neighboring devices (fluorescent lights, for example) can scramble the signal. A
network cable must be short enough that devices at opposite ends can receive each other's signals
clearly and with minimal delay. This places a distance limitation on the maximum separation between
two devices (called the network diameter) on an Ethernet network. Additionally, since in CSMA/CD
only a single device can transmit at a given time, there are practical limits to the number of devices
that can coexist in a single network. Attach too many devices to one shared segment and contention
for the medium will increase. Every device may have to wait an inordinately long time before getting a
chance to transmit.

Engineers have developed a number of network devices that alleviate these difficulties. Many of these
devices are not specific to Ethernet, but play roles in other network technologies as well.

Repeaters

The first popular Ethernet medium was a copper coaxial cable known as "thicknet." The maximum
length of a thicknet cable was 500 meters. In large building or campus environments, a 500-meter
cable could not always reach every network device. A repeater addresses this problem.

Repeaters connect multiple Ethernet segments, listening to each segment and repeating the signal
heard on one segment onto every other segment connected to the repeater. By running multiple cables
and joining them with repeaters, you can significantly increase your network diameter.

Figure 15.41
Bridges and Segmentation

In our dinner table analogy, we had only a few people at a table carrying out the conversation, so
restricting ourselves to a single speaker at any given time was not a significant barrier to
communication. But what if there were many people at the table and only one were allowed to speak
at any given time?

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 In practice, we know that the analogy breaks down in circumstances such as these. With larger groups
of people, it is common for several different conversations to occur simultaneously. If only one person
in a crowded room or at a banquet dinner were able to speak at any time, many people would get
frustrated waiting for a chance to talk. For humans, the problem is self-correcting: Voices only carry
so far, and the ear is adept at picking out a particular conversation from the surrounding noise. This
makes it easy for us to have many small groups at a party converse in the same room; but network
cables carry signals quickly and efficiently over long distances, so this natural segregation of
conversations does not occur.

Ethernet networks faced congestion problems as they increased in size. If a large number of stations
connected to the same segment and each generated a sizable amount of traffic, many stations may
attempt to transmit whenever there was an opportunity. Under these circumstances, collisions would
become more frequent and could begin to choke out successful transmissions, which could take
inordinately large amounts of time to complete. One way to reduce congestion would be to split a
single segment into multiple segments, thus creating multiple collision domains. This solution creates
a different problem, as now these now separate segments are not able to share information with each
other.

To alleviate these problems, Ethernet networks implemented bridges. Bridges connect two or more
network segments, increasing the network diameter as a repeater does, but bridges also help regulate
traffic. They can send and receive transmissions just like any other node, but they do not function the
same as a normal node. The bridge does not originate any traffic of its own; like a repeater, it only
echoes what it hears from other stations. (That last statement is not entirely accurate: Bridges do create
a special Ethernet frame that allows them to communicate with other bridges, but that is outside the
scope of this article.)

Figure 15.42

Remember how the multiple access and shared medium of Ethernet meant that every station on the
wire received every transmission, whether it was the intended recipient or not? Bridges make use of
this feature to relay traffic between segments. In the figure above, the bridge connects segments 1 and
2. If station A or B were to transmit, the bridge would also receive the transmission on segment 1.
How should the bridge respond to this traffic? It could automatically transmit the frame onto segment
2, like a repeater, but that would not relieve congestion, as the network would behave like one long
segment.

One goal of the bridge is to reduce unnecessary traffic on both segments. It does this by examining
the destination address of the frame before deciding how to handle it. If the destination address is that
of station A or B, then there is no need for the frame to appear on segment 2. In this case, the bridge
does nothing. We can say that the bridge filters or drops the frame. If the destination address is that of
station C or D, or if it is the broadcast address, then the bridge will transmit, or forward the frame on
to segment 2. By forwarding packets, the bridge allows any of the four devices in the figure to
communicate. Additionally, by filtering packets when appropriate, the bridge makes it possible for
station A to transmit to station B at the same time that station C transmits to station D, allowing two
conversations to occur simultaneously!

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 Switches are the modern counterparts of bridges, functionally equivalent but offering a dedicated
segment for every node on the network (more on switches later in the article).

Routers: Logical Segmentation

Bridges can reduce congestion by allowing multiple conversations to occur on different segments
simultaneously, but they have their limits in segmenting traffic as well.

An important characteristic of bridges is that they forward Ethernet broadcasts to all connected
segments. This behavior is necessary, as Ethernet broadcasts are destined for every node on the
network, but it can pose problems for bridged networks that grow too large. When a large number of
stations broadcast on a bridged network, congestion can be as bad as if all those devices were on a
single segment.

Routers are advanced networking components that can divide a single network into two logically
separate networks. While Ethernet broadcasts cross bridges in their search to find every node on the
network, they do not cross routers, because the router forms a logical boundary for the network.

Routers operate based on protocols that are independent of the specific networking technology. This
allows routers to easily interconnect various network technologies, both local and wide area, and has
led to their widespread deployment in connecting devices around the world as part of the global
Internet.

Figure 15.43

Figure 15.44
Ethernet Today

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 Modern Ethernet implementations often look nothing like their historical counterparts. Where long
runs of coaxial cable provided attachments for multiple stations in legacy Ethernet, modern Ethernet
networks use twisted pair wiring or fiber optics to connect stations in a radial pattern. Where legacy
Ethernet networks transmitted data at 10 megabits per second (Mbps), modern networks can operate at
100 or even 1,000 Mbps!

Figure 15.45

Perhaps the most striking advancement in contemporary Ethernet networks is the use of switched
Ethernet. Switched networks replace the shared medium of legacy Ethernet with a dedicated segment
for each station. These segments connect to a switch, which acts much like an Ethernet bridge, but can
connect many of these single station segments. Some switches today can support hundreds of
dedicated segments. Since the only devices on the segments are the switch and the end station, the
switch picks up every transmission before it reaches another node. The switch then forwards the frame
over the appropriate segment, just like a bridge, but since any segment contains only a single node, the
frame only reaches the intended recipient. This allows many conversations to occur simultaneously on
a switched network. (See How LAN Switches work to learn more about switching technology.)

Ethernet switching gave rise to another advancement, full-duplex Ethernet. Full-duplex is a data
communications term that refers to the ability to send and receive data at the same time. Legacy
Ethernet is half-duplex, meaning information can move in only one direction at a time. In a totally
switched network, nodes only communicate with the switch and never directly with each other.
Switched networks also employ either twisted pair or fiber optic cabling, both of which use separate
conductors for sending and receiving data. In this type of environment, Ethernet stations can forgo the
collision detection process and transmit at will, since they are the only potential devices that can
access the medium. This allows end stations to transmit to the switch at the same time that the switch
transmits to them, achieving a collision-free environment.

Ethernet or 802.3?
You may have heard the term 802.3 used in place of or in conjunction with the term Ethernet.
"Ethernet" originally referred to a networking implementation standardized by Digital, Intel and
Xerox. (For this reason, it is also known as the DIX standard.)

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 In February 1980, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE (pronounced "I triple
E"), created a committee to standardize network technologies. The IEEE titled this the 802 working
group, named after the year and month of its formation. Subcommittees of the 802 working group
separately addressed different aspects of networking. The IEEE distinguished each subcommittee by
numbering it 802.X, with X representing a unique number for each subcommittee. The 802.3 group
standardized the operation of a CSMA/CD network that was functionally equivalent to the DIX
Ethernet.

Ethernet and 802.3 differ slightly in their terminology and the data format for their frames, but are in
most respects identical. Today, the term Ethernet refers generically to both the DIX Ethernet
implementation and the IEEE 802.3 standard.

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 15.12 Cat 5 cables
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable1.htm

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CAT 5 TWISTED-PAIR NETWORK

CABLES
Last updated: 1/18/2001

15.12.a Introduction
The purpose of this article is to show you how to make the two kinds of cables which can be used to
network two or more computers together to form quick and simple home or small office local area
networks (LANs). These instructions can also be used to make patch cables for networks with more
complex infrastructure wiring.
The two most common unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) network standards are the10 MHz 10BASE-T
Ethernet and the 100Mhz 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet. The 100BASE-TX standard is quickly
becoming the predominant LAN standard. If you are starting from scratch, to build a small home or
office network, this is clearly the standard you should choose. This article will show you how to make
cables which will work with both standards.

Figure 15.46

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 15.12.b LANs simplified

Figure 15.47

A LAN can be as simple as two computers, each having a network interface card (NIC) or network
adapter and running network software, connected together with a crossover cable.
The next step up would be a network consisting of three or more computers and a hub. Each of the
computers is plugged into the hub with a straight-thru cable (the crossover function is performed by
the hub).

15.12.c NETWORK CABLE AND CONNECTORS

There are several classifications of cable used for twisted-pair networks. I'll skip right over them and
state that I use and recommend Category 5 (or CAT 5) cable for all new installations. Likewise, there
are several fire code classifications for the outer insulation of CAT 5 cable. I use CMR cable, or "riser
cable," for most of the wiring I do. You should also be aware of CMP or plenum cable (a plenum is
used to distribute air in a building). You may be required by local, state or national codes to use the
more expensive plenum-jacketed cable if it runs through suspended ceilings, ducts, or other areas, if
they are used to circulate air or act as an air passage from one room to another. If in doubt, use
plenum. CMR cable is generally acceptable for all applications not requiring plenum cable.
CAT 5 wire is available in reel-in-box packaging. This is very handy for pulling the
wire without putting twists in it. Without this kind of package or a cable reel stand,
pulling wire is a two-person job. Before the advent of the reel-in-box, we used to
put a reel of wire on a broom handle to pull it. One person would hold the broom
handle and the other would pull and measure the cable. You will produce a tangled
mess, if you pull the wire off the end of the reel.

Stranded wire patch cables are often specified for cable segments running from a wall jack to a PC and
for patch panels. They are more flexible than solid core wire. However, the rational for using it is that
the constant flexing of patch cables may wear-out solid core cable--break it. I don't think this is a real
concern in the average small network. For example, I have one solid core cable going to my work
bench. It has probably flexed and average person's lifetime of flexes from the many times I have
connected customer computers to my network. Also, stranded cable is susceptible to degradation
from moisture infiltration, may use an alternate color code, and should not be used for cables longer
than 3 Meters (about 10 feet).

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 Most of the wiring I do simply connects computers directly to other computers or hubs. Solid core
cable is quite suitable for this purpose and for many home and small business networks. I find it also
quite acceptable for use as patch cables. You might consider a stranded wire patch cable if you have a
notebook computer you are constantly moving around.
CAT 5 cable has four twisted pairs of wire for a total of eight individually insulated wires. Each pair
is color coded with one wire having a solid color (blue, orange, green, or brown) twisted around a
second wire with a white background and a stripe of the same color. The solid colors may have a
white stripe in some cables. Cable colors are commonly described using the background color
followed by the color of the stripe; e.g., white-orange is a cable with a white background and an
orange stripe.

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 15.12.d CONNECTORS

Figure 15.48

The straight through and cross-over patch cables discussed in this article are terminated with CAT 5
RJ-45 modular plugs. RJ-45 plugs are similar to those you'll see on the end of your telephone cable
except they have eight versus four or six contacts on the end of the plug and they are about twice as
big. Make sure they are rated for CAT 5 wiring. (RJ means "Registered Jack"). Also, there are RJ-45
plugs designed for both solid core wire and stranded wire. Others are designed specifically for one
kind of wire or the other. Be sure you buy plugs appropriate for the wire you are going to use. I use
plugs designed to accommodate both kinds of wire.

15.12.e NETWORK CABLE TOOLS

Modular Plug Crimp Tool. You will need a modular crimp tool. This one is very similar to the
one I have been using for many years for all kinds of telephone cable work and it works just
fine for Ethernet cables. You don't need a lot of bells and whistles, just a tool which will
securely crimp RJ-45 connectors. This one is made by Eclipse Enterprises, Inc. Even
though the crimper has cutters which can be used to cut the cable and individual wires, and
possibly stripping the outer jacket, I find that the following tools are better for stripping and
cutting the cable...

Universal UTP Stripping Tool (Eclipse). I recently bought

one of these tools and it works slick, and it makes a much
neater cut. I recommend that you purchase one if you will
be making many cables.

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 Diagonal Cutters ("4 to 6"). It is easier to use diagonal
cutters ("diags" or "dikes") to cut the cable off at the reel and to
fine tune the cable ends during assembly. Also, if you don't
have a stripper, you can strip the cable by using a small knife
(X-acto, utility, etc.) to carefully slice the outer jacket
longitudinally and use the diags to cut it off around the circumference.

15.12.f A little theory

Now, bear with me, you need to understand some of this stuff...
The 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernets consist of two transmission lines. Each
transmission line is a pair of twisted wires. One pair receives data signals and the other pair
transmits data signals. A balanced line driver or transmitter is at one end of one of these
lines and a line receiver is at the other end. A (much) simplified schematic for one of these
lines and its transmitter and receiver follow:

Figure 15.49
Pulses of energy travel down the transmission line at about the speed of light (186,000
miles/second). The principal component of one of these pulses of energy is the voltage
potential between wires and current flowing near the surface of the wires. This energy can
also be considered as residing in the magnetic field which surrounds the wires and the
electric field between the wires. In other words, an electromagnetic wave which is guided by,
and travels down the wires.
The main concern is the transient magnetic fields which surround the wires and the magnetic
fields generated externally by the other transmission lines in the cable, other network cables,
electric motors, fluorescent lights, telephone and electric lines, lightning, etc. This is known
as noise. Magnetic fields induce their own pulses in a transmission line which may literally
bury the Ethernet pulses, the conveyor of the information being sent down the line.
The twisted-pair Ethernet employs two principle means for combating noise. The first is the
use of balanced transmitters and receivers. A signal pulse actually consists of two
simultaneous pulses relative to ground: a negative pulse on one line and a positive pulse on
the other. The receiver detects the total difference between these two pulses. Since a pulse
of noise (shown in red in the diagram) usually produces pulses of the same polarity on both
lines one pulse is essentially canceled by out the other at the receiver. Also, the magnetic
field surrounding one wire from a signal pulse is a mirror of the one on the other wire. At a
very short distance from the two wires the magnetic fields are opposite and have a tendency
to cancel the effect of each other out. This reduces the line's impact on the other pair of
wires and the rest of the world.
The second and the primary means of reducing cross-talk--the term cross-talk came from the
ability to (over) hear conversations on other lines on your phone--between the pairs in the
cable, is the double helix configuration produced by twisting the wires together. This
configuration produces symmetrical (identical) noise signals in each wire. Ideally, their
difference, as detected at the receiver, is zero. In actuality it is much reduced.

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 15.12.g COLOR-CODE STANDARDS

Again, please bear with me... Let's start with simple pin-out diagrams of the two types of
UTP Ethernet cables and watch how committees can make a can of worms out of them.
Here are the diagrams:

Figure 15.50
Note that the TX (transmitter) pins are connected to corresponding RX (receiver) pins, plus to plus and
minus to minus. And that you must use a crossover cable to connect units with identical interfaces. If
you use a straight-through cable, one of the two units must, in effect, perform the cross-over function.
Two wires color-code standards apply: EIA/TIA 568A and EIA/TIA 568B. The codes are commonly
depicted with RJ-45 jacks as follows:

Figure 15.51
If we apply the 568A color code and show all eight wires, our pin-out looks like this:

Figure 15.52
Note that pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 and the blue and brown pairs are not used in either standard. Quite
contrary to what you may read elsewhere, these pins and wires are not used or required to implement
100BASE-TX duplexing--they are just plain wasted.

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 However, the actual cables are not physically that simple. In the diagrams, the orange pair of wires is
not adjacent. The blue pair is upside-down. The right ends match RJ-45 jacks and the left ends do
not. If, for example, we invert the left side of the 568A "straight"-thru cable to match a 568A jack--
put one 180° twist in the entire cable from end-to-end--and twist together and rearrange the
appropriate pairs, we get the following can-of-worms:

This further emphasizes, I hope, the importance of the word "twist" in making network cables which
will work. You cannot use a flat-untwisted telephone cable for a network cable. Furthermore, you
must use a pair of twisted wires to connect a set of transmitter pins to their corresponding receiver
pins. You cannot use a wire from one pair and another wire from a different pair.

Figure 15.53

There are four pairs of wires contained in a CAT 5 UTP cable. These pairs of cables are colour coded
white blue/blue, white orange/orange, white green/green, white brown/brown, they are also numbered
one to four in the order shown. When terminated to an RJ45 connector these pairs are not layed out
next to each other. The reason behind this is simple. Ethernet was created to run over existing phone
networks, this design left pins 4 and 5 on an RJ45 socket free. The reason for this is when an RJ11
plug (the type used on common phones) is plugged into an RJ45 the middle two pins (pins 2 and 3)
connects with pins 4 and 5 of the RJ45, allowing a single line phone to work. If on the other hand you
plug an RJ45 plug into the RJ45 socket the network will run use pins 1 and 2 as one pair and pins 3
and 6 as another pair, thus avoiding conflicts.

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 15.13 Network glossary

Look at http://www.techfest.com/networking/lan/etherneta.htm for an extensive glossary

Bridge A device which connects two or more networks at the data link layer (layer
2). Bridge devices are specified in the IEEE 802.1D standard. Bridges are
not form part of the collision domain (i.e. Bridges may be used to split a
network into multiple collision domains).

Hub An Ethernet hub or concentrator is a device for connecting multiple twisted pair or
fiber optic Ethernet devices together, making them act as a single segment.
Ethernet hubs are also responsible for forwarding a jam signal to all ports if it
detects a collision.

Figure 15.54

Repeater A device that receives, amplifies (and sometimes reshapes), and retransmits a
signal. It is used to boost signal levels and extend the distance a signal can be
transmitted. It can connect two or more LAN segments and physically extend the
distance of a LAN. It immediately copies all bits arriving on each segment to all
other segments, whether or not they are part of a valid frame. (See Figure 15.41)

Routers These are more complex internetworking devices that are also typically
more expensive than bridges. They use Network Layer Protocol Information
within each packet to route it from one LAN to another. (See Figure 15.43
and Figure 15.44).

Segment A part of a LAN that is separated from the rest of the LAN by a router, bridge or
switch. (See Figure 15.42)

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 15.14 Exercises

On the drawing below, indicate which ‘Communication channel’ is a ‘Simplex Channel’, and which is
a ‘Full-Duplex Channel.

1) Position signals to the DP, ‘Blom computer’ or surveyor

2) Gyro and VRS input signals

3) DGPS

4) Between the O.S. and TRC.

Figure 15.55

5) Explain the difference between the ‘crossover’ and ‘straight-thru’ cables used in Figure
15.47. (See also Figure 15.50 and Figure 15.52).

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

6) What is the difference between a hub and a router

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

7) What is important when you make an UTP? (Hint! See the end of Chapter 15.12.g)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

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 15.15 Troubleshooting network

Computers with Windows Operating Systems (NT, 2000 or XP) has some built-in programs which
simplifies the network troubleshooting.

1) If APOS is up and running, you need a keyboard with ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Esc’ buttons.

2) Press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Esc’ simultaneously, and you get access to the ‘Start’ button.

3) Select ‘Run’ and write ‘cmd’.

Figure 15.56

4) From the table below, select Transceiver

Function SBC for transceiver 1 SBC for transceiver 2

IP address net A 157.237.11.200 157.237.11.201
IP address net B 157.236.11.200 157.236.11.201

5) Test communication to Transceiver 1 on Net A

Ping 157.237.11.200

6) .

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 16 Configure ‘light’
16 Configure
16 Configure for service engineers

Revision Date Written by

A 15 sept. 2004 kgr
B June 1, 2005 kgr
C September 1, 2005 kgr
D November 10, 2005 kgr
E January 15, 2006 kgr
E1 May 1, 2006 kgr
E2 May 22, 2006 kgr
E3 June 12, 2006 kgr

Revision Comments
A This is a new part, based on handouts
B New chapter number. ‘Transducer configure’ is not part of this course, but is
available in Appendix.
C Minor changes. Figure numbers added. Chapter 16.5 is expanded.
D Subjects related to DP communication are grouped together in 16.4e. Minor
changes throughout
E 16.2e and 16.3d added. Minor changes throughout. Autom. figure no. and sub
chapters added.
E1 16.3c changed. Configure ‘light’ part of the ‘APOS Basic Operator Course’
E2 16.3.f and g added. 16.7 modified. 16.5.a and b is removed. Minor changes
throughout.
E3 Changes in 16.3.b,

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 Contents

16 Configure ‘light’

16 Configure

16 Configure for service engineers

16.1 Objective
16.2 Configuration
16.3 Transceiver… (HiPAP)
16.3.a Reference - Change Gyro and VRS
16.3.b Transceiver Interface
16.3.c Transducer
16.3.d Operation Mode
16.3.e Data Acquisition
16.3.f Reset
16.3.g Spectrum Analyze
16.3.h Syncronization
16.4 Transceiver… (HPR 400)
16.4.a Reference
16.4.b Transducers
16.4.c Data Acquisition
16.4.d Synchronization
16.5 Output ...
16.5.a Connecting the APC 10 to the DP
16.5.b NMEA Positions - All Operator Stations are sending position
telegrams to the DP.
16.5.c HPR 400 Positions - Telling the DP which transceiver that calculated
the position
16.6 External interfaces…
16.6.a Configure a new GPS input
16.7 Transceiver Interface
16.7.a Serial lines
16.7.b Checking Ethernet configuration for the transceivers.

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 16.1 Objective

This chapter is split into 3 parts:

i) Configure 'light'

Configure 'light' is intended for operators, and will be part of the 'APOS Basic Operator
Course'.

ii) Configure

Configure is intended for electrician as part of the 'HiPAP® Technical Course' or the 'HPR
400 Technical Course'.
It can also be selected as a module in the 'APOS Advanced Operator Course'.

iii) Configure for service engineers

This part will be covered in ‘internal training courses’.

In the Configure 'Light' part you will learn how to:

1) Change gyro and VRS on the HiPAP® system.

2) adjust HiPAP® transceiver amplifications and transducer beam width

3) Introduction to the 'Spectrum Analyzer' on the HiPAP® system.

4) Reset the transceiver

In the Configure part, you will learn Configure 'Light', as well as the items shown below

5) connect gyro and VRS to the HiPAP® transceiver

6) Connect the Operator Station (i.e. APC 10) to other computer systems (Surveyor, Blom,
ROV etc.)

7) connect a dGPS to the APC 10

In the 'Configure for the Service Engineer' part you will learn the above items, as well as the items
shown below

8) connect APC 10 to the DP (intended for internal training)

..

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 16.2 Configuration

When you press ‘Configure’ on the menu line, you will get the following menu.

Figure 16.1

Indicate on the drawing below, on which item each of these option suits.

Figure 16.2

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 16.3 Transceiver… (HiPAP)

Step by step

1) Select Configure on the ‘Menu bar’, and then Transceiver… (see Figure 16.1)

2) If you have more than one transceiver, chose the one you need to configure,

Figure 16.3

16.3.a Reference - Change Gyro and VRS

In Figure 16.3, select Gyro Setup or VRS Setup to be able to change Gyro or VRS

Figure 16.4

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 Control questions

1. If your vessel has an integrated operator station with the DP, and you select a new gyro on
the DP. What will happen on the gyro selection in the HiPAP/HPR system?

____________________________________________________________

Figure 16.5

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 16.3.e Data Acquisition

Step by step

In Figure 16.3, select Setup.

Figure 16.7

In this dialog box there is two main functions that we are interested in, the Search sector and the Max
gain [dB].

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 Search sector

1) In the HiPAP sw release T4.5.0, this selection also applies to the TX pulse

2) Press the ‘Help’ button and read about the ‘search sector’

3) Fill in the ‘source level’ for your system in the table below, and indicate in Figure 16.8 were
any changes in ‘source level’ applies.

Search Sector HiPAP 500 max SL HiPAP 350 max SL

+/-115°
+/-95°
+/-75°
+/-60°
+/-35°
+/-15°

4) What is the default ‘search sector’ and ‘source level’? _______________________

NB! All the values are measured in the vertical direction (center element).
The values are just approximate values (± 3dB), so the interesting point here is the
difference between the search sectors.

Figure 16.8

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 Max gain [dB]

i) Press the ‘Help’ button and read about the ‘Max gain [dB]
ii) If you have noise problems, adjust this value. Remember that a change of -3 dB
results in a 50% attenuation

In the drawing below, indicate were the changes taking place, when you play around with ‘Max gain
[dB]’.

Figure 16.9

16.3.f Reset

In Figure 16.3, press the Help button and read about the Reset function.

In Figure 16.9, indicate what will be reset.

16.3.g Spectrum Analyze

The instructor will describe the function.

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 16.4 Transceiver… (HPR 400)

Step by step

1) Select ‘Configure’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and then ‘Transceiver…’.

2) If you have more than one transceiver, chose the one you need to configure,

Figure 16.12

16.4.a Reference

All digital inputs to the HPR 400 have 9600 baud, except Gyro input as a NMEA telegram. This input
can be 4800 baud.

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 16.5 Output ...

Generally:

APOS Output has 4 different formats

i) NMEA Positions

ii) HPR 400 Positions

iii) HPR 300/200 Positions

iv) BCD Positions

‘BCD-positions’ is an internal Kongsberg Simrad format, and the most common format for DP.

HPR 400-, HPR 300/200- and BCD Positions are binary outputs.

Configurations in this dialog don’t require you to be in ‘Service mode’, see chapter 14. However, if
you stay in ‘Service Mode’ during this configuration, you will be able to add a security lock, so any
later changes will require ‘Service Mode’.

Figure 16.15

This dialog box, with the ‘Available Outputs overview’ tab selected, is an overview only, and no
configuration change is allowed. To do configuration changes, select one of the other tabs.

Detailed description is available in APOS Help.

Select: Help > Help > Contents > Configure

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 16.6 External interfaces…

It is possible to receive data from external systems, like GPS, Depth sensors and Gyros. The ‘Depth
sensor’ and Gyro is typical readings from a ROV. In these cases, APOS is able to display both heading
and depth of the ROV.

These readings will normally be a NMEA protocol on a serial line, but can also be received over the
net. As for the Depth sensor, they may come with a great variety of communication protocols, and
should not be chosen as NMEA.

If you need 1PPS, you will have to connect the GPS through serial lines.

OBSERVE: This exercise is not available on the trainer

16.6.a Configure a new GPS input

1) Select ‘Configure’ on the ‘Menu bar’, and the ‘External Interfaces…’. See Figure 16.1.

2)

Figure 16.19

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 3) ‘Right click’ on ‘External Interfaces’ and select ‘Add NMEA’

Figure 16.20

4) You have now prepared APOS to receive a telegram from an external system.

Figure 16.21
5) ‘Right click’ on ‘NMEA ExtInterface1’ and select ‘Activate IOserver’. Sometimes you go
directly to choose a serial line, and sometimes you get the dialog box shown in Figure 16.22.

Figure 16.22
6) Select ‘Configure’ and you can choose between serial line and network

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 Figure 16.23
As you can see in the lower left corner of this dialog box, you can also choose Depth here.
That means the telegrams from the depth sensor is received as NMEA telegrams, but if you
choose 'Add Depth' in Figure 16.20, the depth sensor will not give us a NMEA telegram.

The HPR300 option is a special use intended to use the APOS transducer alignment function
for a HPR 300 system.

7) As we said earlier, serial line is most commonly used. Press OK and you will open the dialog
box for configuring the serial line, as seen in Figure 16.24.

Figure 16.24

8) Choose an available serial line. Check against the GPS system the transmission rate, baud
settings etc., as well as if it RS 232 or 422. Press OK

Rev. E2 Page 262 of 262 APOS for HiPAP/HPR Technical Course