2665 Series Operation Manual
EZT-2665-8000/6
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5.
P
LANNING AN OPERATION
5.1
W
HAT NEEDS SETTING UP
?
Check that Easytrak Alpha agrees with the settings of the beacons (Please see
Appendix D).
How often are positions required? The slower the rate, the longer the beacon’s
batteries will last.
Should Easytrak Alpha be used in a confined environment, it is prudent to keep the
update rate as low as possible to prevent reverberation from previous replies
interfering with the current reply.
5.2
W
HAT EQUIPMENT IN TERMS OF BEACONS IS REQUIRED
/
AVAILABLE
?
If the target has the possibility of an electrical connection to the Easytrak Alpha
Console, the responder is usually the best choice of beacon. The position
calculation is more accurate as acoustic signals only have to travel from the
responder to the transducer. The responder is not affected by local noise, for
example, from the thrusters of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
Transponders are generally used where there can be no electrical connection to the
Easytrak Alpha Command Console.
5.3
W
HERE ARE THE BEACONS TO BE POSITIONED
?
Find the best location for the beacon. Ensure that the beacon can be ‘seen’ by the
Easytrak Alpha transducer i.e. it is not being obstructed. Try to avoid any acoustic
reflectors that could lead to instability in bearing and range readings.
5.4
W
HAT LOCAL POWER IS AVAILABLE
?
If the beacon is fitted on a sub-sea vehicle (or similar), it should be investigated
whether local power is available. If power is available and suitable, the power can
be supplied to the beacon removing the need for a battery pack and the subsequent
requirement of battery charging. The power can be either from the vehicle’s power
supply or through an umbilical. Please read the beacon’s manual for details.
5.5
H
OW IS THE TRANSDUCER GOING TO BE MOUNTED
?
Is it possible to mount the transducer over the side of the ship on a suitable pole?
The transducer is then fixed securely to the vessel in an economical manner. It can
however, be difficult to have a pole long enough to be sufficiently clear of the ship’s
hull (>1 metre). Deployment and recovery is usually not as easy due to the weight
of the pole and transducer, and the assembly / disassembly of guide wires etc.
