SeaTrac Serial Command Interface Reference
Page 17
4.
Getting Started
When using SeaTrac Beacons for the first time, ensure that you have read the Beacon’s User
Manual first and observed all the operating requirements and precautions.
Specially, the user manual covers the connector pin-outs used for making connections to the
beacon and the requirements of the power supply.
4.1.
Equipment Required
For a test and development setup it is recommended to have the following equipment…
A PC with at least one RS-232 serial port, although dual serial ports are better for
testing both ends of an acoustic link with two beacons (a variety of RS232-to-USB
serial converters have been tested at 115200 baud and proved to also work well).
If the PC has Microsoft Windows installed, having a copy of SeaTrac Tools installed is
also recommended to help validate Beacon hardware is functioning correctly and
application development progresses.
A terminal application running on the PC to validate basic operation and view output
from the beacons serial port.
For each beacon in the setup, a separate bench-top power supply capable of delivering
at least 1 amp at 12V with a smoothed DC output.
Suitable leads to connect the beacon (or beacons) to the power supplies and RS232
serial ports.
A bucket of water to place beacons while communicating acoustically (observe safe
handling procedures when using electrical items in the proximity of mains power
supplies!).
4.2.
Testing in air
As mentioned above, where possible it is recommended to place beacons in a bucket of water
(or larger test tank is possible) while they are communicating acoustically.
The presence of the liquid around the transducer helps mechanically dampen it to its designed
operating levels and will reduce peak-current observed to be drawn from power supplies
during transmission.
Alternately, two separate small containers of water may be used to hold each beacon, and
operation should still be observed as the sound leaves one container, travels through air, and
enters the second.
Where possible, it is recommended to avoid prolonged operation of the beacons
acoustic transmitter out of water as the mechanical stress on the transducer element is
