KONGSBERG K-Sync
Figure 3
The Synchronizing Unit
The Synchronizing Unit can utilize feedback signals from echo sounders in order to
perform optimal synchronization.
Feedback signals are not required, but should be used when available. If feedback
signals are not available, the operator can estimate the waiting period required for the
echo sounder to become ready.
Concept of Operation
The Synchronizing Unit schedules the echo sounders to transmit according to trigger
groups. There are a total of 16 trigger groups and any number of echo sounders (or
none) can be assigned to a group. Each group is triggered consecutively, while the echo
sounders assigned to a group are triggered together. Once it is determined (by reading
feedback signals) or estimated (based on user settings) that all echo sounders in the
current group have completed their ping cycle, then the next group is triggered. All
groups are triggered in round-robin fashion. The duration of each group is not fixed and
depends upon what the maximum active period is for the echo sounders in that group.
Echo sounders can be taken out of the schedule without changing the group schedule,
simply by disabling them. If a group does not contain any available echo sounders,
then that group is skipped.
If the ready to transmit feedback signal is available, then the duration of the active period
is as long as the time it takes for the signal to become active after the echo sounder
has been triggered.
If the transmitting feedback signal is available, the Synchronizing Unit will automatically
check that a transmit occurred after each trigger. If the echo sounder fails to transmit
three times in a row, it is assumed that it has been turned off and it is then taken out of
the schedule.
It is possible to ignore the feedback signals by specifying either
Calculated
or
Fixed
Period
trigger modes (see section
on page 44).
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